Comparative Literature PhD
Awards: PhD
Study modes: Full-time, Part-time
Funding opportunities
Programme website: Comparative Literature
Doctorate-level study is an opportunity to make an original, positive contribution to research in Comparative Literature.
As the first UNESCO World City of Literature, and a major cultural hub, Edinburgh is the ideal place to study literary works of different linguistic and cultural systems, and to explore the relationship between literature and the other arts.
In the course of your research, you will look comparatively at one or more literary themes, genres or historical periods.
Research excellence
Our programme draws on the expertise of staff from across the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC).
Literature has been taught here for over 250 years and we offer one of the widest variety of languages of any UK university, particularly within European Languages and Cultures which comprises:
- French and Francophone Studies
- German
- Italian
- Russian Studies
- Scandinavian Studies (Danish, Norwegian and Swedish)
- Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies (Hispanic Studies)
In the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), our research in these subjects was submitted in Modern Languages and Linguistics (Panel D - Arts and Humanities; Unit of Assessment 26).
The results reaffirm Edinburgh’s position as one of the UK’s leading research universities - third in the UK.
As published in Times Higher Education's REF power ratings, this result is based on the quality and breadth of our research in the unit of assessment.
Join our community and undertake a specialised research project under the guidance of knowledgeable and well-published supervisors. As well as European literature, we have particular strengths in literature from East Asia, South America, Lusophone Africa, and the Middle East, and literature written in English from around the world.
Across the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures and the wider University, we are able to support PhD theses crossing boundaries between languages and/or disciplines, including:
- Film Studies
- Theatre Studies
Be inspired by the range of PhD research in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures
Over the course of your PhD, you will be expected to complete an original body of work under the expert guidance of your supervisors leading to a dissertation of usually between 80,000 and 100,000 words.
You will be awarded your doctorate if your thesis is judged to be of an appropriate standard, and your research makes a definite contribution to knowledge.
Read our pre-application guidance on writing a PhD research proposal
Go beyond the books
Beyond the Books is a podcast from the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC) that gives you a behind-the-scenes look at research and the people who make it happen.
Listen to a mix of PhD, early career and established researchers talk about their journey to and through academia and about their current and recent research.
Browse Beyond the Books episodes and hear our research community talk about their work
Find out more about compulsory and optional courses
We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.
| Award | Title | Duration | Study mode | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PhD | Comparative Literature | 3 Years | Full-time | Programme structure 2024/25 |
| PhD | Comparative Literature | 6 Years | Part-time | Programme structure 2024/25 |
This programme includes optional training on research skills, methods and problems.
Between the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC), the Careers Service and the Institute for Academic Development (IAD), you will find a further range of programmes and resources to help you develop your postgraduate skills.
You will also have access to the University’s fantastic libraries, collections and worldwide strategic partnerships.
Join in
As part of our research community, you will be immersed in a world of knowledge exchange, with lots of opportunities to share ideas, learning and creative work.
Activities range from talks by visiting speakers and work-in-progress seminars, to reading groups, conferences, workshops, performances, online journals and forums, many of which are led by PhD candidates.
Our graduates tell us that they value LLC’s friendliness, the connections they make here and the in-depth guidance they receive from our staff, who are published experts in their field.
On campus
The Main University Library holds academic books, journals and databases.
Its Centre for Research Collections brings together:
- more than 400,000 rare books
- six kilometres of archives and manuscripts
- thousands of works of art, historical musical instruments and other objects
Many of our Special Collections are digitised and available online from our excellent Resource Centre, Computing Labs, and dedicated PhD study space in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC).
Look inside the PhD study space in LLC
In the city
As a PhD candidate at Edinburgh, you will be based in a world-leading festival city with fantastic libraries, cinemas, theatres, galleries, museums, and other collections.
Many of the city’s resources are located close to the University's Central Area, making them very easy to access when you are on campus. For example, both the National Museum and National Library of Scotland are less than one km from our School. The latter is particularly strong in French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish material.
We have excellent links with Edinburgh’s European institutions, including the Institut français, Istituto Italiano di Cultura Edimburgo and the Consulado General de España en Edimburgo, as well as the organisers of the International, Fringe, Book and Film Festivals.
You will be supervised by at least two members of our academic staff. Colleagues who can supervise PhD research in Comparative Literature include:
- Dr Fabien Arribert-Narce
- Dr Susan Bainbrigge
- Dr Claire Boyle
- Professor Peter Davies
- Dr Jessica Gordon-Burroughs
- Dr Emmanuelle Lacrore-Martin
- Dr Iona Macintyre
- Dr Fiona Mackintosh
- Professor Federica Pedriali
- Professor Marion Schmid
- Dr Alexandra Smith
- Dr Katharine Swarbrick
- Dr Sarah Tribout-Joseph
Please do take some time to read over their profiles to ensure that your project is something we can effectively supervise based on our research interests and expertise.
These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.
A UK masters degree, or its international equivalent, in a related subject.
If you intend to undertake aspects of the programme in any languages other than English, you should be competent in those languages.
We may also consider your application if you have equivalent qualifications or experience; please check with the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC) before you apply.
International qualifications
Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:
English language requirements
Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.
English language tests
We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:
- IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
- TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 23 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
- C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 176 in each component.
- Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
- PTE Academic: total 73 with at least 65 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
- Oxford ELLT: 8 overall with at least 7 in each component.
Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.
Degrees taught and assessed in English
We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:
We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).
If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.
Find out more about our language requirements:
| Award | Title | Duration | Study mode | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PhD | Comparative Literature | 3 Years | Full-time | Tuition fees |
| PhD | Comparative Literature | 6 Years | Part-time | Tuition fees |
Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.
Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:
borrowing money
taking out a loan
family support
personal savings
income from work
employer sponsorship
- scholarships
Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study
Featured funding
There are a number of scholarship schemes available to eligible candidates on this PhD programme, including awards from the Arts and Humanities Research Council.
Please be advised that many scholarships have more than one application stage, and early deadlines.
Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:
- Phone: +44 (0)131 650 4086
- Contact: llc.PGResearch@ed.ac.uk
- School of Literatures, Languages & Cultures
- 50 George Square
- Central Campus
- Edinburgh
- EH8 9LH
- Programme: Comparative Literature
- School: Literatures, Languages & Cultures
- College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
Applying
Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.
PhD Comparative Literature - 3 Years (Full-time)
PhD Comparative Literature - 6 Years (Part-time)
| Programme start dates | Application deadlines |
|---|---|
| 8 September 2025 | 30 June 2025 |
| 7 January 2026 | 31 October 2025 |
If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.
You must submit two references with your application.
Pre-application guidance
Before you formally apply for this PhD, you should look at the pre-application information and guidance on the programme website.
This will help you decide if this programme is right for you, and help us gain a clearer picture of what you hope to achieve.
The guidance will also give you practical advice for writing your research proposal – one of the most important parts of your application.
Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:
Further information
- Phone: +44 (0)131 650 4086
- Contact: llc.PGResearch@ed.ac.uk
- School of Literatures, Languages & Cultures
- 50 George Square
- Central Campus
- Edinburgh
- EH8 9LH
- Programme: Comparative Literature
- School: Literatures, Languages & Cultures
- College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences