Colonial and Postcolonial Studies, Master Programme

The application process consists of two steps.

1. First you need to apply to the programme online at www.universityadmissions.se - Deadline 15 January 2024. When this deadline has passed it is possible to apply here from 15 March til 15 April (national admissions round - information in Swedish). 

2. Secondly, you need to submit a letter of intent - Deadline 1 February 2024.

Letter of intent
Please write a letter of intent that on one A4 page describes your interest in the programme.

The letter will be evaluated in terms of:

• Your previous and intended engagement with the field you are interested in
• Your proficiency in expressing yourself in English

Submit your letter on your pages on www.universityadmissions.se

What made you apply for the Colonial and Postcolonial Studies Master's program?

I was looking for an education that suits my professional background (legal) and reflects the dynamics of the society in which I live (Kenya and East Africa generally), by understanding the past domination of societies in the past and how the effects of those dominations affect communal relations, land, environment, roles of gender in the present society.

What do you think of the study environment on campus: your fellows, teachers, the university, and student life?

The university neighbors a lake and forests and weather permitting they are great places to read and relax. The university’s well-equipped library has books on all areas concerning the program, both in the E-library and the physical one. The programme is international just like the university. So many nationalities represented. The class takes you to all corners of the world through learning shared experiences, the students and the teachers, and the modules in the program. All concerned in the program present interconnectedness that makes us a mini global community at an international university. In addition, there is high-quality student housing so close to the campus. The university is served by a public bus to the train station making mobility easy. International students will feel at home here.

What is most challenging?

The weather. I have lived along the equator all my life and I am yet to experience snowy cold weather. The drop in temperatures as we head to the cold season and the shortening of days has made my internal clock confused but I am managing it through walks, planting potted plants and photography.

What do you like best?

The multidisciplinary nature of the course is illuminating and makes one think critically about the societies we live and work in and how we can make those societies sustainable by creating systems that reflect their history. The combination of working groups, seminars, workshops and the Concurrences Centre’s series allows for wholesome learning.

How/In what ways will the master's contribute towards your career development?

By the time I finish the course in June 2024, the world will be about 5 years away from ensuring that the 17 Sustainable Goals have been achieved. I want to continue working towards SDG 16 to promote peaceful and inclusive societies in East Africa by working at the East African Court of Justice. East Africa is a post-colonial region. It is cosmopolitan both in terms of indigenous communities, nonindigenous communities, and immigrants. I am interested in applying my education to promoting rule of law at an international level, participating in decision-making, and ensuring the promotion and enforcement of non-discriminatory laws to ensure sustainable development in a developing post-colonial region.

What will a typical day look like for you in five years?

I hope to be starting a sustainable day supported by sustainable systems that will be in place to ensure the protection of the environment and water sources. The end of the day will be marked by analyzing how much I contributed to ensuring that the day was sustainable through recycling, taking care of my plants and animals, and contributing to a peaceful society where everybody’s security is guaranteed and their human dignity respected.

- I’ve always wanted to study history, to gain a better understanding of what is happening in the world and why. In my home country, in order to study history, you have to take a five-year programme, starting with the beginning of human history. I figured that this programme, even though it has the Middle Ages as its starting point, would make some connections also to contemporary history.

According to Katarzyna Kiryluk, one of the most inspiring aspects of the programme is the fact that you get to meet people from different countries and different cultures.

- The opportunity to exchange thoughts and experiences with people from different cultures is a truly valuable part of the programme.

Katarzyna enjoys studying history, but she admits that is has been challenging from time to time.

- You really have to make an effort and put a lot of time into your studies. I’m used to spending a lot time taking part of lectures and seminars, but this has been different. I really need to plan my studies and great importance is attached to self-studies, which has been challenging.

Even though this is demanding, Katarzyna also finds it very rewarding.

- Putting a lot of time into reading gives you a deeper understanding of the subject, but studying at Linnaeus University involves so much more. There is a fantastic atmosphere in which people respect and listen to each other. People with different backgrounds from all over the world are gathered in one place here at the university, which gives us the opportunity to learn a lot also about other things, in addition to the subject we are studying.

In the future, Katarzyna would like to have a profession where she can help people.

