Finally, as a result of the restructuring of the Humboldt University after German unification, the Department of African Studies was founded. Berlin is a unique location for Africa-related academic interest and provides a wealth of opportunities for researchers. Three universities and several research institutes, extensive libraries and archives as well as a continuous stream of visitors from Germany and elsewhere provide a conducive environment for students and for networking amongst colleagues. Humboldt University offers an MA Course and a Ph.D. Programme in African Studies. MA Students have it either as their major or as their minor in combination with one or two other subjects.
Students have the opportunity to enrol at several Berlin universities at the same time.
When taking African Studies as a major, then all three disciplines are attended with equal emphasis as far as obligatory courses are concerned, but one is taken as a subject of specialisation after the intermediate examination. In addition, at least one African language must be acquired. African Studies as a minor requires students who wish to focus on linguistics to make this choice before taking the intermediate examination, because they are also required to learn one African language. Those wishing to choose history or literature as their special subject can do so later on. This is followed by another four semesters of more advanced study.