This 3-year degree focuses on the languages and cultures of sub-Saharan Africa. It includes the study of an African language and a wide choice of modules in the related cultural fields of Literature, Art, Performance and Religion-Philosophy.

The languages normally available are Amharic, Hausa, Somali, Swahili, Yoruba and Zulu.

Programme Code: T500 BA/AfSt

Venue: Russell Square: College Buildings

Start of programme: September

Mode of Attendance: Full-time

Students must take modules to the value of 120 credits each year.

Students must pass 90 credits in order to proceed to the following year, including any core modules.

Students who fail Language I are not required to continue with Language II in the second year. Students attaining 40-50% in Language I may be exempted from Language II, if they wish, after consultation with their Programme Convenor.

Degree title

If a student passes Language in Africa and 120 credits in one language then the language may optionally be named in the degree title, e.g. African Studies (Swahili). This option is available for Swahili, Hausa and Somali only. 30 credits may be an Independent Study Project in which the language is used to a large extent. If this is important to you, please discuss it with your Programme Convenor at the end of year 1 or the beginning of year 2 of your degree.

Year 1

Core Module

Students must pass Culture in Africa and either the first year language module or Language in Africa in order to proceed. Please note that this module will become a 15-credit module from 2020/21.

Compulsory Module

AND

Compulsory Language

Choose language module(s) to the value of 30 credits from the list of level 1 language guided options below

Year 2

Compulsory Module

AND

Choose module(s) to the value of 45 credits from the list of guided options below

AND

Compulsory Language

Choose language module(s) to the value of 30 credits from the list of level 2 language guided options below

OR

Choose module(s) to the value of 30 credits from the list of guided options below

Year 3

Compulsory Module

AND

Choose module(s) to the value of 30 credits from the list of guided options below

AND

Choose module(s) to the value of 30 credits from the list of guided options below

OR

Open Options

Choose related Language or Non-Language open option modules to the value of 30 credits

• Language Open Option Modules
• Non-Language Open Option Modules

AND

Compulsory Language

Choose language module(s) to the value of 30 credits from the list of level 3 language guided options below

OR

Choose module(s) to the value of 30 credits from the list of guided options below

List of Optional Modules

Before selecting a module, student's must first check that the module is at the correct level. They must also ensure that they meet any pre-requisites.

Programme Specification

• BA African Studies Programme Specification (pdf; 222kb)

Important notice

Teaching & Learning

Contact Hours

All full-time undergraduate programmes consist of 120 credits per year, taught in modules of 30 credits (taught over 20 weeks) or 15 credits (taught over 10 weeks). 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 (see Approaches to teaching and learning at SOAS). 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.

In the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics, undergraduate modules take various forms. Modules may be taught through 1 or 2 hours of lectures a week, and some may have an additional 1-2 hours of weekly seminars. Languages classes may be 4-5 hours per week in the first and second year, typically less at higher levels.

More information is on the page for each module.

Teaching is normally provided by lecture or seminar and students are required to attend such classes. Most modules involve a 50-minute lecture as a key component with linked tutorial classes.

SOAS Library

SOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, attracting scholars from all over the world. The Library houses over 1.2 million volumes, together with significant archival holdings, special collections and a growing network of electronic resources.

Tuition Fees

Full details of undergraduate tuition fees can be found on the Registry's Undergraduate Tuition Fees page.

Fees for 2020/21 entrants. The fees below are per academic year. Please note that fees go up each year. 

Scholarships

For further details and information on external scholarships visit the Scholarships section

As a student specialising in the continent of Africa, you will gain 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 and culture (which can include literature, film, music, art and religion) of various parts of Africa. Graduates leave SOAS not only with linguistic and cultural expertise, but also with a portfolio of widely transferable skills which employers seek in many professional and management careers in both business and the public sector. These include 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.

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

For more information about Graduate Destinations from this department, please
visit the Careers Service website.

• How to Apply
• UCAS website
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• Funding options
• English language requirements
• Tuition Fees
• Admissions Contacts