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University of Birmingham: African Studies
| Institution | University of Birmingham View institution profile |
|---|---|
| Department | School of History and Cultures View department profile |
| Web | www.birmingham.ac.uk |
| Study type | Research |
Doctor of Philosophy - PhD
Summary
Join Birmingham's internationally renowned Department of African Studies and Anthropology and develop your own independent research project on Africa or its diasporas.
You'll benefit from a rounded approach to your development as a researcher. You'll have opportunities to get involved in a range of research activities alongside your supervisory meetings, such as departmental research seminars and international workshops or conferences on cutting-edge research topics.
This experience will help you develop your skills, improving your research project and preparing you for a future career in or beyond the academy.
You’ll benefit from an interdisciplinary approach which lets you delve deeper into your chosen area of study.
Academics in the Department of African Studies and Anthropology can supervise historical and contemporary research drawing on archival, ethnographic and/or textual and media sources.
We have thematic expertise in topics including migration and diasporas, religion and society, economic inequality and insecurity, youth, the urban, popular culture, kinship, gender and sexuality.
Please consult our staff profile pages to identify a suitable lead supervisor before applying.
-
Join a fantastic research environment where you can be involved in weekly seminars and regular conferences.
-
Research with staff who have first-hand experience of the continent. Our academics have lived and taught in Africa and continue to carry out research there. The Department frequently attracts visiting researchers from Africa.
-
Access unique resources held by the University, including the Church Missionary Society Archive and other Africa-related resources in our Cadbury Research Library, and the African Collection of Art and Artefacts held by Research and Cultural Collections.
| Level | RQF Level 8 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | For MRes and MA by Research programmes, we usually require a good (normally a 2:1 or above) Honours degree, or an equivalent qualification if you were educated outside the UK, usually in a relevant area. If you’re applying for a PhD , you’ll also need to hold a Masters qualification at Merit level or above (or its international equivalent), usually in a relevant area. Any academic and professional qualifications or relevant professional experience are normally taken into account, and in some cases, form an integral part of the entrance requirements. If you’re applying for distance learning research programmes, you’ll also need to show that you have the time, commitment, facilities and experience to study by distance learning. You'll normally need to submit a research proposal. The word count is typically 1,000-1,500 words for Arts programmes and around 2,500 words for Law programmes. See the Application Process section for more information. |
| Location | Edgbaston Campus Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TU |
Summary
Join Birmingham's internationally renowned Department of African Studies and Anthropology and develop your own independent research project on Africa or its diasporas.
You'll benefit from a rounded approach to your development as a researcher. You'll have opportunities to get involved in a range of research activities alongside your supervisory meetings, such as departmental research seminars and international workshops or conferences on cutting-edge research topics.
This experience will help you develop your skills, improving your research project and preparing you for a future career in or beyond the academy.
You’ll benefit from an interdisciplinary approach which lets you delve deeper into your chosen area of study.
Academics in the Department of African Studies and Anthropology can supervise historical and contemporary research drawing on archival, ethnographic and/or textual and media sources.
We have thematic expertise in topics including migration and diasporas, religion and society, economic inequality and insecurity, youth, the urban, popular culture, kinship, gender and sexuality.
Please consult our staff profile pages to identify a suitable lead supervisor before applying.
-
Join a fantastic research environment where you can be involved in weekly seminars and regular conferences.
-
Research with staff who have first-hand experience of the continent. Our academics have lived and taught in Africa and continue to carry out research there. The Department frequently attracts visiting researchers from Africa.
-
Access unique resources held by the University, including the Church Missionary Society Archive and other Africa-related resources in our Cadbury Research Library, and the African Collection of Art and Artefacts held by Research and Cultural Collections.
| Level | RQF Level 8 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | For MRes and MA by Research programmes, we usually require a good (normally a 2:1 or above) Honours degree, or an equivalent qualification if you were educated outside the UK, usually in a relevant area. If you’re applying for a PhD , you’ll also need to hold a Masters qualification at Merit level or above (or its international equivalent), usually in a relevant area. Any academic and professional qualifications or relevant professional experience are normally taken into account, and in some cases, form an integral part of the entrance requirements. If you’re applying for distance learning research programmes, you’ll also need to show that you have the time, commitment, facilities and experience to study by distance learning. You'll normally need to submit a research proposal. The word count is typically 1,000-1,500 words for Arts programmes and around 2,500 words for Law programmes. See the Application Process section for more information. |
| Location | Edgbaston Campus Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TU |
Summary
Join Birmingham's internationally renowned Department of African Studies and Anthropology and develop your own independent research project on Africa or its diasporas.
