Introduction
Study literature from across the world and explore cultures and societies in and beyond the English-speaking world. Gain a global outlook while learning from experts in languages, literatures and cultures.
Study Information
At a Glance
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification
- MA
- Duration
- 60 months
- Study Mode
- Full Time
- Start Month
- September
- Location of Study
- Aberdeen
- UCAS Code
- QR21
The Comparative Literature & Culture programme presents an exciting opportunity to explore literature and culture across Europe, Latin America, the English-speaking world and beyond. Our broad curriculum allows the choice and flexibility to discover and pursue your areas of interest as you engage with literature, culture, and society across various contexts.
The comparative approach allows you to study literature and culture across traditional disciplinary boundaries, drawing on methodologies based in disciplines across the humanities and social sciences, including social and cultural studies, textual and translation studies, studies of film, visual and material culture, anthropology, history, gender studies and environmental humanities, amongst others. You will learn from experts in literature, culture, politics, and society of regions worldwide to appreciate different perspectives in-depth. You will also expand your understanding of local and global relationships, enabling you to apply linguistic and cultural awareness when working with others.
You will incorporate extensive language study in French alongside Comparative Literature & Culture to develop existing linguistic skills while connecting with cultural, social, historical, and political contexts. You can also take more than one language and select courses in translation and interpreting to strengthen your intercultural communication skills. You will also have the opportunity to study abroad for a semester or one year to build your confidence in speaking French and experience a different culture.
What You'll Study
In the first two years you will study the following core courses:
Acts of Reading (EL1009)
The Global City (LA1501)
World Changing Protests
Alongside these courses, you can select from a wide range of recommended courses across English, Modern Languages and relevant options from other disciplines. You will also take courses in language study – whether beginner or advanced, chosen from French, German, Spanish & Latin American Studies, Gaelic, Mandarin, Swedish or Arabic.
- Year 1
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Year 1: Compulsory Courses
- Academic Writing for Language & Literature (AW1008)
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This compulsory evaluation is designed to find out if your academic writing is of a sufficient standard to enable you to succeed at university and, if you need it, to provide support to improve. It is completed on-line via MyAberdeen with clear instructions to guide you through it. If you pass the evaluation at the first assessment it will not take much of your time. If you do not, you will be provided with resources to help you improve. This evaluation does not carry credits but if you do not complete it this will be recorded on your degree transcript.
- Getting Started at the ºÚÁÏÍø (PD1002)
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This course, which is prescribed for level 1 undergraduate students and articulating students who are in their first year at the University, is studied entirely online, takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across the first 4 weeks of term.
Topics include University orientation overview, equality & diversity, MySkills, health, safety and cyber security, and academic integrity.
Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Transcript as ‘Achieved’.
- Acts of Reading (EL1009)
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15 Credit Points
This course introduces students to the study of English by exploring the dynamic relationship between author, reader and text in a series of classic works of fiction and poetry. It covers a broad historical range (from Folk Tales and ballads to 21st century postmodernity) and offers a basic grounding in key elements of literary theory, literary history and the varieties of literary form.
- French Culture and Society: from Occupation to Decolonisation (FR1031)
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15 Credit Points
This course introduces students to twentieth and early twenty first century French and Francophone culture and society, focusing on the occupation of France during World War II, gender issues, and the impact and aftermath of colonialism and decolonisation. Students will explore the socio-historical and socio-political context by engaging with literature, film, writing from the period and visual materials. Texts will be available in translation for those with limited or no knowledge of French.
- The Global City in Text and Film (LA1501)
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15 Credit Points
Focusing on major cities in Europe and the Americas, this course unit uses a range of texts, including films, poetry and fiction, to investigate urban spaces as sites of promise, power and loss. Representations of global cities, and experiences of urban dwellers, highlight themes such as empire, identity, leisure, labour and love. Set amid glittering facades and gritty back streets, the texts studied in this course explore the many meanings of the urban experience across place and time. These urban encounters also provide a way of understanding key social, political and cultural moments in the past and present.
Year 1: Optional Courses
Beginners in French will take:
- FR1028: Beginners French Language 1 (15 credits)
- FR1528: Beginners French Language 2 (15 credits)
Those qualified in French will take:
- FR1029: Qualified French Language 1 (15 credits)
- FR1529: Qualified French Language 2 (15 credits)
Plus 30 credits from Level 1 Comparative Literature and Culture courses.
