Opportunity LExS Scholarship for the Research Master African Studies 2025-2027

Leiden University offers one full Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS A scholarship) to an African candidate interested in the two-year Research Master African Studies programme (ResMA AS); thus non-EEA/non-EFTA applicants. The LExS A is a prestigious scholarship and includes a fee waiver up until the statutory tuition fee as well as a monthly allowance of €1.500 for the duration of the study programme (24 months, starting from September 2025).

We are inviting candidates to apply for the scholarship for the academic year that starts in September 2025.  Please send your CV, copy of transcript of records and your diploma, a motivation letter (max 1000 words) and a recommendation letter before Monday 13 January 2025 to Azeb Amha, Chair ResMA AS (a.amha@asc.leidenuniv.nl), if you meet the following admission requirements to the programme:

1. Diploma requirements:

A bachelor’s degree from a research university, equivalent to the level of a Dutch academic Bachelor’s degree in the field of African Languages and Cultures, Linguistics, History, Cultural Anthropology, Literature, Sociology, Political Sciences, Public Administration or other studies related to the Humanities or Social Sciences.

2. Qualitative admission requirements:

• Academic Transcript: Good grades comparable with an average mark of at least 7.5 (Dutch grading system) for your entire bachelor’s programme and a grade for the bachelor’s thesis of an 8 or higher.
• Writing sample (BA thesis and/or published work): Affinity with and suitability for scholarly research in the field of African Studies and the ability to clearly report on research.
• Motivation letter: Demonstrable motivation to study and suitability for the particular Research MA programme.

3. Curriculum Vitae
    
4. English language proficiency certificate: The following requirements apply: IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100, or C2 Proficiency or C1 Advanced: 185

We will not review applications that are not complete.

An (online) interview will be part of the selection procedure and it will take place in the week of 20 January 2025.

Shortlisted candidates must apply for formal admission before 1 February 2025 via the following website: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/education/studyprogrammes/master/african-studies-research/.