School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics & African Languages, Cultures and Literatures Section

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You are viewing: Key information

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Duration

Two calendar year (full-time), four years (part-time)

Start of programme

September

Attendance mode

Full-time or part-time

Location

On campus

Fees

Home: £12,220
International: £25,320

Entry requirements

We will consider all applications with 2:2 (or international equivalent) or higher. In addition to degree classification we take into account other elements of the application such as supporting statement. References are optional, but can help build a stronger application if you fall below the 2:2 requirement or have non-traditional qualifications.

See international entry requirements and English language requirements

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The MA African Studies and Intensive Language from SOAS provides students with competency in language skills and intercultural awareness and understanding. Familiarity with the region will have been developed through a combination of the study of language, history, cinema, politics, economics or law.

Students on this postgraduate degree programme will develop their ability to engage with and explore relationships between indigenous African aesthetics and contemporary literary theories.

You can view all the intensive language options available in the combined courses tool below.

Why study African Studies and Intensive Language at SOAS?

SOAS is ranked 1st in London and 9th in the UK in the Complete University Guide 2023 for Middle Eastern and African Studies
We are ranked 6th in the UK for employability (QS World University Rankings 2023)
Top 10 in the UK for African and Middle Eastern Studies (Complete University Guide 2023)
Modern Languages and Linguistics at SOAS has been ranked 10th in the UK in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021
4th for research environment - with 100% of our research ranked as 'internationally excellent' and 85% as 'world-leading' - and 8th for research outputs in the REF 2021
You will be eligible to apply for internships

Use our combined courses tool to see a breakdown of course structure

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One-year Masters programmes consist of 180 credits. 120 credits are taught in modules of 30 credits (taught over 20 weeks) or 15 credits (taught over 10 weeks); the dissertation makes up the remaining 60 units. The programme structure shows which modules are compulsory and which optional.

Contact hours

As a rough guide, 1 credit equals approximately 10 hours of work. Most of this will be independent study, including reading and research, preparing coursework and revising for examinations. It will also include class time, which may include lectures, seminars and other classes.

Some subjects, such as learning a language, have more class time than others. At SOAS, most postgraduate modules have a one hour lecture and a one hour seminar every week, but this does vary.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge

Students will acquire knowledge and critical awareness of current issues and/or insights into Africa from the perspective of at least two social sciences and/or humanities disciplines.
The student will have the opportunity of gaining knowledge or further knowledge of an African language.
The student will gain specialized and in - depth knowledge in one particular area of the study of Africa and from disciplinary perspective.

Intellectual (thinking) skills

Students will develop a critical and analytical approach to issues relating to Africa in the disciplinary areas chosen.
Students will develop skills of synthesizing materials from a variety of sources and presenting these in writing and orally in an academic context.
Students will have the opportunity of researching topics which have been little commented on in the secondary literature and thus develop research skills by working on primary sources.

Subject-based practical skills

Students will gain specific knowledge of aspects of African life, which will prepare them for working in Africa.
The specialist knowledge developed in the individual courses will allow students to add an academically grounded perspective to their particular subsequent work context.
If a student takes an African language they will have a strong practical skill, which will help them in any context where the language is used and which will also be of benefit if they need to learn another language in the future.

Transferable skills

Through managing their studies students will develop the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility.
In researching and writing coursework and the dissertation students will develop research and writing skills.
Students will develop the skills of independent learning required for continuing onto a research degree or for professional development.

SOAS Library

SOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, attracting scholars from all over the world. The Library houses over 1.2 million volumes, together with significant archival holdings, special collections and a growing network of electronic resources.

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Title	Deadline date
Felix Scholarships	31 January 2025

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Graduates of the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics leave SOAS not only with linguistic and cultural expertise, but also with skills in written and oral communication, analysis and problem solving.

Recent School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics graduates have been hired by: