BA African Studies and ...

Programme Code: (see May Be Combined With)

Mode of Attendance: Full-time

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, Yorùbá and Zulu.

The range of expertise in SOAS, not only in the Africa Department, but also with regard to languages and literatures of other regions is unique in UK institutions. Along with proven excellence in other disciplines, such as religious studies, anthropology, art and archaeology, and history, this offers students an unparalleled range of options in choosing their second subject of study.

Students taking the two-subject degree take a combination of units from African Studies and from their other subject.

May be combined with:

• Development Studies, (TL59)
• Economics, (TL51)
• Geography**, (TL57)
• History, (VT15)
• History of Art/Archaeology, (TV53)
• International Relations LT25)
• Law (TM51)
• Linguistics, (TQ51)
• Music, (WT35)
• Politics, (TL52)
• Social Anthropology, (TL56)
• Study of Religions (VT65)
• World Philosophies (T501)

** Taught at King’s College London

Key Information Set data

Click on a combined programme to load KIS data

Students must take modules to the value of 120 credits each year. Over the three years they must take at least 150 credits from one subject and at least 120 credits from the other subject. The subject with the largest number of module credits will be named first in the degree.

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

Students may take open option modules to the value of 30 credits per year in a joint degree as long as the required number of credits for each of the named subjects is passed at the end of the degree.

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, if they wish, from Language II 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) and Development Studies. 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. Please discuss with your Programme Convenor at the end of year 1 or the beginning of year 2 of your degree.

Year 1

Core Module

Choose one from the following modules. Students must pass Culture in Africa, the first year language module or Language in Africa in order to progress.

Compulsory Language Module 1

30 credits at a suitable level in an African language.

Other Subject

Take 60 credits in the second subject

Year 2

Core Module

Choose ONE of the following modules:

Compulsory Language Module 2

30 credits in an African language following on from Language I

Other Subject

Choose 60 credits from the second subject.

Year 3

Compulsory Module

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

Compulsory Module

Choose Language level 3 or module(s) to the value of 30 credits from the list of options.

Other Subject

Choose 60 credits from the second subject.

List of Optional Modules

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

List of Optional Modules (Year 3)

Students in Year 3 can also select from the modules below.

Programme Specification

• BA African Studies and ...Programme Specifications 2012/13 (pdf; 39kb)

Disclaimer

Year abroad

Teaching & Learning

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 2017/18 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.  

Choosing to study a joint degree programme will increase the breadth of your knowledge, and will develop additional skills with which to further your studies of the African continent, or to make comparative study with other areas.  African Studies may be combined with a huge range of other disciplines.  For more information on the extra skills you will gain from your second subject, please see the relevant departmental page.  

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

Others have found work in:

• Education
• Government
• Media
• Publishing
• UN Agencies

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
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