LoadingLoadingLoadingLoadingOriginal research on African development—without AU employment or a professional licence.
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A development-studies doctorate fails when it reprints global theory over a thin case, or when ‘Africa’ is a single country with the names swapped. This PhD starts with a proposal that names a problem, a method, and an ethical field. You will work with faculty areas as stated, not as an infinite menu. English and French scholarly practice is supported because that is how much of the continent’s academic archive actually exists. African Future University delivers the doctorate online with identity-checked milestones. That is a constraint, not a lesser degree: archival, interview, and mixed-methods projects must be designed for connectivity and safety. Digital public infrastructure, AfCFTA implementation, and rural service delivery are legitimate objects when they are researched, not branded. The award is a research doctorate. It is not a UN post, not a professional licence, and not an AU secondment. It is for scholars who must keep a thesis honest when the only printer is in town and the interlocutors are tired of extractive research. You will defend access, language of primary material, and a method that survives load-shedding. The viva is planned for African time zones. AU or UN employment is not an outcome of enrolment, and no professional practising licence is attached to the doctorate.
Sixty credits over three to four years: research training, literature and methods, field ethics, and the thesis. Examination fee 80. Identity-checked viva on poor connectivity is planned, not denied. No professional licence is conferred.
Study online
Every programme can be completed fully online with zero tuition fees — study from anywhere in the world.
| Code | Course | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AFU981 | African Development Studies as a Field African Development Studies as a Field — assessed module on the PhD African Development Studies pathway.
| 3 |
| AFU982 | Research Design under Connectivity Constraints Research Design under Connectivity Constraints — assessed module on the PhD African Development Studies pathway.
| 3 |
| AFU983 | Ethics, Extraction, and Reciprocity Ethics, Extraction, and Reciprocity — assessed module on the PhD African Development Studies pathway.
| 3 |
| AFU984 | Identity-Checked Doctoral Milestones Identity-Checked Doctoral Milestones — assessed module on the PhD African Development Studies pathway.
| 3 |
| Code | Course | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AFU985 | Archival and Documentary Methods Archival and Documentary Methods — assessed module on the PhD African Development Studies pathway.
| 3 |
| AFU986 | Interview and Ethnographic Ethics Interview and Ethnographic Ethics — assessed module on the PhD African Development Studies pathway.
| 3 |
| AFU987 | Quantitative Description without Dashboard Theatre Quantitative Description without Dashboard Theatre — assessed module on the PhD African Development Studies pathway.
| 3 |
| AFU988 | Mixed Methods for Public Services and Markets Mixed Methods for Public Services and Markets — assessed module on the PhD African Development Studies pathway.
| 3 |
| Code | Course | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AFU989 | Political Economy and Public Organisations Political Economy and Public Organisations — assessed module on the PhD African Development Studies pathway.
| 3 |
| AFU990 | Rural Livelihoods and Informal Systems Rural Livelihoods and Informal Systems — assessed module on the PhD African Development Studies pathway.
| 3 |
| AFU991 | Regional Integration Texts as Research Objects (No AU Job) Regional Integration Texts as Research Objects (No AU Job) — assessed module on the PhD African Development Studies pathway.
| 3 |
| AFU992 | EN/FR Scholarly Communication EN/FR Scholarly Communication — assessed module on the PhD African Development Studies pathway.
| 3 |
| Code | Course | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AFU993 | Thesis Proposal Confirmation Thesis Proposal Confirmation — assessed module on the PhD African Development Studies pathway.
| 3 |
| AFU994 | Field or Archival Progress Review Field or Archival Progress Review — assessed module on the PhD African Development Studies pathway.
| 3 |
| AFU995 | Draft Chapters and Feedback Loops Draft Chapters and Feedback Loops — assessed module on the PhD African Development Studies pathway.
| 3 |
| AFU996 | Thesis and Viva (African Time Zones) Thesis and Viva (African Time Zones) — assessed module on the PhD African Development Studies pathway.
| 3 |
Modules are assessed through a published mix of coursework, applied projects, and examinations. Exam windows are announced in advance so students in other time zones are not forced into overnight sittings. Alternative arrangements are available where documented.
The published duration is 3–4 years. Teaching language: English + French assessment options. Actual time-to-complete depends on mode and any recognised prior learning.
This is a fully online award. You study from your country. No student visa and no campus relocation are required.
Degree tuition for this award is published as £0 / tuition-free on the online pathway. Examination or administrative fees may apply at checkout — never an annual tuition invoice. Check the Fees page for any extras.
Requirements are grouped on this page (academic, English, documents, research). Equivalent qualifications are considered. English may be waived after prior English-medium study.
Assessment is typically a mix of coursework, projects, and examinations. Doctoral awards include a thesis or dissertation and an oral examination. Details sit in the programme specification and module outlines.
Recognition of the award for local employment, professional licence, or ministry attestation is decided by your employer or regulator. African Future University publishes verification pages for certificates. We do not claim automatic equivalence in every country.
Start an application on this website. Progress is saved from the first step. Admissions: admissions@afutureuni.com.
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