MSc in Anthropology and Development Studies

Within this Master's programme, you choose one of three fine-grained urgent thematic tracks:

• Decolonising diversity in a polarised world
• Ecological livelihoods and environmental justice
• Grassroots initiatives, development and the state

Each track helps you understand and frame not only your research field, but also the world around you. After the first introduction meeting, you choose and enrol for the thematic course that introduces you to the theme. The theory that you study during the thematic course inspires you to come up with a research topic and gives you a solid foundation in relevant academic debates. Your final paper serves as a starting point for your literature review and theoretical framework of your research proposal.

The ADS Master’s programme offers students a unique skill set that prepares them for a broad range of jobs. These skills are based on a combination of an open, investigative and reflective attitude, sociological imagination, theory-driven analysis of diverse life worlds, inequality and power, and the capacity to weigh the necessity and possibility of interventions in a pragmatic way. At the end of this Master's you are capable of conducting your own research, know how to find your feet in diverse settings, assess and analyse complex situations and communicate your findings to various audiences.

After your studies

Possible jobs are that of a policy officer, advisor, or researcher for the central or local government, an advisor at aid, welfare and civil society organisations such as the UN, Cordaid or the Dutch Council for Refugees, a researcher at a university or NGO, trade union, consultancy firm or private institution or as a journalist or communication officer.

Possible occupations

• Policy officer
• Journalist
• Communication officer
• Scientific researcher