Comparative Literature with a Year Abroad

The BA in Comparative Literature with Year Abroad at the University of Kent offers students an in-depth exploration of literary texts, cultures, and languages across the globe. This innovative programme is designed to develop critical thinking, intercultural awareness, and advanced linguistic skills through the study of a diverse range of literary works from different periods and regions. Students will engage with authors, themes, and genres from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, enabling them to examine the cultural and historical contexts that shape literary production. The inclusion of a Year Abroad provides an immersive international experience, allowing students to study at partner universities abroad, improve their language proficiency, and gain valuable intercultural competencies. This opportunity not only enriches academic knowledge but also prepares students for careers in international relations, publishing, translation, journalism, or further postgraduate research. The programme combines traditional literary analysis with innovative approaches such as digital humanities and comparative methods. Students will benefit from the expertise of dedicated academic staff, participated in engaging seminars, workshops, and collaborative projects. The curriculum emphasizes a multi-disciplinary approach, integrating insights from history, philosophy, and cultural studies, providing a comprehensive understanding of literature within its broader societal context. By the completion of the degree, students will have developed strong analytical, research, and communication skills, alongside a nuanced appreciation of global literary traditions. The university's supportive learning environment, combined with the opportunity to study abroad, makes this programme an ideal choice for those passionate about languages, culture, and the transformative power of literature in fostering cross-cultural understanding.

Detailed Course Facts

• GBP 9000 Year (EEA)
• GBP 12450 Year (Non-EEA)

UK/EU/International students on an approved Year Abroad or Year in Industry for the full 2014/15 academic year pay an annual fee of £1,350 to Kent. Students studying abroad for less than one academic year will pay full fees according to their fee status.

• English

Course Content

Year abroad

The Year Abroad programmes offer you a unique opportunity to experience cultural diversity first hand, to develop intercultural competence and to benefit from exposure to different approaches to the study of comparative literature. Destinations are in various European countries, Hong Kong and North America.

A foreign language is not required as the teaching language is English, but tuition in the language of the host country will be offered if possible and it is recommended that you take advantage of your stay abroad to learn and/or practise a foreign language

Teaching & Assessment

For most modules, you have one two-hour seminar per week. The Final-Year Dissertation is based entirely on your private research but is supervised by a tutor and includes workshops and the chance to participate in an undergraduate conference.

Assessment varies from 100% coursework to a combination of examination and coursework, usually in the ratio 50:50 or 40:60.

Programme aims

The programme aims to:

• offer an opportunity to study literature within a strongly multidisciplinary and modular context
• widen participation in higher education by offering a variety of study routes
• produce graduates with a good knowledge of a comprehensive range of literary works from across Europe and beyond, from the Classics to the present day
• teach the comparatist approach to literary studies
• give students the ability to approach any text in a critical and analytical manner
• produce intellectually independent and self-motivating graduates
• give students the skills and abilities generic to study in the humanities
• offer students the opportunity to develop more general skills and competences so they can respond positively to the challenges of the workplace or postgraduate education
• provide the opportunity to experience another culture’s approaches to Comparative Literature
• develop the ability to communicate in another language, for those studying in continental Europe, in part through the provision of language modules at host university.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

You gain knowledge and understanding of:

• a wide range of authors and texts from different periods and cultures, from Ancient Greece to the present day
• the cultural and historical contexts in which literature is written, transmitted and read
• concepts such as genre, theme or literary movement
• the problems inherent in interpreting 'the translated text'
• traditions in literary criticism
• critical theory and its applications, understood within its historical contexts
• the study of literature in its relation to other disciplines
• approaches to Comparative Literature in another culture.

Intellectual skills

You gain the following intellectual abilities:

• listen to and absorb the oral transmission of complicated data
• careful reading of literary works and theoretical material
• reflect clearly and critically on oral and written sources, using power of analysis and imagination
• to marshal a complex body of information
• remember relevant material and recall it when needed
• construct cogent arguments
• formulate independent ideas and defend them in a plausible manner
• present arguments in written form in a time-limited context, such as examinations.

