BA Comparative Literature
Queen Mary University of London
About this course
BA (Hons) in Comparative Literature, a modern languages degree focusing on literature and storytelling across borders, periods, and global cultures. During the first year, students study compulsory modules such as Brief Encounters: Around The World In Short Stories, Beyond Compare: Literature Across Borders, Knowledge and Power, and Myth, Modernity, and Metamorphoses to build foundational knowledge. The second year introduces compulsory study through Adventures in World Literature, alongside optional modules including Fairy Tales: Fiction, Fashion, Film, Performance, Literature and Philosophy, and Literatures of the Postcolonial World. The final year includes the compulsory module Literary Culture in the Digital Age, while optional study covers topics such as Afropean Identities, Avant-Garde Theatre in Europe, Reading for Health: Cervantes and the Storytelling Traditions, and a Comparative Literature Research Project.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
Comparative Literature - BA (Hons): A-Level: Grades BBB at A-Level. IB: International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum of 30 points overall, including 5,5,5 from three Higher Level subjects. BTEC: See our detailed subject and grade requirements. Access HE: We consider applications from students with the Access to Higher Education Diploma. The minimum academic requirement is to achieve 60 credits overall, with 45 credits at Level 3, of which 15 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher. Applications are considered on a case by case basis. Due to the high volume of applications, we do not make offers of study purely on the basis of meeting grade requirements. GCSE: Both GCSE English and Maths at grade C or 4 or an acceptable equivalent will be required. EPQ: Alternative offers may be made to applicants taking the Extended Project Qualification. For further information please visit: qmul.ac.uk/undergraduate/entry/epq. Contextualised admissions: Our standard contextual offer: BCC Our enhanced contextual offer: CCC More information on our contextual offer criteria can be found on our contextualised admissions page . Please note that General Studies and Critical Thinking are excluded from any A-Level offer and cannot be considered.
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What students say
Based on about 16 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 95%
- Learning opportunities: 91%
- Assessment and feedback: 90%
- Academic support: 98%
- Organisation and management: 89%
- Learning resources: 92%
- Student voice: 85%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 55%
- Left higher education: 35%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 20 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 50%
- Further study: 25%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 25%
- Teaching Professionals: 15%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Sales occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 60%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 55%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 110 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 2%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 1%
- East of England: 14%
- London: 63%
- South East: 9%
- South West: 4%
- Wales: 2%
- Scotland: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 45 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 90%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Brief Encounters: Around The World In Short Stories
- Beyond Compare: Literature Across Borders
- Knowledge and Power
- Myth, Modernity, and Metamorphoses
- Understanding Global Cultures: Exploring the Big Questions
- Adventures in World Literature
- Fairy Tales: Fiction, Fashion, Film, Performance
- Literature and Philosophy
- Literatures of the Postcolonial World
- Madness, Past and Present
- Literary Culture in the Digital Age
- Afropean Identities
- Avant-Garde Theatre in Europe
- Comparative Literature Research Project
- Reading for Health: Cervantes and the Storytelling Traditions
- Maternal Bodies: Metaphor and Materiality
- Schools for Scandal: Sexual Fictions from The School of Venus to 50 Shades of Grey
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Comparative Literature at Queen Mary University of London earn?
The median salary is £33,000 after 15 months, £25,000 after 3 years, £31,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £25,500 and £41,000. The £31,000 median after five years is £2,000 less than the UK median for Language and area studies (other).
What do graduates of BA Comparative Literature at Queen Mary University of London do next?
75% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2022-23).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Comparative Literature at Queen Mary University of London?
95% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2024-25.
What grades do I need for BA Comparative Literature at Queen Mary University of London?
The typical offer is BBB at A level, or 30 points in the IB. The average entrant had 136 UCAS points.
Does BA Comparative Literature at Queen Mary University of London include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Comparative Literature at Queen Mary University of London?
55% of students continued into their second year, and 35% left higher education.