Universitas Gadjah Mada

What you'll study

The Bachelor of Anthropology at Universitas Gadjah Mada offers a combination of theoretical foundations, methodological training and hands-on fieldwork. Core topics include introduction to social and cultural anthropology, classical and contemporary anthropological theory, ethnographic methods, qualitative and quantitative research techniques, and Indonesian ethnography. Specialised subjects typically cover kinship and family systems, religion and ritual, political and economic anthropology, urban and visual anthropology, gender and sexuality studies, and applied anthropology.

Programme structure balances classroom learning with supervised field practicum. In early semesters students focus on foundational courses and research methods; later semesters emphasise thematic electives, independent research projects and a compulsory fieldwork component that culminates in a final thesis (skripsi) or equivalent research report. Seminars, laboratory sessions (for audiovisual and archival methods), and community engagement projects form part of the curriculum to develop practical data-gathering and analytic skills.

Entry requirements

Admission to the S1 Anthropology programme is governed by Universitas Gadjah Mada's undergraduate admission pathways. Domestic applicants typically apply through national selection routes or the university's independent entrance examinations and must present a recognised senior secondary school qualification. Strong results in social sciences or humanities subjects are advantageous.

International applicants should hold an equivalent secondary-school certificate and provide proof of language competence appropriate to the mode of instruction. As the programme is delivered primarily in Indonesian, proficiency in Bahasa Indonesia is usually required; some supporting materials or internal assessments may be conducted in English for specific courses. Applicants may also be asked to submit a personal statement outlining their interest in anthropology and, where applicable, references or records of prior relevant experience.

Career prospects

Graduates from UGM's Anthropology programme pursue a wide range of careers that make use of ethnographic skills, cultural literacy and critical analysis. Common pathways include:

• Academic research and postgraduate study in anthropology, sociology, development studies or related disciplines;
• Work with non-governmental organisations and community development agencies focusing on participatory research, program design and social impact assessment;
• Government and public-sector roles in cultural policy, social affairs, public consultation and local governance;
• Heritage and museum work, including documentation, curation and conservation of intangible and material culture;
• Private-sector roles in market and user research, international development consultancies, corporate social responsibility, and human-centred design;
• Media, documentary production and public communication where visual and narrative skills developed in the programme are valuable.

Why study at Universitas Gadjah Mada

Universitas Gadjah Mada is one of Indonesia's leading public universities with a long-established Faculty of Cultural Sciences that hosts the Department of Anthropology. Studying at UGM gives students direct access to rich ethnographic opportunities across Yogyakarta and the Indonesian archipelago, allowing fieldwork in diverse cultural settings from urban neighbourhoods to rural and indigenous communities.

The department emphasises a blend of rigorous theory and applied practice, supervised field placements and interdepartmental collaboration with areas such as history, sociology, media studies and archaeology. Students benefit from experienced academic staff, opportunities for community engagement, and connections with governmental, non-governmental and cultural institutions that support internships and research projects. The programme is well suited to students who want a solid anthropological foundation together with practical research experience relevant to academic and professional careers.