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Bachelor
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Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology

Fast-track Bachelor’s in Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology for HBO graduates

Are you a Dutch HBO (University of Applied Sciences) student, and does anthropology appeal to you? Then you can choose to follow our fast-track Bachelor's programme. This programme consists of 90 ECTS credits and lasts 1.5 years. You will follow courses from the regular Bachelor's programme and you will receive a 90 credits exemption if you have completed a Dutch HBO programme. If you successfully complete the fast-track Bachelor's programme, then you will be awarded a Bachelor's degree certificate.

Start during or after your HBO programme

The fast-track programme starts in September. You can already start during the final year of your HBO programme. You will then take the introductory courses of the first year (30 ECTS credits). It is also possible to start after graduating your HBO programme, but then you will have to pay the tuition fee, exceeding the statutory minimum.

Tuition fee

Curriculum fast-track programme 2026-2027

COURSES SEM 1 SEM 2 SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2 EC
  • Introduction to Anthropology
    12

    Explore the history and theoretical foundations of anthropology in a global context. Trace the evolution of dominant schools of thought from Eurocentric perspectives to more inclusive and diverse viewpoints. Study classical theories like evolutionism and structural-functionalism, as well as contemporary paradigms like postcolonialism, feminism, and Foucauldian approaches.

  • Ethnographies and Academic Writing
    12

    Learn how anthropological theories are transformed into ethnographic texts. In this course, you will read and analyse these texts while developing key writing skills, such as building strong arguments and using sources correctly. This subject helps you read critically and write effectively: essential skills for any anthropologist!

  • Philosophy of Science
    6

    Explore the reliability of natural sciences and its implications, while examining how we gain knowledge about humanity and society. Delve into the practical applications of scientific knowledge and its overall value. In short, this course answers, "What is the practical worth of science?"

COURSES SEM 1 SEM 2 SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2 EC
  • Theory and History of Anthropology
    12

    Explore Anthropology's historical growth and influential theories worldwide. Learn how diverse cultures shaped dominant schools of thought in the field. Discover classical theories like evolutionism and modern paradigms like postcolonialism, feminism, and Foucauldian approaches. Embrace a global perspective on anthropology's evolution.

  • Current Debates 2: Imagining Futures
    12

    Explore historical and comparative analysis of change processes, mainly in the Global South, building on the Introduction to Development Sociology. Engage in lectures and tutorials, discussing themes like state, capitalism, conflict, inequalities, and more.

  • Practicing Ethnography
    12

    In this course, you will conduct ethnographic research yourself. You will experience the entire process, from designing research and conducting fieldwork to analysing data and writing a research report. Working in project groups, you’ll choose a theme or issue and may collaborate with an external organisation. This hands-on course provides real experience in anthropological research.

  • Restricted-choice electives: Exploration course
    6

    To complete the Bachelor's programme two Specialisaton Courses are compulsory. You can choose from the following courses: "Body and Culture", "Ecology and Economy", "Power and Politics", "Words, Sounds, Images: The Anthropology of Media".

  • Restricted-choice electives: Regional course
    6

    To complete the Bachelor's programme one Regional Course is compulsory. You can choose from the following courses: "Anthropologies of Black Europe", "Anthropology of Eastern Europe", "Anthropology of Latin America and the Caribbean", "Social Transformations in China", "Anthropology of the Middle East", "Anthropology of Contemporary South Asia", "Anthropology of the Netherlands including the Caribbean" and "Anthropology of Urban Africa".

  • Restricted-choice electives: Theme course
    12

    In the third year, you have the option to choose two specializations from a wide range of thematic modules instead of writing a thesis. For each thematic module, you will write a 6,000-word paper. For example, you could choose the Visual Anthropology module, where you combine the disciplines of research, art, and documentary filmmaking, or the Anthropology of Data and Technology module, in which you explore the impact of digitalization on human relationships.

Compulsory course
Elective
See more information in the online Course Catalogue

Admission requirements for the fast-track Bachelor’s in Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology

First year:

  • In order to take the introductory courses (first semester of the first year of study), you must have obtained a minimum of 180 ECTS credits in your HBO programme.

Second year:

  • In order to follow the courses of the second year of study, you must have a Bachelor's degree (240 ECTS including the propaedeutic year) and have obtained the introductory courses (Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, Ethnographic Writing and Philosophy of Science).

Application for the first year of the fast-track Bachelor’s in Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology

  • Sign up in before 1 May.
  • Apply for the Bachelor's in Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (i.e. not for the premaster’s programme or guest/contract student). After you have submitted an enrolment request in Studielink, you will receive an email with your UvA student number (UvAnetID).
  • Send an email to the () before 1 August 2020 stating that you have registered for the first year of the fast-track Bachelor’s programme.
  • Add the following appendix to this email: an official and recent list of marks (with the stamp of the programme) from your HBO programme.

After registering at the UvA, you must participate in UvA Matching Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology. Matching (https://www.uva.nl/en/education/bachelor-s/how-to-apply/uva-matching/uva-matching-for-international-students/uva-matching-for-international-students.html) - in which you check for yourself whether you have made the right choice of study programme - is compulsory. You will receive information about it after registering for the fast-track Bachelor’s programme in Studielink.

Application for the second year of the fast-track Bachelor’s programme

  • Arrange your re-enrolment in
  • Apply for the Bachelor's in Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (i.e. not for the premaster’s programme or guest/contract student).
  • Send an email to the before 1 August 2020 stating that you have registered for the second year of the fast-track Bachelor’s programme and that you want to request for exemptions.
  • Add the following appendix to this email:
    • An official and recent list of marks (with the stamp of the programme) from your HBO programme.
    • A copy of your HBO Bachelor's degree or a confirmation of your graduation letter.

Tuition fees

Starting a second Bachelor's programme (including the fast-track Bachelor's programme) after completing another Bachelor's programme can result in tuition fees exceeding the statutory minimum. However, if you start with the fast-track Bachelor's programme during your HBO Bachelor's programme, it may give you an advantage in terms of tuition fees at a later stage. More information about tuition fees.

Contact

Do you have any questions after reading the information on this page? Please contact the study advisor studieadviseur-ca@uva.nl

or examinations board examencommissie-ca@uva.nl.