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

19/08/2021

Centre of African Studies

Centre of African Studies pays tribute to Professor Andrew Walls, 1928–2021

The Centre of African Studies has paid tribute to Professor Andrew Walls, a leading academic in African Christianity, who passed away this month.

Photo of Cape Town, South Africa, text on a building reads stay home

30/06/2021

Centre of African Studies

Can leaders’ missteps guide Africa’s Covid path?

Power has offered politicians precious little protection from the pandemic but lessons learned could be of lasting benefit, Jean-Benoit Falisse writes for Edinburgh Impact.

15/12/2020

Centre of African Studies

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

Centre of African Studies

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.