The MPhil in African Studies offers a taught course with a substantial research component and provides an excellent foundation for students wanting to develop their knowledge of Africa. It is designed for students who wish to enhance their historical and contemporary understanding of Africa’s societies, politics, economics, and cultures, as well as for those who wish to apply for advanced research degrees. The degree thus offers a highly regarded postgraduate qualification relevant to a wide range of professional careers, as well as intensive research and language training for students planning to prepare a doctoral dissertation.
The course introduces the latest research approaches and methodologies in African studies at an advanced level. Students have the advantage of developing an interdisciplinary approach to critical thinking and academic writing, the opportunity to develop skills in an African language, and also receive specialist research training.
The MPhil in African Studies is structured by four key elements: a core course, an option course, a dissertation and language training. Full details of the course can be found on the Centre’s website.
The MPhil in African Studies is a taught postgraduate course, structured by four key elements. These are the core course, the option course, the dissertation, and language training.
The formal assessment consists of two parts: coursework essays (submitted for the core course and the option course) and a dissertation (submitted at the end of the course). You are also required to submit a practice essay on a topic related to your dissertation research, and a dissertation proposal, but these are not formally assessed. Language training is also not a formal part of the degree assessment, but all students are required to demonstrate that they have attended a language course in either an indigenous African language or a language spoken in Africa (other than English) and made good progress at language acquisition. The language element of the MPhil course is jointly managed by the University of Cambridge Language Centre and the Centre of African Studies. All students are enrolled for a course at the University of Cambridge Language Centre, which is taught over 15 weeks during Michaelmas and Lent terms, and are usually expected to take Swahili Basic 1 if available.
For further details visit the Course Structure and Assessment page on the Centre of African Studies website.
You will receive an average mark and a written report on the practice essay during the Lent term.
You will receive a written report on your core course and option course essays in either Lent or Easter term.
You will receive feedback on your dissertation plan and progress from your supervisors in Lent and Easter term.
Applicants for this course should have achieved a Good II.i Honours Degree .
If your degree is not from the UK, please check International Qualifications to find the equivalent in your country.
Applications are welcome from UK and international students. Minimum qualifications are a good II.i honours degree and an excellent command of English. All candidates for admission to the MPhil are expected to be of PhD potential and to have degree results in at least the top quarter of the graduating cohort at their previous university.
It should be emphasised that the entry system for the University of Cambridge is a flexible one, notwithstanding the required minimum academic standard. The Centre of African Studies does not follow mechanical rules to judge applicants; instead, for each individual, it considers the following: the level of academic achievement, relevant work experience, the research proposal, the suitability of the MPhil in African Studies course to the applicant’s academic and professional needs, and the applicant’s references and writing sample.
University Minimum Academic Requirements
Score : Grade A & B (overall score of 193, with no element lower than 185 plus a Language Centre assessment)
Score : Grade A, B, or C (with at least 200 with no element lower than 185).