Subject-specific skills

You gain subject-specific skills in the following:

• the close critical analysis of literary texts
• informed understanding of the variety of critical and theoretical approaches to the study of literature
• the ability to articulate knowledge and understanding of texts, concepts and theories relating to literary studies
• sensitivity to generic conventions in the study of literature and the problems of translation and cultural differences
• well-developed language use and awareness, including a grasp of standard critical terminology
• the ability to articulate responsiveness to literary language
• scholarly practice in the presentation of formal written work, in particular bibliographic and annotational
• understanding of how cultural norms, assumptions and practices influence questions of judgement
• appreciation of the value of collaborative intellectual work in developing critical judgement.

Transferable skills

You gain transferable skills in the following:

• communication: produce focused, cogent written presentations, summarise information and assess arguments, give presentations with visual aids where appropriate
• problem-solving: identifying problems, assessing the strengths and weaknesses of different solutions, defending the preferred solutions with cogent arguments
• improve your learning, identify your strengths and weaknesses, assess the quality of your own work; manage your time and meet deadlines, and learn to work independently
• work with others, participating in seminar discussions, responding to the views of others and to criticisms of your own views without giving or taking offence
• use information technology effectively, such as word-processing essays, using online information sources and responding to communications by email
• in the case of students studying in continental Europe, enhanced working knowledge of and ability to communicate in another language.

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6.5

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

Home/EU students

The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications, typical requirements are listed below, students offering alternative qualifications should contact the Admissions Office for further advice. It is not possible to offer places to all students who meet this typical offer/minimum requirement.

• A level ABB

• Access to HE Diploma

The University of Kent will not necessarily make conditional offers to all access candidates but will continue to assess them on an individual basis. If an offer is made candidates will be required to obtain/pass the overall Access to Higher Education Diploma and may also be required to obtain a proportion of the total level 3 credits and/or credits in particular subjects at merit grade or above.

• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC National Diploma)

The university will consider applicants holding BTEC National Diploma and Extended National Diploma Qualifications (QCF; NQF;OCR) on a case by case basis please contact us via the enquiries tab for further advice on your individual circumstances.

• International Baccalaureate 33 points overall or 16 at HL

International students

The University receives applications from over 140 different nationalities and consequently will consider applications from prospective students offering a wide range of international qualifications. Our International Development Office will be happy to advise prospective students on entry requirements.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of Kent.

Funding

Funding

Kent offers generous financial support schemes to support eligible undergraduate students during their studies. Our 2013 financial support package includes a fee waiver and cash bursary, as well as additional funds on your Kent account to help with accommodation, food, books and other living costs. Find out more on our fees and funding page.

General scholarships

Scholarships are available for excellence in academic performance, sport and music and are awarded on merit. For further information on the range of awards available and to make an application see our scholarships website.

The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence

At Kent we recognise, encourage and reward excellence. We have created a new scholarship, The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence, which will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of AAA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications as specified on our funding pages.

The Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Literature with Year Abroad at the University of Kent offers students a comprehensive introduction to the study of literature across different cultures and languages. This degree program is designed to develop students' critical thinking, analytical skills, and linguistic competence, providing an in-depth understanding of thematic and stylistic elements in literature from various countries and periods. The curriculum typically includes modules in literary theory, comparative analysis, and language studies, allowing students to examine texts from diverse cultural contexts and understand their interrelations.

A distinctive feature of this program is the Year Abroad component, which usually involves studying or working in a partner country, such as France, Spain, or Germany. This experience aims to enhance students' linguistic proficiency and cultural awareness, as well as to provide them with international perspectives that are invaluable in today’s interconnected world. During the Year Abroad, students often participate in language immersion programs, attend partner universities, or undertake internships related to literature, translation, or cultural exchange.

Throughout the course, students are encouraged to engage critically with literary texts, exploring themes such as identity, migration, colonialism, gender, and power. The program emphasizes comparative approaches, enabling students to draw connections between texts from different traditions and to understand the global context of literature. Assessments typically include essays, presentations, and examinations, as well as research projects that foster independent scholarly inquiry.

The university provides strong support for students studying abroad, including language training, cultural orientation, and academic mentoring. Graduates of the program are well-equipped for careers in publishing, teaching, translation, journalism, and cultural administration, or for further postgraduate study in literature, translation studies, or related fields. Overall, the Comparative Literature with Year Abroad program aims to prepare students for a dynamic and interconnected professional landscape by cultivating intercultural competence, linguistic ability, and critical insight.