MA African Studies and Intensive Swahili
Program start date | Application deadline |
2023-10-10 | - |
2024-01-16 | - |
2024-04-24 | - |
Program Overview
The MA African Studies and Intensive Swahili 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.
Why study African Studies and Intensive Swahili at SOAS?
Program Outline
Students must take
315 credits in total
, comprised of255 taught credits
(45 of which are taught abroad as part of a Summer School) and a60-credit
dissertation as outlined below.
Year 1:
students on the two-year Intensive Language programmes take 60 credits of intensive language instruction and 60 credits in the discipline. During the summer, they participate in a Summer School abroad.
Year 2:
students take another 30 language credits as well as 60 credits in the discipline; they also complete their dissertation in the discipline.The Swahili component can be taken either at beginner or at intermediate level.
Please note that:
Important notice
The information on the website reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. The modules are indicative options of the content students can expect and are/have been previously taught as part of these programmes. However, this information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.
Two 2 - language beginner
Year 1
Two years full-time
In year 1 beginner students take the following modules below and select modules to the value of 30 credits from list A and another 15 credits from list B
Module | Credits |
---|---|
Remapping Area Studies in Asia, Africa and the Middle East |
15 |
Approaches to African Studies: Concepts, Methods and Theories |
15 |
Swahili 1 A (PG) |
15 |
Swahili 1 B (PG) |
15 |
Language, Society and Communication (Masters) |
15 |
Summer abroad
At the end of year 1 before the begining of year 2 students participate in a summer school at one of our partner institutions equivalent to the value of 45 credits.
Year 2 - Beginner
In year 2 beginner students select 60 credits from list A, B or C and 30 credits in the selected language, plus the dissertation
Module | Credits |
---|---|
Dissertation in African Studies |
60 |
Year 1 - Intermediate
In year 1 of the intermediate structure, students will take the following 2 modules and select modules to the value of 30 credits from list A plus another 15 credits from list B
Module | Credits |
---|---|
Remapping Area Studies in Asia, Africa and the Middle East |
15 |
Approaches to African Studies: Concepts, Methods and Theories |
15 |
Summer abroad
At the end of year 1 before the begining of year 2 students participate in a summer school at one of our partner institutions equivalent to the value of 45 credits.
Year 2 - Intermediate
In year 2 of the intermediate structure students select modules to the value of 60 credits from list A, B or C, plus 30 credits in a selected language, plus the following modules below
Module | Credits |
---|---|
Intermediate Swahili 2A (PG) |
30 |
Language, Society and Communication (Masters) |
15 |
Dissertation in African Studies |
60 |
List A - guided options
School of Languages Cultures & Lingistics
Module | Credits |
---|---|
Contemporary African Literature (PG) |
15 |
Language, Identity and Society in Africa (PG) |
15 |
Intersecting Worlds: Race and Gender in the Contemporary Postcolonial Novel |
15 |
Concepts and Practice of Subtitling |
15 |
Anthropology and Sociology
Module | Credits |
---|---|
724 Migration, Borders and Space: Decolonial Approaches |
15 |
725 African and Asian Diasporas: Culture, Politics, Identities |
15 |
School of Arts
Module | Credits |
---|---|
Asia and Africa On Display |
15 |
Art and Politics in Africa |
15 |
Global Film Industries |
15 |
History, Religion and Philosophy
Module | Credits |
---|---|
Colonial curricula: empire and education at SOAS and beyond |
15 |
African Philosophy (PG) |
15 |
Race, Segregation, and Apartheid in Twentieth-century South Africa (PG) |
15 |
List B - guided options
Politics
Module | Credits |
---|---|
Government and Politics of Africa |
30 |
Rule and Resistance in Contemporary Southern Africa |
15 |
Politics of Central Africa: Social Rupture and Reconfiguration |
15 |
Political Life in African Cities |
15 |
Violence, Justice and the Politics of Memory |
15 |
Gender and Security in Africa |
15 |
Economics
Module | Credits |
---|---|
Economic development of Africa (PG) |
15 |
School of Law
Module | Credits |
---|---|
Law and Postcolonial Theory |
15 |
Law and Development in Africa |
30 |
Colonialism, Empire and International Law |
15 |
Centre for Gender Studies
Module | Credits |
---|---|
Queer Politics in Asia, Africa and the Middle East |
15 |
Development Studies
Module | Credits |
---|---|
Gender and Development |
15 |
Problems of Development in the Middle East and North Africa |
15 |
List C - guided options
Languages
Module | Credits |
---|---|
Amharic 1 A (PG) |
15 |
Amharic 1 B (PG) |
15 |
Swahili 1 A (PG) |
15 |
Swahili 1 B (PG) |
15 |
Intermediate Swahili 2A (PG) |
30 |
Swahili 3 (PG) |
30 |
Practical Translation: English into Other Languages |
15 |
Practical Translation: Other Languages into English |
15 |
Zulu 1 A (PG) |
15 |
Zulu 1 B (PG) |
15 |
Somali 1 A |
15 |
Somali 1 B |
15 |
Somali 1 A (PG) |
15 |
Somali 1 B (PG) |
15 |
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
Intellectual (thinking) skills
Subject-based practical skills
Transferable skills
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.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:
Find out about our
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School of Oriental and African Studies, London (SOAS)
Overview:
SOAS, the School of Oriental and African Studies, is a public research university in London, specializing in the study of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. It is renowned for its diverse academic programs, world-class research, and commitment to global understanding.
