Key information
Duration
- Full-time: 36 months
Start dates & application deadlines
- Starting September 2026 – Apply anytime.
- Starting January 2027 – Apply anytime.
- Starting April 2027 – Apply anytime.
There is no fixed closing date for applications, but decisions on applications will be made as quickly as possible.
Language
English
Delivered
On Campus
Campus Location
London, United Kingdom
Disciplines
Literature
Overview
The Comparative Literature PhD students at Queen Mary University of London receive high-quality academic supervision from active research staff, and benefit from participating in the Department’s thriving research community.
Features
- PhD students participate actively in the research community at QMUL and beyond, by presenting their own work at staff-student research seminars and at events hosted by the London Intercollegiate Network for Comparative Studies (LINKS).
Visit the programme website for more information
Programme Structure
Curriculum
- PhD students also have opportunities to organising talks and events, often featuring invited speakers.
- Comparative Literature PhD students have opportunities to seek part-time employment to assist in teaching within the Department, thereby receiving relevant training for academic career paths.
Admission requirements
Academic requirements
GPA: Upper Second Class
English requirements
TOEFL® IBT: 100 (score refers to the total score of 4 subjects: writing, listening, speaking, and reading, each subject has a range of 0-30)
PTE Academic: 76 (score refers to a total score which ranges between 10 and 90)
IELTS: 7 (score refers to the combined average score of 4 subjects: writing, listening, speaking, and reading)
General requirements
- a Bachelor's degree (or international equivalent) in Literature or a related subject, with a minimum final degree classification of 2.1 (or international equivalent)
- a Master's degree (or international equivalent) in Literature or a related subject, with a minimum final degree classification of Merit (or international equivalent)
- proof of proficiency in academic English (e.g., minimum IELTS 7.0, with a minimum of 7.0 in writing), where applicable
- a compelling research proposal that closely aligns with the research interests and expertise of staff in the department
- capacity to conduct independent and original PhD-level research (as evidenced by a statement of purpose and letters of reference)
Fees and funding
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees are shown in AUD and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.
- International (non-residents): 43,547 AUD / year (≈ 23,050 GBP / year)
- Domestic (citizens or residents): 9,042 AUD / year (≈ 4,786 GBP / year)
Living costs
London, United Kingdom: 2,148-4,075 AUD / month
Funding
Scholarships
Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Comparative Literature.
You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.
- HSS PhD Studentships – Queen Mary University of London – Grant – Various benefits – Deadline: Not specified
- Egyptian Bureau for Cultural & Educational Affairs- PhD Scholarships – Queen Mary University of London – Grant – 1592 GBP – Deadline: Not specified
- National Research and Innovation Agency of Uruguay – Queen Mary University of London – Grant – 20000 USD – Deadline: Not specified – Merit-based
- China Scholarship Council Scholarships – Queen Mary University of London – Grant – Various benefits – Deadline: 28 Jan 2027 – Merit-based
- ANID (Becas Chile) Scholarship – Queen Mary University of London – Grant – Various benefits – Deadline: Not specified – Merit-based
- Turkish Embassy Scholarships – Queen Mary University of London – Grant – Various benefits – Deadline: Not specified – Merit-based
- Queen Mary Alumni Loyalty Award – Queen Mary University of London – Grant – 1000 GBP – Deadline: Anytime – Merit-based
- Children of Alumni Award – Queen Mary University of London – Grant – 1000 GBP – Deadline: Not specified – Need-based
- Fulbright U.S. Student Program – U.S. government – Grant – Various benefits – Deadline: 07 Oct 2026
- ServiceScape Scholarship – ServiceScape – Grant – 1000 USD – Deadline: 30 Nov 2026
- ACES Scholarships – ACES Education Fund – Grant – 3500 USD – Deadline: 15 Nov 2026
- Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility – OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation – Grant – Various benefits – Deadline: Not specified – Merit-based
- Scholarships for PhD Students – Junhua Li – Grant – 19000 GBP – Deadline: Not specified – Merit-based
- Boustany Astronomy PhD Scholarship – Boustany Foundation – Grant – Various benefits – Deadline: 28 Feb 2027 – Merit-based
- $1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship – IvyPanda – Grant – 1000 USD – Deadline: 31 Oct 2026 – Merit-based
- Voice Talent Online Scholarship – Voice Talent Online – Grant – 1000 USD – Deadline: 01 Mar 2027 – Merit-based
- The PhD Prep Fellowship – Admit Lab – Grant – 10000 USD – Deadline: 01 Sep 2026 – Merit-based
- Dream Chaser Scholarship – Salvado Law – Grant – 1000 USD – Deadline: 13 Jan 2027 – Merit-based
- Scholarship for students with disabilities – Anonymous Hope Fund – Grant – 3000 USD – Deadline: 31 Dec 2026 – Need-based
- Commonwealth Shared Scholarship – University Bids – UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) – Grant – 22500 GBP – Deadline: Not specified
- Grants of the Leopold Figl Foundation for students with residence in Lower Austria – Leopold Figl Foundation – Grant – Various benefits – Deadline: 31 Dec 2026 – Need-based
- The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship – IELTS from 6 to 9 – Grant – 1500 USD – Deadline: Not specified
- Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme – The Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme – Grant – 12000 USD – Deadline: 11 Jan 2027