Cultural Anthropology (Master's degree subject)Researching Dynamic and Complex Cultural Phenomena
Cultural Anthropology researches cultural processes and phenomena in Europe. The term "culture" refers to the way in which people shape and give meaning to their lives through dynamic negotiation processes. The subject examines their meanings and modes of action in a variety of different areas of everyday life such as migration, media use, scene activities, leisure activities, work or identity politics. Cultural anthropology is characterized by a micro-analytical view of situations, events and spaces. It works with ethnographic-qualitative methods of field research (participant observation, interviews) as well as with historical, image, text and object-analytical tools of investigation. The "Research Lab" is therefore at the heart of the Master's degree course, enabling students to independently develop questions, reflect on the conception of empirical research and adopt a project-oriented working style.
Focal areas of teaching and research
The subject area Cultural Studies and European Ethnology at the University of Basel focuses on the following areas in teaching and research:
- Culture, everyday life, politics
- Anthropology of knowledge, science and technology studies
- Museum, memory and narrative research
- Globalization, migration, mobility
- Body, senses, health
- Visual, material, media and digital culture
Short profile
| Degree | MA in Cultural Anthropology |
| Type | Subject |
| Start date | February, September |
| Credit points | 120 |
| Study structure | The Master's degree is the second degree after the Bachelor's degree. The Master's program comprises a total of 120 credit points (CP). Cultural Anthropology is studied in combination with a second subject, each worth 35 credit points. The subject in which the Master's thesis (30 CP) is written becomes a major, the other a minor. In addition, there is the free elective area (20 CP). One credit point corresponds to approximately 30 hours of work. |
| Combination of subjects | Cultural Anthropology can be meaningfully and profitably combined with many disciplines. A subject from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences or a non-faculty subject can be considered as a second Master's subject. Students can choose it according to their interests and professional goals. The free elective area consists of freely selectable courses that can be used to deepen knowledge of the subjects studied, to gain insight into other subjects offered by the University of Basel or to acquire language skills. |
| Language of instruction | German, English |
| Subject area | Cultural Studies and European Ethnology |
Master’s admission requirements
Admission to master’s programs is regulated by the university student regulations and the stipulations of the individual degree program descriptions. More details of the general master’s admission requirements are provided here.
For students to be admitted with no additional requirements, they must hold a bachelor’s degree worth 180 CP from a higher education institution recognized by the University of Basel.
Subject-related requirements are defined in the admission requirements (section 3) of the study program for the relevant subject. The guidelines may also contain further useful information that is key to successful studies.
Registration dates
Students must register for their bachelor’s or master’s degree program within a specified timeframe – even in cases of delayed registration.
Information events
The University of Basel organizes regular information events for bachelor’s and master’s programs. Details can be found on the events page of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Some subject areas also offer their own separate information or welcome events. Please consult the page for the relevant subject area for event dates and locations.
Deadlines and dates for the Master's studies
See also factsheets under Documents & Factsheets.
Master's thesis
Master's examinations for students of the subject and degree program
Master's degree
All data subject to subsequent changes.
Career opportunities
Cultural anthropologists are sensitized to cultural and social processes in all their facets. They are able to approach, analyze and interpret different situations in a differentiated manner. At the same time, they bring general academic work skills such as researching, editing, informing and communicating to their day-to-day work. This opens up a wide range of fields of activity for them in teaching and research, at publishing houses, media and libraries, in exhibitions, museums and archives, at public authorities and administrations, in international organizations such as NGOs and associations (especially in the areas of migration and integration, equal opportunities and environmental protection), in market research and tourism, in adult education and in all areas where transcultural know-how is required. Students are introduced to future professional fields through internships, for example in cooperation with various museums.
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