MLitt in German and Comparative Literature
St Andrews, United Kingdom
Master degree
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
07 Aug 2027
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2027
TUITION FEES
GBP 21,390 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* overseas / home: £6,930
Key Summary
About: The MLitt in German and Comparative Literature is a two-year taught programme jointly offered by the University of St Andrews (MLitt) and the University of Bonn (MA). You’ll spend year one in Germany and year two in Scotland, become bilingual and intercultural, and build research, communication and writing skills for PhD study or advanced careers. The course combines comparative literature and German studies, from medieval to 21st-century literature, and is taught by internationally renowned experts.
Career Outcomes: Career opportunities include academia, translation, publishing, research, subtitling, public service; recent posts include CBI adviser and GCHQ officer and university teaching roles.
The MLitt in German and Comparative Literature offers a unique opportunity to gain a comparative perspective on German literature through a joint qualification from the University of St Andrews (MLitt) and the University of Bonn in Germany (MA).
Course details
The MLitt in German and Comparative Literature is a two-year taught program run jointly by the School of Modern Languages at St Andrews and the University of Bonn.
The program will deepen your knowledge of the latest thinking in literary and comparative studies and give you the research, communication, and writing skills needed to embark on a Ph.D. or top-level graduate career.
Students spend their first year in Germany and the second year in Scotland.
Highlights
- Students become truly bilingual and intercultural by studying at two world-renowned and historic universities
- The course combines a theoretical grounding in comparative literature with the practical experience of a transnational degree
- The program is taught by a group of internationally renowned experts in all major areas of German and comparative studies from the Middle Ages to the 21st century.
The modules published below are examples of what has been taught in previous academic years and may be subject to change before you start your program.
Compulsory
Comparative Methodologies and Research Skills 1 - You will problematize established approaches and explore new and emerging directions to conceptualize how you think texts might best be analyzed and compared. The module's methodologies will underpin your acquisition of a range of transferable skills essential in academic research and non-academic roles.
Optional
Literary and Cultural Introspection - invites you to look inward and consider areas of critical importance such as sex, gender, race, psychoanalysis, and the medical humanities in relation to the self. You will engage with case studies in translation from experts across the School of Modern Languages to encourage a breadth of scholarship.
Dissertation
In the second semester at St Andrew's, students specialize in an area of choice within German or comparative literature and write an 18,000-word dissertation under the joint supervision of one professor in Bonn and one supervisor in St Andrews. This is an in-depth independent research project that serves as an ideal preparation for the demands of a PhD.
If students choose not to complete the dissertation requirement for the MLitt, there are exit awards available that allow suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma. By choosing an exit award, you will finish your degree at the end of the second semester of study at St Andrew's and receive a PGDip instead of an MLitt.
Teaching
Teaching format
Students spend their first year at the University of Bonn in Germany where they will take two compulsory modules on comparative literature and have a choice of optional modules covering a wide range of topics from medieval texts to current trends in German literature.
Students will spend their second year at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, where one semester will be devoted to studying two compulsory modules (and in some cases an additional optional module), and the second semester will be spent focused on writing an 18,000-word dissertation.
The University of St Andrews is committed to attracting the very best students, regardless of financial circumstances.
All Home-funded students benefit from a tuition fee scholarship that covers almost 75% of the tuition fees. This scholarship is automatically applied, and students don’t need to apply for it.
The University of St Andrews offers postgraduate scholarships and other financial awards. These may be held in addition to external funding or awards from a government body. These may also cover (fully or partially) tuition fees, maintenance (living costs including accommodation), or both.
Scholarships are available based on academic merit and financial need. There are scholarships available for both home and overseas fee status. The scholarship team recommends reading the terms of each award carefully and applying to a range of funding sources.
Postgraduate scholarships
Postgraduate study is an investment in your intellectual development and career potential. The University of St Andrews provides scholarships to help as many students as possible continue in higher education.
Scholarship availability may depend on your area of study or fee status (for example, whether you are a 'Home' or 'Overseas' student).
Modern Language postgraduates go on to careers in the academic field or other areas, for example as cultural advisors, translators, publishers, or in the public or civil service.
Recent graduates have secured posts such as:
- Adviser to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI)
- Postgraduate recruitment officer at Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ)
- Professional translator
- Research assistants
- Television subtitler
- University teachers in the UK and Germany.
Further study
Many graduates continue their education by enrolling in PhD programs at St Andrews.