History Masterclass for Years 12 and 13: humans and powerful states of Africa from the Atlantic period
Key information
- Date
- Time
-
10:00 am to 1:00 pm
- Venue
- SOAS Campus
- Event type
- Seminar
About this event
In this masterclass with members of the History department, students from Years 12 and 13 will uncover the legacies of important characters and states in Africa that usually remain hidden in common narratives of the Atlantic period (1500 to 1900).
During the masterclass, you will explore key questions such as:
- How did the people in African communities secure freedom during the period of the Atlantic slave trade?
- How were strong African states like the Kingdom of Kongo and the Lunda Empire organised with autonomy despite the expansion of European colonialism?
- In which ways do the legacies of African societies shape present-day global politics?
Masterclasses
On Campus Masterclasses are subject based and are three hours long. They consist of a topic-based lecture and interactive activity, led by a SOAS academic. There is also a campus tour and a workshop on higher education led by student ambassadors.
Applications
To apply, please complete the online application form by 9:00am on Monday 16 March 2026.
We will not be able to offer you a place until we have received confirmation from your school/college and parent/guardian that they give permission for you to participate. We will be in touch with them to request this.
Parent/guardian and teacher permission to participate does not guarantee a place as we receive a large number of applications for limited places. We will confirm if you have been allocated a place after applications close.
Eligibility and priority
This free SOAS event is a widening-participation activity designed to give students a first-class experience of university-level studies. Please note it is only open to pupils attending state schools, academies and colleges.
Students who meet at least one of the following criteria will be prioritised:
- eligible or previously eligible for Free School Meals
- experience of local authority care
- from an area of low progression to higher education (as measured by TUNDRA data)
