African History Courses
Working their way through still influential imperial narratives, historians of Africa are unpacking the extensive and complex histories of Africa from east to west and north to south, consulting archaeologists and interpreting African and European records, African oral histories, and often looted material heritage still in European collections.
What has so far emerged is both a growing appreciation of the richness of the histories of the different parts of Africa, their peoples and societies, and the important recognition that the different parts of Africa have been and remain central to global history and particularly the histories of South Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas.
In other words, there is much to explore: from advanced multi-faceted kingdoms and empires; longstanding maritime trading connections to the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean; the many forms of resistance to the European enslavement of people; colonial and imperial expansions; to the wars of independence and the legacies and memories of colonial violence.
Join us to learn about and engage with the rich histories of the different parts of Africa that interest you. We offer short and long courses, online and face-to-face.
- An Introduction to African History
Course start date: Fri 19 Sep 2025Location on this date: Keeley Street
Discover 500 years of Africa’s history, exploring how societies across the continent transformed from 1500 onwards as new states emerged, new religions arrived, and Africa took its place at the heart of the world’s economy.
Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £143.00 Concession £116.00 - European empires in Africa Course start date: Sat 27 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sunday Abraham OgunodeJoin us for an introduction to the major themes of imperial history in the past 200 years of African history, where we will contextualise many of the trends and challenges in the continent today and view Africa in a new light.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £119.00 Concession £97.00 - The Boer War 1899-1902: An Introduction Course start date: Sat 22 Nov 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: T HussainDiscover the history of the Boer War 1899-1902 through gaining an understanding of how the British and Dutch came to colonise Southern Africa in the first place.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £47.00 Concession £38.00 - Pan-Africanism: A Historical Perspective Course start date: Sat 29 Nov 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Discover the origins, evolutions, and legacies of perhaps the most consequential political movement of the modern age. Credited with ending slavery, stifling colonialism, and securing independence and civil rights, Pan-Africanism remains an important political phenomenon. Tutor: Apeike Omolu.
Full fee £49.00 Senior fee £39.00 Concession £32.00 - The Benin Empire at the British Museum Course start date: Sat 6 Dec 2025
Location on this date: Off Site
Chart the rise and fall of the Benin Empire using its material culture to understand evolutions in the great state’s life and customs. NB this is an immersive course in African history using artefacts at the British Museum. Tutor: Apeike Omolu.
Full fee £49.00 Senior fee £39.00 Concession £32.00 - The Asante EmpireCourse start date: Tue 6 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Online
Chart the rise and fall of the Asante Empire, how it became synonymous with wealth, culture, and military prowess in the 19th century, and how it used religious and political innovations to become a global economic superpower. Tutor: Apeike Omolu.
Full fee £119.00 Senior fee £119.00 Concession £77.00 - African resistance against empireCourse start date: Thu 8 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Online
The end of the Second World War marked a watershed in African history, catalysing resistance against colonial rule that had been in place for a century. This module examines the history of such growing anti-colonial resistance from the late 19th century onwards.Tutor: Dr Sunday Oyewole.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £45.00 - From Earth to Empire: Gold, Ivory, and Diamonds in African HistoryCourse start date: Fri 6 Feb 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Dive into Africa’s past through the commodities that put it at the centre of world trade: gold, ivory, and diamonds. Explore how these desirable items transformed societies, fueling technological advancement, enriching empires, and triggering conflict.
Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00 - From Earth to Empire: Palm Oil and Crude Oil in African HistoryCourse start date: Fri 20 Mar 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Dive into Africa’s past through the commodities that put it at the centre of world trade: palm oil and crude oil. Explore how they transformed societies, fuelled nation-building, and triggered environmental activism.
Full fee £29.00 Senior fee £23.00 Concession £19.00
Can't see a course you want?
Add this category to your waiting list to set up alerts and we will update you when new courses are released online.
Add me to waiting list