Plus further choices to make up 120 credits.
- Beginners French Language 1 (FR1028)
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15 Credit Points
This intensive language course is designed for students with limited or no previous knowledge of French, whether or not they intend to complete a degree in French.
The aim of the course is to introduce the fundamentals of French grammar and a basic working vocabulary and to give extensive practice in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. If they choose to do so, students who take this course and the follow-on Term 2 course, FR1528, will have sufficient knowledge of French to proceed to study at Level 2 and beyond.
Individual cases will be considered, however, it is recommended that:
- Students who have no or limited experience of French register for FR1028: Beginners French Language 1
- Students who have studied French up to a Higher at grade B (or equivalent) register for FR1028: Beginners French Language 1
- Students who have studied French to a Higher at grade A (or equivalent) or above, register for FR1029: Qualified French Language 1
- Students who wish to discuss their individual situation should e-mail: llmvc.enquiries@abdn.ac.uk or speak directly to relevant staff members as soon as possible and ahead of the deadline for changing courses (Friday of teaching week 2)
- Beginners French Language 2 (FR1528)
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15 Credit Points
This course is intended for students who have successfully completed and passed FR1028 – Beginners French Language 1.
The course builds on the work done in FR1028, extending students’ knowledge of the fundamentals of French grammar and continuing to build their vocabulary and communication skills. This will enable students to consolidate and further develop the core language skills of reading, writing, listening, and speaking, working towards a level equivalent to CERF Intermediate A2/B1. The course is open to all students with the relevant experience, whether or not they intend to complete a degree in French. If they choose to do so, students who complete and pass this course will have an adequate command of French to proceed to study at Level 2 and beyond.
- Qualified French Language 1 (FR1029)
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15 Credit Points
This course is intended for students who have studied French to Higher (Grade B or above) or equivalent level or above.
This course will enable students to consolidate and extend their knowledge of French, written and spoken, working towards a level equivalent to CERF intermediate B1 by the end of the follow-on course in the second semester. The course is open to all students with the relevant experience. For students registered for a degree with French, this will be a significant step in their training and preparation for the required residence abroad in a French-speaking country after level 2.
Individual cases will be considered, however, it is recommended that:• Students who have no or limited experience of French register for FR1028: Beginners French Language 1• Students who have studied French up to a Higher at grade B (or equivalent) register for FR1028: Beginners French Language 1• Students who have studied French to a Higher at grade A (or equivalent) or above, register for FR1029: Qualified French Language 1• Students who wish to discuss their individual situation should e-mail: llmvc.enquiries@abdn.ac.uk or speak directly to relevant staff members as soon as possible and ahead of the deadline for changing courses (Friday of teaching week 2)
- Qualified French Language 2 (FR1529)
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15 Credit Points
This course is intended for students who have successfully completed and passed FR1029 - Qualified French Language 1.
This course will enable students to consolidate and extend their knowledge of French, written and spoken, to achieve a level equivalent to CERF intermediate B1 by the end of the course. The course is open to all students with the relevant experience. For students registered for a degree with French, this will be a significant step in the students’ training and preparation for their required residence abroad in a French-speaking country after level 2.
- Year 2
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Year 2: Compulsory Courses
- Residence Abroad Preparation for Mlti Students (LA10RP)
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This course is restricted to MLTI (Modern Languages / Translation and Interpreting) students.
This course is for students preparing their residence abroad, as part of their degree requirements on Modern Languages (Mode A and Mode B) or Translation and Interpreting programmes. This course carries no credits in itself, but provides essential support and guidance as MLTI students organise their residence abroad to meet their degree requirements.
- Advanced French Language 1 (FR2002)
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15 Credit Points
This course is open to students who have successfully completed and passed FR1528 OR FR1529. Building on the work done in FR1528 and FR1529, it will consolidate and extend students’ knowledge of French language. Grammatical and linguistic analysis will develop further language skills, both receptive (listening, reading comprehension and translation into English) and productive (translation into French; oral language). Students will work towards a level equivalent to CERF Advanced B2 by the end of the follow-on course, FR2502 in Term 2.
