伦敦国王学院

Overview

Study literature from six different continents, covering over 2,500 years, and compare literatures, written in many different languages, from across the world and from antiquity to the present day. We offer a unique range of options from the ancient world right up to twenty-first century European, Asian, Middle Eastern, African, and American literature as well as the opportunity to develop your language skills.

Course detail

Our Comparative Literature MA provides an introduction to the practice, methodology and theory of comparative literary studies through our required module. You will then focus on more specific aspects of literary themes, genres, and historical periods, and choose a subject for your dissertation that also has a comparative focus. This flexibility means that you can pursue your own academic interests and develop a specialism of your choosing. In addition, our Modern Language Centre provides modules at all appropriate levels to support your study of foreign language texts. This course is ideal for students who want to look beyond conventional literary canons and engage in comparative study across a wide range of cultures.

Teaching and assessment

If you are a full-time student, we will provide you with at least six hours of teaching a week through lectures and seminars, and we will expect you to undertake 33 hours of independent study. If you are a part-time student, we will provide two to four hours of teaching each week through lectures and seminars, and we will expect you to undertake 17.5 of independent study. For your dissertation, which you will focus on over summer, we will provide four hours of one-to-one supervision and you will undertake 594 hours of independent study. If you are a part-time student, we will provide this supervision in your second year. Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework and written/practical examinations. Forms of assessment may typically include coursework and assessed presentations. Coursework contributes approximately 98% and assessed presentations approximately 2% to your final mark. The exact percentages will vary depending on which modules students choose.

Career prospects

For many of our graduates this course is a springboard to doctoral research. However, others transfer the skills and knowledge they develop with us to pursue careers in arts administration, teaching, journalism, tourism, international organisations, and the voluntary and financial sectors.