English: Literature and Medicine
Course · 7.5 credits
Description
Health and illness have always featured in literary texts. The course showcases how the two fields of medicine and literature have crossed over and developed alongside each other. It asks how medicine, as an art, practice and science, shapes representations of embodied figures and public institutions in literature and, conversely, how literary texts have historically impacted on medical practice. In addition, the course spotlights how literary texts across genre boundaries can invite readers to engage with the affective side of health and illness including such strong emotions as embarrassment and shame. Central to the course are the debates about empathy and the pro-social function of certain works of literature as well as the strand of medical humanities that seeks out difficult, unspeak
The course is offered entirely as a distance learning course using an online learning platform and/or other digital tools. Participants are required to participate under these conditions, and must have access to a computer with an internet connection as well as functioning speakers, microphone, and a web camera. The department will provide information about the technical requirements.
The course is based on active participation, discussion, and reflection. The teaching consists of seven scheduled seminars (online) consisting of lecture components, teacher-supervised discussions, and group discussions. As part of their learning, participants write a short text during the course and obtain formative feedback on this.
The course is assessed by (i) participation in seminars; (ii) a short written assignment (650-750 words); (iii) a short oral presentation to be presented during a seminar; and (iv) a written assignment (1800-2200 words) to be submitted at the end of the course.
Course documents
Closed for applications
Application opportunitiesContact
English Studies
Visiting address
Helgonabacken 12, 223 62 Lund
Postal address
Box 201, 221 00 Lund
+46 46 222 75 50
https://www.sol.lu.se/en/engelska/
Katja Jansson
Study advisor
+46 46 222 84 89
katja [dot] jansson [at] rom [dot] lu [dot] se
Requirements and selection
Entry requirements
General eligibility and 30 credits (hp) from the humanities, social sciences, or medicine.
Selection criteria
English language requirements
Most of Lund University’s programmes require English Level 6 (unless otherwise stated under 'Entry requirements'). This is the equivalent of an overall IELTS score of 6.5 or a TOEFL score of 90. There are several ways to prove your English language proficiency – check which proof is accepted at the University Admissions in Sweden website. All students must prove they meet English language requirements by the document deadline, in order to be considered for admission.
How to prove your English proficiency – universityadmissions.se
Country-specific requirements
Check if there are any country-specific eligibility rules for you to study Bachelor's or Master's studies in Sweden:
Country-specific requirements for Bachelor's studies – universityadmissions.se
Country-specific requirements for Master's studies – universityadmissions.se
Apply
Start Autumn Semester 2025
Mixed-time Lund, part time 25%
In English, distance learning
No mandatory meetings
Study period
1 September 2025 - 18 January 2026
Application
You can only apply for this course in the 'Swedish student' application round. Find out more: Applying for studies – when to apply
How to apply
Lund University uses a national application system run by University Admissions in Sweden. It is only possible to apply during the application periods.
Step 1: Apply online
- Check that you meet the entry requirements of the programme or course you are interested in (refer to the section above on this webpage).
- Start your application – go to the University Admissions in Sweden website where you create an account and select programmes/courses during the application period.
Visit the University Admissions in Sweden website - Rank your programme/course choices in order of preference and submit them before the application deadline.
Step 2: Submit documents
- Read about how to document your eligibility and how to submit your documents at the University Admissions in Sweden website. Follow any country-specific document rules for Master's studies or Bachelor's studies
Country-specific requirements for Bachelor's studies – universityadmissions.se
Country-specific requirements for Master's studies – universityadmissions.se
- Get all your documents ready:
- official transcripts and high school diploma (Bachelor's applicants)
- official transcripts and degree certificate or proof that you are in the final year of your Bachelor's (Master's applicants)
- passport/ID (all applicants) and
- proof of English proficiency (all applicants).
- Prepare programme-specific documents if stated in the next paragraph on this webpage.
- Upload or send all required documents to University Admissions before the document deadline.
- Pay the application fee (if applicable – refer to the section below on this webpage) before the document deadline.
* Note that the process is different if you are applying as an exchange student or as a part of a cooperation programme (such as Erasmus+).
* If you have studied your entire Bachelor's programme in Sweden and all of your academic credits are in Ladok, you do not have to submit transcripts or your diploma when applying for a Master's programme. However, there may still be other documents you need to submit! See the link below.
* Svensk student?
Läs instruktionerna om att söka till ett internationellt masterprogram på lu.se
Tuition fees
Non-EU/EEA citizens
Full programme/course tuition fee: SEK 14 375
First payment: SEK 14 375
Citizens of a country outside of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland are required to pay tuition fees. You pay one instalment of the tuition fee in advance of each semester.
Tuition fees, payments and exemptions
EU/EEA citizens and Switzerland
There are no tuition fees for citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.
Application fee
If you are required to pay tuition fees, you are generally also required to pay an application fee of SEK 900 when you apply at the University Admissions in Sweden website. You pay one application fee regardless of how many programmes or courses you apply to.
- Paying your application fee – universityadmissions.se
- Exemptions from paying the application fee – universityadmissions.se
- Convert currency – xe.com
*Note that there are no tuition or application fees for exchange students or doctoral/PhD students, regardless of their nationality.
Scholarships & funding
Lund University Global Scholarship programme
The Lund University Global Scholarship programme is a merit-based and selective scholarship targeted at top academic students from countries outside the EU/EEA.
Lund University Global Scholarship
Within the framework of the Lund University Global Scholarship programme, the University also offers the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Scholarship targeted at top academic students from selected African research universities.
Swedish Institute Scholarships
The Swedish Institute offers scholarships to international students applying for studies in Sweden at Master's level.
Scholarship information on the Swedish Institute website
Country-specific scholarships and funding options
Lund University has agreements with scholarship organisations and funding bodies in different countries, which may allow applicants to apply for funding or scholarships in their home countries for their studies at Lund University.