FR2002 and FR2502 are both the required French language courses for students to enter the French Honours programme and will prepare them to complete the required period of residence abroad in a French-speaking country. These courses are also open to students with the relevant experience who do not intend to complete a degree in French.
- (De)centering France: Social Movements and Cultural Transformation (FR2017)
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15 Credit Points
The course introduces students to the history, culture and identity of contemporary France by examining key moments and themes in the development of France as a political and cultural entity from the Early Modern period to the present.
FR2017 explores the history, culture and identity of modern France and its place in the Francophone world through topics such as:
- The French Revolution (1789-1799)
- The Dreyfus Affair (1894 to 1906)
- Feminisms in Modern and Contemporary France (1970s to present day)
- The legacies of colonialism (post-World War II to present-day)
- The role of the French language in the contemporary world
- Advanced French Language 2 (FR2502)
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15 Credit Points
This course is open to students who have successfully completed and passed FR2002. It will further consolidate and extend students’ knowledge of French language. Continued grammatical and linguistic analysis will enhance language skills, both receptive (listening, reading comprehension and translation into English) and productive (translation into French; oral language). Students will work towards a level equivalent to CERF Advanced B2 by the end of the term.
FR2002 and FR2502 are both the required French language courses for students to enter the French Honours programme and will prepare them to complete the required period of residence abroad in a French-speaking country. These courses are also open to students with the relevant experience who do not intend to complete a degree in French.
- World - Changing Protests: History, Culture, Politics (LA2501)
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15 Credit Points
The course will span a century of protests across Europe, the Americas and North Africa, with causes including peace, democracy, human rights, anti-racism, labour rights, equality for women and LGBTI+ communities, climate change and decolonisation. Students will learn about the history, culture and politics of the countries where protests erupt, including of the social movements that lead protests. Approaches will include history, literary, film and media analysis, material and visual culture, music and social science methods.
Year 2: Optional Courses
Plus 30 credits from Level 2 Comparative Literature and Culture courses.
- Year 3
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Year 3: Compulsory Courses
Academic Session Spent in a French-speaking country.
- Year 4
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Year 4: Compulsory Courses
- Level 3 French Language (FR3027)
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30 Credit Points
This course will improve French language skills in all four areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing, whilst increasing grammatical and lexical knowledge, as well as sensitivity to linguistic variety.
Year 4: Optional Courses
Plus further courses in French to make up 60 credits at Level 3 (note: LA3501: Advanced Translation: Theory and Practice is an approved option that may be counted towards the French component).
Plus further credit points from Level 3 Comparative Literature and Culture courses to gain a total of 60 credits in the discipline.
- Advanced Translation: Theory and Practice (LA3501)
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15 Credit Points
This course will enable students to gain an insight into the theoretical framework of translation and will also enable students to grasp some of the main issues and concepts in translation theory and practice which go beyond linguistic concepts.
- Year 5
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Year 5: Compulsory Courses
- Final Year Project (LA4005)
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30 Credit Points
The Final Year project offers students the opportunity to undertake in-depth independent study on a topic of their choosing. The topic is chosen by the student, in conjunction with the dissertation coordinator and an individual programme supervisor, both of whom approve the topic. The project can either take the form of an extended piece of writing, a creative output with reflective commentary or an extended translation and commentary.
- Level 4 French Language (FR4027)
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30 Credit Points
Building on the skills gained in their third year of study of French, this course will help the students' French language gain very high skills in all four areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing, whilst increasing their grammatical and lexical knowledge, as well as their sensitivity to linguistic variety.
Year 5: Optional Courses
Plus further courses in French to make up 60 credits at Level 4 (note: LA4501: Advanced Translation: Theory and Practice is an approved option that may be counted towards the French component).
Plus further credit points from Level 4 Comparative Literature and Culture courses to gain a total of 60 credits in the discipline.
- Advanced Translation: Theory and Practice (LA4501)
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15 Credit Points
This course will enable students to gain an insight into the theoretical framework of translation and will also enable students to grasp some of the main issues and concepts in translation theory and practice which go beyond linguistic concepts
We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page. In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips.