- I would like to make use of the knowledge I’m acquiring on the programme to help people. At this point, I’m not sure in what way, but thanks to the breadth of the programme I believe that there will be plenty of opportunities.

The master’s programme Colonial and postcolonial studies meets society’s and science’s need for critical analysis of the content, significance and consequences of colonialism. The content of the programme caught Filip’s interest.

“I’m very interested in issues concerning power, representation and identity, and I think that the programme offers cutting-edge expertise as well as breadth in this respect”, says Filip.

The studies start with introduction courses in theory, methods and various subject areas. After this, you will get to choose courses that are linked to postcolonial theory and, lastly, you will write a master’s thesis. Filip really likes the selection of courses offered within the programme.

“It is very rewarding to apply postcolonial perspectives to a wide range of scientific fields; for instance, comparative literature, history, and social work. You gain a deeper understanding of the relevance of postcolonialism”, Filip continues.

Students from different parts of the world meet on the programme. These meetings have widened Filip’s perspectives.

“Since it is an international programme, the general education of the students on the programme has been shaped by different knowledge-based frames of reference. What is obvious to me does not have to mean the same to my fellow students. For instance, certain literary work from the western world that are considered ‘big all over the world’ may not at all be viewed in the same way outside the western world. Such insights remind me of how influenced I have been by the western worldview, which makes me feel that it’s important to broaden my horizon”, Filip explains.

Filip describes that there is a huge need in society today to increase the knowledge about coloniality, whiteness studies, and racism. But also to strengthen one’s own analytical ability to examine the inheritance from colonialism and how this is expressed in various contexts, something for which the programme provides the students with tools.

“Above all, it’s about being able to ‘see’ what is often not seen but still results in significant consequences; for instance, discourses, norms and perceptions. This programme offers an interdisciplinary platform for critical reflection on one’s own position and how one can try to contribute to constructive change”, Filip continues.

Filip has a clear goal for what he wants do after completing his studies.

“My ambition is to become a doctoral student and hopefully be able to contribute to the further development of postcolonial theory in a Swedish/Nordic context”, Filip concludes.

Abhilasha chose to apply to the exchange programme in colonial and postcolonial studies because the courses offered were particularly relevant to her research in the field of migration literature.

“I found both courses that I read very interesting. The course literature and migration covered a wide range of themes and contexts – from South Asian immigrant experiences to queer experiences of displacement. The course on slavery and the slave trade in a global context was particularly unique as it combined historical and literary methods to study the context of slavery”, Abhilasha explains.

She feels that her study experience in Sweden was the perfect complement toher studies at Ashoka University in India.

“By reading the courses at Linnaeus University, I can approach my research interests from a global perspective”, she continues.

Abhilasha appreciates the university's location and the different study environment.

“Linnaeus University has beautiful surroundings, especially in spring. With its many lakes and all the greenery, it is an idyllic place. As for the academic environment, I felt that it was relaxed and informal, yet quite structured and efficient. Discussions were free-flowing, interactive and insightful”, says Abhilasha.

Now she returns to India with more knowledge and new experiences.

“What I bring with me from Linnaeus University is not only my education but also knowledge about the unique Swedish culture – for example, the art of having ‘fika’! I also appreciate the wonderful people I have met here, especially the Global Humanities group, who welcomed me very warmly”, Abhilasha concludes.

In the picture, Abhilasha Sawlani, can be seen in a blue shirt together with Aritri Chakrabarti, who  also has been studying the master´s program during the spring.

Semester 1
Introduction to colonial and postcolonial studies with thematic, theoretical and methodological courses.

Semester 2
Elective courses
The course Postcolonial encounters begins and runs across three semesters

Semester 3 and 4

Elective courses
The course Independent work (the master's thesis)

Most courses in the programme are taught half-time, so that you take part in two courses parallel to each other. Most are 7.5 credit courses, which means they are taught half-time across 10 weeks. Some courses are 15 credits, which means that they are either taught full-time for 10 weeks or half-time for 20 weeks.

The programme has 6 compulsory courses. The number of elective courses depends on your choice. You choose your elective courses once you have arrived at the university.

Here are the compulsory courses in the programme. The first four courses make up the first semester curriculum.

