African StudiesMRes

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. 

Course structure

The course runs over 12 months full-time on campus. You can also study this programme on a part-time basis.

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. 
• 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.

Deepen your knowledge

Our MRes lets you pursue original research while expanding your knowledge of Africa through a range of taught modules. There are opportunities for you to choose modules from other subject areas such as history, politics or development studies, depending on module availability. 

An MRes is a programme that helps you develop the skills for doctoral study and a future career.

You’ll complete a major individual research project, supervised by a specialist in the field of study, and produce a 20,000-word thesis in an area that interests you. You’ll also complete a taught component that develops research and analytical skills.

The modules listed below are an indication only and may be subject to change. Occasionally, it may be necessary to make changes to modules, for example, to ensure they remain current and relevant.

As a research-intensive University, our teaching is informed by the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff. For more information on the circumstances in which the University may need to make changes to modules, please refer to the Terms and Conditions for applicants.

2025/26 session

The following must be taken:

Choose 40 credits of optional modules.

All optional lists are indicative; not all modules will run each year due to staff availability.

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.

English language requirements

If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.

For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:

• TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 Listening, 22 Speaking and 21 in Writing
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills
• Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
• LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 33 in each skill

English Presessional Programmes

Improve your knowledge of spoken and written English in preparation for studying at Birmingham with our pre-sessional English courses. If you have a conditional offer, you can take one of these courses as an alternative to retaking IELTS or other similar qualifications.

We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2025 entry are above.

The fees quoted are for one year only. For those studying courses that are longer than one year, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.

Paying your tuition fees

Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. You can check whether you are eligible for UK or international fees with our admissions team.

Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.

Postgraduate Masters Loan

To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.

Scholarships

To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.

When proposing your own research topic you’ll need to make sure the department offers the necessary expertise. Before you submit your application, we ask that you contact the programme director in the first instance via the ‘Ask us a question’ button above, to discuss your research proposal. 

If there is a good fit between your proposed research and our research strengths, we’ll be able to give you advice on a draft of your research proposal, and potential supervisors, before you make a formal application.

When contacting a member of our staff, it would be helpful to include the following:

• A draft research proposal or a summary of your research ideas
• Details of university-level qualifications and any relevant professional experience
• Details on how you propose to fund your research

Please contact only one member of staff in the first instance.

Find a supervisor

A summary of our key research areas, and staff working within those, can be found below:

• histories of local and national identities
• Pentecostal Christianity
• labour history
• urban and youth culture
• marginality and exclusion
• economic and political anthropology
• migration and mobility
• sexuality
• gender
• kinship and marriage in society and policy
• education and its legacies
• religious difference in everyday life
• African links with the Islamic world

View our staff profiles

Research proposal

The research proposal is a key part of your application, so take your time. Your potential supervisors will use it to decide if your research is something they can support.

Your proposal should be a clear and concise summary of your research. It generally consists of an outline of your proposed research project, including your main research questions and the methods you intend to use.

You should also comment on the potential impact and importance of your intended research and on how your work would interact with current trends in your academic field. It should illustrate the relevance of your topic to the research interests and expertise of the staff within your chosen department. 

The word count is typically 1,000-1,500 words for Arts programmes and around 2,500 words for Law programmes. 

Submitting your application 

We have put together some helpful information on the research programme application process and supporting documents on our how to apply page. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

If you experience any difficulties with the application process and contacting potential supervisors, please contact us via the "Ask us a question" form above.

Our African Studies and Anthropology graduates enter many roles, including:

• Editorial Assistant
• Learning Delivery Officer
• Livelihood Project Officer

Employers our African Studies and Anthropology graduates have worked for include:

• Penguin Random House
• Raleigh International
• International schools

Careers Network

Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.

Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.