Why study this course?
The programme explores the global understanding of literature and culture. You will gain a critical evaluation of classical and contemporary theoretical approaches, study a broad range of texts across national, cultural and linguistic borders, and explore the relations between them.
- Engage with traditional and new approaches to comparative literature, deepening your understanding of the field, and working with texts both in their original languages and in English translation
- Enjoy a close-knit postgraduate community and friendly environment with small class sizes
- Explore new approaches to reading texts and reflecting on your own critical practices through innovative core and optional modules
- Benefit from cross-disciplinary studies via an optional module in the Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Studies as part of your degree
Teaching
Mainly seminars.
Class sizes
Typically 5 to 15 students.
Dissertation
A 15,000-word project with ongoing support.
Assessment
Modules are assessed through coursework. There are no final exams.
Modules
The St Andrews degree structure is designed to be flexible. You study compulsory modules delivering core learning together with optional modules you choose from the list available that year.
You must take at least one optional module.
If you choose not to complete the dissertation requirement for the MLitt, there is an exit award available that allows suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) or postgraduate certificate (PGCert) instead, finishing the course at the end of the second semester of study.
For more details, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the module catalogue. The modules are examples from previous academic years and may be subject to change before you start your course.
What it will lead to
Careers
Alongside your academic learning, you will develop your broader capabilities and employability.
Graduates have gone on to careers in fields including:
- consulting
- energy resource management
- international development
- journalism
- UN interpreting
- public policy
- publishing
- the civil and diplomatic services
- University academics and administrators
We are committed to supporting your career aspirations, whatever stage your career is at. Our Careers Centre can help connect you to our extensive global alumni community for advice and mentoring, as well as offering career coaching, bespoke workshops, employer connections, experiences, and application support.
Our International Education and Lifelong Learning Institute can also support you with academic and professional skills development.
The University’s Entrepreneurship Centre offers start-up support for those looking to freelance as well as create their own business.
Elevate your career
Alumni of Modern Languages postgraduate programmes have gone on to work in a variety of global, commercial, financial and research institutions, including:
- Deutsche Welle
- Morgan Stanley
- Usborne Publishing
- World Bank
Further your education
As well as a PhD degree, the School of Modern Languages offers supervision for two research-based Masters degrees – the Master of Studies by Research (MSt (Res)) and the Master of Philosophy (MPhil).
Expand your network
Engage with the School's wider research community through research seminars, its four research centres and institutes, and its highly successful Byre World series.
Why St Andrews?
The School of Modern Languages is the largest modern languages department in Scotland and one of the largest in the UK.
We are also distinguished by the breadth of our research which spans language, literary and cultural studies across eight distinct language areas – Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Persian, Russian and Spanish – and Comparative Literature. Our research covers a range of cultural-historical epochs from the Middle Ages to the present day. This breadth is reflected in the literary and cultural topics you will study on the degree.
The School promotes discipline-specific and collaborative teaching and learning so you may explore your own particular interests in greater depth and breadth.
Alumni
When you graduate you become a member of the University's worldwide alumni community. Benefit from access to alumni clubs, the Saint Connect networking and mentoring platform, and careers support.
“It’s a stimulating environment – engaging with different perspectives and having my views challenged has been beneficial to me both personally and to my academic growth. I’ve had the chance to meet new scholars, organise conferences, build my academic portfolio and teach. Be prepared to work hard but also you will have the best time of your life.”
- Livorno, Italy
Ask a student
If you are interested in learning what it's like to be a student at St Andrews you can speak to one of our student ambassadors. They'll let you know about their top tips, best study spots, favourite traditions and more.
Entry requirements
- A 2.1 Honours undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.
- English language proficiency. See English language tests and qualifications.
The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.
Application requirements
- CV or résumé with a history of your education and employment
- personal statement of around 500 words outlining your personal motivations for applying and how the course fits with your career ambitions
- sample of your own, single-authored academic written work of around 2,000 words in English
- two references, one of which must be academic
- academic transcript and degree certificate
For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.
English language proficiency
If English is not your first language, you may need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability. See approved English language tests and scores for this course.
Fees and funding
- UK: £12,030
- Rest of the world: £25,900
Before we can begin processing your application, a payment of an application fee of £50 is required. In some instances, you may be eligible for an application fee waiver. Details of this, along with information on our tuition fees, can be found on the postgraduate fees and funding page.
Scholarships and funding
We are committed to supporting you through your studies, regardless of your financial circumstances. You may be eligible for scholarships, discounts or other support:
Start your journey
Legal notices
Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our Admissions policy
Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in the course archive.
Curriculum development
As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience. Our approach to course revision is described online.
Tuition fees
The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees. The University’s approach to fee setting is described online.
Page last updated: 17 March 2025
