African Studies (MA)

The master’s in African Studies combines world-class scholarship with practice-based learning.

Why study African Studies at Leiden University?

Explore Africa’s diversity through academic depth and real-world experience. This one-year master’s programme offers a unique opportunity to study Africa from multiple perspectives—history, anthropology, literature, politics, economics, and more. You’ll engage with real-world issues and learn to apply research methods that prepare you for both academic and professional careers.

This multidisciplinary programme allows you to explore Africa through a wide range of lenses. You’ll gain a solid methodological foundation and engage with six cross-cutting themes:

Framing Africa
Developing?
Decolonizing?
Dwelling and Moving
Caring
World-viewing

Courses are designed to help you critically analyse current events from a broad, comparative, and global perspective. You’ll also be introduced to multi-modal and mixed research methods.

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Focus on your interests

You’ll have the freedom to tailor your studies to your interests. Choose your own Embedded Research Project topic, which will also form the basis of your thesis. You’ll gain access to the African Studies Centre Leiden’s (ASCL) international network and events, connecting you with leading researchers.

Learn more about the study programme

Career prospects?

This programme prepares you for high-level roles in a variety of sectors. Graduates work in cultural organisations, education, policy-making, development, publishing, public relations, and journalism.

Examples of alumni roles include:

Policy officer at an embassy in Ghana
Teacher of African languages
Journalist
Curator at a cultural institution
Manager of a translation/interpreting agency
Project Manager at an NGO in Africa
PhD candidate at the Centre of African Studies in Edinburgh
Team leader at a human rights organisation
Digital marketing manager at a translation agency

Is African Studies the programme for you?

If you’re curious about African cultures and societies and want to explore the continent’s history, literature, and political landscape, this programme could be a great fit.

Check the admission requirements