Master of Arts in African Literature

The Master of Arts in African Literature at UNESWA is an advanced postgraduate degree focused on deep literary study, critical analysis, and research in African literary traditions — with particular emphasis on works written by African authors, thematic concerns, performance and oral forms, and contemporary issues in African writing. It combines structured coursework with research and seminar engagement designed to prepare students for careers in academia, cultural institutions, writing, publishing, and advanced research.

 

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

To be eligible for admission to the M.A. in African Literature:

  • You must hold a Bachelor’s degree (e.g., B.A. in Humanities, B.Ed. Secondary with a humanities focus) from UNESWA or an equivalent recognised degree from another institution.
  • Your undergraduate degree should normally include a major in African literature or equivalent coursework in related literary studies.
  • The programme is subject to approval by the University Senate on the recommendation of the Institute of Post-Graduate Studies Board.

 

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE & CORE COURSES

The M.A. in African Literature includes taught coursework over two semesters, usually followed by independent research or a thesis component depending on departmental structure. Here’s a representative curriculum from UNESWA’s official regulations:

 

SEMESTER I (CORE COURSES)

  • Nguni Literatures or Literature of the Black Diaspora
  • Comparative Study of African Orature
  • Critical Approaches to African Literature
  • Advanced Research Methods in Literature

 

SEMESTER II (CORE COURSES)

 

  • Thematic Concerns in the African Novel
  • Developments of African Theatre and Drama
  • African Poetry and the Contemporary Experience
  • Gender and African Literature
  • Seminar (Research Presentations)

 

ADDITIONAL / ELECTIVE OPTIONS

The programme may also offer elective topics depending on staffing and student interest, often related to performance traditions, oral literature, gender studies, postcolonial theory, and diaspora studies.

 

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

Students in this programme develop skills in:

  • Critical literary analysis and theory
  • Comparative study of written and oral African traditions
  • Advanced research skills in literature
  • Understanding of thematic and cultural dimensions of African texts
  • Scholarly writing and academic presentation.

This training equips graduates for roles such as university research/teaching, literary critique and publishing, cultural policy work, and advanced academic research.

 

DURATION & ACADEMIC PATH

  • The programme typically spans two semesters of coursework followed by a research project or thesis period.
  • Students synthesize critical study of texts with independent research under supervision.
  • While the exact duration can vary by study mode and research progress, M.A. programmes at similar universities often take 1–2 academic years to complete.