Africa is home to around 1.5 billion inhabitants in 54 countries, with a wide range of cultures and languages. As a continent it plays an increasingly important role in the global arena, with a major impact on issues such as climate change, economy and international relations. In the African Studies bachelor’s programme you will gain in-depth knowledge about Africa, from an internal perspective, with a critical eye for the external often euro-centric approaches of ‘Africa’.
You will have the choice to study Africa as a continent, its individual regions or its individual countries, exploring a wide range of topics, including literature and art, politics, economic developments and technological innovations. African history from zero to the very recent past takes a central place within the curriculum, allowing you to study how, for instance, slavery still impacts Africa and its inhabitants today.
Language plays an important role in the programme. Studying Africa through a linguistic lens will reveal important aspects of past and present developments. Moreover, it will also tell you a lot about social inequalities. In this programme, you will have the opportunity to learn either Swahili or Berber. Swahili is one of the main languages of Eastern Africa. Berber, spoken in Northern Africa, is a language that is linked with many African diaspora-communities across the world. As such it plays an important part in the African Diaspora component of the programme.
As you cannot become an expert on Africa without ever having visited the continent, a stay in an African country is part of our programme. Our graduates find that this programme is the perfect preparation for a further academic career or for entering the job market.
Lisette Meulman
Graduate
'I chose to study African Studies in Leiden because I am passionate about Africa. It is the place to be there are so many ideas, exciting developments, so much creativity and entrepreneurship. Much of this is just not acknowledged outside of the continent. I have learned a lot about various cultures and ethnicities within African countries, which has helped me to adapt my communication skills to various situations. This kind of knowledge has proved to be very useful in my professional work environment, as well as in daily life.'
African Studies is taught by internationally renowned lecturers who belong to the top of their field. Their teaching is closely linked to their research projects, which means that as a student, you will be in touch with the latest developments in this discipline.
Upon graduating, you will not only possess valuable knowledge on Africa, but you will also have gained professional and personal skills that are sought after by employers.
You can work, for instance, in:
Location: Leiden
year programme, 180 ECTS
English-taught programme established
largest lecture size
maximum tutorial size
