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Undergraduate
  1. Queen Mary University of London
  2. Undergraduate
  3. Course info
  4. Comparative Literature

Comparative Literature

Stories without borders

Explore literature from around the world, from novels and poetry to film and art. Study diverse texts from a range of cultures, examining how stories reflect and shape society. With expert guidance you'll develop curiosity, critical thinking and an understanding of the many ways people tell stories.
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100%in work of further study within 15 months of graduating

(Graduate Outcomes Survey 2023)

34thin the world for English Language and Literature

(QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026)

Top 100worldwide for Arts and Humanities

(QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026)

Top reasons to study Comparative Literature at Queen Mary

  1. Our Comparative Literature programme has broader horizons than more traditional literature degrees. Rather than concentrating on the literature of one nation or language, it enables you to study literature across different nations, time periods and languages – either in the original if you speak that language, or in translation if you don’t.
  2. We will encourage you to study across different media such as film, visual culture and music, as well as a range of academic fields like geography and the environment; philosophy and political theory; and childhood studies.
  3. You will graduate as a well-rounded individual with an impressive set of transferable skills, including analytical ability, highly sophisticated reading skills and first-rate presentation skills.

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Scholarships up to £12,000

Queen Mary University of London is offering scholarships worth up to £12,000 for highly qualified international offer holders joining eligible undergraduate taught programmes in September 2026.

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360° tours

ArtsOne is a modern building with foyer space, a lecture theatre and seminar rooms. It offers access to a great range of facilities and support for our English, Language and drama undergraduate students.

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Student stories...

I wanted to be in a big city and to study at a credible university doing a literature-based degree that was more diverse than your average English degree. Queen Mary ticked all the boxes, as well as being campus-based (you can practically roll out of your bed to lessons).
— Anja Popp , Comparative Literature BA (Hons)
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