Centre of African Studies

Understanding Africa in the contemporary world

The University of Edinburgh has an important and long historical connection with Africa, and the Centre of African Studies (CAS) is a world leading centre for the study of Africa.

Founded in 1962, CAS provides interdisciplinary undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and supervision on Africa and international development. We host a vibrant research community, committed to critical and cutting-edge theoretical and empirical approaches, placing African experiences at the centre of interdisciplinary scholarship.

We are the largest centre of African studies in Europe and regularly appear at the top of UK good university guides. We deliver a range of high-quality masters programmes on campus and online. We run prestigious PhD programmes that attract students from across the world.

About

The Centre acts as a focal point for postgraduate teaching and supervision on Africa and a hub for research programmes that span all three of the University’s colleges.

Programmes

We offer a range of taught and research postgraduate programmes in African studies. Our thriving and cosmopolitan community of graduate students study for the degrees of PhD, MSc, Diploma or Certificate.

Research

We undertake cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research across the continent. Our scholars are committed to the critical study of a diverse range of topics as well as the pursuit of inclusive, ethical and equitable partnerships.

People

Meet the whole team and find out more about areas of interest of academic colleagues.

News

See the latest news from the Centre of African Studies.

Contact

We’re based in George Square at the heart of the Central campus. A lively and vibrant hub (especially in August during the Festival Fringe).

Centre of African Studies (CAS) Newsletter

Read the latest issue of the CAS Newsletter.

You may also be interested in Critical African Studies (CrAS)

The journal publishes critical interdisciplinary research about Africa and the diaspora, covering a range of disciplines in the social sciences and humanities. CrAS was established by the Centre of African Studies in 2009 and now more than half of the editorial and advisory board are based at African universities.

Spotlight on African Studies Ph.D. Graduates

The Ph.D. in African Studies at the University of Edinburgh is an interdisciplinary doctoral programme and one of the leading places in Europe to study political, economic, and social developments on the continent.

14/02/2024

Centre of African Studies

Centre of African Studies (CAS) Seminar Series 2023/2024 - Semester II

Full programme of weekly seminars for Semester II 2023/2024

22/01/2024

Centre of African Studies

2024 CAS/CeSeR Annual Conference University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK April 23-24, 2024

Theme: Security in Africa: Actors, logics and futures

Registrations are now closed

Woman speaking on stage at the WESAF orientation

14/09/2023

Centre of African Studies

A new doctoral programme will enhance interdisciplinary sustainability research and teaching capacity across Africa

A new collaboration between the universities of Edinburgh and Witwatersrand (South Africa) aims to support academics to complete interdisciplinary doctoral research on areas related to sustainability on the African continent.

25/07/2023

Centre of African Studies

SPS student named Global Student Prize finalist for work with Ghanaian small businesses

School of Social and Political Science (SPS) student Mohammed Hafiz Musah is one of only 50 students worldwide to become a Global Student Prize 2023 finalist, for his work supporting small businesses in Ghana.

19 April 2024

14:00 - 17:00

Centre of African Studies

Speaking out against Imperialism, Settler-Colonialism and Epistemic Violence: The University of Edinburgh's role in Dispossession & Genocide in Palestine

Speaking out against Imperialism,Settler-Colonialism and Epistemic Violence: The University of Edinburgh's role in Dispossession & Genocide in Palestine.

The event is co-badged with the Edinburgh Staff-Student Solidarity Network

School of Social and Political Science