Are you interested in Africa and is your Master’s thesis on a related subject? If so, the African Studies Centre Leiden is offering you the chance to win € 500,-. Moreover, your thesis will be published in the ASCL’s African Studies Collection.  The Thesis award aims to encourage student research and writing on Africa and to promote the study of African cultures and societies. Further, It is presented annually to a student whose master’s thesis has been completed on the basis of research conducted on Africa. The prize has been made possible financially by LeidenASA

Benefits from African Thesis Award:

• The award consists of a prize of € 500,
• publication of the winning thesis in the ASCL’s African Studies Collection.

Eligibility for African Thesis Award:

• Final-year students who have completed their master’s thesis at a university in Africa or the Netherlands can apply.
• For the thesis, students must have received at least 80% or a Dutch rating of 8.
• Students from non-Dutch universities who have grade A or similar may also apply if the accompanying letter from the supervisor confirms and supports the grade score

The Thesis:

The thesis has to be based on independent empirical research related to Africa in one of the subjects listed in the following section. If the thesis is in Dutch, a five-page English or French summary should also be attached.

The subject of the thesis

Any thesis thematically related to socio-geographical, economic, political, juridical or anthropological issues or focusing on the humanities, such as history, religion, and literature, can be submitted. Its geographical focus should be Africa or its migrant communities elsewhere in the world. The thesis must be socially relevant.

Quality of the thesis

The ASCL seeks to attract theses that stand out in terms of subject matter and demonstrate a sound methodological approach. The jury attaches importance to an original approach and insight. Also, to the relevance of the research to a scientific understanding of the issues covered. In addition, the jury will consider the significance of the thesis in relation to development-related issues, its style, and readability and its interest for the general public.

• How to submit a thesis

  If a student or his/her supervisor feels that his/her master’s thesis merits an award because of its quality and originality, the thesis may be submitted. Every submission must include:

  • a digital version of the thesis
  • a summary of the thesis (max 500 words)
  • a signed letter of recommendation from the student’s supervisor containing the grade and details of the quality of the thesis and the educational institution from which the student has graduated