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.