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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.

The master’s in African Studies at Leiden University is an advanced area studies qualification that combines world-class scholarship with practice-based learning. This multidisciplinary program offers you the opportunity to learn about Africa from a wide range of perspectives: historical, literary, cultural, socio-economical, and political.

To be eligible for African Studies at Leiden University, you must meet the following admission requirements.

IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall, with at least 6.0 for each separate component score.

We do not accept IELTS General Training or IELTS Indicators.

TOEFL internet-based: 90 overall, with at least 20 for each separate component.

We are not able to accept The TOEFL IBT Home Edition™, except in the following situations only:
You took the test before 1 Sept 2022 (and it is not more than 2 years old), or you are unable to take an in-person test on location because test centers are inaccessible or closed due to unsafe conditions in a country.

We do not accept the following types of tests: TOEFL My Best™ scores (multiple test scores combined), TOEFL Essentials™, or institutional tests such as ITP.

Cambridge English Exam C2 Proficiency, or C1 Advanced (180), with a minimum score of 169 for each separate component.

Note that English test results may not be more than two years old.

You do not have to submit an English proficiency test if you have completed your education in the USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Canada (except French-taught programs in Canada) Singapore, South Africa, or Malta; or if you have obtained an English-taught International Baccalaureate™; or if you have completed a Dutch VWO diploma or an English-taught bachelor at a Dutch research university.

Applicants who need a visa or residence permit or need to extend their residence permit must apply for admission before 

All other applicants must apply for admission before 

Admissions Option 2

Gallery

Leiden University offers a wide range of scholarships for students from specific regions of the world, or for specific programmes. Leiden University also offers the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS), a program specifically designed for non-EU/EEA students enrolling in a master’s program.

Scholarships and Funding Option 2

Are you interested in African culture and do you want to dive into the history, literature, socio-economical and political state of this continent? Then this might be the program for you. Do you want to find out if you are eligible for this Master's Programme? 

Ideal Students

This Master’s program in African Studies offers outstanding preparation for high-level positions in the international job market. Your degree prepares you for roles in cultural organizations, education, policy-making, tourism, development, publishing, public relations, and journalism.

Examples of the diverse roles of our graduates include:

Policy officer for agriculture and trade at an embassy in Ghana

Manager of a translation and/or interpreting agency

PhD candidate at the Centre of African Studies in Edinburgh

Team leader at a human rights organization

Digital marketing manager at a translation agency

Career Opportunities

Dutch, EU/EEA, Swiss and Surinamese students: €2,314 per year

Second Dutch master’s program: €15,400 per year

Dutch, EU/EEA, Swiss and Surinamese students: €2,530 per year

Second Dutch master’s program: €16,300 per year

Program Tuition Fees Option 2

Master

Social Sciences

Area studies

African Studies

Are you curious, critical and involved in the world around you? At Leiden University, the oldest university in the Netherlands, you can make a valuable contribution to tackling the various national and international challenges facing modern society. Together with academics and fellow students from all over the world, you will actively address these challenges. We keep an open mind, do not shy away from difficult discussions and allow one another the space to disagree. We expect the same active, open-minded and critical attitude from you. 

We challenge you to look beyond your own boundaries. Leiden University welcomes anyone who wants to achieve their full potential. Our modest community size in the historical cities of Leiden and The Hague creates a highly personal and committed atmosphere. Together, we map out a learning path that suits you and your ambitions. You will also be encouraged to conduct research in cooperation with eminent and enthusiastic scholars. The knowledge and skills you develop here will benefit you for the rest of your life, regardless of the career path you choose!

MA African Studies

Introduction

Why study African Studies at Leiden University?

Admissions

Gallery

Scholarships and Funding

Ideal Students

Is African Studies the program for you?

Career Opportunities

Program Tuition Fee

About the School

Questions