The Research Master’s programme in African Studies at Leiden University bridges the often artificially drawn boundaries between the humanities and the social sciences. As a result you can develop in-depth knowledge about different aspects of the African continent and its peoples, at the same time you are not bound by boundary constraints of any of the more traditional disciplines focusing on Africa. The programme is unique in continental Europe.
Visit the website:
http://en.mastersinleiden.nl/programmes/african-studies-research/en/introduction Course detail
As the only two year African Studies Research Master’s with a genuine area studies profile, this programme is unique in continental Europe.
During your studies you focus on a particular region on the African continent and contextualise and embed your regional orientation in a broad set of theoretical perspectives. The programme is taught by leading African Studies scholars from all the relevant institutions in the Netherlands and Flanders, including The Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML) and the Universities of Wageningen and Amsterdam (UvA and VU).
Format
Within the Research MA you will focus on developing your research skills, and you will have an entire year (of which six months consists of fieldwork) to execute your own research project.
You will take in-depth courses that will guide you through proposal writing, social theory, methodology development, writing a scientific publication, debating and presentation skills. This will enable you, upon graduation, to initiate independent PhD or policy research, advise and participate in policy development and implementation, or offer training to businesses.
Facilities
You have access to the excellent facilities of Leiden University, and those of the Africa Studies Centre (ASC) and its research library, where the Research Master’s is based. The network of the ASC, regular seminars, conferences and projects on Africa will provide international orientation and embedding for your MA research.
The courses are especially designed for these masters and have a clear interdisciplinary approach. You will be guided and supervised by staff with various area and disciplinary expertise, including history, literature and film studies, anthropology, economy, geography and politics.
Careers
Having successfully completed the Research Master’s programme, you will be qualified to work as policy maker or consultant for Africa oriented organisations world wide, to undertake PhD research or work at research institutes.
You will also be qualified to work within a variety of professions focussed on the African continent. You will be able to work in a governmental policy–making department, with NGOs involved in development cooperation projects, with international organisations, or in research, management, education, journalism or public relations. Alumni have worked within publishers such as Brill, idealistic organisations such as the Maisha Mema Child Sponsorship programme and the Tosan development project.
Positions you could hold after your studies:
- Editorial & production manager
- Policy Officer at a ministry
- Policy Officer political/European collaboration
- Teacher of African languages
- Journalist
- Language tutor
- Manager of a translation and/or interpreting agency
- Marketing Manager at a publishing house
- New business accountmanager
- Researcher
- Project Manager at an NGO in Africa
- Editor
- Interpreter
- Translation co-ordinator
- Translator
How to apply:
http://en.mastersinleiden.nl/arrange/admission Funding
For information regarding funding, please visit the website:
http://prospectivestudents.leiden.edu/scholarships
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