Anthropology is the science which takes an interest in everything related to man, ranging from the evolution of the human species to the most astonishing achievements and phenomena of human communities.  

At the end of this study programme, students will have acquired :

• research methods and techniques (field research, description, interpretation) putting social and cultural anthropology into practice , primarily by means of a placement in the field (3 to 6 month placement or 1 day per week of professional work placement) and the production of a monograph (dissertation) which takes account of recent developments in information technology, both in gathering and analysing data.
• fundamental principles and concepts in the field of basic anthropology, culture and social life, taking account of recent developments in Western societies
• a greater desire to improve their knowledge of anthropology and general culture, in a context which highlights the different yet complementary nature of other disciplines (interdisciplinary roots of anthropology)
• a critical and ethical perspective in the research process with the objective of identifying solutions which are constructive, imaginative and respect ethical guidelines
• a sense of individual responsibility developed through team work and a wide range of different personal skills necessary for a professional career
• the ability to carry out research on the international and intercultural dimensions of social relationships

In addition to broadening knowledge of the areas that go to make up anthropology,  a well structured piece of research is a key part of the 120 credit Master in Anthropology. It is possible to do a placement in the field to pursue basic research. This reflects the process of aligning anthropology and sociology, begun in the University in 1997, where there is a course on Socio-anthropology and also a professional focus, organized with the Sociology Department on the Socio-anthropology of Interculturality and Development.

The Master in Anthropology is centred on a research project selected by the student with the help of a tutor. This entails understanding how to do the so-called  ‘participant observation’(choice of location, outside placement, investigation, description, interpretation then production of a monograph - dissertation).

The 120 credit Master in Anthropology offers core subjects, optional ‘area’ subjects and three different focuses.

• the core subjects (75 credits) include courses on research techniques (29 credits) "theoretical cross-disciplinary issues" (20 credits), lectures where well-known researchers present their findings (Chaire Leclercq - 6 credits) and general subjects (20 credits).
• according to the area of their research project (15 credits), students may also choose options (for example trade, symbolic systems, town, gender, religion, kinship or globalisation) or a group of optional subjects.

The choice of one of three different focuses (30 credits each) will enable students to develop specific skills:

• the research focus develops basic research skills with a theoretical foundation and more rigorous methods of analysis ;
• the professional focus in the socio-anthropology of interculturality and development  develops skills in identifying, carrying out and assessing development projects of an intercultural nature both in the Northern and Southern hemispheres ;
• the teaching focus develops teaching and training skills in the field of social sciences.

Candidates must hold a first university degree. Knowledge of the following subjects must be shown by having gained  :
- 21 credits in sociology/anthropology or both together (at least 15 credits in anthropology)
- 24 credits in methodology (at least 8 of which are in quantitative methodology and 8 in qualitative methodology)
- 9 credits in language (English except if there is exemption for another language)

If any of these requirements have not already been fulfilled, they will be added to the study programme of the Master (up to 15 credits). Where more than 15 extra credits are needed, entry to the Master is conditional on successfully completing a preparatory year (maximum of 60 credits).

The Master in Anthropology is centred on a research project chosen by each student with the aid of a tutor. The objective is to train students in the technique of ‘participant observation’. With this in mind, the Master programme is a progressive and coherent one lasting four semesters spread over two years : sessions on interdisciplinary methods and issues and preparation for the examining board (first semester) ; area studies or Erasmus exchange (second and third semesters); area studies and production of a monograph (fourth semester).

The research and teaching in the Anthropology and Sociology Unit (l’Unité d’Anthropologie et de sociologie - ANSO) make the most of the links with sociology and the Institute of Development Studies. Moreover, there are exchanges and agreements with many parts of  UCL; the outstanding list of area studies (specific areas) allows students to study an area of their choice.

The quality of the training is guaranteed by the close link with the members of the Laboratory for Prospective Anthropology (Laboratoire en anthropologie prospective - LAAP) where about fifteen researchers are part of a dynamic team who are actively involved in many aspects of the  Master programme (e.g. seminars, specific courses, tutoring). The lecturers and researchers work on many areas throughout the world and collaborate with various anthropology laboratories (www.uclouvain.be/laap).

The lectures organized by the Jacques Leclercq Chair are a key component of the Master in Anthropology at UCL and bring an outstanding international dimension to the programme. Twice a year, internationally renowned anthropologists give a series of guest lectures (2 x 15 hours). Assessment of these courses is done by a board of examiners.

Assessment of the ‘cross-disciplinary issues’ section, with the exception of the sociology course, is done by defending a piece of research work which brings together different disciplines before a board of academics.  

The Socio-anthropology of Interculturality and Development  focus provides students with an original course in a more applied area of anthropology. The Laboratory for Prospective Anthropology (Laboratoire en anthropologie prospective – LAAP) is one of the leading pioneers in this field.  

The methodology courses with the initials ANTR are grouped together by subject to help organize the outside placement which, ideally, should take place during the second semester of the first year or the first semester of the second year.

Students receive support during the first year from a tutoring system involving the lecturers and assistants.  

Students are able to use new technology for surveys and data management ; special documentation on anthropology is available in the multi-media section of the ESPO library.  

Placements in Belgium or abroad (production of a monograph/dissertation) ; oral defence of the monograph/dissertation in the form of a lecture to a board of examiners and an audience of students; publication of the best monographs in a collection of the laboratory.  

Programme organized around Erasmus exchange and outside placement; help in seeking grants.

The programme contains many opportunities of an international nature, the most notable of which are the Jacques Leclercq Chair lectures. Each year UCL students can attend lectures, either in French or English, given by researchers of international standing.

In addition, the compulsory 3 to 6 month ethnography study, within the usual programme,  enables students to study abroad if they wish.  However, this study can also be done in Belgium in tandem with other activities in the programme. As far as students who also work are concerned, it may be organized in connection with their job (in Belgium or abroad). Agreements with many different European and North American universities also encourage students to be mobile. (The list of agreements is available from the POLS Department).

The conclusion of agreements with the Council of Universities (Conseil Interuniversitaire de la Communauté française – CIUF and Coopération Universitaire au Développement CUD) to welcome students from the Southern hemisphere to study at UCL will further enrich the programme.

Finally, an international Master is under discussion which would place the UCL Master in a network of excellence in anthropology in collaboration with the universities of Aix en Provence, ULB (Brussels), Mainz, EHESS (Marseille), Roskilde, Uppsala and Geneva (IED).  Students would study a minimum of 30 credits at UCL.