How You'll Study
Learning Methods
- E-learning
- Group Projects
- Individual Projects
- Lectures
- Peer Learning
- Research
- Seminars
- Tutorials
- Workshops
Assessment Methods
You will engage in a range of assessments to support your learning and professional development, including essays, creative and critical writing, and group projects.
Why Study Comparative Literature & Culture and French?
- We have strong links between disciplines, offering an interdisciplinary approach to learning.
- Explore literature and culture within a global context.
- Develop existing linguistic skills while gaining a deeper understanding of our interconnected world.
- The School is home to the Elphinstone Institute which carries out ethnographic research and promotes the culture of the North and North-East of Scotland.
Interested in this programme?
Entry Requirements
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the ºÚÁÏÍø.
General Entry Requirements
- 2027 Entry
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SQA Highers
Standard: BBBB
Applicants that present with BBBB will usually receive an unconditional offer.
Where we have more applicants than places we may need to ask for more than the minimum so continued engagement in school is recommended.
Widening Access: BBC
Applicants who meet one or more of our widening access metrics and present with BBC, are guaranteed an unconditional offer.
Foundation Apprenticeship: One FA is equivalent to a Higher at A. It cannot replace any required subjects.
Note: We do not double count a Higher and Advanced Higher in the same subject, but we do consider that a B grade at Advanced Higher is equivalent to an A grade at Higher.
National 5 English (or equivalent) is required at Grade C or above.
A LEVELS
Standard: BBC
Widening Access: CCC
GCSE English (or equivalent) is required at Grade C/4 or above.
BTEC LEVEL 3 EXTENDED DIPLOMA
DMM in related subjects.
Note: BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate (Subsidiary Diploma) achieved at Distinction level, is normally acceptable in lieu of one A Level at grade B.)
GCSE English (or equivalent) is required at Grade C/4 or above. GCSE Mathematics at Grade C/4 is also required for Accountancy, Economics and Finance programmes.
IRISH LEAVING CERTIFICATE
Five subjects at Higher at H3.
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE
30 points including 5, 4, 4 at HL.
SL in English is also required.
The information displayed in this section shows a shortened summary of our entry requirements. For more information, or for full entry requirements for Arts and Social Sciences degrees, see our .
Fees and Funding
You will be classified as one of the fee categories below.
- EU / International students
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- Tuition Fees for 2027/28 Academic Year
- £20,800
- Tuition Fees for 2026/27 Academic Year
- £20,800
- Tuition Fees for 2026/27 Academic Year (Self-funded Students *)
- £14,800
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The above fee includes the £6,000 Aberdeen Global Scholarship provided to self-funded international students. Full terms and conditions apply.
- Tuition Fees for 2027/28 Academic Year (Self-funded Students *)
- £14,800
-
The above fee includes the £6,000 Aberdeen Global Scholarship provided to self-funded international students. Full terms and conditions apply.
- Home Students
-
- Tuition Fees for 2026/27 Academic Year
- £1,820
- Tuition Fees for 2027/28 Academic Year
- £1,820
- England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland
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- Tuition Fees for 2027/28 Academic Year
- £10,050
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The UK Government has confirmed that the RUK fee cap will continue to increase each year to reflect inflation. Tuition fees will increase in line with the Government fee cap each year, and this should be taken into account when budgeting.
- Tuition Fees for 2026/27 Academic Year
- £9,790
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The UK Government has confirmed that the RUK fee cap will continue to increase each year to reflect inflation. Tuition fees will increase in line with the Government fee cap each year, and this should be taken into account when budgeting.
Scholarships and Funding
UK Scholarship
Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland, who pay tuition fees may be eligible for specific scholarships allowing them to receive additional funding. These are designed to provide assistance to help students support themselves during their time at Aberdeen.
Aberdeen Global Scholarship
The ºÚÁÏÍø is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme. More about this funding opportunity.
Funding Database
View all funding options in our Funding Database.
Careers
Strong language skills give you a competitive edge, opening opportunities in the global workplace. You can progress into the following roles:
- Business
- Communications
- Journalism
- Marketing
- Publishing
- Research
- Teaching
- Translation
Our Experts
- Programme Coordinator
- Dr Tara Beaney
Information ºÚÁÏÍø Staff Changes
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
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Get in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
-
Student Recruitment & Admissions
ºÚÁÏÍø
University Office
Regent Walk
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX