Overview

The African Studies M.A. at Yale University provides a comprehensive interdisciplinary framework for exploring the diverse arts, histories, and political landscapes of the African continent. This graduate programme is designed to equip students with the analytical tools necessary for advanced research or professional engagement in government, business, and international development. By integrating perspectives from the humanities and social sciences, the curriculum ensures a nuanced understanding of contemporary African societies.

Why African Studies at Yale University?

Students benefit from access to one of the most extensive African collections in North America, with the university libraries housing over 220,000 volumes, including rare manuscripts and government documents. The Council on African Studies at the MacMillan Centre serves as a vibrant hub for scholarship, offering interdisciplinary seminars that foster dialogue across various academic departments. Furthermore, the university provides unique opportunities for joint degrees with the Law School and the Schools of Public Health and Environment, allowing for a highly tailored educational experience.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 50900 per year
National fee: USD 50900 per year
Local fee: USD 50900 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum requires the completion of sixteen courses, including a mandatory interdisciplinary gateway seminar, four terms of language instruction, and a master's thesis based on original research. Modules may include:

Gateway to Africa
African Studies Colloquium
Tackling the Big Three: Malaria, TB, and HIV
Nigerian Video Novel and Nollywood
Christianity and Coloniality in Contemporary Africa
Agrarian History of Africa
African Urban Cultures
Violence: Politics and Aesthetics across the Maghreb
Kiswahili

Careers with African Studies

Graduates of this programme are prepared for a wide range of high-impact careers where specialized knowledge of Africa is essential. Many alumni continue their academic journeys in prestigious Ph.D. programmes or enter professional schools to study law and public health. Others find success in government service, international non-governmental organisations, and the private sector, applying their expertise in areas such as environmental policy, development studies, and cultural consultancy.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Gateway to Africa
Critical Approaches to African Art
Histories of Postcolonial Africa: Themes, Genres, and the Contingencies of Archival Research
Decolonization and Independence in Africa
Environmental History of Africa
Postcolonial Ecologies
Migration and Transnationalism in the Muslim World

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 24 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-08-28 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-01-02 00:00:00

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Credits

60 alternative credits

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

New Haven, United States

Disciplines

African studies View 37 other Masters in African studies in United States

Join for free or log in to access our complete career info list.

Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

$80 application fee or fee waiver

Recommendations from two teachers and one counselor

School Report with transcript

English proficiency test results - recommended for non-native English-speakers

Mid-Year Report & Final Report

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

50900 USD / year

≈ 50900 USD / year
Out-of-State

50900 USD / year

≈ 50900 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

50900 USD / year

≈ 50900 USD / year

Living costs

New Haven

United States

1380 - 2110 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Financing

Interested in financing your studies? Find a student loan that works for you.

MPOWER Financing No cosigner. No collateral. No hidden fees.

Check your Eligibility

Get the funding you need to study in the U.S. or Canada - with a process that's fast, simple, and built for international students.

Flexible loans from US$2,001 to US$100,000
Fixed interest rates -- no inflation surprises
No upfront fees or prepayment penalties
Accepted at 500+ universities across the U.S. & Canada
100% online application -- instant conditional offer
Free visa & career support through our Path2Success program

Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Need help with your student visa?

Get Visa Support

Get personalized guidance from a certified VFS Global advisor and save 20% through Studyportals.

Avoid common visa mistakes and delays
Know exactly what documents you need
Get a clear checklist tailored to your situation

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for African Studies.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

New Haven

Financing

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

Our partners