MA Comparative Literature
About this course
MA in Comparative Literature, a French and Francophone Studies and German and Modern Languages degree centred on international literary study across diverse cultures and languages in English translation. The first year introduces comparative literature through the nineteenth-century novel of adultery and political drama in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. The second year examines texts exploring good and evil alongside variants on the theme of journeys. Unallocated modules cover topics such as autobiography and the visual arts, bad books, crossing the Mediterranean, cultural memory and literature, experiences of exile, folk and fairy tales, great works and their adaptations, issues in cultural studies, literature and the Bible, the literary canon, and the short story.
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Entry requirements
A level: AAB IB: 36 (HL 6,6,5)
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What students say
Based on about 17 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 100%
- Learning opportunities: 95%
- Assessment and feedback: 80%
- Academic support: 100%
- Organisation and management: 94%
- Learning resources: 97%
- Student voice: 92%
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: 100%
What graduates do next
Based on about 13 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 55%
- Working and studying: 5%
- Further study: 25%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
- Finance Professionals: 15%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 10%
- Skilled trades occupations: 5%
- Administrative occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 70%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 60%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 40%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 20 graduates, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- North West: 5%
- East Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 5%
- London: 45%
- South West: 5%
- Scotland: 25%
- Northern Ireland: 5%
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: 80%
- Baccalaureate: 20%
Modules
- Autobiography and the visual arts
- Bad books
- Crossing the Mediterranean
- Cultural memory and literature
- Experiences of exile
- Folk and fairy tales
- Great works and their adaptations
- Issues in cultural studies
- Literature and the Bible
- The Literary Canon
- The Short Story
- The Nineteenth-Century Novel of Adultery : introduces the study of comparative literature through 19th-century novels, typically from France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Spain and the UK
- Political Drama in the Twentieth and Twenty-first Centuries : introduces the study of comparative literature through plays written in the 20th and 21st century from a range of literatures, typically China, France, Germany, Iran, Italy, Russia, Spain, the UK and the US
- Good and Evil
- Journeys
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Comparative Literature at University of St Andrews earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £29,500 after 3 years, £38,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £30,000 and £54,000. The £38,000 median after five years is £4,000 more than the UK median for French studies.
What do graduates of MA Comparative Literature at University of St Andrews 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 St Andrews?
100% 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 St Andrews?
The typical offer is AAB at A level. The average entrant had 206 UCAS points.
Does MA Comparative Literature at University of St Andrews 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 St Andrews?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.