Introduction to the Comparative Literature MPhil/PhD Program

The University College London (UCL) offers a Comparative Literature MPhil/PhD program, providing an ideal environment for comparative inquiry in the field of Comparative Literature. The program builds on the strength of UCL's well-established language-specific literary and cultural degrees and supports interdisciplinary research across languages and cultural periods.

Program Overview

The Comparative Literature research degree draws on the collective expertise of specialists in the Faculties of Arts & Humanities, Social & Historical Sciences, the Institute of Education, and the School of Slavonic & East European Studies (SSEES). Research students can specialize in any aspect of comparative literature for which suitable supervision is available.

Research Areas

The program invites proposals with a comparative, cross-cultural, and interdisciplinary focus, including:

• Comparative studies of themes, genres, and periods
• Research in world literature, literary and cultural theory
• Material and visual cultures
• Reception studies
• Cultural history
• Comparative gender studies and performance studies
• Diasporas and migration studies
• New media

Entry Requirements

To be eligible for the program, applicants must have:

• A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard
• A Master's degree with Merit in a relevant field
• Established a dialogue with a potential supervisor before making a formal application
• Submitted a detailed research project proposal

English Language Requirements

The English language level for this course is Level 4. UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are available for international students who need to improve their academic English and academic skills.

Tuition Fees

The tuition fees for the 2026/27 academic year are:

• UK students: Ł6,400 (full-time), Ł3,200 (part-time)
• International students: Ł31,300 (full-time), Ł15,650 (part-time)

Duration and Study Mode

The program is offered on a full-time and part-time basis. The duration of the program is:

• Full-time: 3 calendar years
• Part-time: 5 calendar years

Program Structure

The program includes:

• A mandatory skills seminar program in the first year
• Regular research seminars and training activities
• A formal review of progress at the end of the second and third years
• An upgrade from MPhil to PhD after the groundwork for the project has been developed
• A viva voce examination with an internal and an external examiner after the PhD thesis has been submitted

Training and Support

Research students receive supervision and mentorship from world-leading researchers and have access to training courses and research seminars. They are also encouraged to participate in research seminars across and outside the Centre for Multidisciplinary and Intercultural Inquiry (CMII) and to organize reading groups, seminar series, and symposia to present their research.

Careers and Employability

PhD students may go on to academic careers in higher education or careers in research, publishing, or creative writing. Graduates can use their language, writing, and communication skills in a range of different fields and industries, such as translation, consultancy, teaching, marketing, international NGOs, charities, the arts, and heritage.

Funding and Additional Costs

The department strives to keep additional costs low, but students may need to pay for expenses such as books, stationery, printing, or conference registration fees. There are also opportunities for funding, including the Yale-UCL Student Exchange program, which offers students the chance to pursue their Comparative Literature studies for one term at the University of Yale.

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