Study location	Latvia, Riga
Type	Postgraduate, full-time
Nominal duration	2 years (120 ECTS)
Study language	English
Awards	Master (Master of Social Sciences in Anthropology)
Course code	29648
Accreditation	The program is accredited until 16.11.2029.

Tuition fee	€3,000 per year Please note that the tuition fee may change in 2025.
Application fee	€170 one-time The application fee is 170.00 EUR. The application fee is non-refundable. Payment of the application fee and the diploma recognition fee should be paid only after the receipt of the invoice and must be paid BY the deadline of the invoice, if for any reason you have failed to pay the fees by the said deadline please contact the admission coordinator. The application will be processed only after the payment receipt (the official receipt issued by the bank) has been uploaded in the Apply system, take note: in the event of any changes made in the application, you are to resubmit the application to confirm and save the changes.
Deposit	€500 one-time A one-time payment for students coming from third countries outside the EU/EEA is to be paid in full together with the full-year tuition fee payable upon arrival. The deposit is intended for coverage of possible immigration expenses and paid back upon request after graduation.

Entry qualification

Undergraduate diploma (or higher) Version 1 of previous education: first-cycle higher education or second-cycle higher education*, or equivalent higher education in social sciences or humanities. Version 2 of previous education: first-cycle higher education or second-cycle higher education*, or equivalent higher education in other thematic groups of education and work experience (at least 1 year) in socio-economic, political processes, health care, technology, culture, language, folklore and other fields related to human research. 1. The average grade in study courses must be 60% of the maximum. 2. All grades must be passing (at least 4 in a 10 point grading system). 3. English language proficiency. 4. Pass of entrance examination by submitting a written 1 page essay/motivation letter on the topic “Anthropology Studies: My Motivation and Research Interests” and participating in an entrance interview via Zoom. *Bachelor’s degree or a diploma proving equivalent level of education Enrolment criteria (for students competing for the state-financed study place) 1. The grade obtained in final Bachelor’s exam (20%); 2. The grade point average of undergraduate studies (20%); 3. Entrance examination (60%) Please note! Only EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and EU long-term resident status holders can compete for a state-financed study place. The entry qualification documents are accepted in the following languages: English / Latvian. Often you can get a suitable transcript from your school. If this is not the case, you will need official translations along with verified copies of the original. Applicants must upload education documents in original language, as well as translations into English. Diplomas and transcripts issued outside EU must be legalized with a legalization stamp or Apostille. More information available HERE You must take the original entry qualification documents with you when you finally go to the university.

Language requirements

English Applicants must prove their English language knowledge. University accepts the following international language tests: LanguageCert International ESOL at least Level Communicator B2 (Written and Spoken exams); TOEFL IBT – at least score 72 TOEFL Essential – at least 8 points IELTS – at least score 6.00 PTE General – at least level B2 PTE Academic – at least 51 points FCE – at least level B CPE – Proficiency/C2 Proficiency: any level CAE – C1 Advanced: any level If your previous studies have been obtained in English but not in the country listed below, then you have to present an official letter from your previous educational institution (University, etc.) where is stated that all your studies were in English (medium of instruction is English), and you have to pass interview where the University of Latvia will evaluate your language skills. Applicants who have obtained previous education in English in one of the bellow listed countries do not need to provide separate language proficiency: • Australia • The Bahamas • Canada • Ireland • New Zealand • St Vincent and the Grenadines • United Kingdom • United States of America

Other requirements	A motivation letter must be added to your application. Please state your motivation to study at the specific study programme and prospective research interests. As a part of the admission process applicants will be asked to participate in an online interview.

More information	lu.lv/..s/cultural-and-social-anthropology

Overview

The programme offers an outstanding opportunity to acquire analytical tools with which to approach contemporary global and local social processes and trends. These include issues such as migration with its corollaries of increasing cross-cultural contact and new diaspora politics, financial crises and advancement of neo-liberal (and other) policies, both internationally and locally, transformation of political subjectivities in the context of shifting ideas about development, state-building and nation.

The MHum programme builds upon the 3-year BHum programme in Cultural and Social Anthropology, but it is open to graduates from other fields, seeing their previous academic and professional experience as a potential for productive interdisciplinary work. Our programme staff hold doctoral degrees from world’s best ranking universities. They apply high standards both in teaching and public discussions, thus encouraging critical analysis beyond the academic realm. The programme is mostly orientated towards public anthropology and the Baltic region, but students are encouraged to develop and explore their own research topics with the support of experienced supervisors within our department.

Programme structure

The programme provides students with a solid theoretical and methodological basis with which to critically explore a variety of pressing issues in (post)modern society. Through lectures, seminars and independent reading, students gain knowledge in social, and specifically anthropological, theory. A variety of compulsory and optional courses help students to develop a thoroughly anthropological approach to the themes of self and agency, gender, state and power, borders/migration, consumerism, art/performance. Working with texts is accompanied by ethnographic fieldwork whereby students not only advance their skills of data gathering but also learn to test and creatively develop their theoretical frameworks.

Career opportunities

The programme graduates can pursue academic career in Latvia and abroad (several graduates teach at the University of Latvia) or continue professional career in public, business or NGO sectors.