Sustainability and Postcolonial Studies. Gender, Nature and History University of Kassel

Courses are held in English (100%).

Programme profile

The two-year Master's programme in "Sustainability and Postcolonial Studies. Gender, Nature and History" focuses on the ideas, discourses and practices surrounding "sustainability", which refers to the protection of our world's resources in order to ensure a liveable planet for future generations. In doing so, it sheds light on postcolonial perspectives and, consequently, global inequalities. Students will explore the historical and societal origins and negotiations of current sustainability concepts, strategies and practices. By jointly examining assumptions and universalisms relating to sustainability, the programme aims to contribute to constructive debates on the future-oriented development of sustainability concepts, strategies and practices.

Our profile is unique within the German higher education sector: we combine sustainability with postcolonial perspectives, emphasising the dimensions of gender, nature and history from historical and contemporary analytical perspective.

• Critical-analytical understanding of sustainability: The programme encourages critical engagement with assumptions and universalisms about sustainability and critically reflects on previous implementations of sustainability.
• Dialogue-based study: During the programme, students work together to develop creative potential for the necessary reflection and constructive further development of sustainability concepts and practices.
• Postcolonial perspectives: The global context of the emergence and implementation of sustainability is reflected upon, and dialogue with lesser-known ideas and strategies for sustainability from the Global South is facilitated.
• Thematic focus on gender, nature and history: Joint exploration of the historical origins and societal negotiations of key aspects of sustainability while focussing on questions of power, inequality and marginalisation

Career prospects

The programme opens up numerous career paths and qualifies graduates for roles in national and international organisations, research institutes, public administrations and ministries, development agencies, political education, consulting and corporate environments.

Graduates will have the competence to critically examine sustainability concepts and practices from a social science perspective and to understand their global, historical and (post-)colonial dimensions. Graduates also have an awareness of postcolonial, gender and power-critical perspectives and of the diversity of understandings of sustainability worldwide, as well as conceptual and consulting skills in the development, evaluation and implementation of innovative sustainability strategies in private and public organisations.

Graduates are able to tap into new areas of work in the field of sustainability, develop and promote innovative approaches, and design work processes independently and cooperatively. The profile is complemented by skills in planning, implementing and evaluating projects on sustainability, time management skills and the ability to work in interdisciplinary teams, enabling graduates to take on leadership roles.

Students are expected to join the Welcome Week at the beginning of October. 

Classes take place in person. Classrooms are located at the main campus of the University of Kassel.

Application deadline for international students: 15 July

Please visit our website for up-to-date deadlines!

Programme structure

• First semester: Two introductory modules on critical sustainability and postcolonial studies provide the theoretical basis for subsequent studies. Students are also introduced to academic standards and writing, preparing them for term papers and their final thesis.
• Second and third semesters: Three subject-specific modules enable students to tailor a personalised study programme from a wide range of courses offered by the disciplines of history, sociology and political science. The project module introduces various research methods and enables students to conduct their own research project on a chosen topic.
• Fourth semester: Writing of the Master’s degree dissertation

Teaching in small groups enables intensive discussion, individual feedback and close supervision.

Modules offered

• Critical Sustainability
• Postcolonial Studies
• Gender and Intersectionality
• Nature, Culture and Economies in Past and Present Societies
• Socio-Ecological Transformations: Conflicts, Movements and (Un-)Learning
• Master's Degree Module
• Academic Standards and Writing

A variety of courses with different content focuses are offered within the modules, from which students can design their own study programme by selecting those courses that suit their interests.

To gain international experience, students can flexibly integrate a semester abroad into the programme. The faculty has international partnerships with universities in Africa, South America, Europe, Asia and North America to facilitate this.

Students do not complete an internship, but they gain practical experience in the project module in which students plan and implement their own empirical project on a topic of their choice, working independently and in interdisciplinary teams.

• Students explore complex questions relating to sustainability and reflect upon, present and critically discuss the results jointly.
• The aim is to develop practical skills for the constructive further development of sustainability concepts and practices.

No tuition fees

Mandatory registration fees allow students to use public transport free of charge and the university's refectories and cafeterias at reduced prices. Currently (summer semester 2025), the registration fee is approximately 356 EUR per semester. The fee may vary slightly from semester to semester, depending on university regulations.

In order to cover personal expenses while studying in Kassel, it is recommended that students budget around 750 to 1,000 EUR per month for accommodation, food, health insurance, books, and miscellaneous expenses.

Candidates can be admitted to programme with

1. a Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent degree in sustainability studies, social sciences, cultural studies or humanities or a first state examination for teaching history or politics and economics with a study period of at least six semesters and 180 credits or
2. an equivalent foreign degree in the above mentioned fields with a study period of at least six semesters and 180 credits,
3. and adequate knowledge of the English language (C1 level CEFR, details below).

The examination board will admit the students following the above mentioned admission requirements. All decisions will be made based on the written application documents. The examination board can admit students provisionally and request further documents.

Proficiency in English is necessary for participation in the programme. Non-native English speakers should present one of the following certificates: TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English, DAAD Sprachzeugnis or an equivalent certificate. The score needed for admission is 95 points in TOEFL (iBT, Internet-based), 7.0 in IELTS or C1 in Common European Framework of Reference of Languages. Applicants who have completed their first degree entirely in English are exempt from this requirement.

For further information, please visit our website: https://www.uni-kassel.de/uni/en/study/providing-evidence-of-a-knowledge-of-foreign-languages.html#c30031.

German language proficiency is not required at the time of application. Applicants are not expected to demonstrate B2 or any specific level of German language competency.

Application deadline for international students: 15 July

Please visit our website for up-to-date deadlines!

Application for Erasmus+ funding for a semester abroad is possible.

Students can apply for various part-time jobs or work as student assistants on campus. Please have a look at www.uni-kassel.de. Some departments also provide positions as tutors or working students.

International students enrolled at the University of Kassel can choose between staying at a student residence hall ("Wohnheim") or private accommodation. There are about 1,000 rooms available in the student residencies around the campus. Please have a look at https://www.studierendenwerk-kassel.de/en/wohnen/. Rent for a room varies between 200 and 350 EUR per month depending on the location and facilities. Students can choose single apartments with en-suite facilities or a shared flat with fellow students. Private furnished or unfurnished accommodation in Kassel is also available and can be found in the local paper, on flyers on campus, or on the Internet (e.g. social media).

Students have access to German courses (fee required) during the semester offered by the Language Centre of the University of Kassel.

Students have access to the Career Service of the University of Kassel which supports students and graduates of all fields of study in their transition to the job market. The Career Services offers events free of charge for students. See: https://www.uni-kassel.de/uni/en/studium/kontakt-und-beratung/servicestellen/career-service/home.html.

Mentoring