You'll benefit from a rounded approach to your development as a researcher. You'll have opportunities to get involved in a range of research activities alongside your supervisory meetings, such as departmental research seminars and international workshops or conferences on cutting-edge research topics.
This experience will help you develop your skills, improving your research project and preparing you for a future career in or beyond the academy.
You’ll benefit from an interdisciplinary approach which lets you delve deeper into your chosen area of study.
Academics in the Department of African Studies and Anthropology can supervise historical and contemporary research drawing on archival, ethnographic and/or textual and media sources.
We have thematic expertise in topics including migration and diasporas, religion and society, economic inequality and insecurity, youth, the urban, popular culture, kinship, gender and sexuality.
Please consult our staff profile pages to identify a suitable lead supervisor before applying.
-
Join a fantastic research environment where you can be involved in weekly seminars and regular conferences.
-
Research with staff who have first-hand experience of the continent. Our academics have lived and taught in Africa and continue to carry out research there. The Department frequently attracts visiting researchers from Africa.
-
Access unique resources held by the University, including the Church Missionary Society Archive and other Africa-related resources in our Cadbury Research Library, and the African Collection of Art and Artefacts held by Research and Cultural Collections.
| Level | RQF Level 8 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | For MRes and MA by Research programmes, we usually require a good (normally a 2:1 or above) Honours degree, or an equivalent qualification if you were educated outside the UK, usually in a relevant area. If you’re applying for a PhD , you’ll also need to hold a Masters qualification at Merit level or above (or its international equivalent), usually in a relevant area. Any academic and professional qualifications or relevant professional experience are normally taken into account, and in some cases, form an integral part of the entrance requirements. If you’re applying for distance learning research programmes, you’ll also need to show that you have the time, commitment, facilities and experience to study by distance learning. You'll normally need to submit a research proposal. The word count is typically 1,000-1,500 words for Arts programmes and around 2,500 words for Law programmes. See the Application Process section for more information. |
| Location | Edgbaston Campus Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TU |
Summary
Join Birmingham's internationally renowned Department of African Studies and Anthropology and develop your own independent research project on Africa or its diasporas.
You'll benefit from a rounded approach to your development as a researcher. You'll have opportunities to get involved in a range of research activities alongside your supervisory meetings, such as departmental research seminars and international workshops or conferences on cutting-edge research topics.
This experience will help you develop your skills, improving your research project and preparing you for a future career in or beyond the academy.
You’ll benefit from an interdisciplinary approach which lets you delve deeper into your chosen area of study.
Academics in the Department of African Studies and Anthropology can supervise historical and contemporary research drawing on archival, ethnographic and/or textual and media sources.
We have thematic expertise in topics including migration and diasporas, religion and society, economic inequality and insecurity, youth, the urban, popular culture, kinship, gender and sexuality.
Please consult our staff profile pages to identify a suitable lead supervisor before applying.
-
Join a fantastic research environment where you can be involved in weekly seminars and regular conferences.
-
Research with staff who have first-hand experience of the continent. Our academics have lived and taught in Africa and continue to carry out research there. The Department frequently attracts visiting researchers from Africa.
-
Access unique resources held by the University, including the Church Missionary Society Archive and other Africa-related resources in our Cadbury Research Library, and the African Collection of Art and Artefacts held by Research and Cultural Collections.
| Level | RQF Level 8 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | For MRes and MA by Research programmes, we usually require a good (normally a 2:1 or above) Honours degree, or an equivalent qualification if you were educated outside the UK, usually in a relevant area. If you’re applying for a PhD , you’ll also need to hold a Masters qualification at Merit level or above (or its international equivalent), usually in a relevant area. Any academic and professional qualifications or relevant professional experience are normally taken into account, and in some cases, form an integral part of the entrance requirements. If you’re applying for distance learning research programmes, you’ll also need to show that you have the time, commitment, facilities and experience to study by distance learning. You'll normally need to submit a research proposal. The word count is typically 1,000-1,500 words for Arts programmes and around 2,500 words for Law programmes. See the Application Process section for more information. |
| Location | Edgbaston Campus Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TU |
MA (Res)
Summary
Join Birmingham's internationally renowned Department of African Studies and Anthropology and develop your own independent research project on Africa or its diasporas.
You'll benefit from a rounded approach to your development as a researcher. You'll have opportunities to get involved in a range of research activities alongside your supervisory meetings, such as departmental research seminars and international workshops or conferences on cutting-edge research topics.
