Anthropology

The MSc in Anthropology from the University of Copenhagen is a two-year programme taught in English. The aim of the Master's Programme in Anthropology is to provide a theoretical further education with thematic and regional specialisation, as well as experience in research methodology (e.g. data acquisition and cultural description and analysis). The MSc in Anthropology culminates in a thesis, material for which is collated through fieldwork.

Profile and Career

The MSc programme endows students with comprehensive regional, methodological, theoretical and analytical competencies. A Master of Anthropology is able to formulate
field- and research questions, select relevant anthropological methods for the collation of data, conduct empirical research, and select and incorporate relevant theory in the analysis of empirical material. They are able to structure the collected material and communicate their analytical results clearly and precisely. Having honed their ability to plan, conduct and communicate research, a Master of Anthropology is able to contribute to research, project and communications work dealing with the social and cultural aspect of human life.

The MSc programme provides students the competencies to interpret local, regional and global cultural practices. When faced with complex and unpredictable situations, a Master of Anthropology has the ability to analyze different parties' perspectives and the rationales behind their actions. These competencies make it possible for graduates to shed new light on chronic or intractable problems, leading to new and more sustainable approaches within a given field.

Career opportunities

Today anthropologists work in the public as well as the private sector. The following is a list of some of the career opportunities available for anthropologists:

• Consultant and project work within qualitative research and analysis, project planning, implementation, analysis and evaluation
• International organisation and NGO's
• Innovation, product and market development and management
• Intercultural communication in international companies
• Teaching and communication at universities, high schools, museums
• Communication in media businesses; news papers, websites, academic journals
• International development in Denmark and internationally
• Research

Programme Structure

The MSc in Anthropology from the University of Copenhagen is a two-year programme, which consists of 9 courses, a 16-week fieldwork or internship and a master thesis.

1st year

1st semester

• Field methods with synopsis, 15 ECTS
• Optional Anthropological course, 7,5 ECTS
• Optional Anthropological course, 7,5 ECTS

2nd semester

• Field Work, 30 ECTS

2nd year

3rd semester

• Contemporary Anthropological Theory, 15 ECTS
• Athropological Analysis, 7,5 ECTS
• Optional Anthropological course, 7,5 ECTS

4th semester

• Thesis, 30 ECTS

First year

The purpose of the first year of the MSc in Anthropology is to provide students with advanced-level knowledge about recent anthropological theories within the context of the history of anthropology and scientific theory, and about the potential applications of those theories in empirical research.

The programme also covers anthropological methodology, with a particular focus on critical and reflective positions on the epistemological, ethical and academic implications of methodological choices. Students learn in-depth about project planning, particularly with reference to anthropological fieldwork, and this will form the basis for their thesis work. They also have the opportunity to acquire ethnographic knowledge about the specific location in which the 16-week fieldwork project is to take place.

Second year

The purpose of the second year of the MSc programme is to train students in anthropological analysis, as well as to provide insight into anthropological themes or regions, and therefore provide inspiration for the master's thesis.

Students have the opportunity to choose specific regional or thematic courses that provide them with in-depth knowledge of anthropological fields of research and specific regions' ethnography and regional problems. They are trained to conduct an independent analytical project of considerable duration in the light of the ethnographic data collated during the fieldwork. The master's thesis will reflect all of the competencies attained during the course of the programme.

Master Degree Profiles

During your master degree in anthropology you have the opportunity to specialize your MSc towards the thematical and/or geographical fields which you find particularly interesting. The optional courses you choose as well as where and how you conduct your fieldwork during your master degree will determine the specialization of your MSc degree.

At the department of Anthropology you can, amongst others, specialize in business anthropology, political anthropology, medical anthropology, migration and anthropology of the environment. You can create your own profile or combine several.

If you have completed a Bachelor’s degree or are enrolled in the final semester of a Bachelor’s programme you are eligible to apply for the Master’s Programme in Anthropology. Regardless of what university you are enrolled at, you can - if you meet the language requirements - apply on the basis of a Bachelor’s Degree that grants direct acces or another relevant Bachelor’s Degree.Bachelor’s degrees that grant direct accessIf you hold one of the degrees listed below, you are considered to meet all admission requirements and have direct access to apply to the Master’s Programme in Anthropology. BSc in Anthropology from the University of Copenhagen (reserved access*)* If you have reserved access, you are guaranteed a place on the Master’s programme if you apply before the application deadline during the first application period after you complete your Bachelor’s degree.Other Bachelor’s degreesIf you have a Bachelor’s degree other than those listed above, you must submit additional documentation along with your application so the University can evaluate whether or not you meet the admission requirements.Admission requirements:A relevant bachelor's degree that is similar in level to the Bachelor's Programme in Anthropology at the University of Copenhagen.The bachelor's degree must consist of a minimum of one and a half years (90 ECTS) of anthropological subjects.The bachelor's degree must include introductory courses in anthropology, including introduction to history of anthropological theory and methodologyProficiency in English corresponding to at least English B-level; cf. Section 11 of the Danish Ministerial Order on Admission at Universities.Documentation for the admission requirements is explained in Application Procedures. Admission restrictionsIf there are more qualified applicants than available spaces on the programme, the selection of admitted applicants is based on:General proficiency/marks in the qualifying degree programStatement of purpose for wanting to study MSc in Anthropology (1-2 pages) covering your motivation for applying and a description of the intended field work and Master’s thesis work.The admission capacity has been fixed to 90 slots per year.Precedence will be given to applicants who have reserved access* and they are not subject to selection due to admission restrictions.If you have already successfully completed a two-year Master's programme and there are more applicants than slots available, you will normally not be admitted to the Master's Programme. A one year Master’s Programme is not considered equivalent to a Master's Programme at the University of Copenhagen and you will be at par with other applicants.Supplementary coursesWhen we evaluate your application for a Master’s programme at UCPH, we only consider your qualifying Bachelor’s Degree or Professional Bachelor’s Degree. This means that you can no longer meet the admission requirements of the Master’s programme through supplementary courses that are not part of your main qualifying degree. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 TOEFL paper-based test score : 560 TOEFL iBT® test: 83

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