
MA Africa and Development
Birmingham, United Kingdom
DURATION
1 up to 2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
29 Aug 2025*
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
GBP 10,900 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for UK students | 12 May 2025 for international students
** £10,900: full time | £5,450: part time
Introduction
You'll gain a nuanced perspective on Africa and its diasporas, preparing you for a career where you’ll be making a difference in the world. Get ready for diverse roles in the government or charity sectors, or to undertake further research.
Be part of the University's Department of African Studies and Anthropology (DASA) - a leading Area Studies department for research, ranked 2nd in the UK - and you’ll also benefit from the expertise of the International Development Department (IDD).
The Department of African Studies and Anthropology (DASA) is ranked second among all Area Studies departments in the country for its performance in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, according to Times Higher Education.
By studying MA Africa and Development, you’ll gain a deep understanding of Africa's cultural, political, and historical landscapes. This will shape your understanding of development studies, giving you a degree that’s truly interdisciplinary.
- Explore an extensive range of topics and tailor the programme to your specific areas of interest through your chosen optional modules.
- Join a diverse community of students from across the world who bring a wide range of perspectives to the study of Africa and International Development.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Scholarships to cover fees and/or maintenance costs may be available. To discover whether you are eligible for any award across the University, and to start your funding application, please visit the University's Postgraduate Funding Database.
International students can often gain funding through overseas research scholarships, Commonwealth scholarships, or their home government.
Postgraduate Loans
Government-backed master loans are available to help UK and EU students to finance their studies. For those starting courses after 1 August 2020, loans are available of up to £11,836 for Masters students in all subject areas. Criteria, eligibility, repayment, and application information are available on the UK government website.
Curriculum
Please visit the course webpage below for up-to-date information on modules.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
By studying a postgraduate degree in African Studies and Anthropology at Birmingham, you’ll develop transferable skills suited to a range of career paths. These skills include verbal and written communication skills, problem-solving skills, and the ability to work independently.
Our African Studies and Anthropology and International Development graduates enter many roles, including:
- Civil Service
- Immigration Advisor
- Learning Delivery Officer
- Livelihood Project Officer
Employers our African Studies and Anthropology or International Development graduates have worked for include:
- Barnardos
- Birmingham City Council
- Raleigh International
- International schools
Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.
Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.
Program delivery
At Birmingham, research and teaching go hand-in-hand. Lecturers and professors continue to research in their field, offering valuable expertise in African studies, anthropology and international development.
- Taught modules - each module represents a total of 200 hours of study time, including preparatory reading and assignment preparation.
- Seminars – modules are mainly taught by small group teaching.
- Dissertation – you'll undertake a 12,000-word dissertation in an area that interests you.