African Studies, full-time, second cycle

Number of places: 21, including: 18 places in the first phase, in the June-July qualification, and 3 places in the second phase, in the August-September qualification.

Field: humanities

Discipline: culture and religion

Language of instruction: English

Professional degree you will be awarded after completing studies : M.A. (magister)

Where and when your classes will take place

Place: Hoża 69, Warsaw

Time: Monday till Friday

What kind of knowledge, skills and competencies you will acquire at this field of studies

The MA in African Studies is a unique full-time program that focuses on disseminating knowledge about modern African cultures, languages, and societies, while also imparting essential research skills in the field of African Studies, incorporating methodologies from various disciplines. The program is academic in nature and is offered by the Faculty of Oriental Studies at the University of Warsaw, which has over 90 years of experience in the academic study of African and Asian cultures and languages. Conducted entirely in English, the program is interdisciplinary and aims to present Africa as a continent of new opportunities. The studies are based on contemporary research on African languages and cultures from a post-colonial perspective. It is currently one of the most significant areas of research at our center. This innovative approach facilitates a deeper understanding of contemporary socio-cultural phenomena across the African continent.

The primary study areas covered by the program focus on one of three key linguistic regions of Sub-Saharan Africa: East Africa (Swahili language), West Africa (Hausa language), and the Horn of Africa (Amharic language). Students will learn one of the continent’s most important languages—Swahili, Hausa or Amharic. The program also emphasizes the challenges faced by the entire African continent in the 21st century.

The program is open to Polish and international post-graduate BA and MA students. It enables students to expand their knowledge, while the skills acquired provide a foundation for further research development, in line with the University of Warsaw’s strategy as a research institution. The program also facilitates the practical application of the acquired knowledge and skills in multicultural environments, including Africa.

Graduates will have a strong methodological foundation in African Studies, enabling them to conduct research, including international research, and will be familiar with the cultural artefacts of the studied regions. They will be well-equipped to educate society about the cultural diversity of Africa and its impact on societal development.

Applicants to the program should be open to new challenges and show a willingness to explore and understand the uniqueness of African culture and its social and political influence.

The knowledge acquired during the program will enable graduates to process material and express themselves confidently on general issues related to the theory and practice of African cultures. Moreover, graduates will gain an understanding of the cultural and civilizational diversity of Africa, which will allow them to participate in the process of intercultural understanding and cooperation. As a result, they will contribute to the enhancement of theoretical reflection on African cultures. Graduates will also be able to analyse key phenomena related to African culture, using their language skills and methodological expertise in the fields of African religious studies, linguistics, history, and literature.

Where you can find a job after completing studies

The African Studies program is of particular interest to students who wish to pursue a professional career in Africa, as well as those interested in African cultural issues (e.g., journalists, economists, entrepreneurs, doctors, managers, diplomats, and humanitarian organization workers). Additionally, the program helps develop competencies that prepare students to undertake independent research during their Ph.D. studies.

Upon completing African Studies, the graduates will gain knowledge and skills that will open up a wide range of career opportunities. Graduates of the program find employment in international institutions and the diplomatic sector, working in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, embassies, or European Parliament delegations, where intercultural competencies and knowledge of the African region are highly valued. These studies also prepare graduates for work in non-governmental organizations and foundations, where they manage aid projects and initiatives supporting the development of the continent. The knowledge acquired during the program also enables pursuing a career in the public sector and education, both at universities and research institutions, where the interdisciplinary approach allows for analyzing both historical and contemporary challenges. Graduates can also successfully develop careers in media, tourism, or translation, and companies operating in African markets seek specialists who can navigate cultural and language barriers. The skills acquired, such as a good knowledge of an African language and the ability to analyze intercultural processes, are appreciated not only in work directly related to Africa but also in the global business and institutional environment. African Studies allow you to become a specialist who combines traditional knowledge with modern analytical methods, playing a key role in building intercultural bridges and developing international relations.

Are there different specialties and specializations at the field of studies

No

What will you learn during the studies

Our programme covers African cultural and linguistic diversity, focusing on modernity. Our Students learn one of three African languages (Swahili, Hausa, or Amharic) at beginner or advanced level. Other courses include: Modern methods of academic research, Postcolonial perspectives in African studies, Cultural linguistics and cultural codes, and African popular and mass culture, among many others.

