Social Sciences

Master of Arts in African Studies

The Master of Arts in African Studies provides advanced interdisciplinary training in African history, African cultures, African politics, African economies, and African social systems. Students learn African studies theories, African history, African cultural studies, African political economy, and African development. The programme is designed for individuals seeking advanced understanding of African societies for research, development work, policy, or academic careers.

Students develop advanced competencies in African history, African cultural studies, African political economy, African development studies, research methods, and interdisciplinary analysis. The curriculum covers African history and historiography, African cultures and societies, African political economy, African development, research methods, African philosophy, and a research dissertation. Practical skills are developed through research and field work.

African studies is important for understanding Kenya's and Africa's social, political, and economic context. Universities, research institutions, NGOs, government agencies, and international organisations require personnel with advanced understanding of African societies. Kenya's position as a regional hub creates demand for African studies expertise. The programme addresses the demand for advanced interdisciplinary African studies training.

The programme combines classroom lectures with seminars, research, and field work. Students study African societies, engage in interdisciplinary research, participate in seminars, and write a dissertation. Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, research supervision, and dissertation-based work. The programme emphasises interdisciplinary analysis and research competence.

Graduates find employment as researchers, lecturers, development consultants, policy analysts, or programme managers in universities, research institutions, NGOs, government agencies, and international organisations. The master's degree supports careers in African studies research, development, and policy.

This programme is ideal for graduates in social sciences, humanities, or development studies seeking advanced interdisciplinary understanding of African societies. The programme provides research skills and interdisciplinary knowledge for careers in African studies and development.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 220,500
Private, up to: Ksh 218,400
Job market: Low

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 15 students
Award: Master

What you study

10 subjects

African History and Historiography
African Cultures and Societies
African Political Economy
African Development Studies
Research Methods in African Studies
African Philosophy and Thought
African Literature and Oral Traditions
African Religions and Spirituality
Global Africa and Diaspora Studies
Dissertation Research

Modules

8 in the programme

African History and Historiography
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
African history and historiography covering major periods of African history, African historiography, colonial and post-colonial history, and historical methods in African studies.
African Cultures and Societies
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
African cultures and societies covering African cultural systems, social structures, ethnic diversity, gender, kinship, and social change in African societies.
African Political Economy
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
African political economy covering African political systems, economic structures, governance, regional integration, and Africa in the global political economy.
Research Methods in African Studies
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Research methods covering qualitative and quantitative research, field research in Africa, ethnographic methods, and research ethics in African studies.
African Development Studies
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
African development covering development theories, African development challenges, poverty, governance, sustainable development, and Africa's development trajectory.
African Philosophy and Thought
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
African philosophy covering African philosophical traditions, African epistemology, African ethics, and contemporary African philosophical thought.
African Literature, Religion and Diaspora
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
African literature, oral traditions, African religions and spirituality, and the African diaspora covering African communities worldwide and diaspora connections.
Dissertation Research and Defence
Year 2Semester 16 creditsCore
A research dissertation on an African studies topic, demonstrating interdisciplinary research competence and contributing to African studies scholarship.

Specialisations

African History and Culture
Focus on African history, cultural systems, oral traditions, literature, and the historical and cultural dimensions of African societies.
African Political Economy and Development
Focus on African political systems, economic structures, governance, development challenges, and Africa in the global economy.
African Philosophy and Diaspora Studies
Focus on African philosophical traditions, African thought, the African diaspora, and global African connections.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on African studies with afternoon seminars and research work. Students study African history, analyse African cultures, discuss African political economy, and conduct interdisciplinary research. Seminars involve scholarly debate and research presentations. The programme emphasises interdisciplinary analysis, African-centred scholarship, and research competence. The small class size enables close interaction with faculty and personalised research supervision.

The trade offs

In its favour

Provides interdisciplinary understanding of African societies, valuable for research, development, and policy careers.
Provides a pathway to doctoral studies and academic careers in African studies.
Tangaza University offers post-graduate scholarship opportunities and is located in Nairobi, a regional hub for African studies.

Against it

The programme is offered at only one university, limiting accessibility.
Career opportunities are primarily in academia, research, and development, which may be competitive.
African studies is a specialised field with limited direct employment in the private sector.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 241 social sciences courses

Public118k to 221k

118k at Maseno University221k at University of Nairobi

Private116k to 218k

116k at Tangaza University218k at International Leadership University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

Maseno 236,700/2yr(yumpu). UoN 441K/2yr(uonbi). Tangaza 58K/sem(ednewshub). ILU 218,400/yr(tuko).

HELB loans are available for eligible Kenyan students. Tangaza University offers post-graduate scholarship opportunities. CODESRIA and other research councils may offer research grants for African studies research.

Funding options

HELB Loan

Scholarships

1 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in master's programmes at chartered universities

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

Alternative entry: Bachelor's degree (minimum Second Class Lower Division) in Social Sciences, Humanities, Development Studies, or related field from a CUE-recognised institution. Relevant work experience may be considered.

How you are assessed

3 components

Coursework and Seminars
Written examination40% of the mark
Coursework assessments, seminar presentations, and research papers evaluating understanding of African studies concepts.
Research Papers and Field Work
Project30% of the mark
Research papers, field research assignments, and interdisciplinary analyses demonstrating research competence.
Dissertation Defence
Project30% of the mark
A master's dissertation demonstrating interdisciplinary research competence and contributing to African studies scholarship.

Accreditation

Tangaza University is chartered by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The master's programme is accredited by CUE.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Tangaza University is chartered by CUE. Master's programme accredited by CUE.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Researcher (African Studies)
Low demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 200,000
Conducts research on African societies in research institutions, universities, or think tanks, producing scholarly publications and policy research.
Lecturer (African Studies)
Low demand
Teaches African studies or related disciplines in universities, delivering courses in African history, culture, politics, or development.
Development Consultant
Moderate demand
Provides consultancy on African development to NGOs, international organisations, or government agencies, applying African studies knowledge to development practice.
Policy Analyst (Africa)
Moderate demand
Analyses African policy issues for government, international organisations, or think tanks, providing research-based policy recommendations on African affairs.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates find employment as researchers, lecturers, and development consultants in universities, research institutions, NGOs, and international organisations, with opportunities for doctoral studies and policy research.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Industry links

Common misconceptions

African studies is just about African history.
African studies is interdisciplinary, covering history, culture, politics, economics, philosophy, literature, religion, and development, providing comprehensive understanding of African societies.
African studies has limited career value.
African studies expertise is valuable in research, development, policy, diplomacy, and academia, with demand from NGOs, international organisations, and universities.
African studies is only for Africans.
African studies is for anyone seeking to understand African societies, including international development workers, diplomats, researchers, and scholars worldwide.
African studies is not a real academic discipline.
African studies is a well-established interdisciplinary field with dedicated journals, research councils (CODESRIA), and academic associations worldwide.