Are you a Dutch-speaking student? If so, you can also join our Dutch-taught bachelor’s programme in Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology. Please note that the curricula of the two programmes may differ.

Yes! I’m interested in the Dutch Bachelor’s programme

Our dual language programme in Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology offers both an English-only and a Dutch/English track. During the first one and a half years, when all students follow the same obligatory courses, all lectures are taught in English, and students can choose between English or Dutch tutorials. Assignments will be written in the language of instruction of the relevant group. Concluding exams (tentamens) will be offered in both languages, so that students can choose to write their answer in either English or Dutch.

Students will make a final choice for the English-only or Dutch/English language track after three semesters and will be assisted in this choice by their mentor and study adviser. Their diploma-supplement will show one of either varieties.

Are you following a Dutch HBO (University of Applied Sciences) Bachelor’s programme in a field related to the social sciences, and does anthropology appeal to you? Then you can choose to follow our fast-track Bachelor’s programme (verkort bachelorprogramma voor hbo’ers).

Fast-track Bachelor’s programme (Dutch)

In the first year of the Bachelor's there are around 12 contact hours per week. This means that your classes amount to 12 hours a week, these are either with your entire cohort or in smaller tutorial groups on campus. Please note that the total study load amounts to 40 hours per week. This means that the remaining hours are spent on self-study, for example by reading literature before a lecture, preparing a presentation or by working on assignments.
You follow different types of courses, in the first year often one theory course and one practical course at the same time. At the start of the academic year, you will delve into the history of anthropology and learn more about influential founders and relevant concepts in Introduction to Cultural Anthropology. In addition, in the course Ethnographies and Academic Writing you build academic writing skills as you learn how to read and write an ethnography. You kick off the second semester with Introduction to Development Sociology, which provides insights into the dynamics of societies by connecting global developments at the macro level to the micro level of everyday lives of local people. At the same time, you will be introduced to qualitative research methods and techniques in the Anthropological Research Methods, during which you will conduct your first fieldwork research in a small group. In the later years, the number of contact hours decreases to about 8 hours per week, while the time spent working independently increases.

To receive a positive BSA at this programme, you must obtain at least 42 of the 60 credits in the first year of your enrolment. In the academic year 2021 - 2022, almost 80% of the first-year students of this program received a positive BSA.

Bachelor’s within the Social Sciences are all researching topics related to (a diversity in) social realities, looking at themes such as power, language, nationalism, gender, sexuality, sustainability, religion and spirituality. However, the way each discipline approaches a theme differs.

Sociologists regularly work with:
Statistics through quantitative research (standardised questionnaires to make statements about the experiences of larger groups of people)

Anthropologists, on the other hand, specialise in:
Qualitative research (researching smaller groups of people in depth to understand how someone voices their personal experiences through face-to-face contact)

For example, an anthropologist conducts a fieldwork project that follows a group of people for a year to fully understand the research group. For a more extensive comparison, see also the web page of the Bachelor Sociology for more information about this programme.

The UvA's Social Sciences rank high in the rankings of (international) universities. They are considered the best in the Netherlands and #64 worldwide in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by subject. We offer an up-to-date and relevant study programme and encourage students to think critically and independently. The UvA’s anthropology department is the largest in the Netherlands, allowing us to offer a wide variety of thematic specialisations. In addition, within the Bachelor's in Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology, you can choose between the English or Dutch-English track. It is possible to switch language variants until halfway through the second year.

Are you following a Dutch HBO (University of Applied Sciences) Bachelor’s programme in a field related to the social sciences, and does anthropology appeal to you? Then you can choose to follow our fast-track Bachelor’s programme (verkort bachelorprogramma voor hbo’ers). We see no differences in the performance of students with a background in applied sciences versus students with a background in pre-university education (vwo). We understand that you may nevertheless be nervous about the level of the Bachelor. However, the design of the programme takes into account a learning curve of students. This means that you will be supported in developing academic skills. During the first year, for example, you have your own mentor who also supervises you during the tutorials. If you need more support, the University of Amsterdam offers various free workshops and training courses to its students to further develop study skills.

Cul is the magazine for and by students of the Bachelor Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology. You can work within the creative editorial team, or you can join Cul as a guest editor. In addition to having a great time, involvement with Cul offers you the chance to further explore your anthropological interests and improve your (academic) writing skills. For previous editions and more information on how to join Cul, visit Cul's website. Our study association CASA is also closely involved in the programme. They organise educational, social and career-oriented activities, such as a social activity during the introduction day for new students, excursions, drinks and a textbook sale.

Amsterdam is a very popular place to live. Students (Dutch and international), as well as many others are looking for places to stay, and therefore affordable housing is scarce. In this tight housing market, UvA International Student Housing has a limited number of rooms (approx. 3000 units) reserved, which can accommodate roughly half of the newly incoming international students every semester for one year only. This means that the other half must find a place on their own. Do not underestimate this, it often takes weeks or even months to find suitable accommodation. It is not a smart idea to only start searching when you arrive in Amsterdam for your studies. Therefore, we encourage everyone to start in time, and look for accommodation independently, even if you also applied for the UvA Housing service. Please note that the UvA urges you not to come to Amsterdam for your studies unless you have secured proper housing. An accommodation (with registration) is especially important for non-EU students, as it will allow you to apply for a residence permit. For more information on UvA Housing, please visit the website.