Global Development and Africa and Black Diaspora

Global development and Africa and Black diaspora is a combination that brings together two fields with deep connections and profound contemporary relevance. Global development examines the processes through which countries and communities become more or less prosperous, equitable, and sustainable, drawing on economics, political science, sociology, and anthropology to understand what drives change and what holds it back. Africa and Black diaspora studies examines the history, cultures, politics, and experiences of African peoples and communities on the continent and across the diaspora, challenging the marginalisation of African perspectives in mainstream scholarship and developing a richer understanding of global history and contemporary society.

At the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, this three-year, full-time degree benefits from an institutional focus on Africa, Asia, and the Middle East that is unique among British universities. SOAS has unparalleled depth in the scholarly traditions, languages, and cultural knowledge of the African continent, and the programme draws on that expertise to provide an education that takes African scholarship and perspectives seriously at every level. The degree includes a foundation year for students who need an additional year of preparation.

You will examine development theory, political economy, African history and politics, cultural production, and the experiences of Black communities in the diaspora, developing a genuinely global and critically engaged intellectual perspective.

Graduates of this combination work in international development organisations, NGOs, diplomatic bodies, journalism, arts and cultural institutions, the public sector, and academic research. The programme's focus on African studies and the Black diaspora is particularly valuable for roles in organisations working across Africa and with diaspora communities globally. Many graduates also go on to postgraduate study in development studies, African studies, anthropology, or related disciplines, contributing to the scholarly work of understanding and addressing global inequality.