The MSt in Histories and Cultures of Colonisation is groundbreaking in being the first to study together the histories and cultures of colonisation. The course considers different iterations of colonial rule and thought across historical periods (medieval, early modern, modern and contemporary) and diverse territories (Europe, the Americas, Africa), thus allowing students to examine the historical mechanics of colonialism and its aftermaths in different geographic, linguistic, political, and cultural contexts.

This course is offered by the Faculty of Medieval and Modern Languages and the Faculty of History, which have many links with universities in Europe, Africa, and the Americas. It therefore represents the first postgraduate course to benefit from the synergies that exist between both faculties. 

There is an active research culture and a commitment to integrating graduate students into research seminars. Workshops and conferences with Oxford-based and visiting academics are hosted by the faculty, which bring together students and faculty members in – and between – individual languages and disciplines.

If you wish to proceed to a research degree, the MSt will allow you to work towards the identification of a precise thesis subject and to gather research materials. This degree is also suitable if you do not wish to proceed to a research degree, as it enables you to build upon your undergraduate studies and to reflect on the methods of literary and cultural analysis, offering tools to pursue professional experience in a wide range of institutional contexts, including museums, governmental and nongovernmental organisations, and cultural institutions, in the UK and internationally.

Full guidance on how to apply, application deadlines, and entry requirements can be found on the central admissions pages and application guide pages of the University website.

Core Course

The core course runs across Michaelmas and Hilary terms, and involves a series of 8 fortnightly seminars. At the end of Michaelmas and Hilary terms, you will be required to submit a reflective diary consisting of 200-word reflections on at least 6 of the 8 sessions from that term. You will also be required to present at the final ‘conference’ session on one of the topics covered in the course.  

Seminar topics could include: 

  • Geographies of Empire
  • Colonial and Postcolonial Temporalities
  • Colonial Science and its Dissenters
  • Languages of Colonialism
  • The Archive and the Voice
  • Literature and Cultural Forms
  • Afterlives and Legacies
  • Course conference

Please note that the topics listed are illustrative and may be subject to change as they are not guaranteed to run every year.

Special Subjects

You will take two special subject options offered across different language strands and specialisms, subject to the availability of the relevant supervisors in any particular year. Each special subject runs across one of either Michaelmas or Hilary terms, and normally involves four meetings, which, depending on student numbers, may take the form of classes or tutorials. These meetings are normally fortnightly.

Special subject options may include:

Please note that the options listed are illustrative and may be subject to change as they are not guaranteed to run every year.

You will also be able to take special subjects from the MSt in Global and Imperial History.

Dissertation

You will complete a dissertation project to be submitted in the final term of the year.

Assessment

The core course will be assessed by the reflective diary and presentation in the final conference session. These will be a pass/fail assessments with no numerical mark contributing to the final grade. 

For each of your special subject options, you will complete an essay on a topic related to each of the special subjects.

You will submit a dissertation of 10,000 words in the final term of study, with work on this project lasting over the duration of the whole academic year.