PhD Comparative Literature
Queen Mary University of London
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PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

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Queen Mary University of London

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Queen Mary University of London

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Queen Mary University of London

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PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

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3 Years

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PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

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Queen Mary University of London

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SEP-25

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3 years

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PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

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Queen Mary University of London

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6 years

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Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

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Queen Mary University of London

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Part Time

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APR-25

Duration

6 years

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PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

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Main Site

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Part Time

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SEP-25

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6 Years

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PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

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Part Time

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APR-25

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6 Years

SELECT

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PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

Queen Mary University of London

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Part Time

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JAN

Duration

6 years

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Course info

Queen Mary has an active and flourishing research culture with staff working across disciplines to shape the dynamic field of comparative literature. Established in 2012, the PhD Programme in Comparative Literature has since grown to include supervision capacity in European Literatures, the literatures of China and the Indian subcontinent, as well as in world literature, postcolonialism, cosmopolitanism, and transnationalism.The Department is one of the leading centres for research and study in ...Read more

Queen Mary has an active and flourishing research culture with staff working across disciplines to shape the dynamic field of comparative literature. Established in 2012, the PhD Programme in Comparative Literature has since grown to include supervision capacity in European Literatures, the literatures of China and the Indian subcontinent, as well as in world literature, postcolonialism, cosmopolitanism, and transnationalism.

The Department is one of the leading centres for research and study in Comparative Literature in London and benefits from its close collaborative links with the institutions of the University of London, such as University College London (UCL), King's College London, Goldsmiths, SOAS, etc. The Department also has a thriving MA in Comparative Literature, and hosts the highly prestigious annual George Steiner Lecture in Comparative Literature, most recently delivered by David Damrosch (Harvard), Susan Bassnett (Warwick), Haun Saussy (UChicago), and Emily Apter (NYU).

The PhD community in the Department of Comparative Literature is truly international, with its research supported by competitive fellowships and awards of academic institutions in the UK and abroad. Members of the Department have organized major international conferences and symposia they are also actively involved in the British Comparative Literature Association (BCLA), the International Comparative Literature Association (ICLA), and the American Comparative Literature Association (ACLA). Department members also serve in advisory roles on editorial boards of journals and publications series in Comparative Literature worldwide.

Graduate students participate actively in the Comparative Literature community at Queen Mary and beyond, including presenting their own work at staff-student research seminars and at events hosted by the London Intercollegiate Network for Comparative Studies (LINKS), of which Queen Mary is a lively member. Students are encouraged to contribute more broadly to the research culture by organising talks and events, often featuring invited speakers.

The School of Languages, Linguistics and Film is situated in a modern building on Queen Mary's main campus at Mile End. The University Library contains an extensive collection of English and foreign language monographs and journals (including e-journals) on comparative literature. The Library has corporate memberships which enable Queen Mary students to use the University of London Library and the Library of the Institute of Romance and Germanic Studies, as well as the libraries of the other constituent Colleges of the University of London.

Prospective students are advised to consult the postgraduate selector, Dr. Adhira Mangalagiri about potential supervisors before submitting a research proposal. The Department of Comparative Literature is interested in receiving applications from prospective PhD students across a wide range of areas. The Department has particular research strengths in the areas below.

Research areas

  • Cosmopolitanism and transnationalism
  • Exile
  • Translation and 'world literature'
  • New developments in literary theory
  • Literature, visual media and material culture
  • Literature and childhood
  • Literature and philosophy
  • Literature and science
  • Literature and the arts, including iconography and ekphrasis
  • Literature and pornography
  • Canon formation in the digital age
  • Intra-Asia comparison (between literatures of East, South, Southeast, and Central Asia)
  • Postcolonial and Global South studies
  • Environmental humanities

Key stats

WUSCA ranking:
WUSCA student ranking
These are the 2024 rankings, based on ratings given by past and current students.
91/101
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
34th
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
50th
What students say
M
maryam
31 Jul 24

Diversity..Read more

S
Sayyaar
07 Feb 24

It’s good nothing needs to be..Read more

Entry requirements

The normal minimum entry requirement for admission to the programme is an upper second class honours degree in a relevant subject and a postgraduate degree (MA, MRes) from a UK university, or overseas qualifications of an equivalent standard. At its discretion, Queen Mary may accept candidates with alternative qualifications or an appropriate level of research experience gained in the workplace or similar environment.

Tuition fees

Students living in

Domestic

£4,786 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Domestic

This is the fee you pay if the University is in the same country that you live in (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)

The fee mentioned is for 2024 entry and there may be a slight increase in the fee for 2025 entry.

£23,050 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from EU

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from somewhere in the EU.

The fee mentioned is for 2024 entry and there may be a slight increase in the fee for 2025 entry.

£23,050 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from International

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from a country outside the EU.

The fee mentioned is for 2024 entry and there may be a slight increase in the fee for 2025 entry.

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Latest reviews

Latest Comparative Literature reviews

Comparative Literature
Comparative Literature
S
Sayyaar
07 Feb 24
It’s good nothing needs to be...
Read more
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Uni info

Queen Mary University of London
Queen Mary University of London , London

Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) is an internationally regarded public research institution based in London....

Student rating
( 4.1) View reviews
CUG ranking
50th
Queen Mary University of London
Admissions and Recruitment Office Mile End Road London Tower Hamlets E1 4NS United Kingdom
Nearest tube station: Mile End  0.2 miles away Nearest train station: Limehouse  0.4 miles away
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