African Studies

Degree: Master of Arts in African Studies
Mode of Study: Full-time
Duration: 1 year
Start date: September, February
Language of instruction: English
Location: Leiden
Croho/isat code: 60837
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The MA in African Studies­ – unique in the Netherlands – is a multidisciplinary study, which offers you the chance to take an in-depth look at the African continent from a variety of perspectives. You will study the major historical, cultural, socio-economical and political factors currently affecting the continent, which will give you a solid knowledge base upon which to build post-graduation.

The renowned academic staff, excellent library, museum facilities in the vicinity and interesting possibilities to carry out fieldwork in Africa make this MA a truly rewarding programme.

The programme has a good connection to both African linguistics and to Africanist social science, and thus gives you unique options to study African languages and cultures in a broad perspective.

You have the opportunity to develop your own profile, both in the coursework and in writing your master’s thesis.

During this programme you eventually choose to focus on one of two main disciplines:

  • African History
  • African Literature

At the end of the programme you will have acquired a detailed knowledge and understanding of your chosen discipline.

The aim is that you will be able to work independently and collate discipline-relevant academic literature and sources to assess their quality. These skills will be then be used to formulate clear and substantiated research questions, and to expound clear research results – both orally and in writing.
You will graduate with the ability to set up and execute a research project under expert supervision.

Prof. Robert Ross

Robert Ross

“We look at Africa in a positive light.”

“After leaving school, I spent nine months in Botswana, where I taught school children. I got to know that part of Africa very well. When I went on to study history, I decided to specialise in the history of the African continent.

It was the very diversity of Africa which made it so interesting. I am constantly stressing these differences in order to refute the almost racist idea that Africa is one great mass of misfortune. This is also one of the objectives of this master’s.

We look at Africa in a positive light, and describe the many cultural productions which originated in Africa, and the inventive way in which difficult issues are handled. We emphasise that Africa is extremely diverse. The fact that something may go wrong in one country does not mean that it will also go wrong in other African countries.

The master’s in African Studies is a further enrichment of the bachelor’s; our focus is on history, culture and literature. There is also now the Research Masters, which exists alongside the master’s.

A special feature of the master’s is the broad range of subjects and the co-operation with the Africa Study Centre in Leiden. This organisation has a fantastic library. In addition, we have good links with universities in Africa. We strongly encourage students to spend at least three months of their master’s programme in Africa.”