Photo: Gunnel Cederlöf

Imperialism and the making of the modern world, 7.5 credits

This course deals with imperial dominance and resistance and their role in the making of the modern world. You will be introduced to causes and consequences of modern imperialism and colonialism from the 15th century until the present, with particular attention to the period from the mid-18th century until the end of the first World War. The course has a special focus on theories of imperialism and questions of inequality, violence, borderlands, gender, race and cilivisation.
Course administrator: Dr. Preedee Hongsaton

Criticism and theory: current debates, 7.5 credits

The course introduces essential theories and concepts in the humanities and the social sciences. It has a particular focus on the critical theoretical debates that have been crucial to the development of postcolonial theory. You will explore and discuss the conceptualization of past and present practices of relations of dominance, subordination, resistance and revolt. You will also be challenged to reflect on representations of orientalism, eurocentrism, decolonization, nationalism, and diaspora.
Course administrator: Dr. Rebecca Duncan

Research fields in postcolonial environments, 7.5 credits

In a critical encounter of different humanities disciplines, the course enquires into their different analytical practices in postcolonial studies. You will be discussing with teachers in history, literature, archaeology, social work, and film studies. They will explain their positions and practice of postcolonial perspectives when they carry out research on current and past events and phenomena, the students are challenged to reflect on the interdisciplinarity of the field and develop their own individual academic positions.
Course administrator: Dr. Gunnel Cederlöf

Method and Practice in the Humanities, 7.5 credits

This course introduces essential methodologies in the humanities and social sciences. It provides you with the necessary knowledge for identifying and accumulating new information, analyse and assess complex phenomena and representations, and to make inferences from scientific research at the advanced level. You will work with past and contemporary texts, objects, and fieldwork environments.
More information: Dr. Jonas Sjölander

Postcolonial Encounters, 7.5 credits

This course runs like an undercurrent in the programme across three semesters. It gives you a continuing contact with your fellow programme students also when your take different courses. This is where you present your ongoing thesis work, discuss critical questions of fieldwork and methodology, invite and take charge of the programme for guest speakers, chair seminars, show and discuss films, and organise other events that are relevant to your studies.
More information: Dr. Eleonor Marcussen

Colonial and Postcolonial Studies, Master Thesis, 45 credits

Researching for and writing the master’s thesis is a work that runs alongside the programme as a whole and 30-40 weeks are especially assigned for the task. The difference in the length of the course makes it possible to tailor the thesis to the individual needs of the students, having the future career in view. You will work under the guidance of an individual supervisor. The course allows for archive and/or fieldwork, and rests on theoretical and methodological courses in the first semester.
More information: Dr. Malin Gregerson

These are thematic elective courses that are given based on demand.

Photo: Dag Avango

Colonial histories and postcolonial theory: concurrences as historical methodology, 7,5 credits
Things happen simultaneously in the same or different places and are perceived differently depending on who is experiencing them. Yet, history writing has long been dominated by a ‘Western’ or European approach to narrating and making sense of the past. This course we will discuss postcolonial and global-history theories that set out to challenge this Eurocentrism. More information: Researcher Eleonor Marcussen

Modern Natures and Postcolonial Ecologies, 7.5 credits

Crisis of the climate and the environment sweeps the world today. The present urgency has a long history of modern development, excessive extraction, and loss of ecologies and livelihoods. There are also concerted efforts for turning the wheels. The course combines a longterm view on human-nature relations with key events of conflict, conservation, and action.
More information: Prof. Gunnel Cederlöf

Nordic Colonialism, 7.5 credits
The Nordic countries are often imagined as without a colonial past, despite their former overseas colonies and the slave forts in North America, India, Africa and the Caribbean. Colonial relations with Greenland and Sápmi runs deep within the Nordic region. In this course you will get an overview of the history of Nordic colonialism. You will explore how the colonial encounter of the Nordic nations differed from or were similar to the colonial projects of other European nations.
More information: Prof. Gunlög Fur

Literature and Migration, 15 credits
How do those who move through the world describe their experiences in writing? What values and perspectives can be found in texts that document the experience of travel? This course focuses on important concepts from postcolonial theory and cultural studies to analyze the different mobilities represented in works of literature: from travel and tourism to migration and displacement.
More information: Dr. Niklas Salmose

