Graduate Studies Prospectus - University of Oxford

Area StudiesAfrican Studies Centrewww.africanstudies.ox.ac.ukϐϐ Key FactsMain Areas ofResearch InterestsTaught ProgrammesEntry RequirementsEnglish LanguageRequirementsFunding/Awardswww.africanstudies.ox.ac.uk/research/MSc in African StudiesA minimum of an upper second-classundergraduate degree from a UKuniversity, or a GPA of 3.7 or above fromNorth American universities or equivalentqualifications.Higher levelFor funding information for overseasstudents please consult: www.admin.ox.ac.uk/postgraduate/finance/ORISHA scholarship and Southern AfricanStudents Fund: www.africanstudies.ox.ac.uk/prospective_students/scholarships/AHRC studentships: www.ahrc.ac.ukNumber of Applicants 90Number of25Places OfferedApplication Deadlines 21 November 2008, 23 January 2009and 13 March 2009Studentship applications should besubmitted by 23 JanuaryContact for Enquiries Rosaline MonkAdministrator+44 (0) 1865 613900rosaline.monk@africa.ox.ac.ukϐϐResources AvailableRhodes House Library (the Bodleian Library for Commonwealthand African Studies) is an excellent resource with one of the bestcollections of books on Africa in the UK.Other libraries with extensive collections on Africa include:|| The Social Sciences Library|| The Balfour Library|| The Tylor libraryϐϐRelated Programmes AvailableMPhil in Development StudiesMSc in Economic and Social HistoryMPhil in Comparative PoliticsMSt/MSc/MPhil in Social AnthropologyϐϐAcademic Staff Profileswww.africanstudies.ox.ac.uk/resources/staff_listingϐϐTaught ProgrammesMSc in African StudiesThe MSc in African Studies at Oxford University is the premierinterdisciplinary area studies postgraduate programme focusingon Africa in the UK. It is a three-term, nine-month coursedesigned both as a stand-alone interdisciplinary introduction tocurrent debates about Africa, and as a preparation for doctoralresearch on Africa. This advanced degree programme providesan excellent foundation for those who wish to expand theirknowledge of African Studies prior to working for NGOs, the civilservice, international organizations, and the media, or in otherprofessional capacities.|| Length of programme: Nine months|| Courses: The MSc has two core courses which are taughtby weekly lectures and seminars. ‘Methodology, Ethicsand Research Strategies’ runs for one term and examinesresearch methodologies and strategies, including the politicsof researching and writing on Africa. ‘Themes in AfricanHistory and the Social Sciences’ runs over two terms andcovers key questions and debates in the study of issuessuch as the African state, conflict and violence, diaspora anddevelopment.Students can also select one optional course from around ten thatare offered each year. Examples of optional courses include:|| South Africa: Apartheid, African Politics and the transitionsince 1948|| Violence and Historical Memory in Eastern Africa|| Political Economy of Health and Medicine in Africa|| Culture and Society of West Africa|| Democratization and Multi-Party Politics in AfricaFor a full list of optional courses please visit: www.africanstudies.ox.ac.uk/prospective_students/option_courses/The final component of the MSc is a 15,000 word dissertationfor which MSc students work closely with their dissertationsupervisor throughout the programme. The dissertation includesdiscussion of the methodology, historiography, or theory relevantto the research topic, and is often based on original researchconducted in Africa. Small travel grants are offered to supportstudents’ fieldwork and archival studies.ϐ ϐGraduate DestinationsThe programme is a recognised and successful route to doctoralwork both within disciplinary departments at Oxford andelsewhere. Over one-third of our students go on to doctoralresearch.Please see the following link for details of what some ofour graduates are doing now: www.africanstudies.ox.ac.uk/prospective_students/student_profiles/Social SciencesLLEnquiries:rosaline.monk@africa.ox.ac.ukHow to apply: www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/111