Ranking
2nd
Area Studies in REF 2021
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Course overview
Join a network of African Studies researchers and study taught modules with the freedom to pursue your own research proposal. You'll get to explore the areas of African Studies that interest you the most.
Develop the skills for both doctoral study and a future career. You'll broaden your knowledge of Africa and its diasporas through taught modules and complete a major individual research project supervised by a specialist in the field.
Course structure
The course runs over 12 months full-time on campus. You can also study this programme on a part-time basis.
September - December (11 weeks)
Two-thirds of your degree is your research thesis. You begin planning and submit a proposal for your research thesis during term one.
You’ll also take three taught modules during the first two terms of the MRes.
Course highlights
At Birmingham, you'll develop your critical and analytical skills, exploring current ideas in African politics, history and anthropology.
You'll identify, investigate and write up your own research topic, using ethnographic, archival, media or online source materials. Our Department of African Studies and Anthropology is interdisciplinary, meaning we offer expert supervision for a wide range of topics and welcome research that goes beyond subject boundaries.
- Access primary sources including the Church Missionary Society Archive and other Africa-related resources at our Cadbury Research Library.
- Study in the Department of African Studies and Anthropology (DASA), ranked second among all Area Studies departments in the country for its performance in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, according to Times Higher Education.
- Join a close-knit community of African Studies and Anthropology academic staff and postgraduate students - you'll work closely with staff and discuss your research interests.
Take taught modules while exploring your research interests.
Choose two optional modules covering a range of topics in African Studies, Anthropology, History, Politics and Development.
Learn about the latest research in our regular Africa Talks and Anthro Talks seminar series.
Deepen your knowledge
Our MRes lets you pursue original research while expanding your knowledge of Africa through a range of taught modules. There are opportunities for you to choose modules from other subject areas such as history, politics or development studies, depending on module availability.
Course delivery
At Birmingham, research and teaching go hand-in-hand. Lecturers and professors continue to research in their field, offering valuable expertise in African studies and anthropology.
An MRes is a programme that helps you develop the skills for doctoral study and a future career. You’ll complete a major individual research project, supervised by a specialist in the field of study, and a taught component that develops research and analytical skills.
- Taught modules - each module represents a total of 200 hours of study time, including preparatory reading, homework and assignment preparation.
- Seminars – modules are mainly taught by small group teaching.
- Research thesis– you'll undertake a 20,000-word thesis in an area that interests you.
Module information
The programme comprises 60 credits of taught modules and a research thesis. Modules run for one term, and you’ll take three modules during the MRes alongside your research thesis.
The modules listed below are an indication only and may be subject to change. Occasionally, it may be necessary to make changes to modules, for example, to ensure they remain current and relevant.
As a research-intensive University, our teaching is informed by the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff. For more information on the circumstances in which the University may need to make changes to modules, please refer to the Terms and Conditions for applicants.
2025/26 session
The following must be taken:
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Research Methods in Anthropology and African Studies | 20 |
Choose 40 credits of optional modules.
All optional lists are indicative; not all modules will run each year due to staff availability.
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Advanced Perspectives on Africa | 20 |
| African Fiction and its Critics | 20 |
| Contemporary Gender Issues in Africa | 20 |
| African Oralities in the Digital Age | 20 |
| Islam and Muslim societies in Africa | 20 |
| Letting them Speak: Ethnographies of marginalisation | 20 |
| Modern Ghana | 20 |
| The Social Life of the Economy | 20 |
| Urban Africa | 20 |
| Zimbabwe since the Cold War: Decolonisation, Liberation and the International Community | 20 |
| Livelihoods and Development in Africa | 20 |
| Media and Popular Culture in Africa | 20 |
| West Africa and the Atlantic Slave Trade | 20 |
Entry requirements
To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.
- 2:1 Honours degree
in a relevant subject
You should have, or expect to get, a 2:1 Honours degree in a relevant area.
Relevant equivalent study or professional experience can also be considered for entry.
English language requirements
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.
For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:
- TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 Listening, 22 Speaking and 21 in Writing
- Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills
- Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
- LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 33 in each skill
English Presessional Programmes
Improve your knowledge of spoken and written English in preparation for studying at Birmingham with our pre-sessional English courses. If you have a conditional offer, you can take one of these courses as an alternative to retaking IELTS or other similar qualifications.
Fees and scholarships
- £7,017
Full-time
- £3,509
Part-time
We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2025 entry are above.
The fees quoted are for one year only. For those studying courses that are longer than one year, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.
Paying your tuition fees
Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. You can check whether you are eligible for UK or international fees with our admissions team.
Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.
Postgraduate Masters Loan
To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.
Scholarships
To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.
Application process
To apply for a postgraduate programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.
Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.
- 29 August 2025
Application deadline for UK and non visa requiring applicants. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full. Early applications are encouraged.
Before you make your application
Please refer to our six-step process on applying for PhD, MA by Research and MRes opportunities for Arts subject areas, which includes detailed advice on research proposals and how to write them.
How to apply to our taught courses
Find out how to apply to our postgraduate taught programmes. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a question about our admissions process, including how to apply, your offer and how to track your application, please visit our admissions portal.
Career opportunities
By studying a postgraduate degree in African Studies and Anthropology at Birmingham, you’ll develop transferable skills suited to a range of career paths. These skills include verbal and written communication skills, problem-solving skills, and the ability to work independently.
Our African Studies and Anthropology graduates enter many roles, including:
- Editorial Assistant
- Learning Delivery Officer
- Livelihood Project Officer
Employers our African Studies and Anthropology graduates have worked for include:
- Penguin Random House
- Raleigh International
- International schools
The University is the top choice for the UK's major employers searching for graduate recruits.
The Graduate Market in 2024, High Fliers report.
Receive one-to-one careers advice, including guidance on your job applications, writing your CV and improving your interview technique.
Meet employers face-to-face at on-campus recruitment fairs and employer presentations.
Careers Network
Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.
Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.
Built in Birmingham. Forged for the future.
Find out why we are the most targeted UK university by top graduate employers (High Fliers report, The Graduate Market 2024) by meeting some of our successful alumni.