Social Anthropology (Master's Degree Subject)Professionalization in an International Field
Social Anthropology asks what being and becoming human means across different social, cultural and historical contexts. It asks: What is the relationship between the local worlds that people inhabit and the global structures in which they are embedded? This requires social anthropologists to exercise their imagination and decenter common understandings of social relations, economic livelihoods and political power, among other things. They must thus strive to broaden the possible ways of perceiving and conceiving key challenges of our times.
Focal areas of teaching and research
Building on the fundamentals of social anthropology acquired in the bachelor's program, students in the master's program are guided in expanding their theoretical knowledge, delving deeper into a specific subfield, and acquiring specific knowledge about a research area. Students learn about ethnographic methods and acquire the ability to design and carry out an individual research project, evaluate the findings, interpret them in relation to the theoretical framework, and present them in an academic text.
While the regional focus of Social Anthropology at the University of Basel is on Africa and Eastern Europe, our researchers also conduct research and teach on Oceania, Asia, Latin America, and the Afro-Atlantic region, among other areas.
Our research and teaching focus thematically on general anthropology; the global economy; migration, mobility and belonging; gender, sexuality and kinship; medicine, health and the body; and the politics of knowledge production.
From a methodological perspective the program of Social Anthropology represents primarily qualitative and interpretive approaches. In particular, it nurtures the development of methods that can detect current changes under globalization.
Short profile
| Degree | MA in Social Anthropology |
| Type | Degree subject |
| Start date | February, September |
| Credit points | 120 |
| Study structure | The Master's degree is the second degree after the Bachelor's degree and comprises a total of 120 credit points (CP). In addition to Social Anthropology, students choose a second, independent subject, whereby both subjects are studied for 35 CP each. The subject in which the master's thesis (30 CP) is written becomes a major, the other a minor. In addition, there are free electives (20 CP). One ECTS credit point corresponds to approximately 30 hours of work. |
| Subject combination | Students may choose a subject from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences or an extra-faculty subject as their second Master's degree subject. Students can choose their second subject according to their interests and career perspectives. Social Anthropology can for instance be combined with disciplines that deal with societies and their cultures or cultural sub-areas (such as art or language), with human behavior, norms (law), history, or natural environment. The 20 CP for the free electives can be gained in courses of your choice (please check entry requirements of the respective courses). They can be used to deepen knowledge in the degree subjects, gain insights into other degree subjects offered by the University of Basel or acquire language skills. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Subject area | Anthropology |
Language skills
Courses are taught in English. A few courses might be taught in German.
Although no English certificate is required, advanced English skills (level B2 or higher) are needed for a successful completion of the degree subject.
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
Fall semester 2026
Master's examinations for students of the subject and degree program
Master's degree
All data subject to subsequent changes.
Career opportunities
The competences acquired throughout the study of social anthropology can be applied in the broad spectrum from academic-theoretical science to practiced anthropology. Future social anthropologists often take an active role in shaping their own professional environment, which can be both an opportunity and a challenge.
Thanks to the broad knowledge acquired during the study of social anthropology, such as the collection and processing of complex information, writing, reading and presentation skills, as well as reflecting on and questioning societal values and norms, global interconnections, power structures and inequalities, our graduates find jobs in various career fields; including NGOs; intercultural communication, dialogue or international cooperation; migration, refugee services and social work; media, public relations and journalism; education and outreach; museums, archives and independent curating; research institutions; tourism, public health sector and sustainability; international enterprises; diplomacy and politics.
Academic advice
Teaching committee
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