Skip navigation
Comparative Literature at University of Glasgow - UCAS

There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Course summary

This Masters offers interdisciplinary study across linguistic cultures as well as academic fields. Benefitting from a strong and diverse School of Modern Languages and Cultures, you will be able to take courses in the comparative study of literatures, film, visual arts, or societies of two or more language areas OR across two or more disciplines. The high degree of flexibility means that you are able to design a unique programme of study suited to your interests. WHY THIS PROGRAMME

  • You will be taught by world-leading researchers working in all areas of the arts, from Literature and Migration, to World Cinema, Book History, Gender and Postcolonial Studies.
  • We have options designed specifically for you, but you are also encouraged to take courses from across the College of Arts, creating a programme which is intensely interdisciplinary, and can be bespoke to your individual interests.
  • The programme is suitable whether or not you already have knowledge of one or more foreign languages; you may follow it entirely in English translation, or make use of your linguistic skills in our areas of expertise. If you wish to take up a new language, this can be part of your programme of study.
  • You will be encouraged to participate in our Postgraduate Conference in Comparative Literature and Translation Studies, network with world-leading invited speakers, and engage with our annual cross-disciplinary theme.
  • You will have access to world class libraries, museums, galleries, theatres and teaching/research facilities, that make Glasgow such a vibrant place for postgraduate study.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE The programme is comprised of:
  • two core courses
  • a selection of optional courses
  • an independent research project (dissertation), which provides an opportunity for you to identify an area of interest for an in-depth critical exploration.
Semester One Core 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO COMPARATIVE LITERATURE (20 credits) Semester Two Core 2: COMPARATIVE LITERATURE IN PRACTICE (20 credits) Optional courses that may be on offer within the School include: TRANSNATIONAL CONSTRUCTIONS OF GENDER EUROPEAN NARRATIVES OF ILLNESS. MEDICAL AND LITERARY CASE HISTORIES 1783-1933 READING THE 'NEW EUROPE' LITERARY TRANSLATION STUDIES THEORIES OF READING READING WORKSHOP IN COMPARATIVE LITERATURE POSTCOLONIAL LITERATURE, THEORY AND VISUAL CULTURE CHINA AND THE WEST: INTELLECTUALS AND KNOWLEDGE DYNAMICS Undergraduate Options and Directed Studies Options: It is also possible to choose from a wide range of undergraduate Honours Courses across all subject areas in the School as well as across the College of Arts. These courses can be taken in their original format (Masters degrees permit up to 30 undergraduate credits) or may form the basis of Postgraduate-level Directed Studies. Languages: The School currently offers Postgraduate provision in nine Modern European Languages. All of these languages are offered at beginners’ level, and most are also offered at intermediate and advanced levels. Classical and Medieval and some other Modern Languages are also available, taught by other Schools. The languages offered at the University of Glasgow currently include: Anglo-Saxon Catalan Czech Estonian French Gaelic (Early) German Greek (Classical) Hungarian Latin (Classical) Latin (Medieval) Mandarin Irish Italian Polish Portuguese Russian Scottish Gaelic Spanish Welsh (Medieval) Courses from other Masters Programmes: The unique provision of our MLitt in Comparative Literature is the availability of courses from MLitts across the College. These will in every instance have to be arranged with the relevant conveners. You may wish to look at the courses offered, for example, on the Masters Programmes in English Literature, Classics, Celtic, Film & TV, Philosophy or Theology and Religious Studies.


How to apply

International applicants

International applicant information can be found via gla.ac.uk by searching for 'international'.

Entry requirements

Candidates should normally have a good Honours degree (2.1 or better) or equivalent in a Modern Foreign Language or cognate discipline (such as English Literature or Philosophy). Recommended: Fluency in one modern foreign language taught in the School and reading knowledge or better in another. It is highly recommended that you come with a strong background in literary or cultural theory, so that you are equipped to read and understand the assigned texts. To apply, you are required to submit: a personal statement of around 500 words explaining why you want to undertake the Mlitt in Comparative Literature at Glasgow, an academic transcript, references and Evidence of your English Language ability (if your first language is not English).


Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

All fees are published on the University of Glasgow website. https://www.gla.ac.uk/postgraduate/feesandfunding/

Sponsorship information

Sponsorship and funding information can be found via gla.ac.uk by searching for 'scholarships'.

Comparative Literature at University of Glasgow - UCAS