Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
M.A in African Studies
- Be'er Sheva, Israel
- Sde Boker, Israel
MA
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Oct 2026
TUITION FEES
ILS 17,329 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* varies according to CPI index
Key Summary
About: The M.A. in African Studies at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev prepares students to analyze rapid economic, political, and social change across Africa. The programme centers African communities, using a multidisciplinary approach—history, politics, economics, cultural and social studies—to teach theoretical foundations, analytical skills, and practical perspectives on sustainable community development. You’ll study alongside Israeli and international peers, take part in cultural exchange, and examine community interventions across social, cultural, scientific, agricultural, and economic fields.
Career Outcomes: Graduates move into roles such as community development practitioner, NGO programme manager, policy analyst, researcher, sustainability coordinator. Related keywords: sustainable development, community engagement.
The 21st century is an era of immense transformations throughout Africa. Economic, political, and social developments are rapidly changing local communities, providing new opportunities and creating new uncertainties. African Sustainable Communities is an MA Program that brings together students from around the world, creating a unique learning environment to tackle the complex issue of sustainability in community development. We are preparing you for the rapid changes we are seeing across Africa, through a multidisciplinary approach. You will take part in a vibrant conversation examining the complex circumstances influencing lasting change.
The degree places African communities at the center and analyzes the political, economic, cultural, and social factors impacting their initiatives over the long term. Our aim is to provide students with the theoretical background, analytical skills, and practical perspectives that are needed for realizing individual and communal endeavors across a broad spectrum of fields. We believe that community interventions, whether they are in the social, cultural, or more applied fields of science, agriculture or economics, should reflect knowledge of history, politics, economics, social and cultural studies.
Several scholarship options are available. Please check the university website for more information.
There are two tracks - the Thesis Track and the Applied Track. Students in both of the tracks are required to take the Core courses, the Project Workshop and to conduct a Research Project/Applied Project in a local community in Africa. The Research Project/Applied Project: during the third semester, students will embark on a 3-month Research or Applied project on the African Continent. Students in the Thesis Track are required to write a Thesis based on the Research Project. Students in the Applied Track are required to write a Project Report upon completion of the Applied Project.
The MA in African Sustainable Communities is a year and a half long Program (three semesters). The first year is dedicated to formal study and coursework at BGU. Students must finish their required and electives classes over the course of two semesters during this first year. During the third semester, students must spend a minimum of three months in a local project in Africa. Graduating from the Program in three semesters requires the students to follow the Program structure, as detailed below. Students in the Thesis Track, who do not submit their thesis by the end of the third semester, will be able to submit their thesis by the end of two additional semesters, in accordance with their advisor's recommendations and the approval of the head of the Program.
A Sampling of Classes
- Development in Africa: Theory, Practice, and Critique
- Politics and Society in Africa of the 20th Century
- Measuring Sustainable Change
- Social Analysis of Environmental Issues
- The Politics of Global Health
- Gender and Development
- Liberation Theology and Religious Movements in Africa
- Sports and Development in Africa