African Studies (MA)
The master’s in African Studies at Leiden University is an advanced area studies qualification that combines world-class scholarship with practice-based learning.
Why study African Studies at Leiden University?
This multidisciplinary programme offers you the opportunity to learn about Africa from a wide range of perspectives: historical, anthropological, literary, socio-linguistic, cultural, geographical socio-economic and political. At Leiden, relevance and real-world issues are at the fore, which means that you get to critically analyse current events as they unfold from a broad, comparative and global perspective. Multi-modal research methods and mixed methods will also be introduced to you.
Focus on your interests
At Leiden University we see the benefits of focusing on your own interest. Within the Africa Studies programme, therefore, you are able to study the subject areas that interest you most. You are able to do so by choosing electives project topics and ultimately in the focal area of your thesis. In addition, you will gain access to the African Studies Centre Leiden’s (ASC) extensive international network and high-profile events that will connect you to the leading researchers in the field. The African Studies programme is therefore designed to help you become an expert in the area of your interest.
Learn more about the study programme
What are your career prospects?
This Master’s programme in African Studies offers outstanding preparation for high-level positions in the international job market. Your degree prepares you for roles in cultural organisations, education, policy-making, business, development, publishing, public relations, and journalism.
Find out more about the career prospects
Is African Studies the programme for you?
Are you interested in African culture and societies and do you want to dive into the history, literature, socio-economical and political state of this continent? Then this might be the programme for you. Do you want to find out if you are eligible for this Master's Programme?
Check the admission requirements
A centre of expertise on languages and cultures of the world
When it comes to languages and cultures, Leiden University is the university. The global expertise present places our university at the top. In Leiden and The Hague, we study languages and cultures from all regions of the world and from prehistory to the present day. In this way we create a broad view of the world; the key to mutual understanding.
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