MA African Studies SOAS University of London

The MA in African Studies at SOAS provides an unrivalled programme of advanced courses on Africa; one of the world’s most fascinating and challenging regions. The opportunity for interdisciplinary study of the continent is a particular advantage of the degree. Students can choose from a range of about 30 courses in fourteen disciplines. Our former students have chosen to study Africa at this level for a wide range of reasons. For some a deep interest in the history and culture or political economy of a particular region is sufficient motivation, but for many students the programme has, in addition, been followed with the intention of furthering their career opportunities.

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A postgraduate degree in African studies at SOAS provides students with competency in language skills and intercultural awareness and understanding.  Familiarity with the region will have been developed through a combination of the study of language, literature, history, cinema, politics, economics or law. 

Postgraduate students gain linguistic and cultural expertise enabling them to continue in the field of research or to seek professional and management careers in the business, public and charity sectors. They leave SOAS with a portfolio of widely transferable skills which employers seek, including written and oral communication skills; attention to detail; analytical and problem solving skills; and the ability to research, amass and order information from a variety of sources. 

Some MA African Studies graduates leave SOAS to pursue careers directly related to their study area, while others have made use of the intellectual training for involvement in analysing and solving many of the problems that contemporary societies now face. Among a variety of professions, career paths may include: Academia; Charity; Community; Government; NGOs; Media; Publishing and UN Agencies. 

Graduates have gone on to work for a range of organisations including:

  • BBC News
  • British Embassy
  • Canon Collins Educational Trust for Southern Africa
  • Goal Nigeria
  • Government of Canada
  • Hogan Lovells International LLP
  • International Institute for Environment and Development
  • Kenyan Government
  • Mercy Corps
  • Migrant Resource Centre
  • Mo Ibrahim Foundation
  • The London MENA Film Festival
  • The University of Tokyo
  • The World Bank
  • Think Africa Press
  • U.S. Embassy
  • United Nations
  • University of Namibia
  • World Vision UK
  • Zanabazar Museum of Fine Arts

Aims

Knowledge

  • Students will acquire knowledge and critical awareness of current issues and/or insights into Africa from the perspective of at least two social sciences and/or humanities disciplines.
  • The student will have the opportunity of gaining knowledge or further knowledge of an African language.
  • The student will gain specialized and in - depth knowledge in one particular area of the study of Africa and from disciplinary perspective

Intellectual (thinking) Skills

  • Students will develop a critical and analytical approach to issues relating to Africa in the disciplinary areas chosen.
  • Students will develop skills of synthesizing materials from a variety of sources and presenting these in writing and orally in an academic context.
  • Students will have the opportunity of researching topics which have been little commented on in the secondary literature and thus develop research skills by working on primary sources.

Subject -based Practical Skills

  • Students will gain specific knowledge of aspects of African life, which will prepare them for working in Africa.
  • The specialist knowledge developed in the individual courses will allow students to add an academically grounded perspective to their particular subsequent work context.
  • If a student takes an African language they will have a strong practical skill, which will help them in any context where the language is used and which will also be of benefit if they need to learn another language in the future.

Transferable Skills

  • Through managing their studies students will develop the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility.
  • In researching and writing coursework and the dissertation students will develop research and writing skills.
  • Students will develop the skills of independent learning required for continuing onto a research degree or for professional development.

NB: In Area Studies degrees:

1) a maximum of 60 credits can be taken in any one discipline.

2) a minimum of three disciplines must be covered.

3) for students opting to take two language acquisition modules, only one of these can be at introductory level

Dissertation

Students must complete a Dissertation (10,000 words) in African Studies

Contact Hours

One-year Masters programmes consist of 180 credits. 120 credits are taught in modules of 30 credits (taught over 20 weeks) or 15 credits (taught over 10 weeks); the dissertation makes up the remaining 60 units. The programme structure shows which modules are compulsory and which optional.

As a rough guide, 1 credit equals approximately 10 hours of work. Most of this will be independent study, including reading and research, preparing coursework and revising for examinations. It will also include class time, which may include lectures, seminars and other classes. Some subjects, such as learning a language, have more class time than others. At SOAS, most postgraduate modules have a one hour lecture and a one hour seminar every week, but this does vary. 

With a student population of around 4,000 from over 100 countries, our relatively small size ensures that we offer a friendly and welcoming environment while at the same time being able to take advantage of all University of London facilities.

  • International class
  • International faculty
  • International study tours
  • Issuance of foreign diploma and certifications

The role of the Student Recruitment is to provide information, advice and guidance about studying at SOAS to prospective students, educational representatives, universities and schools both in the UK and overseas.

Criteria for assessing applications:
  • CV Screening
  • Motivation letter
  • References
  • Language test and/or interview

A score of 90/110 for Italian students, or above.A certified English language test.

Relevant work experience may also be taken into consideration. Individual courses may have specific entry requirements, so you are advised to consult the postgraduate prospectus for further information.

Admission Requirements:
  • Bachelor
Maximum number of students admitted: 2500
There are different Scholarships available on Taught Masters Programmes: Please see our website for eligibility criteria.
Cost of the master: Not declared
Scholarships available
A range of student services exist to help you during your time at SOAS. They provide an invaluable source of advice and support and are available to all students of the School.
  • Tutoring
  • Wifi access
  • Disability services
  • Canteen/Meal tickets
  • Housing capacity 1000
  • Sport activities
  • Cultural activities
The University of London Careers Group staff at SOAS will be available to support you throughout your time with us. We are the dedicated provider of careers advice, events and information services for current SOAS students, staff and GradClub members.

  • Job posting
  • Book and/or database of graduates
  • Polls about alumni careers
  • Multimedia resources: links/e-books
  • Dedicated office
  • Assessment tool (strenghts, weaknesses, attitude etc.)
  • Start-up support and mentoring
  • CV sending
  • Feedback monitoring
  • International opportunities
  • Companies presentations
  • Careerday
  • Careerday per area (finance, HR, etc.)
  • Support in CV writing
  • Identifying companies for traineeship
  • Orientation seminars
  • In-company training
  • Job hunting tecniques
  • Interview preparation
  • Coaching during company's interviews
  • Traineeship quality monitoring
The Alumni team at SOAS would be delighted for all students to join the Alumni network upon graduation. SOAS alumni have access to a wide range of benefits and a strong network for post graduation support.
Activities related to Alumni Community:
  • Alumni association
  • Presence in social network
  • Alumni in the teaching body
  • Meetings with alumni
  • Workshops
  • Reunions
  • Polls
  • Yearbook
  • Access to bibliographic services
  • Lifelong mailings
  • Magazine
  • Newsletter
  • Blog/Forums
  • Alumni Directory
  • Personal page of alumni
  • Alumni Press Review
  • Business and sport club
  • Facilitations for executive programs
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        MA African Studies

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                  Provenance Students Worldwide:
                  Detail of origin:
                  Europe
                  20%
                  20%
                  20%
                  20%
                  20%
                  Italy
                  20%
                  20%
                  20%
                  20%
                  20%
                  Gender:
                  50%
                  50%
                  Job Experience:
                  YES5%
                  NO95%
                  Age of participants:
                  • Under 25

                    70%
                  • 26 - 30

                    15%
                  • 31 - 35

                    10%
                  • Over 35

                    5%
                  Total:
                  250
                  Foreigners:
                  70%
                  Profession Teaching Staff:
                  80%
                  University professors
                  20%
                  Researchers/lecturers/visiting professors
                  * The data could be related to the School and not to the Master