Services Offered:
Student Life and Campus Experience:
Key Reasons to Study There:
Global Focus:
SOAS offers a unique opportunity to study the cultures, languages, and societies of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.World-Class Faculty:
The university boasts a distinguished faculty of experts in their respective fields, providing students with access to cutting-edge research and knowledge.Diverse Student Body:
SOAS attracts students from all over the world, creating a vibrant and multicultural learning environment.Research Opportunities:
SOAS is a leading research institution, offering students opportunities to engage in research projects and contribute to the advancement of knowledge.Academic Programs:
SOAS offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including:
Arts:
History of Art & Archaeology, Music, Media & CommunicationLanguages, Cultures, and Linguistics:
African Languages, Cultures, and Literatures, China & Inner Asia, Japan & Korea, Near & Middle East, South Asia, South East Asia, Translation StudiesSocial Sciences:
Anthropology & Sociology, Development Studies, Economics, Finance & Management, Gender Studies, Law, Politics & International Studies, Religions & PhilosophiesOther:
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Equivalent to 2:ii:
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Equivalent to 2:ii:
4.25/5
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Licenciado (180 ECTS)
Equivalent to 2:ii:
15/20
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Bachelor degree
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8/10
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3.8/5.0
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Bachelor (4-year)
Equivalent to 2:ii:
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Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii:
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Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii:
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Bakalár / Bachelor
Equivalent to 2:ii:
70% or 2.0 overall or C
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Bachelor (4-year)
Equivalent to 2:ii:
60%
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Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii:
GPA 2.7/4.0 or 3.0/4.3 or 3.3/4.5
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Equivalent to 2:ii:
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Equivalent to 2:ii:
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Bachelor (5-year)
Equivalent to 2:ii:
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Equivalent to 2:ii:
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Equivalent to 2:ii:
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Licence / al-ijaza-fi / Bachelor
Equivalent to 2:ii:
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Equivalent to 2:ii:
68-70% or GPA 2.8/4.0-3.0/4.0
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Equivalent to 2:ii:
12 out of 20
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Lisans Diplomasi
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GPA 2.6/4 from the top universities and 3.0/4 from all others
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Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii:
2:2 (Lower Second) or B or GPA 3.0/5.0
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Bachelor degree or Specialist Diploma
Equivalent to 2:ii:
8/12 or 3.8/5
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Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii:
GPA 3.0/4.0 or 3.2/5.0
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Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii:
GPA 3.0/4.0
Information for prospective students from the USA
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Bachelor degree (4-year)
Equivalent to 2:ii:
Overall score of 6.5/10
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Master's degree
Equivalent to 2:ii:
Overall 'Good' (71-77%) or Aden University 80-83% (or 3.0/4.0)
Zambia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency):
Master's degree
Equivalent to 2:ii:
65% or B or Credit or GPA 1.7/2.5 or 3.3/5.0
Zimbabwe: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency):
Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii:
2:2 or 65%
Information for prospective students from Zimbabwe
See
international entry requirements
andEnglish language requirements