Postcolonial and World Literatures (MLitt) 2018 entry

The MLitt in Postcolonial and World Literatures offers the opportunity to study the theoretical, literary, cultural and historical dimensions of contemporary postcolonialism from colonial encounters, to the emergence of the field in the latter half of the 20th Century, through to its current articulation in a globalised era of world literature.

Applications for 2018 entry for this course have now closed, see which courses are available for the upcoming academic year.

Course type

Postgraduate; leading to a Master of Letters (MLitt)

Course dates

  • Start date: 10 September 2018
  • End date: 30 September 2019

If you started this programme in 2017, you can find information about 2017 entry on the 2017 Postcolonial and World Literatures page. Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in the archive.

Course duration

One year full time or two years part time

Entry requirements

A good 2.1 Honours undergraduate degree in a subject-related area.

If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.

English language proficiency. See English language tests and qualifications.

The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.

Tuition fees

UK and EU: £8,500
Overseas: £17,600

Application deadline

31 January 2018 for those also applying for School of English scholarships; 1 June 2018 for all other applicants.

Application requirements

For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.

Course information

The year-long MLitt in Postcolonial and Word Literatures is an intensive taught programme of study which aims to foster the next generation of scholars in postcolonial and world literary studies.

Covering both postcolonial and world literatures, this course offers a unique opportunity to expand students’ knowledge and understanding of a global range of theories and literatures focusing on European colonialism and its legacies today, while working with research-active experts in a wide range of relevant topics.

Highlights

  • The UK’s first combined Master’s programme in Postcolonial and World Literatures.
  • Achieve an in-depth knowledge of postcolonial studies in light of renewed scholarly interest in world literatures, and in dialogue with research staff.
  • Explore a global range of writers from the colonial to the contemporary on a programme that offers a comprehensive training in postcolonial and world literary studies.
  • Covering a wide range of periods, topics and contexts, the programme offers the opportunity to study the theoretical, literary, cultural and historical dimensions of contemporary postcolonialism from colonial encounters, to the emergence of the field and its current articulation in a globalised era of world literature.
  • Develop your skills as a researcher within a specific area of study by taking special topic modules.

Teaching format

In each semester students take one module that concentrates on the literature of the field and one module that engages with the field’s theoretical, cultural and historical developments.

All compulsory modules will be taught in small groups (typically of 10 to 15). Students will have weekly classes for each module, which will typically take the form of a mixture of lecture and seminar, allowing for both independent and group study in a supportive framework of teaching and learning.

Modules are assessed through oral presentations, learning journals and coursework essays. The School of English prides itself on its support of student work through detailed feedback and commentary.

Students are encouraged to develop their own, individual interests through their choice of an optional module.

Further particulars regarding curriculum development.

Modules

For more details of each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the latest module catalogue which is for the 2017–2018 academic year; some elements may be subject to change for 2018 entry.

Students take five compulsory modules. These are taught by weekly seminars led by staff and with an emphasis on student participation.

  • Literary Research: Skills and Resources: trains students in the understanding and use of the essential skills and resources of research in English Studies; it also provides preparation for the MLitt dissertation.
  • Approaches, Theories, Contexts 1: explores the evolution of postcolonialism from theories of colonial discourse and an emergent concept of world literature, to decolonisation and the emergence of postcolonial studies in the late 20th century.
  • Approaches, Theories, Contexts 2: focuses on recent interventions that challenge and extend the remit of both postcolonialism and world literature in light of contemporary contexts of globalisation, diaspora and a worlding of literary studies.
  • Postcolonial and World Literatures: aims to map the dimensions of postcolonial and world literatures through a range of contemporary writers and texts drawn from across the globe and which reflect on a new reality of transnationalism, globalisation and post-nationalism.
  • Literature and Culture from the Colonial to the Postcolonial: traces the global sweep of literary and cultural histories that have shaped the field of postcolonial studies; enhances students' understanding of the literary texts, films and cultural products that are the subject of postcolonial critique.

Students choose one optional module out of the following:

  • Special Topic in English Studies: a directed reading programme which allows students to explore topics in greater depth than is possible in compulsory modules.
  • a compulsory module from another English MLitt programme (see module catalogue)
  • an approved postgraduate-level module outwith the School of English (arranged independently with another school such as Classics, Modern Languages, Divinity or Philosophical, Anthropological and Film Studies).

Student dissertations are supervised by members of the teaching staff who advise on the choice of subject and provide guidance throughout the research process. The completed dissertation of not more than 15,000 words must be submitted by a date specified in August. 

If students choose not to complete the dissertation requirement for the MLitt, there is an exit award available that allows suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma. By choosing an exit award, you will finish your degree at the end of the second semester of study and receive a PGDip instead of an MLitt.


The modules listed here are indicative, and there is no guarantee they will run for 2018 entry. Take a look at the most up-to-date modules in the module catalogue.

Studying the MLitt in Postcolonial and World Literatures

Find out what it's like to study the MLitt in Postcolonial and World Literatures with further course information including academic staff.

Further course information

Conferences and events

The School of English hosts research events through its four research groups:

The School of English normally also hosts an annual Colloquium (recent colloquia have taken as their themes: The English Legal Imaginary, 1500-1700; Bannockburn, 1914: Anniversary culture, war and national identity in Scotland; Opera and Fiction; World Literature and Dissent).

The Postgraduate Forum offers postgraduates the opportunity to present research in progress to a group of their peers. 

Funding

All School of English study applicants will be given access to the My Application portal. The scholarships and funding area of the portal includes an online catalogue through which you can apply for available relevant awards. 

Recent Graduate Discount
The University of St Andrews offers a 10% discount in postgraduate tuition fees to students who are eligible to graduate or who have graduated from St Andrews within the last three academic years and are starting a postgraduate programme with the University of St Andrews.

Find out more about postgraduate scholarships. 

After the MLitt

Research degrees

Many of our graduates continue their education by enrolling in PhD programmes at St Andrews. 

In addition to the MLitt, the School offers a two-year Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree option in Modern and Contemporary Literature and Culture.

PhD in English

Careers

Graduates of the course go on to pursue careers in a range of sectors including journalism, marketing, publishing and teaching, and do so with an appreciation of the value of diversity, inter-cultural dialogue and difference to society.

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students on a taught postgraduate course and offers a programme of events to assist students to build their employability skills.

Contact information

School of English
University of St Andrews
Castle House
The Scores
St Andrews
KY16 9AL

Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 2668
Email: pgeng@st-andrews.ac.uk

English website

Policies

Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our Admissions policy.

Curriculum development

As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience. Our approach to course revision is described online. (PDF, 72 KB).

Tuition fees

The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees. The University’s approach to fee setting is described online. (PDF, 84 KB).