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Graduation - and now?

The successful completion of your studies marks an important milestone – professionally, personally and often biographically. The final semester of your anthropology studies is characterised by intensive research, the writing process and important decisions for the future. This page will guide you through this transition phase.

To mark this transition in a meaningful way, the Institute of Ethnology offers a special ritual as part of the graduation ceremony. It combines the festive moment with a symbolic act that makes the completion of studies visible and memorable: 

The Ritual

For almost two decades, this so-called ‘ritual’ has been an integral part of the Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology. Depending on their academic degree (BA, MA/Master's, PhD, Habilitation), participants are presented with a simple copper, silver or gold-coloured nail, which they must hammer into one of two wooden blocks (internally referred to as ‘nail fetishes’) when asked to do so.

If you would like to attend the graduation ceremony, please register with Markus Lindner.

The photograph shows a man carrying a wooden block studded with nails, covered in feathers and blood.

Armin Ritter

Profession and career

Studying anthropology opens up a wide range of career opportunities – in science, culture, politics, media, education and civil society. Many employers are not always aware of the professional skills and fields of application associated with a degree in social and cultural anthropology. For this reason, the subject is often not explicitly mentioned in job advertisements, even if the qualifications sought are a good fit for your profile. However, the skills acquired during your studies are in high demand on the job market, but they need to be clearly identified and made visible.

Paths in science

If you can imagine pursuing an academic career after completing your studies, you will find some initial guidance here. Find out about possible steps to take after completing your bachelor's or master's degree – such as master's programmes, mentoring opportunities and doctoral scholarships. The following information provides an overview of the paths and support available on the way to an academic career.

Joan D. Vinge

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Science Fiction Author

“Archaeology is the anthropology of the past, and science fiction is the anthropology of the future.”

Uwe Dettmar

Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology

  • Phone069 798 33064
    E-Mailethnologie@em.uni-frankfurt.de
    Opening HoursMonday to Thursday 10:00 – 14:00 p.m.
  • Visitor Address
    Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology Westend CampusIG Farben BuildingNorbert-Wollheim-Platz 1 60323 Frankfurt am Main
    RoomIG 551 (Office)