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
- 48 months or 96 months
- Study Mode
- Full Time or Part Time
- Start Month
- September
- Location of Study
- Aberdeen
- UCAS Code
- QR33
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 across the world 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 may also consider pursuing language study beyond the first two years with a Major-Minor named language minor in German alongside Comparative Literature & Culture while making connections with the contexts of the German-speaking world. You can also study more than one language and select courses in translation and interpreting to strengthen your intercultural communication skills.
Part-time Study
Part-time study options are available for this programme.
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
-
Year 1: Compulsory Courses
- Academic Writing for Language & Literature (AW1008)
-
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 University of Aberdeen (PD1002)
-
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)
-
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.
- Introduction to German Culture (GM1021)
-
15 Credit Points
Learn more about German 20th-century literature, dealing with the events that shaped German and European history. As in all good literature, we will discuss universal themes and topics covering all of the most important aspects of modern life.
- The Global City in Text and Film (LA1501)
-
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
GERMAN BEGINNERS:
- German for Beginners 1 (GM1054)
- German for Beginners 2 (GM1554)
GERMAN ADVANCED:
- German Language 1 (GM1050)
- German Language 2 (GM1550)
Plus 30 credits from Level 1 courses in Comparative Literature and Culture and further credit points from courses of choice to gain a total of 120 credits.
- German for Beginners 1 (GM1054)
-
15 Credit Points
This interactive language course provides students with a foundation in German. It enables students to understand the gist of authentic spoken and written German and to speak and write about everyday topics with a degree of accuracy and fluency.
No previous knowledge of German is required, but this course can also be taken by students who took German at school before, on any level lower than Higher or A-level.
With 3 Language Classes and 1 Language Practical per week this course provides students with ample opportunities to develop their language skills in class, as well as supporting them to refine their personal self-study strategies.
After completion of German for Beginners 1, students can continue with German for Beginners 2 in the second term of each year.
Upon registration for this course, you are asked to complete a short online language placement to ensure that you are registered for the most appropriate course for your language ability.
It is recommended (subject to individual placement results) that:• Students who have no experience of German register for GM1054: German for Beginners 1• Students who have studied German to National 5/ GCSE level (or equivalent) typically register for GM1054: German for Beginners 1• Students who have studied German to Higher level (or equivalent) register for GM1050 German Language 1
- German for Beginners 2 (GM1554)
-
15 Credit Points
This interactive language course provides students with a sound foundation in German. It is designed for students who completed GM1054 (German for Beginners 1) during term 1.
The course enables students to understand the gist of authentic written and spoken German and to speak and write about everyday topics with a degree of accuracy and fluency.
No previous knowledge of German is required, but this course can also be taken by students who took German at school before, on any level lower than Higher or A-level. With 3 Language Classes and 1 Language Practical per week this course provides students with ample opportunities to develop their language skills in class, as well as supporting them to refine their personal self-study strategies.
- German Language 1 (GM1050)
-
15 Credit Points
This interactive, skill-based course is designed for students with prior knowledge of German. It builds on previously acquired German communication skills to further develop students’ reading, writing, listening, and speaking abilities in German. Additionally, the course provides a deeper understanding of various cultural aspects of German-speaking countries.
Students who are considering applying for entry to German Honours must take this course.
Upon registration for this course, you are asked to complete a short online language placement to ensure that you are registered for the most appropriate course for your language ability.
• Students who have no experience of German register for GM1054: German for Beginners 1• Students who have studied German to National 5/GCSE level (or equivalent) typically register for GM1054: German for Beginners 1• Students who have studied German to Higher (or equivalent) register for GM1050 German Language 1
- German Language 2 (GM1550)
-
15 Credit Points
The course is designed for students who successfully completed GM1050 (semester 1)The course builds on previously acquired German communication skills to further develop students’ reading, writing, listening, and speaking abilities in German. Additionally, the course provides a deeper understanding of various cultural aspects of German-speaking countries.
Students who are considering applying for entry to German Honours must take this course
- Year 2
-
Year 2: Compulsory Courses
- German Culture: Texts and Impacts (GM2016)
-
15 Credit Points
Learn more about modern German history and culture while also extending your skills in reading German texts.
- World - Changing Protests: History, Culture, Politics (LA2501)
-
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
GERMAN BEGINNERS:
- German Language (Advanced Introductory) 1 (GM2040)
- German Language (Advanced Introductory) 2 (GM2540)
GERMAN ADVANCED:
- German Language 3 (GM2042)
- German Language 4 (GM2542)
Plus 30 credits from Level 2 courses in Comparative Literature and Culture and further credit points from courses of choice to gain a total of 120 credits.
- German Language (Advanced Introductory) 1 (GM2040)
-
15 Credit Points
The course consists of language classes leading to advanced communicative competence in German and it will include the analysis of contemporary texts drawn from a variety of contexts. This course may be taken only by students who have completed the German for Beginners courses.
- German Language (Advanced Introductory) 2 (GM2540)
-
15 Credit Points
The intention of the course is to extend and reinforce further students' command of German grammar, vocabulary and syntactic structures, and to introduce various styles of written and spoken German. The course builds on the work done in GM2040 and is intended only for continuing beginners.
- German Language 3 (GM2042)
-
15 Credit Points
This level two language course will build on and extend students' fluency and written skills in German.
- German Language 4 (GM2542)
-
15 Credit Points
Building on work done in GM 2042, the course will develop further language skills.
- Year 3
-
Year 3: Compulsory Courses
- German Junior Honours Language and Culture 1 (GM3038)
-
15 Credit Points
The German Junior Honours Language and Culture course builds on and extends students’ written skills and fluency in German, while engaging with aspects of contemporary German culture.
- German Junior Honours Language and Culture 2 (GM3538)
-
15 Credit Points
The German Junior Honours Language and Culture course builds on and extends students’ written skills and fluency in German, while engaging with aspects of contemporary German culture.
Year 3: Optional Courses
Plus 30 credits from Level 3 courses in Comparative Literature and Culture to gain a total of 90 credits in the discipline.
- Year 4
-
Year 4: Compulsory Courses
- Final Year Project (LA4005)
-
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.
Year 4: Optional Courses
Plus 30 credits from Level 4 courses in Comparative Literature and Culture to gain a total of 90 credits in the discipline.
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 with German?
- 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 University of Aberdeen.
General Entry Requirements
- 2026 Entry
-
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
32 points including 5, 5, 5 at HL.
SL in English is also required.
- 2027 Entry
-
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
32 points including 5, 5, 5 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 detailed entry requirements section.
Fees and Funding
You will be classified as one of the fee categories below.
- EU / International students
-
- Tuition Fees for 2026/27 Academic Year
- £20,800
- Tuition Fees for 2026/27 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
- England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland
-
- Tuition Fees for 2026/27 Academic Year
- £9,790
-
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 University of Aberdeen 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 About 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
University of Aberdeen
University Office
Regent Walk
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX