Note that the African Studies graduate program offers a Master's degree (M.A.) only. There is no Ph.D. in African Studies offered at UCLA.
General admissions information, instructions about applying, and the online application for admission can be found at UCLA’s Graduate Division Website.
The deadline to apply to the African Studies interdepartmental graduate program is December 1. All applicants must apply electronically for graduate admission. The applicants will be notified about the admission decision by mid-March.
The following materials are required components of the admission application:
o UCLA Online Application
o Statement of Purpose (Up to 500 words in length. Follow the UCLA Online Application instructions.). Your statement of purpose should describe academic, Africa-related and/or professional experience. Applicants may include information about their academic achievements and goals for study at UCLA.
o Personal Statement (Up to 500 words in length. Follow the UCLA Online Application instructions.). Personal statement is an opportunity to provide additional information that may aid the admissions committee in evaluating your preparation and aptitude for graduate study at UCLA. It will also be used to consider candidates for the Graduate Opportunity Fellowship. Instructions are provided in the application as well, and scroll down to see some prompts here.
o Writing Sample. A research paper or other writing sample that well demonstrates writing and analytical skills (10 pages maximum). The goal of the writing sample is to demonstrate your ability to write professionally and clearly. For that reason, the writing sample should be written in English.
o Three Letters of Recommendation. Preferably from former or current professors or from other individuals who can attest to applicant's ability to succeed in graduate study. Letters should be uploaded via the online application system. o Transcript. An unofficial transcript may be uploaded via on-line admission application. If transcripts are not in English, an authorized translation has to be provided. Official transcript with degree award date is required upon admission to the program. o TOEFL/IELTS is required for international applicants or domestic students who earned undergraduate degree outside of U.S. Applicants who hold a degree from a university located in U.S. or another country where English is both the primary spoken language of daily life and the language of instruction, or who have completed at least two years of full time study at such institution are not required to submit the scores. For more information and instructions, please review English Requirements page. The AS MA program office won't be able to assist if your TOEFL/IELTS score is not linking to the UCLA online application portal. Please contact your testing center.
Note that GRE is no longer required of applicants to the African Studies M.A. program. Students who apply to the joint M.A. African Studies/ M.PH. Public Health program may need to submit the scores with the application to the Public Health program. Please contact the School of Public Health admissions office for information.
Financial Assistance for Entering Students
- Graduate Opportunity Fellowship for Entering Students. Students submit application for the award along with the online application to the African Studies program. The fellowship offers fees, non-resident tuition (if applicable) and a stipend to qualified applicants.
- African Studies Program Fellowship. Amounts vary. Application is not required. Students are awarded the fellowship based on merit during the application review process.
African Studies M.A. Program Inquiries:
E-mail: idpgrads@international.ucla.edu
UCLA International Institute African Studies Graduate Admissions 10256 Bunche Hall Los Angeles, CA 90095-1487
Admissions Information Session for Applicants who start in Fall 2025
The links shared during the info session are available here.
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A joint degree program with the School of Public Health is available to students interested in pursuing M.A. and M.Ph. degrees concurrently. Applicants are required to satisfy the admissions requirements of both programs and students must meet the requirements in both programs to be awarded the degree.
The M.A. in African Studies/M.Ph. program allows students to use a maximum of 8 quarter units of African Studies course work to be applied toward both the M.A. degree in African Studies and the M.Ph. degree through a pro forma petition to the Graduate Division.
Applicants interested in this concurrent program should contact the African Studies program, and the Student Affairs Office, the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health.
UCLA Fielding School of Public Health Sukhwinder Sagoo, Admissions Officer School of Public Health 16-071 Center for the Health Sciences (CHS) (310) 825-5524 Email: sagoo@ph.ucla.edu
Yumi Kinoshita, Academic Advisor UCLA International Institute African Studies M.A. Program 10256 Bunche Hall Los Angeles, CA 90095-1487 Telephone: (310) 206-6571 Email: idpgrads@international.ucla.edu
Schedule zoom meeting with the advisor here.
UCLA Funding Opportunities
Graduate Opportunity Fellowship Program (GOFP) for Incoming Students This one-year fellowship program provides recipients with a stipend plus tuition (and nonresident supplemental tuition if necessary). The program supports a limited number of entering students pursuing either terminal or professional master's degrees. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or undocumented students who qualify for nonresident supplemental tuition exemptions under AB 540 (eligibility for undocumented AB540 students is effective January 1, 2013). The intent of this fellowship is to provide access to higher education for students who might otherwise find it difficult or impossible to successfully pursue graduate study. Alice Belkin Memorial Scholarship The UCLA Burkle Center awards outstanding minority graduate students who have financial need and research interests relating to globalization and international relations with scholarships up to $4,000.00 each academic year. Scholarships are granted to qualified applicants who demonstrate leadership skills and academic achievement.
Hilton Global Summer Scholars Program The Hilton Global Summer Scholars offers $5,000 to fund summer fieldwork with a prominent global organization in Latin America, Africa, or Asia. Students acquire valuable hands-on training to prepare for global careers in government, research, non-profits, or in the private sector. Applications open in early Winter quarter.
The Judith Boyajian Travel Fellowship The Judith Boyajian Travel Fellowship is designed to provide graduate students with support for purposeful travel to and cultural immersion in Africa. Key for any student who applies for the grant would be a commitment to public service, and whether in an established program or under an original project, students will also be required to be engaged in it. The fellowship will provide up to $4,000 to cover travel and approved related expenses and fellows are expected to spend a minimum of 45-days in-country. Applications open in early Winter quarter.
Graduate & Postdoctoral Extramural Support (GRAPES) Database - Search Form GRAPES is not a fellowship or scholarship, rather it is an extensive database created by UCLA to help graduate students search for funding opportunities from institutions all over the world. Graduate students in need of funding (from all disciplines) are encouraged to become very familiar with the GRAPES database, and to reference it regularly. Funding opportunities stemming directly from UCLA are sometimes limited. With GRAPES, however, graduate students may search for hundreds of potential funding sources from many universities and institutions outside of UCLA.
Non-UCLA Fellowships Boren Fellowship Boren Fellowships provide funding for U.S. graduate students to study world regions critical to U.S. interests (including Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East). The fellowship is available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents only. Maximum awards for the Boren Fellowships are $30,000. In exchange for funding, recipients commit to working in the federal government for a minimum of one year. The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans The purpose of the fellowship is to provide opportunities for continuing generations of able and accomplished New Americans to achieve leadership in their chosen field. Application deadline is November 1st. Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program The U.S. Department of State funds about 600 students for summer language institutes abroad at various skill levels. CLS is a program of the U.S. Department of State and provides fully funded group-based intensive language instruction and structured cultural enrichment experiences for seven to ten weeks for U.S. citizen graduate students. Scholars Languages offered include: Arabic, Swahilli, and Urdu. Language levels are classified as Beginning, Advanced Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced. The CLS Program provides undergraduate academic credit through Bryn Mawr College. Upon completion of the program, participants also receive a certified American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) score. Payne International Development Fellowship The Payne Fellowship is a U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Program, administered by Howard University, which seeks to attract and prepare outstanding individuals for careers as USAID Foreign Service Officers. Candidates can be graduating seniors or college graduates with strong academic records and a desire to promote positive change in the world. The Payne program encourages the application of members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service and those with financial need. Selected fellows will receive support for graduate school and gain employment with USAID in an exciting rewarding career in the Foreign Service. Applicants must have U.S. citizenship and be seeking admission to graduate school for a two-year program in an area of relevance to the Foreign Service at a U.S.-based institution. Up to $22,000 annually toward tuition, fees and living expenses for a two-year master’s degree in fields related to the Foreign Service such as development, economics, public administration, business administration, global health, agriculture, or environmental science at a U.S.-based institution.
For students seeking housing near UCLA’s campus, there are a number of options provided by the university and by independent housing offices. Incoming students who have recently accepted an offer of admission will be contacted directly by the university via e-mail with details about how to apply for university housing. In general, most graduate students seeking university housing near campus will be competitive for housing agreements in the Weyburn Apartments.
Weyburn Terrace Apartments for Graduate Students
While university housing is not guaranteed, some students in the MA program are able to secure housing in the Weyburn Terrace Apartments next to campus. The Weyburn apartments are located right next to UCLA and are within walking distance of the main campus. In addition, a very convenient university bus route connects Weyburn to the university with shuttles arriving every few minutes.
Weyburn offers individual studio housing and housing for students seeking a roommate. Furnished and unfurnished housing options are both available. For detailed information about rates for Weyburn Terrace housing, please click here.
Parking is available for students who obtain housing in Weyburn Terrace. A parking permit for Weyburn may be applied for during the online application process.
Student housing is not managed by the MA program, however. As stated above, students who have recently committed to UCLA will be contacted by the university directly with information about how to apply for housing.
Other University Housing Options
Non-University Housing Options
There are many non-university housing options for students. Be wary of scams, do not click on links that look suspicious (especially in the comment sections). Please read Renters' Scam Alert published by UCLA Student Legal Services.
Students often utilize Facebook Groups to connect with other students seeking housing in the area around Westwood. There are both private and public Facebook Groups, including "UCLA Housing and Roommate Search."
The neighborhoods that are located in proximity to UCLA and have good bus connection to UCLA include:
Parking options
A daily parking permit for on campus parking is $15.
Students may also apply for quarterly parking permits, known as orange permits. Commuter permits only secure parking at on-campus locations. Detailed information concerning parking permits including deadlines to apply may be found here. Parking rates for students can be found here. Public Transportation
Students who find off-campus housing may also use the many convenient bus routes that connect UCLA to the greater LA area:
The practicality of commuting to campus using city bus lines will be determined by the distance between the student’s housing and UCLA. While extremely affordable, some students may experience commutes of up to an hour in each direction to and from campus. Students are encouraged to consider all these factors while selecting appropriate housing.
Obtaining California Residency for Tuition Purposes
Out of state students can apply for California residency after completing their first year at UCLA. If approved, students will be able to pay the in-state tuition during their second or any subsequent year at UCLA. For more information, such as required documentation and deadlines to apply please visit the Registrar’s website.
Please note that this information does not apply to international students.
GRADUATE ADVISING
Yumi Kinoshita, Academic Advisor
Prospective students/applicants can email us at:
✉ Email: idpgrads@international.ucla.edu
Current UCLA students (UID required) can contact the advising office as follows:
✉ Email: idpgrads@international.ucla.edu (Please include UID in their emails)
Make a Zoom advising appointment
To schedule an in-person appointment please email idpgrads@international.ucla.edu
Bunche Hall, Room 10256 (10th floor)
Mailing Address:
UCLA International Institute Academic Programs Office of Academic Advising 10256 Bunche Hall Los Angeles, CA 90095-1487