Will you pursue internship during the studies

No internship

Is it possible to study one/several semesters at other university

It is possible to study a semester at other institution, either in a cooperating University or within the Erasmus program mobility

Where you can find more information on the study programme

Information on African Studies program is available at https://afrykanistyka.uw.edu.pl/en/for-candidates/

Admission rules for candidates with Polish diplomas

Applicants must have the title of bachelor, master, engineering or equivalents degree or any foreign document which is an equivalent of the degrees mentioned above. Candidates have to present an English language Certificate Level B2.

Candidates should have a general knowledge of current events in Africa, a basic knowledge of the cultures and countries of Africa, and be aware of the cultural and linguistic diversity of the continent. Candidates should also be open to new challenges, willing to learn and understand the cultural specificity of Africa and its impact on society and politics, and demonstrate the ability to think critically.

The eligibility procedure will take into consideration:

1. the student’s overall diploma score,
2. an interview.

The way of counting points:

A candidate can gain up to 100 points during the qualification procedure:

1. diploma score (up to 40 points)

• excellent (6) or very good (5) – 40 points
• good plus (4+) – 37 points
• good (4) – 34 points
• satisfactory plus (3+) – 29 points
• satisfactory (3) – 24 points

2. interview (up to 60 points)

During the admission process, an interview will be conducted, during which general knowledge of African cultures and languages will be assessed (one general question about the candidate’s interests, the second – about the reading and its critical assessment, the third – about the contemporary events in Africa and their assessment). Competences, argumentation and understanding of reading will be assessed from 0 to 20 points for each question.

A candidate interested in learning an African language at an advanced level should certify the knowledge of the language at least at A2 level (e.g. a bachelor’s degree in African studies, certificate of completion of a language course, etc.).

At the interview a candidate should be ready to discuss chosen two of the following topics:

• the linguistic situation of Africa

• the most important consequences of colonialism for contemporary Africa

• the most important ideological currents of contemporary Africa

• the most important contemporary African artists and the contexts of their work

 List of recommended interview readings

• Article of your choice from the Journal Studies in African Languages and Cultures.
• Roger Blench. 2013. “Language, linguistics and archaeology: their integration in the study of African prehistory”. In: P Mitchell & P. Lane (eds.), Oxford Handbook of African Archeology. Oxford University Press, 49-64.
• Rafał Smoleń. 2021. “Language policy in postcolonial Africa in the light of postcolonial theory. The ideas of Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o”. SALC 50, 115-147.
• Paul Kenyon. 2018. Dictatorland. The men who stole Africa. Head of Zeus. (pol. „Ziemia dyktatorów: O ludziach, którzy ukradli Afrykę”).
• Martin Meredith. 2013. The State of Africa: A History of the Continent Since Independence. Simon & Schuster (pol. „Historia współczesnej Afryki: Pół wieku niepodległości”).
• Molefi Kete Asante. 2013. An Afrocentric Manifesto: Toward an African Renaissance. Polity.
• Odafe Atogun. 2017. “10 Essential African Novels“. Publishers Weekly.
• Roger Blench, Chapter for the OXFORD HANDBOOK OF AFRICAN ARCHAEOLOGY, Peter Mitchell, Paul Lane (eds.), “Language, linguistics and archaeology; their integration in the study of African prehistory“.
• Nina Pawlak, 2021, “Hausa phraseologisms as a structural property of language and cultural value”. Language in Africa 2(1), 2021, 91–120. doi: 10.37892/2686-8946-2021-2-1-91-120

Admission procedure for candidates with foreign diplomas

Rules of admission are the same as for candidates holding university diploma obtained in Poland. The grades of candidates with a foreign diploma will be calculated and compared to the grading scale applicable at the University of Warsaw.

Checking the candidates' language competence

In the absence of the appropriate document (compliant with the requirements described in the general part of the recruitment resolution) certifying candidate's English language proficiency at least at B2 level, the English language proficiency of the candidate will be assessed during an interview.

The positive result of the qualification procedure confirms candidate's competence to study in English at the above-mentioned program.

Information on documents certifying knowledge of the English language. >> Check! <<

Deadlines

The exam: 16th of July, 2025

Announcement of results: 22nd of July, 2025

Reception of documents: 

• I round: 23rd-25th of July, 2025
• II round (in case of not fulfilling the limit during I round): 28th, 29th of July, 2025
• III round (in case of not fulfilling the limit during II round): 30th-31st of July, 2025
• additional rounds will be announced in case of not fulfilling the limits

Payments

Application fee

Student's ID payment (ELS)

Required documents

List of required documents submitted by candidates qualified for studies

Additional information 

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