Course starts: September 2027 Location: London, Bloomsbury

Comparative Literature with Study Abroad BA

Examine world literatures from diverse perspectives and spend a year at a top university abroad through this dynamic degree. The Comparative Literature with Study Abroad BA enables you to study up to two languages, plus gain geographical perspectives and critical inquiry skills that will make you career-ready. Graduates go into an array of sectors including publishing, teaching and marketing.

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Key information

Study mode
Full-time
Duration
4 academic years full time
Fees (2026/27)
UK: £9,790 per year
International: £32,000 per year
Application deadlines
13 January 2027. Applications close at 6pm UK time.
Applications may stay open after this UCAS Equal Consideration deadline, please check UCAS for details.
Course starts
September 2027
View 2026 entry
UCAS code
Q201
Location
London, Bloomsbury
Department
School of European Languages, Culture and Society
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Entry requirements

Grades
AAA
Subjects
A humanities subject required. French or Spanish required at grade A if one of these is to be studied as major language pathway.
GCSEs
English Language at grade B or 6 and Mathematics at grade C or 4

Contextual offer

Grades
ABB
Subjects
A humanities subject required. French or Spanish required at grade A if one of these is to be studied as major language pathway.
GCSEs
English Language at grade B or 6 and Mathematics at grade C or 4

At least two A level subjects should be taken from UCL's list of preferred A level subjects.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 4

Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.

A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages and International Education.

UCL is committed to widening access to higher education. Access UCL is our contextual offer scheme for applicants from groups that are underrepresented at UCL. We assess your eligibility for Access UCL based on the information contained within your UCAS application. We review and update our Access UCL eligibility criteria and datasets every year, so please check the requirements for the year you plan to apply.

The Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPC) prepare international students for a UCL undergraduate degree who do not have the qualifications to enter directly. These intensive one-year foundation courses are taught on our central London campus.

Typical UPC students will be high achievers in a 12-year school system which does not meet the standard required for direct entry to UCL.

For more information see: ucl.ac.uk/upc.

About this course

Over recent decades our world has become more interdependent and, with these deeper connections, comes an enhanced need for enlightened citizenship; our degree in Comparative Literature offers expert teaching and learning in both language acquisition and intercultural contexts that will equip students to thrive in today’s global society. Over the four years, you will deepen your knowledge of your chosen language while also developing valuable skills in cultural literacy and critical thinking.

In Years 1 and 2, you will take modules in comparative literature and select from a wide range of options across different specialisms. You will also take culture-specific compulsory modules in the School of European Language, Culture and Society (SELCS) or in the School of Slavonic and East European Studies (SSEES). Additionally, you will study language and literature modules in one foreign language selected prior to enrolment, either at beginner level or at more advanced level alongside students taking modern languages degrees.

The third year of your studies is spent abroad, where your foreign language of choice is spoken. You will achieve the same linguistic competence regardless of whether you start a language from beginner level or have previous knowledge of it. At least 50% of the subjects studied abroad must be in the area of literary and cultural studies. You may also study a second language, subject to the host university’s permission.

In your final year, you will continue studying either your first foreign language or a different foreign language, which may be the one you began studying abroad at an advanced level, together with elective modules in comparative literature. You will also take a dissertation module, allowing you to focus on an area of interest from your studies.

We seek to select candidates who, in addition to academic achievement, have the motivation and passion for language learning, for inter-cultural inquiry, and who have a deep commitment to developing and finessing their language proficiency to an advanced level.

Course structure

In Year 1 you will take 4 x 15 credit compulsory Comparative Literature modules, normally 60 credits in total. These modules will teach you the fundamentals of comparatist theories and practices. You will also take a compulsory module in your chosen language (usually 30 credits), as well as choosing 2 x 15 credit language and culture related modules, normally up to the value of 30 credits. In your first year, these compulsory contextual and language modules, help establish a comprehensive foundation, whereas in later years, you have fewer restrictions and are given the flexibility to pursue further optional modules of your interest.

We are keen to ensure that students feel part of a community at UCL and therefore offer course-specific core modules in Year 1 that students take together with their respective cohort. These offer a broad sense of their chosen discipline and an opportunity to share learning experiences. They also support students to make informed choices for their future years of study to carve out a degree pathway that suits them. Please visit our Undergraduate Modules page for more details.

In Year 2, you will take 30 credits of compulsory Comparative Literature modules, usually 2 x 15 credit modules and a compulsory language module (30 credits). As well as additional optional cultural and language related modules, normally 4 x 15 credit modules, up to the value of 60 credits.

There is a compulsory Year Abroad in the third year of your studies. This will not only bring the language and culture you are studying to life, but also strengthen your resourcefulness and self-reliance. You will normally spend this year studying at a university in a country where your chosen language is spoken but alternatives, such as work placements, may be possible.

In the final year, you will take a compulsory dissertation module (30 credits) and undertake a research essay on a topic chosen by you with guidance from your tutor. You will then take advanced optional modules (90 credits) in your chosen language as well course and cultural related modules, covering a range of topics that draw on literature, film, history and linguistics. You will gain expertise in the productive and receptive skills of your selected languages and deepen your knowledge and understanding of associated history, culture and society. 

Modules

In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).

Please note that the list of compulsory modules given here is indicative. Up to 10 optional modules per year are displayed for this course: this may not be the full range of optional modules available for selection. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available. For more detail regarding module availability, please contact the department.

Compulsory modules

Optional modules

Core modules will be taken together with all Comparative Literature students in your year. Optional modules will be taught by specialist staff from across UCL and will provide you with an opportunity to learn alongside students on other courses.

