MA Comparative Literature
About this course
MA in Comparative Literature, an economics and modern languages degree exploring texts across national frontiers, time periods, and genres. Core topics include Research Methods. Students can spend year three studying abroad through exchange agreements. The first year introduces foundational study through subjects like Comparative Literature 1A - Heroes (Heroic Men), Comparative Literature 1B - Heroes (Heroic Women), and Comparative Literature 1C: Heroism across Time and Cultures. The second year progresses with modules such as Comparative Literature 2A - Frontiers (Crossing Borders), COMPARATIVE LITERATURE 2B, INTRODUCTION TO LITERARY CRITICISM, and Comparative Literature 2C - Frontiers (Exploring Identity). Junior and Senior Honours years offer advanced study through options like Intercultural Readings, Theories Of Reading, The Brothers Grimm and the European Fairy Tale, and Postcolonial Literature, Thought and Visual Culture, alongside a Comparative Literature Dissertation or Applied Dissertation with Placement in Comparative Literature.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: ABB or BBB (Additional requirements: A-level English or another Humanities subject.) IB: not published Scottish Higher: BBBB is the minimum requirement from S5 to be reviewed for an S6 offer Offers are not guaranteed to applicants who meet the minimum from S5 Typically offers will be made at AAAAB by end of S6. B at Advanced Higher is equivalent to A at Higher Additional requirements: Higher English and a Higher Humanities subject at AA. (AB or BA may be considered). Scottish Higher (widening access): MD20 : BBBB (also other target groups*) MD40 : AABB* Additional requirements: Higher English and a Higher Humanities subject. Successful completion of Top-Up or one of our Summer Schools.
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What students say
Based on about 16 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 88%
- Learning opportunities: 84%
- Assessment and feedback: 78%
- Academic support: 83%
- Organisation and management: 73%
- Learning resources: 75%
- Student voice: 75%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 8 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 40%
- Working and studying: 30%
- Further study: 20%
- Unemployed: 15%
Most common jobs
- Finance Professionals: 25%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 10%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 10%
- Sales occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 70%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 55%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 55%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 115 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 2%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 3%
- East Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 1%
- London: 12%
- South East: 4%
- Scotland: 73%
- Northern Ireland: 2%
Who gets in
Based on about 20 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 65%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
- Access course: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 10%
- Other qualifications: 10%
Modules
- Students typically take two of: 1A Heroic Men 1B Heroic Women 1C Heroism across Times and Cultures.
- Two further Level 1 subjects
- Comparative Literature 1A - Heroes (Heroic Men)
- Comparative Literature 1B - Heroes (Heroic Women)
- Comparative Literature 1C: Heroism across Time and Cultures
- Students typically take two of: 2A Crossing Borders 2C Exploring Identity
- A second Level 2 subject
- A new Level 1 subject may be taken
- Comparative Literature 2A - Frontiers (Crossing Borders)
- COMPARATIVE LITERATURE 2B, INTRODUCTION TO LITERARY CRITICISM
- Comparative Literature 2C - Frontiers (Exploring Identity)
- Comparative Literature Junior Honours [Year 3 could be studied abroad via exchange agreements]
- Intercultural Readings
- Theories Of Reading
- The Brothers Grimm and the European Fairy Tale
- Postcolonial Literature, Thought and Visual Culture
- Magical Narratives: Imagination, Fantasy and the Creation of Worlds
- Narrating the City: Representation of Urban Space in Literature and Film
- Classic European Cinema East and West
- The Everyday in Film, Photography and Literature
- Global Novels: how translated fiction becomes World Literature
- Myths and Modern Imagination
- Transcultural Connections: 'Classic' Texts and their Adaptations across Cultures
- Comparative Literature 2C - Frontiers (Exploring Identity)
- Bestsellers in the Pre-Industrial Age
- Cervantes in Hollywood
- Comparative Literature Dissertation
- Applied Dissertation with Placement in Comparative Literature
- Subsidiary French Language (Beginners)
- Subsidiary German Language (Beginners)
- Subsidiary Spanish Language (Beginners)
- Subsidiary Italian Language (Beginners)
- magical narratives: Imagination, fantasy & the creation of worlds
- postcolonial literature, thought & visual culture
- narrating the city: representation of urban spaces in literature & film
- classic European cinema
- myths and modern imaginations
- Comparative Literature Senior Honours
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Comparative Literature at University of Glasgow earn?
The median salary is £28,000 after 15 months, £23,500 after 3 years, £29,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £22,500 and £36,000. The £29,000 median after five years is £19,500 less than the UK median for Economics.
What do graduates of MA Comparative Literature at University of Glasgow do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MA Comparative Literature at University of Glasgow?
88% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA Comparative Literature at University of Glasgow?
The typical offer is ABB at A level. The average entrant had 200 UCAS points.
Does MA Comparative Literature at University of Glasgow include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on MA Comparative Literature at University of Glasgow?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.