Research Masters

Admission requirements | Application procedures | Additional information

Research MA African Studies

The Research Masters in African Studies, which is offered by the African Studies Centre in cooperation with Leiden University, is unique in the Netherlands and introduces students to a range of curricular and career options in the field of African Studies and a wide network of researchers and their current academic work.

African Studies is an interdisciplinary field of study that straddles the (artificial) divide between the humanities and the social sciences, and students following this programme will develop knowledge and skills that cross the traditional disciplinary boundaries. The Research Masters in African Studies is a broad and multifaceted programme in which an interdisciplinary approach is combined with in-depth study of a particular theme and region. It is intended for talented and highly motivated students who have already undertaken the required preparatory degree courses. Having successfully completed the Research Masters programme, students will be qualified to engage in research at an academic level in universities (PhD research), or work in state institutions or within the NGO sector.

The Research Masters in African Studies is taught by leading scholars from, among others, the universities of Leiden, Wageningen, Utrecht, Groningen and Amsterdam (UvA and VU) in the Netherlands and Louvain in the Flemish-speaking area of Belgium. The research projects of the participating staff members are central to the programme and students will come into contact with and work alongside scholars at the forefront of African Studies.

Admission requirements

For admittance to the Research Masters in African Studies, applicants are required to have written a BA thesis on an African-related subject and/or have proof that they are motivated to do research on Africa. Preference will be given to applicants who have (the equivalent of) a BA degree in anthropology, art history, comparative literature, development studies, economics, geography, history, political and international relations, or sociology, with a specialization on Africa, or have a first degree in African Studies. Students with degrees in medicine and health, law, linguistics or other relevant disciplines can only be admitted if, in addition to an interest in Africa, appropriate knowledge of (some of) the methods and theories in the above-mentioned fields can be demonstrated. Entry requirements are the equivalent of an A grade, or 8 out of 10 for the applicant’s BA thesis, and an average score of at least 7.5 for BA course work.
Non-native speakers of English will be tested for their mastery of English at an academic level (IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 570 / 230).

Application procedures

Prospective students should submit a completed application form to the Leiden University by 1 April 2012, at the very latest, for entry into the programme starting in September 2012. Please note that there is NO February intake! Dutch students can apply until July 2012. Applicants will be informed of the selection committee’s decision within six weeks of receipt of the application.

Application for international students (including those applicants with Dutch nationality who are seeking admission on the basis of a diploma that was obtained abroad):
http://koala.leidenuniv.nl/iooa/oa/Index.php
More information for international students can be found on the website of the university:
http://aanstaande-studenten.leidenuniv.nl/info/info/international-students.html and http://en.mastersinleiden.nl/arrange/admission/

If you are unable to apply online, you can send an email to IO-study. They can provide a paper application form. However please note that they do not encourage paper applications as using a paper application form instead of applying online may cause a significant delay in the processing time of your application.

Application for Dutch students:
http://aanstaande-studenten.leidenuniv.nl/info/info/hoe-meld-ik-me-aan.html

An application must include:
• a fully completed and signed application form;
• a curriculum vitae (in English);
• a detailed transcript of results (with a minimum qualification of a Bachelors degree or an indication of the date by which the candidate expects to obtain their Bachelors degree);
• a letter of application (in English) that includes a short description of the candidate’s research interests (max. 500 words) and shows how these research interests relate to the Research Masters programme; and
• a copy or description of the applicant’s Bachelors thesis or an equivalent (research) report.
• certificate of proficiency in English, preferably by means of an IELTS test (excepting native speakers)

Paper applications forms should be sent to:
Leiden University
International Office
PO Box 9500
2300 RA Leiden
The Netherlands
Phone: +31 (0)71 527 7287
study@io.leidenuniv.nl

Courier Service Address:
Pieterskerkhof 6
2311 SR Leiden
The Netherlands

Please note: all questions concerning copies of diplomas, transcripts and English certificates must be addressed to the International Office.

Additional information

The cost of living in the Netherlands
Please note that if you need an "MVV" (visa) to enter the Netherlands and a residence permit to legally stay in the Netherlands, you will need to provide proof that you are financially able to cover expenses during the whole period of stay. Rates are fixed by the Ministry of Justice (Immigration and Naturalisation Service). See also: http://en.mastersinleiden.nl/arrange/visa-en-verzekeringen/

Estimated Living Expenses per month
On average a student will need at least € 900 - € 1000 per month. This estimate does not include tuition fees and unforeseen costs, and should be used as a general indication of the costs of living. How much money you actually spend will of course depend on your life style and spending habits. The costs for housing, for example, may differ considerably.
See also: http://en.mastersinleiden.nl/arrange/housing/

Tuition Fees
The tuition fee for students from the EU, Switzerland or Surinam is € 1672 for the 2010-2011 academic year. However, the fee for students from the EU, Switzerland or Surinam who have already obtained an MA in the Netherlands after September 1991 is € 14.200 for the 2010-2011 academic year. The fee for non-EU students is € 14.200 for the 2010-2011 academic year.

Scholarships
Prospective students have several options regarding scholarships but eligibility for a particular scheme depends on one’s nationality, professional background and personal identity (gender, etc).
The Faculty of Humanities (Leiden University) offers the Research Masters in African Studies one scholarship for an excellent student from Africa. Applicants must first gain academic admission to the research Masters in African Studies.

The Research Master is African Studies is included in the Netherlands Fellowship Programmes (NFP) course list and mid-career staff members can apply to the Netherlands Fellowship Programmes (NFP). The NFP are demand-driven fellowship programmes provide training and education to mid-career staff members. Applicants must first gain academic admission to the Research Masters in African Studies before applying for a fellowship through the Netherlands embassy or consulate in their country.

NUFFIC Huygens Scholarship Programme
For our Research MA in African studies, we have been looking for scholarship options in particular for African students. Very recently the NUFFIC decided upon its criteria for the Huygens Scholarship Programme (HSP). It turns out that eligibility is no longer restricted to certain nationalities. Moreover tuition fees are included in the scholarships.

Since the new criteria were formulated only recently, NUFFIC will accept applications as late as 1 March.
Prior to the application candidates must have been admitted to a study programme in the Netherlands. If you want to compete for this scholarship in order to participate in the Research MA in African Studies you should apply NOW.
Information Huygens Scholarship Programme on the NUFFIC website: http://www.nuffic.nl/

For further information on the Research Masters African Studies please contact:
Dr. Azeb Amha (Academic Coordinator Research Masters in African Studies)
Tel: +31 (0)71 5273364 (Monday and Thursday)
Amhaa@ascleiden.nl
or: Researchmasters@ascleiden.nl

You are here

Research Masters

Research MA African Studies

Admission requirements

Application procedures

Additional information

Search form