This course is a broad degree programme which combines arts and social science approaches. Africa is humankind’s original home; a continent of vast cultural and natural resources. Whether coping with massive urbanisation, developing new kinds of politics, or inventing original literary and theatrical genres, Africans have been active and resilient makers of their own fortunes. The range of African societies today and in the past is enormous: from egalitarian communities to elaborately hierarchical empires. There are extremes of wealth and poverty; ancient oral cultures exists side-by-side with old traditions of literacy and state-of-the-art electronic media. The department’s teaching programmes are grounded in Africans’ own views of the continent and the world. University of Birmingham students are part of the academic elite and learn from world-leading experts. We will challenge you to become an independent and self-motivated learner, qualities that are highly sought after by employers. You will have a diverse learning experience, including: lectures; small group tutorials; independent study and peer group learning, such as delivering presentations with your classmates. As a student of African Studies, you will have an excellent opportunity to develop skills that are highly prized by employers. African Studies has the advantage of being a distinctive degree that really helps you to stand out from the crowd. It makes you an Africa expert, opening up an increasing range of career possibilities as Africa's economy grows and African countries become more influential in the world. You will have an excellent opportunity to develop skills that are attractive to employers, including: Strong communication skills; A deep understanding of Africa and its peoples; The ability to research, analyse and interpret complex information; Leadership and teamwork; Handling complex information; The ability to form concise and articulate arguments; Managing your time and prioritising your workload. These are key skills that will enable you to pursue either further study in African Studies disciplines or move into employment in a wide range of other careers.