Comparative Literature

University of Birmingham
Undergraduate PhD Full-time 3 Years Languages

About this course

Are you an ambitious researcher looking to combine comparative studies and critical theories? Conduct your own research exploring world cultures and literatures through an interdisciplinary, critical lens.

You'll examine the dialogue and conversation between comparative literature and critical theories. There are a variety of directions you can take with your research, with our experts on hand to offer their knowledge in specific languages, cultures or theoretical approaches.

At Birmingham, you'll be part of our Department of Modern Languages with a range of research expertise for you to take advantage of.

Our research covers critical theories associated with the Frankfurt School, postcolonial theory and decolonial studies, eco-criticism, critical race theory, gender and sexuality studies, feminist and queer theory, plus memory studies, translation theory and linguistics.

We welcome researchers with an interdisciplinary approach. You can access supervisors from across our College of Arts and Law. Other areas in the College include Film, Music, and Art History, offering you opportunities to explore different forms of culture like music, digital formats and works of art.

Benefit from our postgraduate training programme and exclusive postgraduate events run by the Department of Modern Languages. Create your own interdisciplinary team of supervisors with expertise in the areas you want to research. Explore cultural forms across one or more languages. These include English, Arabic, Catalan, French, Italian, Persian, Portuguese, Spanish and Russian.

Study Options

This course is available in 2 study options:

Full-time Shown above

Duration: 3 Years

Qualification: PhD

Location: Birmingham

Part-time

Duration: 6 Years

Qualification: PhD

Location: Birmingham

Career Prospects

Graduates from this course typically go into the following occupations:

3412 Authors, writers and translators
4135 Library clerks and assistants
2471 Librarians
2491 Newspaper, periodical and broadcast editors
2492 Newspaper and periodical broadcast journalists and reporters
2115 Social and humanities scientists

Course Details

Qualification
Doctor of Philosophy - PhD
Study Mode
Full-time
Duration
3 Years
Start Date
2025
Academic Year
2025
Campus / Location
Birmingham
Scheme
Undergraduate
Subjects
Languages