The goal of this programme is to give relevant knowledge to students about the common universal human characteristics and values in their diverse and complex manifestations from the perspective of cultural anthropology.
Cultural anthropology is based on critical and interpretative thinking and uses the approaches and methodology of social sciences. Cultural anthropology has an applied perspective; methodologies include interpretation and field research. Critical anthropological thinking and fieldwork experiences help the students understand the differences and difficulties of social interactions, cultural and intercultural communication and their significances in a sensitive and interpretative way.

This programme is recommended to applicants who wish to acquire professional competencies, fieldwork experience, practicing anthropological skills, interpretive thinking, inter-cultural mediation. The students will be able to apply their knowledge and skills in decisions of the social and economic life, international relations and communication, as well as in their professional career.

This programme enables students to master:

• types and global characteristics of cultural diversity,
• theories and concepts related to complex and traditional cultures,
• history, theories and methods of cultural anthropology,
• basic professional anthropological directions,
• widely accepted, professional-specific problem-solving techniques for their independently designed and implemented research or scientific work,
• ethical norms of cultural anthropology.

Strength of programme

One of the main strength of the programme is the great variety of courses, covering several areas of cultural anthropology. Our graduates will have a broad knowledge in many areas of cultural anthropology. Besides offering introduction and basic foundation in many areas, some of the subjects lead to up-to-date research results.

Most of the teachers of the programme have international teaching experience and they regularly give classes also at foreign universities. Young anthropologists, bringing in freshness and new momentum, are also involved in the programme. Our instructors all have scientific degrees and good research record. Examples show that graduating from our programme is a very good starting point for doctoral or (at a later stage) postdoctoral studies.

The programme has a special friendly atmosphere. The students and professors have free and fraternal professional relationship. The cooperation between students and professors is very strong.

Career opportunities

Our former students have been working as academic researchers at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and the Museum of Ethnography. Many of them are professors in different universities: Eötvös Loránd University, Corvinus University, Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Dharma Gate Buddhist College, and Bhaktivedanta College.

Besides, cultural anthropologists are applied in non-governmental organizations (Artemisszió Foundation, Menedék – the Hungarian Association for Migrants). Some of them have also found job possibilities in market research and multinational companies. Others work as social workers, social politicians, or members of social development and Roma programmes.

More and more international companies look for anthropologist employees who have skills of working in multicultural environments and cooperation with colleagues from different cultural backgrounds. Several former students of us work recently in communication fields, they can be found in communication companies, communication departments, and media.

More students have become journalists, reporters, and editors of online and offline newspapers, television channels, and radio programmes.

Job examples:

• Academic researcher
• Market researcher
• International aid/development worker
• Social researcher

Also work in the public and not-for-profit sectors, branches of the Civil Service, local government, charities, central government bodies, universities, international organizations, museums, and voluntary organizations.