MA African Studies

The master’s in African Studies at Leiden University is an advanced area studies qualification that combines world-class scholarship with practice-based learning.

Why study African Studies at Leiden University?

This multidisciplinary program offers you the opportunity to learn about Africa from a wide range of perspectives: historical, literary, cultural, socio-economical, and political. At Leiden, relevance and real-world issues are at the fore, which means that you get to critically analyze current events as they unfold and from a broad, comparative, and global perspective. Multi-modal research methods and mixed methods will also be introduced to you. You also get to study the subject areas that interest you most, by choosing electives, project topics, and the focal area of your thesis.

An important part of the master's program is a ten-week research internship at an organization in Africa or an African-related setting in Europe/The Netherlands. This is your opportunity to test your new skills and ideas in practice while gaining invaluable cultural and professional experience. For your research internship in Africa, you will receive funding from the Humanities Faculty’s Sustainable Humanities Internship Fund.

Academic fields

Leiden has faculties in the fields of:

• Archaeology
• Governance and Global Affairs
• Humanities
• Medicine
• Law
• Science
• Social and Behavioural Sciences

Student support

International student advisers

The international student advisers are a good place to go when you need assistance during your stay in the Netherlands. Students in both locations of Leiden University have access to these specialised advisers. In many cases they will be able to provide the information you need, or will refer you to the relevant services. You can consult the advisers on a variety of matters, ranging from financial concerns, settling down issues, academic issues and health insurance to dealing with external housing agents or finding a family doctor.

Student counsellors

We have a number of specialised student counsellors available. They can help in legal and financial matters, but can also assist you in developing study-related skills. The skills package that is offered involves individual counselling and workshops designed to support you in your academic performance. Topics covered include thesis writing, time management, stress management and planning. Additionally, our counsellors are available to help resolve study and personal problems, should this be needed.

Departmental study advisers and coordinators

Each department has its own study advisers/coordinators who can answer questions about matters that are related to the study programme of your choice. You can consult the study adviser/coordinator on issues such as timetables, exam grades, choice of subjects and application for graduation.