Postcolonial Literary and Cultural Studies MA

Discover the richness and diversity of Anglophone postcolonial cultures, their social and historical contexts, and the theoretical issues they raise through literature and related media such as film and music.

This course allows you to discover the immensely varied literatures of the Commonwealth, and to examine their unique histories, contexts, structures and language.

You’ll consider the issues that emerge from the study of postcolonial cultures, and gain an in-depth understanding of how creative outputs like literature, music and cinema engage with issues of race, place, identity, independence and development.

Our teaching and research examine postcolonial cultures from a broad range of perspectives, incorporating insights from related disciplines including geography, anthropology and history.

This flexibility gives you many opportunities to pursue your personal interests, while an independent research project enables you to explore a topic of your choice in even greater depth.

Specialist resources

Leeds University Library is one of the UK's major academic research libraries. It has extensive holdings to support your studies, including English Literature Collections that have been designated of national and international importance.

The Special Collections offer a huge range of rare books, manuscripts and art, as well as microfilm collections of American, Indian and South African newspapers, US government and presidential files, the Black Power Movement archive, the Church Missionary Society archive, and documents relating to British imperialism, foreign affairs, and overseas policy.

You’ll study compulsory modules designed to give you a solid base of theoretical knowledge and high level research skills.

You’ll also choose from a range of optional modules, giving you the ability to tailor your studies to suit your interests and career ambitions.

As you progress through your studies, you’ll apply what you’ve learned in an independent research project on a topic of your choice.

If you choose to study part-time, you’ll study over a longer period and take fewer modules in each year.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Postcolonial Literary and Cultural Studies MA Full Time in the course catalogue

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Postcolonial Literary and Cultural Studies MA Part Time in the course catalogue

Modules

Year 1

Learning and teaching

You’ll have weekly seminars in each module where you discuss the themes and issues arising from your reading, and you’ll be able to enhance your learning by attending the wide range of research seminars and talks by visiting speakers that we arrange throughout the year. However, independent study is a vital part of the degree, as it allows you to build your skills and explore your own ideas.

Assessment

Most of our modules are assessed by a single essay of around 4,000 words, which you submit at the end of the semester in which you studied the module. You may also be expected to submit unassessed essays to gain feedback on your work, or give presentations in your seminars.

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (Hons) in English, postcolonial literature or a related subject.

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information contact the School of English admissions team.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in all components. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Arts and Humanities (6 weeks) and Language for Social Science and Arts: Arts and Humanities (10 weeks).

If you need to study for longer than 10 weeks, read more about our postgraduate pre-sessional English course.

How to apply

We don’t have a final deadline for MA Applications, and we’ll consider your application right up until the start date of the programme. However, we encourage you to apply before the end of July if possible, to make arrangements such as securing funding, accommodation or visas. Modules will be allocated to offer holders in early August, so if you apply after that point you may have a more limited choice of modules.

You’ll also need to apply for a place before applying for any scholarships, so check the deadlines for available scholarships on the postgraduate scholarships database.

Apply (Full time)

Apply (Part time)

This link takes you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.
 
If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Application process

You’ll need to upload the following documents when completing the online application form:

• A transcript of your completed BA degree or grades to date
• A personal statement of around 500 words outlining your reasons for applying to the programme and your suitability to the programme
• A recent sample of your academic work of around 2,000 words on a topic relevant to the programme
• We do not generally request references, unless further information is required to support the assessment of your application
• If English is not your first language, you’ll need to submit proof of your English language results (e.g. IELTS)

Next steps

We’ll decide whether to offer you a place based on your sample of written work, references, transcripts, predicted or actual degree results and other qualifications.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

School of English Taught Postgraduate Admissions Policy

Fees

• UK/EU: £8,500 (total)
• International: £18,500 (total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

Part-time fees are normally calculated based on the number of credits you study in a year compared to the equivalent full-time course. For example, if you study half the course credits in a year, you will pay half the full-time course fees for that year.

Additional cost information

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.  Find out more at Masters funding overview.

This programme will equip you with a wide range of high-level transferable skills which are valuable in a wide range of careers.

You’ll be a confident researcher who can work independently as well as within a team. You’ll be a strong communicator, both verbally and in writing, and be able to think critically and analytically. In addition, you’ll have a strong level of cultural and critical awareness, and you’ll be able to look at a situation from different points of view.

All of these qualities are attractive to employers across sectors, and you’ll have the skills to pursue a career in fields including teaching, journalism, publishing, advertising, broadcasting and law. Many of our graduates also progress to PhD-level study and you’ll be well equipped for a career in academia.

Careers support

Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.