African Studies, full-time, second cycle

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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