The Master of Arts in African Literature by dissertation

Overview

The Master of Arts in African Literature (by Dissertation) is an advanced research degree for students who wish to pursue sustained, independent inquiry into African and diasporic literary and cultural traditions. It is designed for those with a strong disciplinary grounding who are ready to develop an original research project that contributes to the field’s evolving debates.

The programme provides a space for conceptual experimentation and intellectual autonomy, inviting students to think critically about the forms, languages, and philosophies through which African and Black worlds have imagined themselves—and have been imagined—across time and space. Students engage with a wide range of theoretical, historical, and aesthetic questions, situating their work within the intersecting traditions of African, postcolonial, and Black critical thought.

Working closely with a supervisor, candidates develop a 50,000–60,000 word dissertation that demonstrates both analytical rigour and interpretive originality. Projects may explore questions of literary form, cultural politics, translation, memory, gender, media, or philosophy, among others.

This route is ideal for students who wish to consolidate prior research experience or prepare for doctoral study. Graduates emerge as scholars capable of contributing new critical and theoretical insights to the study of African and diasporic literatures, and to the broader humanities landscape in Africa and beyond.

Entry Requirements

• A BA Honours degree in African Literature or a cognate field with a minimum average of 70%.
• Applicants must demonstrate readiness for independent research and theoretical engagement.
• A Concept Note (4–5 pages) must be submitted with the application.

Your concept should include the following sections:

• Title (provisional)
• Research Problem / Aim – central question or issue
• Rationale / Context – why the topic matters
• Methodology / Approach – theoretical or analytical lens
• Proposed Corpus / Case Studies
• Bibliographic Orientation – 5–8 key thinkers or texts
• Fit with Department – why Wits African Literature is the right home for the research

Additional Notes for Applicants

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): Applicants who do not meet formal entry requirements but can demonstrate significant professional, creative, or research experience may apply under the University’s RPL policy. RPL applications are reviewed case by case and must include a portfolio of work and letter of motivation outlining prior learning and intellectual trajectory.

International Students: All international applicants must submit proof of English language proficiency (IEL TS/TOEFL) if prior qualifications were not in English. International and South African students with foreign qualifications must include a SAQA Certificate of Evaluation (SCoE) or proof of application. SAQA maps the qualification to the NQF and verifies the awarding institution.

University Application Process

University Fees and Funding

Click here to see the current average tuition fees. The Fees site also provides information about the payment of fees and closing dates for fees payments. Once you have applied you will be able to access the fees estimator on the student self-service portal.

For information about postgraduate funding opportunities, including the postgraduate merit award, click here. The University's Postgraduate Funding portal is a database of scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities available to Wits postgraduate students. Please also check your School website for bursary opportunities. NRF bursaries: The National Research Foundation (NRF) offers a wide range of opportunities in terms of bursaries and fellowships to students pursuing postgraduate studies. External bursaries portal: The Bursaries South Africa website provides a comprehensive list of bursaries in South Africa.