KU Leuven

Overview

The advanced Master of Cultural Anthropology and Development Studies (CADES) at KU Leuven equips students with the analytical tools to critically engage with issues of development, social transformation, and global disparities. This program emphasizes the integration of theoretical knowledge with practical ethnographic research, allowing students to formulate relevant research questions and methodologies for their master’s thesis.

What you'll study

CADES combines in-depth anthropology courses with discussions centered on development, culminating in a master’s thesis that focuses on ethnographic research.

Core learning areas

• Race, Ethnicity and the Postcolonial Condition
• Inequality, Development and Change in Anthropological Perspective
• Anthropology and the Anthropocene
• Anthropology in a Decolonizing World
• Power, Politics and Cultures of Late Capitalism
• Anthropology of Religion
• Culture, Migration and Mobility
• Posthuman Anthropology

Research and thesis

• Ethnographic research design: Learn to craft research questions and choose suitable qualitative methods.
• Fieldwork preparation: Acquire skills for planning and conducting ethnographic fieldwork for your thesis.
• Master’s thesis: Engage in an academic research project supported by faculty expertise and research networks.

Entry requirements

For the most accurate and official entry requirements, including the necessary bachelor’s degree profile, please refer to the program page on KU Leuven. It is important to verify whether any standardized tests are required for admission.

Career prospects

This program is ideal for those seeking a critical and interdisciplinary academic foundation in development policies and practices. Graduates are well-prepared for careers in research, education, consultancy, or policy-making within international and intercultural environments.