© Institut für Ethnologie

  • News

    Student IT Consultation

    Do you need help with the university software or have technical problems and don't know where to turn?

    For these areas and other questions we offer a consultation hour every monday from 1 pm to 2 pm by e-mail (ethnoedv[at]uni-muenster.de) or in person at our secretariat.

    We look forward to hearing from you!

  • Study Profile

    Social anthropology looks at diverse socio-cultural lifeworlds. Social anthropologists explore human diversity, cultural similarities and differences, and modes of communication. Taking history into account, social anthropology is grounded in ethnography subjected to theoretical analyses and description. Social anthropological knowledge facilitates cross- and intercultural understandings. The programme encourages reflexivity and ethically responsible research practices. The 4 semester curriculum entails three types of modules imparting knowledge of anthropological theories, fieldwork methods/research project development and regional ethnographic knowledge.

    Language of instruction: English (non-obligatory courses may be taught in German).

    Acquired Competence

    • Knowledge of human diversity Anthropological perspectives of socio-cultural practices and processes of change
    • Conceptual and methodological qualifications in designing and conducting ethnographic research projects
    • Culture sensitive approaches in pluralistic social settings
    • Skills of mediation and transcultural communication

    Chances and perspectives

    The M.A. Programme in Social Anthropology is a prerequisite for the PhD and prepares for a number of professional fields such as:
    • research and teaching at universities and other institutions of higher education
    • international development and peace and conflict research
    • museums and exhibition activities
    • media and publishing
    • youth and adult education; inter-cultural education
    • culture management and cultural mediation
    • public relations, advertising, tourism
    • organisation and market research

  • Application

    Start: Winter semester (October)

    Application deadline:  May, 1st  -  July, 15th each year

    German, EU-citizens and  NON- EU citizens:  Deadline for applications is 15th July each year.
    NON-EU citizens:  Application opens 1st week of May. An early application is recommended.

    Applicants have to submit all documents online. Applicants will have to submit original documents at the time of enrolment.

    Contact at the Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology / student advisor:
    Dr. Souleymane Diallo (sdiallo[at]uni-muenster.de/ open office hours via Zoom by agreement)

    Please note: Questions concerning the application procedure and the formalities Can ALSO be asked at the Student Admissions Office (see link below)

Exam registration

Students enrolled before the winter term 2025/26 have to register via QISPOS so that your lecturers can book your grades. Students enrolled since winter term 2025/26 have to register via SLcM here so that your lecturers can book your grades. 

The period to register for this term’s course work and examinations runs from 27. April 2026 to 19. June 2026.

Term papers and Academic Writing

Here you can find Informational material, writing exercises and further reading recommendations on academic and ethnographic writing, as well as other guidelines on term paper formalities, citation style and AI usage.

You can find further templates for presentations etc. here.

MA thesis

Here you can find necessary forms for the registration and completion of your MA thesis. Please also mind the information of the central examination office regarding frequently asked questions and the timeline of the bureaucratic processes here.