Africa

Partnerships in Africa

Durham University has a long-standing history of engagement with Africa, including links to Sierra Leone and Nigeria dating back to the 19th Century. The University engages with African institutions through a number of bilateral partnerships as well as via our membership of networks such as the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)

Discover our work in other global regions

Durham University is proud to support the work of The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS). The core function of AIMS is the teaching of a one-year taught Masters course, drawing on lecturers from all over the world to support the delivery of programmes at centres in South Africa, Cameroon, Senegal, Rwanda, Ghana and Tanzania. Durham Mathematicians have been involved with AIMS since shortly after its foundation in 2003 and the University continues to support AIMS' vital work through an institutional partnership signed in 2016.

Our academics work in partnership with counterparts across Africa to address pressing global challenges such as climate change, conflict resolution and infectious diseases, to name just a few. This section highlights some of the collaborative research and other activities with our partners in the Africa region.

Collaborating for Impact

Explore a snapshot of our collaborative work with our partners in Africa

Decent Work Regulation in Africa

DWR-Africa centres on effective regulatory strategies for decent work in the in southern Africa, with a particular focus on the garment sector.

Bonobos make “baby-like” signals to seek consolation from others

Durham researchers carried out this study at the Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary in Democratic Republic of Congo, which is the world’s only bonobo sanctuary.

Record-breaking whale migration raises conservation questions

With help from the Namibian Dolphin Project, our Biosciences Department collaborated with three other researchers to try to identify birthplace of a grey whale.

Grey whale tale by NOAA and Dr. Steven Swartz

South Sudan: Historical and cultural resources for governance and peacebuilding

Exploring the historical and contemporary role of chiefs (known as ‘traditional’ or ‘customary’ authorities) in governance and justice in South Sudan

A photograph of a group of participants at a workshop in South Sudan,

Welcome Team Zambia!

The National Olympic Committee and Commonwealth Games Association of Zambia will be visiting us and using our fantastic facilities to prepare for the 2022 Games.

Animals, Livelihoods and Wellbeing in Africa

Our Anthropologists are reappraising human-animal relations for improved outcomes for health and livelihoods across Africa

Can the height of your house reduce malaria?

Research project in collaboration with the Medical Research Council’s Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and the Royal Danish Academy.

African Students and Scholars

Each year several hundred students from some 25 African countries join our vibrant academic community. We also have a range of scholarship opportunities available to applicants from Africa, including Chevening and Commonwealth partnership awards and the prestigious the Ruth First Scholarship.

Explore our International Scholarship Pages Check out our International entry requirements

Durham allows students to become part of a diverse community and provides enough guidance and support for students to adopt to their new surroundings.

Susanna D, South Africa

MSc Conflict, Prevention and Peacebuilding

Find out more about studying at Durham

Alumni in Africa

We are proud of our growing community of alumni from across Africa. Our Alumni Office and International Office teams regularly engage with former students in major cities across the continent.

Visit our alumni community

Partner with us

We are always keen to hear from peer institutions in Africa who are keen to collaborate in research and education.

Interested to partner with us? Contact us