Your language classes focus on developing the active skills of speaking, listening, writing and reading through a variety of methods and media. Teaching consists of a combination of lectures, classes, seminars, tutorials and presentations, as well as undertaking web-based study and interactive group work.

Small-group tutorials, group work and student-led activities are an important element of many modules. Ongoing feedback is given to help you improve your written work.

The language elements may vary depending on the degree and your starting proficiency. On average, they will comprise of four taught hours a week for basic language in Year 1, four hours a week for intermediate language in Year 2, and two hours a week for advanced language in the final year. A significant portion of your work will take place in guided independent study.

Modules are assessed by a mixture of written examinations, essays and other forms of coursework. Project work will contribute to your overall assessment and in your final year, you will undertake a research essay on a topic chosen by you with guidance from your tutor. Language modules will also include an oral examination. You will be required to give presentations, work on group projects, multimedia projects and actively participate in class discussion. Some group work may be assessed.

Typical contact hours vary between 8–12 hours per week, depending on the year of study and module choice, and include lectures, seminars, practice-based activities and e-learning activities. Students will also display a level of independent study 25–30 hours per week , for example, by engaging with key topics and required readings in preparation for the discussions promoted in the course. There is minimal teaching in Term 3 which focuses on examinations and assessment. Contact hours may vary during the Year Abroad in the third year of your studies, depending on the partner university or work placement.

The department will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities, including those with long-term health conditions, neurodivergence, learning differences and mental health conditions. This list is not exhaustive. If you are unsure of your eligibility for reasonable adjustments at UCL, please contact Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

Reasonable adjustments are implemented on a case-by-case basis. With the student's consent, reasonable adjustments are considered by UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services, and where required, in collaboration with the respective department.

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information about support available can be obtained from UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

For more information about the department and accessibility arrangements for your course, please contact the department.

Fees and funding

Study mode UK fee (2026/27) Overseas fee (2026/27)
Full time £9,790 £32,000

UK undergraduate fees for 2026/27 are subject to parliamentary approval and are for the first year only. Fees for subsequent years may be subject to increase: Student Terms and Conditions. UK fees are in line with the Government announcement on fee cap increases. Fees for 2027/28 entry will be published in August 2026.

International undergraduate students benefit from a cohort guarantee unless indicated below, meaning that their tuition fees will not increase during the course of the programme, but UCL reserves the right to increase tuition fees to reflect any sums (including levies, taxes, or similar financial charges) that UCL is required to pay any governmental authority in connection with tuition fees.

International fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2026/27 entrants.

Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website.

Additional costs

There are no course-specific costs for this course apart from those associated with study abroad. Studying abroad may cost between £200 – £1,000 per month depending on where you choose to study. The cost of studying abroad can be difficult to predict as it will depend on your priorities and choices. There is more information available on the UCL Study Abroad website.

For in-person teaching, UCL's main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1–2 is £119.90. This price was published by TfL in 2026. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide. If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc., please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).

Additional funding for the year abroad may be available via the Turing Scheme, although please note that this is an external scheme so funding cannot be guaranteed. 

Why study this course at UCL?

UCL as London’s Global University provides the ideal environment in which to undertake a Comparative Literature degree. You will work with both academics and fellow students from all over the world. UCL also ranks as a global top ten university for the arts and humanities (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025 by subject).

This course offers the opportunity to study one or two modern languages to an advanced level, and incorporates an engagement with literature written in different cultural contexts.

The Year Abroad will give you a deeper understanding of a modern foreign language and its variants, as well as giving you the experience of living and studying in another country.

Our location in London provides access to frequent and varied cultural events, a huge range of museums, galleries, specialist libraries and bookshops, theatres, cinemas, cuisines and cultural societies.

Discover Uni

To see official information about this course and others visit Discover Uni.

What this course will give you

The BA in Comparative Literature with Study Abroad enables the development of transferable skills in critical thinking, writing, communication, teamwork and professionalism for use in employment spheres such as education, publishing, the cultural industries, media, business, government, NGOs and many more areas. Through progressive training in developing independent research skills, students are well equipped to pursue further academic study. Language skills gained through study abroad are of particular desirability to many employers.

Popular career paths for modern language graduates include accountancy and financial services (5.2%), teaching and education (11.2%), publishing, journalism or translation (8%), hospitality, leisure and tourism (7%), PR, advertising, marketing (4.5%), performance and creative arts (4.2%) and media (7%).
Employers of our modern language graduates include KPMG, PwC, JP Morgan, Bloomberg, Accenture, BBC, The Fairtrade Foundation, Unitary AI, Lonely Planet, L’Oreal, Goldman Sachs, Teach First, and UK Government.

Some graduates pursue careers that make special use of their language skills, including translating, interpreting and teaching, while others continue with postgraduate or other study (17.1%) or academic research and HE (4.9%).*

*Graduate Outcomes survey carried out by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), looking at the destinations of UK and EU graduates in the 2017–2023 cohorts.

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How to apply

Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however, applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.

Our admissions process aims to assess your linguistic abilities and attainments, as well as cultural awareness and intellectual potential. We may interview candidates by telephone in order to establish level of language ability. If your application demonstrates that your academic ability and motivation make you well-suited to our degree and you receive an offer, then we shall invite you to a Post-Offer Open Day, where you can experience the teaching we offer and life in the department.

Selection

For further information on UCL's selection process see: How we assess your application.

Apply for this course

You are applying for the Comparative Literature with Study Abroad BA course. For application guidance please visit Application guidelines.

Course starts: September 2027

UCAS applications open for 2027 entry on 12 May 2026.

Got questions? Get in touch

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School of European Languages, Culture and Society

School of European Languages, Culture and Society

Click to email. selcs.cmii.enquiries@ucl.ac.uk

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