MA Comparative Literatures and Cultures

at University of Bristol

Year 1 
 

• The unit pass mark for the MA in Comparative Literatures and Cultures is 50.
• The programme pass mark is 50.
• Students require 60 credits at the end of TB1 to progress to the next stage of the programme.
• Students require 120 credits at the end of TB2 to progress to the dissertation stage.
• A merit may be awarded to a student who obtains an average of 60% for stages 1 and 2, and 60% for the dissertation.
• A distinction may be awarded to a student who obtains an average of 65% for stages 1 and 2, and 70% for the dissertation.
   

Unit name
 

• Cultural Encounters
• Dissertation (Comparative Literatures and Cultures)
• Research Skills
• Institutions of Culture
   

Students must also take three of the following optional units
 

• The Cultural Imagination of Gender
• Theorizing Violence: Colonial Encounters and Anticolonial Reactions
• Foreign Language Skills for Postgraduate Students (Beginners and Intermediate)
• Foreign Language Skills for Postgraduate Students (Advanced)
• Translation and International Film Distribution
• Pan-Africanism: ideas and archives
• Supervised Individual Study
• Contemporary Global Chinese Literature and Visual Arts
• Space, Comparison and Empire
• Tradition and Experimentation in Twentieth-Century European Fiction
• The Rise of the Novel in 19th-Century Europe
• Theories of Visual Culture: Text and Image
• Museums and Heritage: Critical Perspectives
• Cultural Heritage of the Built Environment
• Victorian Literature and Place
• Renaissance Literature: Texts and Contexts
• The Gothic
• Literature and the Environment: Diverse Perspectives
• Writing in the Elements: Earth, Air, Fire, Water, Uranium
• Rewriting the Bible
• Romantic Poetry and Poetics
• Hamlet: Text and Interpretation
• Intertextual Shakespeare

To be considered for admission to a master's degree programme at the University of Bristol, the minimum requirement for entry is an undergraduate (bachelor’s) degree that is equivalent to a UK upper second-class degree (also known as a 2:1).
 

• We understand that the majority of candidates from India have been taught in English throughout their education. Many departments will accept CBSE or CISCE English at 80% or above in lieu of another English test, with an MOI letter confirming that English is the teaching language of your institution.
• The majority of our master’s programmes require a first class degree (60% or higher) from a recognised Indian university, with specific grades depending on the institution. Competitive programmes may require first class with distinction. If you would like advice relating to your specific qualification, 
• We are aware that at many of India's elite higher education colleges it is very rare to be awarded a first class. For this reason, a number of our departments may be willing to consider candidates from top colleges who have achieved 55% or above.
• Applicants wishing to be considered for research study at Bristol should have a first class pass in their Indian bachelor’s degree and some research experience. It may also be advantageous to have completed a master’s degree with research elements.
   

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. Applicants should have studied at least one literature module, and have achieved 60% or above (or international equivalent) in this. Non-traditional qualifications/routes may also be considered.
 

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you need to meet this profile level:

Admissions statement

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

UK: full-time £9,800

Overseas: full-time £21,900

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.