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).

You may also be interested in CAS from the Edge

The CAS from the Edge (blog), opinions about Africa from Edinburgh

15/12/2020

Africa Europe Foundation calls on Edinburgh academic to join transport taskforce

Professor Paul Nugent at the School of Social and Political Science (SPS) has joined a new taskforce to support the development of relations between Africa and Europe, and reinforce their partnership in the international arena.

03/12/2020

Edinburgh researcher to give a feminist perspective on the impact of COVID-19 in Africa

Dr Rama Salla Dieng at the School of Social and Political Science (SPS) and international collaborators will begin a new project tackling the social, economic and political impact of COVID-19 in Africa with a feminist, intersectional perspective.

03/12/2020

New project allocates £750,000 for research in decoloniality

The Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH) at the University of Edinburgh has launched a new fellowships programme to lead research on decoloniality.

07/09/2020

Researchers to investigate impact of Covid-19 on African elections with UK Government funding

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh’s School of Social and Political Science (SPS) have received £367,000 from the UK Government to investigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on elections in Africa.

21 April 2021

15:30 - 17:00

RACE.ED and CAS Seminar: How to Write about Race When You’re White? Shifting Blind Spots, Changing Audiences

Join us on Wednesday 21 April for the next event in our RACE.ED Seminar Series.

27 May 2021

16:00 - 17:30

School of Social and Political Science