Master's Programme in Cultural Anthropology
120 credits
In Cultural Anthropology, we try to understand people - why they are the way they are, and how they think and organise themselves socially and politically in relation to gender, sexuality, religion, ethnicity and more. You will learn about ethnographic research and benefit from the teachers' own experiences of fieldwork. As a student of the Master's programme in Cultural Anthropology, you will be part of a rich, international learning environment!
Application and entry requirements
Expand the information below to show details on entry requirements, programme-specific documents, selection criteria and tuition fees.
Autumn 2026 Autumn 2026, Uppsala, 100%, On-campus, English
- Location
- Uppsala
- Pace of study
- 100%
- Teaching form
- On-campus
- Instructional time
- Daytime
- Study period
- 31 August 2026–4 June 2028
- Language of instruction
- English
- Entry requirements
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Academic requirements
A Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, from an internationally recognised university.
Also required is 60 credits in cultural/social anthropology.
Language requirements
Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6. This requirement can be met either by achieving the required score on an internationally recognised test, or by previous upper secondary or university studies in some countries.
- Selection
-
Students are selected based on an overall appraisal of previous university studies with emphasis on the quality of the Bachelor's thesis (or equivalent project work) and a statement of purpose.
Tuition fee-paying students and non-paying students are admitted on the same grounds but in different selection groups.
- Fees
- If you are not a citizen of a European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) country, or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees.
- First tuition fee instalment: SEK 57,000
- Total tuition fee: SEK 228,000
- Application deadline
- 15 January 2026
- Application code
- UU-M5185
- Supporting documents
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In addition to the general supporting documents, you also need to submit the following programme-specific documents:
- a statement of purpose (1 page)
- your Bachelor's thesis (or equivalent project work).
The statement of purpose should detail your motivation for studying the Master's Programme in Cultural Anthropology and provide information about your previous anthropological studies.
Check the application guide for information on how to apply and what other supporting documents you need to submit.
About the programme
The Master's Programme in Cultural Anthropology offers you an opportunity to study cultural and social anthropology in an international learning environment where approximately half of the students come from outside of Sweden. The diversity of student backgrounds contributes to a rich educational experience and gives you a global professional network that will be very useful in your future career in the field. Our teaching is grounded in ethnographic research and inspired by the teachers' own field research experiences and insights.
The two-year programme broadens and further deepens your anthropological competencies. In addition to enrolling in courses in applied anthropology and ethnology at the Department, you have additional opportunities to select courses in other relevant disciplines at the University, to enrol for a semester at another university in Europe or elsewhere in the world, and to carry out an internship.
During the programme, you can expect to:
- study cultural and social anthropology in an international context,
- study courses grounded in ethnographic research,
- carry out your qualitative fieldwork,
- do an internship in an organisation that fits your interests.
Student profile
You have studied cultural or social anthropology, and perhaps have a previous degree in Cultural or Social Anthropology. You may also have studied anthropological subjects in Development Studies, Political Science, Sociology or Archaeology.
You have probably spent some time working or travelling to experience the world. This has increased your interest in understanding the world from a social and cultural perspective. You have a strong motivation and are prepared to take responsibility for shaping your education through the range of courses that Uppsala University offers. You are used to planning your own work and staying within given time frames.
Degree
The programme leads to the degree of Master of Arts (120 credits) with Cultural Anthropology as the main field of study. After one year of study, it is possible to obtain a degree of Master of Arts (60 credits).
Content
The programme's focus is on cultural and social anthropology. The first semester is pre-planned to give you time to settle in. Four compulsory courses are scheduled, among them a methods course in ethnography. During the first semester, you will also spend time designing your thesis project. You will study together with the students in the Master's Programme in Ethnology and Folkloristics.
The next three semesters are more flexible, allowing you to specialise and select courses that suit your research focus. During these semesters, you will carry out fieldwork for approximately one month and work on your thesis under the guidance of your supervisor.
While most students choose to complete a two-year degree, it is also possible to follow a one-year course of study. The one-year programme provides in-depth knowledge of theory and methods in anthropology and includes the opportunity to complete a minor anthropological field study.
If you have previously completed the one-year Master's degree in Cultural Anthropology you may be admitted to the second year of the programme and will then write a 15-credit essay during the second year.
You may also take advantage of the possibilities for inspiring and challenging international student exchanges and internships. Such an internship can be done in Sweden, but previous students have also done internships in, for example, South Africa, Luxemburg and the Philippines.
Courses within the programme
Compulsory courses
- Advanced Study of Anthropological Theory, 7.5 credits
- Contemporary Culture Theory, 7.5 credits
- Ethnography, 7.5 credits
- Introduction to Writing a Master's Thesis in Cultural Anthropology and Ethnology, 7.5 hp
Examples of elective courses in the field of anthropology
- Contemporary Issues in Medical Anthropology, 7.5 credits
- Anthropology and Ethnology in Practice, 7.5 credits
- Ethnography of Difference, 7.5 credits
- Political Ecology, 7.5 credits
Additional courses are available as elective courses and you may select from among more than 50 courses at other departments in the Faculty of Arts.
Learning experience
The Department's advanced level courses comprise 7.5 ECTS credits each and are given at half speed. Normally, two courses are read in parallel. The courses include both lectures and seminars, mostly on campus in Uppsala. Some lectures and seminars might take place remotely, via Zoom. The courses are examined through oral and written seminar assignments, which sometimes take place in groups, as well as through home exams and shorter essays.
The courses in cultural anthropology are given in English and many students also take ethnological courses at the Department, also given in English.
You have the opportunity to do a credit-bearing internship for five or ten weeks (7.5 and 15 credits, respectively). The internship is carried out in Sweden or abroad.
Career
This programme provides you with professional, analytical capacities in areas such as international development and humanitarian assistance, migration, multiculturalism, journalism and media, tourism, museums and exhibitions. It also gives you a solid basis for pursuing a research career in anthropology and other related subjects.
Previous students who graduated recently from the Master's programme have been employed for instance as an/a:
- educator by the Swedish organisation Friends, which works to prevent bullying,
- curator at a German municipal museum,
- developer within the Swedish innovation agency Vinnova.
These are solid first jobs, and a few years further down the road former students have gained important positions in development aid organisations such as the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) or started their own companies, such as Inculture, doing anthropological studies for leading international companies.
The possibilities are many, and experience holds that the focus of research that students carry out for their Master's thesis is vital for what kind of job they will get. Therefore, if you know where you want to work, this Master's degree from us and a thesis with the right focus will help take you there.
Career support
During your time as a student, UU Careers offers support and guidance. You have the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities and events that will prepare you for your future career.
Register your interest
Keep updated about the application process.
Contact
- For programme-specific information, please contact Programme Coordinator Charlotta Widmark:
- charlotta.widmark@antro.uu.se
- For admissions-related or general information, please contact our applicant support team:
- study@uu.se
Student at Uppsala University
As a student, you will find information about your studies in the Student Gateway.