Program Overview

Postcolonial Studies

The University of Kent was one of the first universities to establish colonial and postcolonial studies in the UK and has continued to play a significant part in the development of the field with an incredible national and international reputation. The University is also home to the Centre for the Global Study of Empire, an interdisciplinary and multi-lingual centre that aims to promote research and public engagement in the areas of colonialism, post-colonialism, and imperial studies from across the world.

Overview

As a research student, you meet regularly with your supervisor, and have the opportunity to take part in informal reading groups and research seminars to which students, staff and visiting speakers contribute papers. You also benefit from a series of research skills seminars that run in the spring term, which gives you a chance to share the research expertise of staff and postdoctoral members of the department.

Key Information

• Study mode: Full-time or part-time
• Duration: MA 1 year full-time, PhD 3 to 4 years full-time
• Start date: MA: September, PhD: September, January, April
• Location: Canterbury

Entry Requirements

• MA: A first or second class honours degree in a relevant subject (or equivalent)
• PhD: A first or upper-second class honours degree in a relevant subject (or equivalent) and, normally, a taught MA qualification
• International students: Please see the International Student website for entry requirements by country and other relevant information

English Language Entry Requirements

This course requires a Good level of English language, equivalent to B2 on CEFR. Details on how to meet this requirement can be found on the English Language requirements webpage.

Funding

Postgraduate research is a fantastic opportunity and significant investment in your future, enabling you to expand your knowledge, skills and career options – all while making a meaningful impact and contribution to an area you are passionate about. At Kent, we also recognise the significant financial investment that comes with postgraduate study, and we offer a range of scholarships for our postgraduate researchers, to help keep your mind on your studies, and off your finances.

Fees

The 2025/26 annual tuition fees for this course are:

• Postcolonial Studies - PhD at Canterbury
• Postcolonial Studies - MA by Research at Canterbury For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see the Student Finance Guide.

Study Support

The Templeman Library is well stocked with excellent research resources, as are Canterbury Cathedral Archives and Library. There are a number of special collections, including the John Crow Collection of Elizabethan and other early printed texts, the Reading/Raynor Collection of theatre history, and the Pettingell Collection of 19th-century drama.

Research

Research in the School of English comes roughly under the following areas:

• Eighteenth Century
• Nineteenth Century
• American Literature
• Creative Writing
• Medieval and Early Modern
• Modern Poetry
• Postcolonial

Staff Research Interests

Kent’s world-class academics provide research students with excellent supervision. The academic staff in this school and their research interests are shown below. You are strongly encouraged to contact the school to discuss your proposed research and potential supervision prior to making an application.

Your Future

Many career paths can benefit from the writing and analytical skills that you develop as a postgraduate student in the School of English. Our students have gone on to work in academia, journalism, broadcasting and media, publishing, writing and teaching; as well as more general areas such as banking, marketing analysis and project management.

Fees for Postcolonial Studies

• PhD at Canterbury:
  • UK: £5,006 (full-time), £2,503 (part-time)
  • EU: £19,300 (full-time), £9,650 (part-time)
  • International: £19,300 (full-time), £9,650 (part-time)
• MA by Research at Canterbury:
  • UK: £5,006 (full-time), £2,503 (part-time)
  • EU: £19,300 (full-time), £9,650 (part-time)
  • International: £19,300 (full-time), £9,650 (part-time)