Overview

The MA in Comparative Literatures and Cultures gives you the opportunity to study the encounters and exchanges between literatures and cultures across Europe and beyond. We welcome graduates of all arts and humanities disciplines.

You will become acquainted with the theory and practice of comparative literary and cultural studies, consider how concepts of national cultures cross borders and media forms and interact with ideas of the transnational and intermedial. You will gain a thorough grounding in literary, cultural and intermedial theories, critical reading and research skills, and put this theoretical knowledge into practice by studying topics and themes that span the disciplines, national contexts and time periods taught by experts in the School of Modern Languages.

While knowledge of a foreign language is not a requirement for this programme, you will have the opportunity to learn a language at a variety of levels, from beginner to advanced, and to engage directly with material in foreign languages throughout the MA. The programme culminates in a dissertation - an extended piece of original academic research.

As a postgraduate, you will be considered a full member of the academic community, with the opportunity to participate in the many research seminars and conferences taking place within the Faculty of Arts.

Programme structure

There are three core units, and you will take three additional optional units from the wide range available in the School of Modern Languages, or more broadly across the faculty. Following successful completion of the taught element of the programme, you will be required to complete a dissertation of 15,000 words.

Visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content for our MA in Comparative Literatures and Cultures.

Entry requirements

An upper second-class honours degree or international equivalent in an arts or humanities discipline, such as modern languages, English or comparative literature, linguistics, history, visual art, theatre or film, philosophy, anthropology and cultural geography.

Applicants should have studied one literature module, and have achieved 60% or international equivalent in this.

Non-traditional qualifications/routes may also be considered.

For applicants who are currently completing a degree, we understand that their final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades they achieve during their studies.

We will consider applicants whose interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements. We may make these applicants an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so the applicant would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of their degree. Specific module requirements may still apply.

We will consider applicants whose grades are slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements, if they have a relevant postgraduate qualification.

See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.

Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.

Go to admissions statement

If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level B.

Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.

Fees and funding

UK: full-time
£13,500 per year
UK: part-time (two years)
£6,750 per year
Overseas: full-time
£24,800 per year

Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.

More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.

Alumni discount

University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.

Funding for 2024/25

Funding and studentship opportunities are listed on the Faculty of Arts funding pages.

Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.

Career prospects

Studying comparative literatures and cultures allows you to develop a range of analytical skills and a multicultural and interdisciplinary awareness that will allow you to excel in many different professions. Graduates of this programme will be well prepared for doctoral studies in the humanities and arts, as well as careers in business, publishing, law, the civil service, teaching and journalism.