Travel Writing, 15 credits

This course considers contemporary postcolonial travel literature as a genre for exploring complex issues of power, identity and history. Based on close analysis of recent travel narratives, we will discuss the relation between travel writing as a literary form and the postcolonial contexts and experiences highlighted by each text.
More information: Dr. Niklas Salmose

Slavery and Slave Trade in Global Context, 7.5 credits

The course provides you with an overview of slavery and slave trade across the modern world in a global comparative perspective. It contrasts the trans-Atlantic trafficking of humans with that of the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean. Also bonded and permanently subservient labour is discussed in view of formal slavery.
More information: Prof. Hans Hägerdal

Postcolonial Studies in Comparative Literature, 7.5 credits

What does postcolonial theory do for literature? This course deepens the knowledge of postcolonial theory and how it has been applied within the field of literature. You will study central theoretical texts in relation to comparative literature. It prepares for further analysis of literature in a historical as well as a contemporary context.
More information: Dr. Piia Posti and Prof. Peter Forsgren

Nordic Colonialism in Literature, 7.5 credits

Is there a postcolonial Nordic literature? The course focuses on analyses of literary texts from a Nordic perspective in relation to different colonial contexts. Older as well as contemporary literature from different genres are studied. You will have the possibility to specialize in certain subjects or areas, for example questions concerning gender, cultural identity, the concept of “the Other” and how knowledge is produced.
More information: Dr. Piia Posti and Prof. Peter Forsgren

Race and Racism - a Postcolonial Perspective, 7.5 credits
How has the tension of politics and research, from the Enlightenment until today changed the modern concept of ‘race’? This course focuses on its origin and discusses race as a symbolic system, as a foundation for identification, and in how it continues to cause political tension, violence and inequality in the present postcolonial world.
More information: Dr. Peter Skoglund

What are the entry requirements?

You are welcome to apply with a BA, or the equivalent, in the humanities or social sciences, and English B/English 6. You can find more information on how to document your language eligibility on the Application portal (Universityadmission.se)

If you are not sure if you fulfil the entry requirements for the programme you can contact our admission department: admission@lnu.se

Do I need to have my certificate or diploma translated into English?

You must always submit your certificate or diploma in the official language of the country where you studied. If this language is not Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, English, French or German, you must also provide an official translation of the certificate or diploma. This translation should be in Swedish or English. 

University application & admission in Sweden

Can I just send in a certificate or letter from my university certifying my English proficiency?

The English language requirements for the programme is English 6.

You can find more information on how to document your eligibility on the application portal: https://www.universityadmissions.se/en/entry-requirements/english-language-requirements/

Do I need to pay application and tuition fees?

Students with citizenship in countries not within the EU/EEA, or Switzerland, are required to pay application and tuition fees for university studies in Sweden. Some tuition scholarships are available for students who wish to study in Sweden. Please note that all students who are required to pay an application fee must pay that fee, even if they've applied for a scholarships.

Is it possible to not enroll in the programme, but instead study some of the elective courses as separate courses?

Yes it is. If you choose to apply for the program in the future, the credits from these separate courses can then be included in the degree.

Are there any scholarships I can apply for?

There are scholarships that you can apply for that cover 75% of the tuition fee. You can read more about the scholarships here There are also other scholarship opportunities for example at the Swedish Institute. 

Each year Linnaeus University offers scholarships to outstanding students from countries outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland through the programme 'Linnaeus University Scholarships'. Read more: Scholarships | lnu.se

All students who have applied for a Linnaeus University masterprogramme on www.universityadmissions.se as their first choice will get an email with information on how to apply for the scholarship along with a link to the application form. Make sure to check your junk mail/spam folder. The email is sent out in the beginning of February. 

The Swedish Institute also coordinates a number of different scholarship programmes which can be used to study at Linnaeus University. You can find more information here.

Here you can find master's theses by students

During the course of the programme, you can choose to study abroad through exchange studies to gain international experience. In that case, you will conduct some of your studies at one of our many partner universities around the world. You can also choose to do your internship abroad. What is more, you can do field work abroad as part of your degree project. This involves collecting material abroad for your degree project, for a period of roughly two months. Learn more about what international possibilities are offered at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at Linnaeus University.