This experience will help you develop your skills, improving your research project and preparing you for a future career in or beyond the academy.
You’ll benefit from an interdisciplinary approach which lets you delve deeper into your chosen area of study.
Academics in the Department of African Studies and Anthropology can supervise historical and contemporary research drawing on archival, ethnographic and/or textual and media sources.
We have thematic expertise in topics including migration and diasporas, religion and society, economic inequality and insecurity, youth, the urban, popular culture, kinship, gender and sexuality.
Please consult our staff profile pages to identify a suitable lead supervisor before applying.
-
Join a fantastic research environment where you can be involved in weekly seminars and regular conferences.
-
Research with staff who have first-hand experience of the continent. Our academics have lived and taught in Africa and continue to carry out research there. The Department frequently attracts visiting researchers from Africa.
-
Access unique resources held by the University, including the Church Missionary Society Archive and other Africa-related resources in our Cadbury Research Library, and the African Collection of Art and Artefacts held by Research and Cultural Collections.
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | For MRes and MA by Research programmes, we usually require a good (normally a 2:1 or above) Honours degree, or an equivalent qualification if you were educated outside the UK, usually in a relevant area. If you’re applying for a PhD , you’ll also need to hold a Masters qualification at Merit level or above (or its international equivalent), usually in a relevant area. Any academic and professional qualifications or relevant professional experience are normally taken into account, and in some cases, form an integral part of the entrance requirements. If you’re applying for distance learning research programmes, you’ll also need to show that you have the time, commitment, facilities and experience to study by distance learning. You'll normally need to submit a research proposal. The word count is typically 1,000-1,500 words for Arts programmes and around 2,500 words for Law programmes. See the Application Process section for more information. |
| Location | Edgbaston Campus Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TU |
Summary
Join Birmingham's internationally renowned Department of African Studies and Anthropology and develop your own independent research project on Africa or its diasporas.
You'll benefit from a rounded approach to your development as a researcher. You'll have opportunities to get involved in a range of research activities alongside your supervisory meetings, such as departmental research seminars and international workshops or conferences on cutting-edge research topics.
This experience will help you develop your skills, improving your research project and preparing you for a future career in or beyond the academy.
You’ll benefit from an interdisciplinary approach which lets you delve deeper into your chosen area of study.
Academics in the Department of African Studies and Anthropology can supervise historical and contemporary research drawing on archival, ethnographic and/or textual and media sources.
We have thematic expertise in topics including migration and diasporas, religion and society, economic inequality and insecurity, youth, the urban, popular culture, kinship, gender and sexuality.
Please consult our staff profile pages to identify a suitable lead supervisor before applying.
-
Join a fantastic research environment where you can be involved in weekly seminars and regular conferences.
-
Research with staff who have first-hand experience of the continent. Our academics have lived and taught in Africa and continue to carry out research there. The Department frequently attracts visiting researchers from Africa.
-
Access unique resources held by the University, including the Church Missionary Society Archive and other Africa-related resources in our Cadbury Research Library, and the African Collection of Art and Artefacts held by Research and Cultural Collections.
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | For MRes and MA by Research programmes, we usually require a good (normally a 2:1 or above) Honours degree, or an equivalent qualification if you were educated outside the UK, usually in a relevant area. If you’re applying for a PhD , you’ll also need to hold a Masters qualification at Merit level or above (or its international equivalent), usually in a relevant area. Any academic and professional qualifications or relevant professional experience are normally taken into account, and in some cases, form an integral part of the entrance requirements. If you’re applying for distance learning research programmes, you’ll also need to show that you have the time, commitment, facilities and experience to study by distance learning. You'll normally need to submit a research proposal. The word count is typically 1,000-1,500 words for Arts programmes and around 2,500 words for Law programmes. See the Application Process section for more information. |
| Location | Edgbaston Campus Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TU |
Master of Research - MRes
Summary
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.
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.
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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.
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | 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. |
| Location | Edgbaston Campus Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TU |
Why you should choose the School of History and Cultures at the University of Birmingham
Join historians, classicists, archaeologists, Africanists, anthropologists, and heritage experts in our School of History and Cultures.
You’ll study at a world top 100 university for arts and humanities (QS World University Rankings 2025).
Benefit from our academic expertise in a range of specialisms.
History and Cultures
History
MA History – includes optional pathways in Medieval and Early Modern History, Global History, and Modern and Contemporary History
MA History and Politics
MA Military History (by distance learning)
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