Programme Structure

The official length of the MA programme in African Studies is two years full-time study distributed over four semesters. As a rule, a semester comprises fourteen weeks of instruction. The programme comprises a number of compulsory courses, optional courses and an MA thesis.

It is possible to build up special business qualifications by either choosing a project-based module (internship and field study) instead of a optional courses or by choosing the language component Kiswahili.

It is possible to study abroad as part of your degree in African Studies. Read more about studying abroad here.

Year 1

Semester 1 Semester 2

Introduction to African Studies

7,5 ECTS
Four classes per week for seven weeks

Politics, Development

and Change in Africa
7,5 ECTS

Four classes per week for seven weeks

Nature, Population and Society in Africa
15 ECTS
Four classes per week

Religion, Culture and

Society in Africa

7,5 ECTS

Four classes per week for seven weeks

Advanced Research Methods

7,5 ECTS

Four classes per week for seven weeks

Economic

Development

in Africa

7,5 ects 
4 classes per week for seven weeks

Thematic course
7,5 ECTS

Four classes per week for seven weeks

Year 2

Semester 3 Semester 4

Elective components:

A combination of one or two thematic courses and/or project-based modules

30 ECTS

MA thesis

(with thesis seminar)
30 ECTS

Course structure with Kiswahili

Alternatively you can choose Kiswahili as part of your elective components (15 ECTS). As the Kiswahili courses take place in the first and second semester this option will give you a course structure like this:

Year 1

Semester 1 Semester 2

Introduction to African Studies

7,5 ECTS
Four classes per week for seven weeks

Politics, Development

and Change in Africa
7,5 ECTS

Four classes per week for seven weeks

Nature, Population and Society in Africa
15 ECTS
Four classes per week

Religion, Culture and

Society in Africa

7,5 ECTS

Four classes per week for seven weeks

Advanced Research Methods

7,5 ECTS

Four classes per week for seven weeks

Economic

Development

in Africa

7,5 ects 
4 classes per week for seven weeks

Thematic course
7,5 ECTS

Four classes per week for seven weeks

Elective component: 
Kiswahili 1

Four classes per week for fourteen weeks
7,5 ECTS

Elective component: 
Kiswahili 2
Four classes per week for fourteen weeks
7,5 ECTS

Year 2

Semester 3 Semester 4

Elective components:

A combination of one or two thematic courses and/or project-based modules

15 ECTS

MA thesis

(with thesis seminar)
30 ECTS