Comparative Literature & Culture with Mandarin, MA

In this section
Comparative Literature & Culture with Mandarin, MA

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, cultures, and literatures.

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

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 may also consider pursuing language study beyond the first two years with a Major-Minor named language minor in Mandarin alongside Comparative Literature & Culture while making connections with the contexts of the Mandarin-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 core courses such as:

  • Reading across Cultures
  • Cultural Encounters
  • Modes of Reading
  • Catastrophe and Catharsis

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.

Please contact study@abdn.ac.uk for more information about this programme.

We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.

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 Mandarin?

  • 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.

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.

View the Aberdeen Global Scholarship

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

2024 Entry

SQA Highers

Standard: AABB

Applicants who have achieved AABB (or better), are encouraged to apply and will be considered. Good performance in additional Highers/ Advanced Highers may be required.

Minimum: BBB

Applicants who have achieved BBB (or are on course to achieve this by the end of S5) are encouraged to apply and will be considered. Good performance in additional Highers/Advanced Highers will normally be required.

Adjusted: BB

Applicants who achieve BB over S4 and S5 and who meet one of the widening access criteria are guaranteed a conditional offer. Good performance in additional Highers/Advanced Highers will be required.

More information on our definition of Standard, Minimum and Adjusted entry qualifications.

A LEVELS

Standard: BBB

Minimum: BBC

Adjusted: CCC

More information on our definition of Standard, Minimum and Adjusted entry qualifications.

International Baccalaureate

32 points, including 5, 5, 5 at HL.

Irish Leaving Certificate

5H with 3 at H2 AND 2 at H3.

Entry from College

Advanced entry to this degree may be possible from some HNC/HND qualifications, please see www.abdn.ac.uk/study/articulation for more details.

2025 Entry

SQA Highers

Standard: BBBB

Applicants who have achieved BBBB (or better), are encouraged to apply and will be considered. Good performance in additional Highers/ Advanced Highers may be required.

Minimum: BBC

Applicants who have achieved BBC at Higher and meet one of the widening participation criteria above are encouraged to apply and are guaranteed an unconditional offer for MA, BSc and BEng degrees. 

Adjusted: BB

Applicants who have achieved BB at Higher, and who meet one of the widening participation criteria above are encouraged to apply and are guaranteed an adjusted conditional offer for MA, BSc and BEng degrees.

We would expect to issue a conditional offer asking for one additional C grade at Higher. 

Foundation Apprenticeship: One FA is equivalent to a Higher at A. It cannot replace any required subjects.

More information on our definition of Standard, Minimum and Adjusted entry qualifications.

A LEVELS

Standard: BBC

Minimum: BCC

Adjusted: CCC

More information on our definition of Standard, Minimum and Adjusted entry qualifications.

International Baccalaureate

32 points, including 5, 5, 5 at HL.

Irish Leaving Certificate

5H with 3 at H2 AND 2 at H3.

Entry from College

Advanced entry to this degree may be possible from some HNC/HND qualifications, please see www.abdn.ac.uk/study/articulation for more details.

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.


English Language Requirements

To study for an Undergraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:

IELTS Academic:

OVERALL - 6.0 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0

TOEFL iBT:

OVERALL - 78 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21

PTE Academic:

OVERALL - 59 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59

Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency:

OVERALL - 169 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169

Read more about specific English Language requirements here.

Fees and Funding

Please refer to our Tuition Fees page for fee information for this programme, or contact study@abdn.ac.uk.

Additional Fees

  • In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
  • For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our Tuition Fees page.

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

1st in Scotland for Overall Satisfaction

We rank 1st in Scotland for Overall Student Satisfaction in Linguistics.

Source: National Student Survey 2024.

1st in Scotland and the UK for Student Positivity

We rank 1st in Scotland and the UK for Student Positivity in Linguistics.

Source: National Student Survey 2024.

Our Experts

Programme Coordinator
Dr Tara Beaney, The University of Aberdeen

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.

Get in Touch

Contact Details

Address
Student Recruitment & Admissions
University of Aberdeen
University Office
Regent Walk
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX