African Languages, Cultures and Literatures Section

MA African Studies (2021 entry)

Select year of entry: 2021 2020

Overview

Overview and entry requirements

The MA African Studies at SOAS provides an unrivalled programme of advanced modules on Africa; one of the world’s most fascinating and challenging regions. The opportunity for interdisciplinary study of the continent is a particular advantage of the degree. Our former students have chosen to study Africa at this level for a wide range of reasons. For some a deep interest in the history and culture or political economy of a particular region is sufficient motivation, but for many students the programme has, in addition, been followed with the intention of furthering their career opportunities. Some go on to work either in Africa or in fields related to Africa. The opportunity to combine study of particular African subjects with an African language is very useful, although some evidence of competence in learning a foreign language is usually required.

See African Languages, Cultures and Literatures department

Why study Africa at SOAS

SOAS ranks 1st in London in the Complete University Guide 2021 for Middle Eastern and African Studies, and 6th in UK
we are specialist in the studies of Africa, the Middle East, South Asia and South East Asia
gain in-depth understanding of one these key world regions, grounded in the study of one or more languages of the region
access SOAS’s comprehensive cross-regional expertise and gain an understanding of the interconnectedness of these regions in an increasingly globalised world
solid methodological and interdisciplinary foundation
students have an opportunity to develop a holistic and integrated approach to the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East through their languages and cultures.

Venue: Russell Square: College Buildings

Start of programme: September intake only

Mode of Attendance: Full-time or Part-time

Entry requirements

We will consider all applications with 2:ii (or international equivalent) or higher. In addition to degree classification we take into account other elements of the application including supporting statement and references.

Featured events

duration:: One calendar year (full-time); Two or three years (part-time, daytime only)

Fees 2021/22

UK fees:

£11,520

Overseas fees:: £22,500

Fees for 2021/22 entrants. This is a Band 3 fee. The fees are per academic year. Please note that fees go up each year. Further details can be found in the Fees and Funding tab on this page or in the Registry's Postgraduate Tuition Fees page

Convenors

Bukola Aluko-Kpotie Convenor

Structure

The structure of the MA African studies is as follows:

a maximum of 60 credits can be taken in any one discipline
a minimum of three disciplines must be covered
students opting to take two language acquisition modules, can only take one of them at introductory level.

Programme

Dissertation

Students must complete a Dissertation (10,000 words) in African Studies

Module	Code	Credits	Term
Dissertation in African Studies	15PAFC990	60	Full Year

Taught Component

Guided Option

Choose modules from the List of Modules below to the value of 90 credits

AND

Choose a module(s) from the List of Modules below to the value of 30 credits

OR

Open Option

Choose a module(s) from Postgraduate Open Options to the value of 30 credits

List of Taught Modules (subject to availability)

Anthropology (minor only)

Module	Code	Credits	Term

Art

Module	Code	Credits	Term
Modern and Contemporary Arts in Africa	15PARH048	15	Term 2

History

Module	Code	Credits	Term
Race, Segregation, and Apartheid in Twentieth-century South Africa (PG)	15PHIH003	15	Term 1
Historical Perspectives on Gender in Asia, Africa and the Middle East	15PHIH029	15	Term 2

Language (minor only)

Module	Code	Credits	Term
Amharic 1 A (PG)	15PAFH021	15	Term 1
Amharic 1 B (PG)	15PAFH022	15	Term 2
Swahili 1 A (PG)	15PAFH029	15	Term 1
Swahili 1 B (PG)	15PAFH030	15	Term 2
Intermediate Swahili 2A (PG)	15PAFC141	30	Full Year
Swahili 3 (PG)	15PAFC142	30	Full Year
Yoruba 2 (PG)	15PAFC135	30	Full Year
Zulu 1 A (PG)	15PAFH019	15	Term 1
Zulu 1 B (PG)	15PAFH020	15	Term 2

Law

Module	Code	Credits	Term
Islamic Law (MA/LLM)	15PLAC121	30	Full Year

Linguistics

Literature

Module	Code	Credits	Term
African Philosophy (PG)	15PAFH008	15	Term 1
Contemporary African Literature (PG)	15PAFH032	15	Term 2
Language, Identity and Society in Africa (PG)	15PAFH033	15 credits

Media

Politics

Module	Code	Credits	Term
The Politics of Africa	15PPOC257	30	Full Year

Religious Studies

Module	Code	Credits	Term

Programme Specification

MA African Studies - Programme Specification (pdf; 217kb)

Important notice

The information on the programme page reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. If you are a current student you can find structure information on the previous year link at the top of the page or through your Department. Please read the important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules.

Teaching and Learning

Teaching & Learning

One-year Masters programmes consist of 180 credits. 120 credits are taught in modules of 30 credits (taught over 20 weeks) or 15 credits (taught over 10 weeks); the dissertation makes up the remaining 60 units. The programme structure shows which modules are compulsory and which optional.

Contact hours

As a rough guide, 1 credit equals approximately 10 hours of work. Most of this will be independent study, including reading and research, preparing coursework and revising for examinations. 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. At SOAS, most postgraduate modules have a one hour lecture and a one hour seminar every week, but this does vary.

More information is on the page for each module.

Learn a language as part of this programme

Degree programmes at SOAS - including this one - can include language courses in more than forty African and Asian languages. It is SOAS students’ command of an African or Asian language which sets SOAS apart from other universities.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge

Students will acquire knowledge and critical awareness of current issues and/or insights into Africa from the perspective of at least two social sciences and/or humanities disciplines.
The student will have the opportunity of gaining knowledge or further knowledge of an African language.
The student will gain specialized and in - depth knowledge in one particular area of the study of Africa and from disciplinary perspective

Intellectual (thinking) skills

Students will develop a critical and analytical approach to issues relating to Africa in the disciplinary areas chosen.
Students will develop skills of synthesizing materials from a variety of sources and presenting these in writing and orally in an academic context.
Students will have the opportunity of researching topics which have been little commented on in the secondary literature and thus develop research skills by working on primary sources.

Subject-based practical skills

Students will gain specific knowledge of aspects of African life, which will prepare them for working in Africa.
The specialist knowledge developed in the individual courses will allow students to add an academically grounded perspective to their particular subsequent work context.
If a student takes an African language they will have a strong practical skill, which will help them in any context where the language is used and which will also be of benefit if they need to learn another language in the future.

Transferable skills

Through managing their studies students will develop the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility.
In researching and writing coursework and the dissertation students will develop research and writing skills.
Students will develop the skills of independent learning required for continuing onto a research degree or for professional development.

Learning resources

Useful resources from the African Languages, Cultures and Literatures section
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.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for 2021/22 entrants, per academic year (Band 3 tuition fee)

Full-time		Part-time 2 Years		Part-time 3 Years		Part-time 4 Years Intensive Language only
UK Students	Overseas Students	UK Students	Overseas Students	UK Students	Overseas Students	UK Students	Overseas Students
£11,520	£22,500	£5,760	£11,250	£3,840	£7,500	£5,760	£11,250

Fees go up each year, therefore, your tuition fee in your second and subsequent years of study will be higher.

Our continuing students, on the same degree programme, are protected from annual increases higher than 5%.

Full details of postgraduate tuition fees can be found on the postgraduate tuition fees page.

Scholarships

Allan and Nesta Ferguson Scholarships

Application Deadline: 2021-04-30 15:00

Felix Non- Indian Scholarship

Application Deadline: 2021-01-29 00:00