MPhil in African Studies

Introduction to the course

At a time when Africa is often represented as a place in need of outsiders’ benevolence and direction, the Cambridge MPhil in African Studies aims to give students the analytical and critical skills to study African societies on their own terms. The degree offers a distinctive postgraduate qualification for those wishing to enhance their historical knowledge and contemporary understanding of Africa, as well as intensive research and language training for those seeking to apply for PhD programmes. Our former students have pursued careers in a broad spectrum of professions: the Africa-based NGO sector; management consultancy; business risk analysis; and serving in the US military. Others have successfully secured funding for doctoral study. Read more in our Alumni Profiles

The MPhil in African Studies is a relatively new graduate degree in Cambridge, which accepted its first cohort of students in October 2010. Our students come from across the world and from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds. They are attracted by the reputation of Cambridge as a world-class university and by the rigour of teaching and supervision on the MPhil course. Compared to other taught Masters’ programmes, the Cambridge MPhil is particularly notable for the level of personal attention given to students. All coursework teaching is in small groups, and lecturers often incorporate students’ specific academic concerns into their class discussions and prescribed readings. The degree has a substantial research component, for which students work closely with a dissertation supervisor, who shares their academic interests.

Cambridge has outstanding library resources, including the African Studies Library, which contains a stock of over 30,000 books and an excellent periodicals collection. It is also a pleasant study environment, and has been voted ‘The best library in Cambridge’ by the Alumni magazine, CAM 67. More details about its collections and services can be found on the CAS Library website.

Structure of the course

Download the MPhil Leaflet for more course information.

The MPhil in African Studies offers seminar classes and individual supervision, as well as the opportunity to attend various Africa-related lectures in Faculties and Departments across the University. Most teaching on the MPhil is provided by academics with an affiliation to CAS. Over the nine-month degree programme, you will take a Core Course, an Option Course, and prepare a Dissertation. You will also attend training in an African language. Currently, intensive tuition is offered in Swahili, but students also have the option to study an African language of their choice, subject to the approval of the MPhil convenor. In addition, all MPhil students are eligible to claim up to £200 from the Centre towards their research costs; those planning fieldwork can also apply to the UAC Travel Fund for financial support for travel costs to Africa.

How to Apply

Download the MPhil prospectus for more information about applying for admission to the MPhil in African Studies.

Students are admitted to the degree via the Graduate Admissions office of the University of Cambridge; the Centre of African Studies does not accept applications.
For guidance on how to apply please visit the Prospective Graduate Students homepage,
and also view the Application Checklist.

Applications can be submitted from 1 September. For funding opportunities, please check the deadlines. You are advised to apply early. Prospective students can track the progress of their application via a self-service account.

Application Deadline: 30 June 2013.

For more information please contact:
Judith Weik (Student Administrator)
Centre of African Studies
Alison Richard Building
7 West Road
Cambridge CB3 9DT
United Kingdom

Telephone: +44 (0)1223 769 328
Email: mphil@african.cam.ac.uk

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Centre of African Studies
MPhil Prospectus MPhil Leaflet Admission Requirements Application Checklist Core Course Option Courses Dissertation Topics Dissertation Supervisors Alumni Profiles Enquiries: mphil@african.cam.ac.uk OTHER AREAS OF THE WEBSITE African Studies Home About the Centre African Studies Library Seminars & Events UAC of Nigeria Travel Award CAS Publications Contact CAS QUICK LINKS Prospective Graduate Students Homepage Fees and Funding Homepage Student Gateway	MPhil in African Studies Introduction to the course Structure of the Course How to Apply Introduction to the course At a time when Africa is often represented as a place in need of outsiders’ benevolence and direction, the Cambridge MPhil in African Studies aims to give students the analytical and critical skills to study African societies on their own terms. The degree offers a distinctive postgraduate qualification for those wishing to enhance their historical knowledge and contemporary understanding of Africa, as well as intensive research and language training for those seeking to apply for PhD programmes. Our former students have pursued careers in a broad spectrum of professions: the Africa-based NGO sector; management consultancy; business risk analysis; and serving in the US military. Others have successfully secured funding for doctoral study. Read more in our Alumni Profiles The MPhil in African Studies is a relatively new graduate degree in Cambridge, which accepted its first cohort of students in October 2010. Our students come from across the world and from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds. They are attracted by the reputation of Cambridge as a world-class university and by the rigour of teaching and supervision on the MPhil course. Compared to other taught Masters’ programmes, the Cambridge MPhil is particularly notable for the level of personal attention given to students. All coursework teaching is in small groups, and lecturers often incorporate students’ specific academic concerns into their class discussions and prescribed readings. The degree has a substantial research component, for which students work closely with a dissertation supervisor, who shares their academic interests. Cambridge has outstanding library resources, including the African Studies Library, which contains a stock of over 30,000 books and an excellent periodicals collection. It is also a pleasant study environment, and has been voted ‘The best library in Cambridge’ by the Alumni magazine, CAM 67. More details about its collections and services can be found on the CAS Library website. Structure of the course Download the MPhil Leaflet for more course information. The MPhil in African Studies offers seminar classes and individual supervision, as well as the opportunity to attend various Africa-related lectures in Faculties and Departments across the University. Most teaching on the MPhil is provided by academics with an affiliation to CAS. Over the nine-month degree programme, you will take a Core Course, an Option Course, and prepare a Dissertation. You will also attend training in an African language. Currently, intensive tuition is offered in Swahili, but students also have the option to study an African language of their choice, subject to the approval of the MPhil convenor. In addition, all MPhil students are eligible to claim up to £200 from the Centre towards their research costs; those planning fieldwork can also apply to the UAC Travel Fund for financial support for travel costs to Africa. How to Apply Download the MPhil prospectus for more information about applying for admission to the MPhil in African Studies. Students are admitted to the degree via the Graduate Admissions office of the University of Cambridge; the Centre of African Studies does not accept applications. For guidance on how to apply please visit the Prospective Graduate Students homepage, and also view the Application Checklist. Applications can be submitted from 1 September. For funding opportunities, please check the deadlines. You are advised to apply early. Prospective students can track the progress of their application via a self-service account. Application Deadline: 30 June 2013. For more information please contact: Judith Weik (Student Administrator) Centre of African Studies Alison Richard Building 7 West Road Cambridge CB3 9DT United Kingdom Telephone: +44 (0)1223 769 328 Email: mphil@african.cam.ac.uk		The late Professor Chinua Achebe delivering the inaugural Audrey Richards Annual Lecture in African Studies "The MPhil was an excellent launching platform to develop my interest in African politics and development, and it also gave me the contacts to search effectively for work." Nadia Kevlin Atta Kwami, Visiting Fellow at CAS 2012-13 "The interdisciplinary nature of the MPhil enabled me to pursue different academic fields to my undergraduate degree, and the KiSwahili language training has proved invaluable." Natalie Moss Download our poster! "I came to Cambridge primarily for its faculty; they are respected, deeply involved in their students' work, and they also make the Centre a convivial place to work." Sam Daly Sound of the Sahel by Folignouma "I would strongly recommend pursuing the MPhil programme for anyone interested in furthering their understanding of African histories, societies, and politics." Greg Queyranne
Contact the Centre of African Studies, Alison Richard Building, 7 West Road, Cambridge. CB3 9DT. Email centre@african.cam.ac.uk Ph. 01223 334396 Fax 01223 769329 Information provided by webmaster@african.cam.ac.uk © 2013