Master of Science in Cultures and Development Studies
My profile | Admission requirements | Study programme | Assets | Career prospects| Registration fee | More information | Application
Fact sheet
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences |
|---|---|
| Type | Advanced Master's |
| Credits | 60 |
| Language | English |
| Information | No information sessions will take place in the near future. |
| Brochure |
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Order this brochure The Master's
This is an advanced Master’s programme in English that aims to enhance the multidisciplinary and intercultural expertise and skills of students and professionals involved or interested in advisory, policy or educational assignments in the international and intercultural co-operation sectors. Rooted in contemporary social and cultural anthropology, the programme draws on various disciplines and fields of study and deploys a wealth of relevant perspectives. Its approach builds on current insights into, for example, the complex dynamics of the ongoing economic and informational globalisation and the development of alternative modernities. Following multi-sited research conducted at the Institute for Anthropological Research in Africa (IARA) and the Interculturalism, Migration and Minority Research Centre (IMMRC), the programme counters the universalising Western master-narrative of modernisation and stimulates an integrated approach to development issues. Taking this into account, the programme does not offer its students a practical toolkit, but rather tends to question whether available tools are suitable and applicable in any given context.
My profile
Candidates have an interest in advisory, policy or educational assignments in the international and/or intercultural co-operation context. They are interested in anthropological and cultural-specific views on sustainable development and opt for an interdisciplinary training towards a better understanding of the development paradigm.
Admission requirements
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Study programme
This Master’s programme is a one-year programme comprising a curriculum of at least 60 credits. The programme consists of the following components: mandatory courses, seminars and a Master’s thesis. Students also choose 18 credits from thematic electives and/or internship/training.
The Master of Cultures and Development Studies offers its students the possibility to acquire international experience in the form of an intercultural internship of at least 6 weeks. Responsible for internships: Dominique Joos.
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Assets
Holders of a degree of Master of Cultures and Development Studies are able to relate a critical scientific attitude to a sound societal attitude when confronted with themes of culture-sensitive development. They are able to relate their domain-specific knowledge to an evolving communal debate on North-South relations, and in organisations that defend, project or evaluate collective and cultural interests, expectations and movements. Graduates have the tools to analyse development (co-operation) from the viewpoint of local realities and epistemologies and relate these to anthropological theories and paradigms.
Career prospects
The programme does not lead to a specific or well-defined job market, but gives the student a large international and interdisciplinary background in dealing with developmental issues and problems from a nuanced and anthropological perspective. Graduates may access a large variety of jobs in NGOs, international organisations, development co-operation, education, social and medical services, advisory organisations, international relations, enterprises and research.
Registration fee
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More information
Extra admission requirements upon application
- Two-page letter of intent that substantially describes the applicant’s motivation and interests
- A full CV
- All applicants who are non-native English speakers are required to provide evidence of proficiency in the English language, by submitting the results of an internationally recognised language proficiency test, indicating a C-level on the Common Framework of Reference level of the Council of Europe.
The CADES programme only accepts three tests as valid:
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), for which the minimum total score required is 600 (for paper-based test); 250 (for the computer-based test); or 100 (on the new TOEFL internet-based Test). [Online registration for TOEFL test]
- The IELTS administered test (International English Language Testing System), for which the minimum score required is band 7.0-7.5
- University of Cambridge examinations: Grade C (CAE or CPE)
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If you have other questions, contact:
Faculty of Social Sciences – CADES
Parkstraat 45 bus 3600
3000 Leuven
Tel. +32 16 32 60 45
Fax +32 16 32 59 02
E-mail
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