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

Science-faith project launches global partnerships

We’re establishing a global community of partners, including St. Paul’s University, Limuru (Kenya), to explore the different national and cultural contexts that church le

Stained glass window combined with space

New Centre with University of Johannesburg

The Durham-Johannesburg Centre for Philosophy of Epidemiology, Medicine, and Public Health has been established for interdisciplinary research

Changing African landscape may have influenced early human communication

The shift from dense forests to open plains in Africa may have caused our ancient ancestors to change their vocal calls, DU research has found.

Slow and steady wins the race with primate release - Durham University

Meet Brek, Kiki de Mpacka, Vue de Loin and Kento – four rescued mandrills who were released back into the wild as part of a project led by our anthropologists.

Tackling unacceptable work through global policy

Pioneering research by our world-renowned Law School has directly influenced global and domestic legal policy on unacceptable forms of work, including in southern Africa.

Influencing elections and governance in Africa

Our impact-making research in History is bringing a change in the political landscape in sub-Saharan Africa.

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

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

Nairobi City Hall And Business District, Kenya

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