The MPhil in European, Latin American, and Comparative Literatures and Cultures at the University of Cambridge offers a comprehensive advanced study program designed for students with a keen interest in exploring the rich literary traditions and cultural developments across Europe and Latin America. This interdisciplinary course provides students with the opportunity to deepen their understanding of literary texts, cultural practices, and critical theories from a comparative perspective, fostering an appreciation of diverse narrative traditions and their interconnections. Throughout the program, students engage with a wide range of primary texts in their original languages, supported by rigorous literary analysis and cultural critique. The curriculum encourages exploration of historical contexts, aesthetic movements, political influences, and social transformations that have shaped the literary landscapes of Europe and Latin America from the pre-modern era to contemporary times. Students also develop advanced research skills through coursework and a substantial thesis, culminating in original scholarly work that contributes to their academic and professional development. The program emphasizes linguistic proficiency, cultural insight, and critical thinking, preparing graduates for careers in academia, publishing, cultural diplomacy, or further research. Delivered by distinguished faculty members renowned in the fields of comparative literature, cultural studies, and regional literatures, this program offers an intellectually stimulating environment with access to extensive university resources, libraries, and archives. Students benefit from seminars, workshops, and collaborative projects that foster a vibrant academic community. Whether your interests lie in literary analysis, cultural history, or theoretical critique, the Medieval to contemporary periods are covered, with a flexible structure tailored to individual research interests. Graduates emerge from the program equipped with sophisticated comparative analytical skills and a nuanced understanding of cultural diversity and literary innovation, advancing scholarship at the intersection of European and Latin American literary studies.

The ELAC MPhil is a nine-month course that runs from October to June of any given academic year.  It is classified as a research Master's.  Students are expected to submit coursework and a thesis during the year, as follows:

Michaelmas Term: Core Course

During the first term of study, students attend weekly lectures and mini-seminars designed to give them a broad insight into European literature and culture.  At the end of this term, they submit one  essay.  The essay focuses on a specific theoretical framework or critical approach.  Alternatively those following the early modern and medieval pathway may submit a paleography exercise as assessment for this course.  

The Medieval and Early Modern pathway  is aimed at students who wish to specialize in subjects linked to Medieval and/or Early Modern studies. The course offers tailored training to students working in this field, providing theoretical and practical tools to read, understand and work on pre-modern sources. The pathway is a flexible structure that can be adjusted to particular needs and interests offering a wide range of approaches to a variety of texts and historical contexts. This course is particularly suited to students wishing to pursue their graduate studies further and work on a PhD in Medieval and/or Early Modern studies. 

Lent Term: Modules

Students can choose two modules from a range of module options. Some are shared with different MPhils (e.g. Film and Screen Studies) and other Departments and Faculties within the University, such as the Centre of Latin American Studies.  The list of modules can change from year to year depending on the availability of academic staff.

During Lent Term, students attend weekly group seminars led by the module covenor, lasting around 1.5 to 2 hours per week per module.  Two essays are submitted at the end of Lent Term.

Examples of modules that may be offered:

• Modern and Contemporary French and Francophone Culture: Articulations of the Real
• Searching for Happiness
• Inventing History
• The alterity of medieval literature
• Enlightenment and its Critics: from Kant to Foucault
• Memory and Subjectivity in the German Novel
• The Modern City
• Cultures of the Renaissance
• Marginalities in Nineteenth-Century European Culture
• New Commitments: Literature, Cinema and Culture in Italy 1960 - present
• Dante: Medieval and Modern
• Women Writers in Early Modern Italy
• Culture and Society of East Slavic Lands from the Mongol Invasions to the Battle of Poltava
• Literature and Nationalism in Russia and Eastern Europe
• Revolutionising Body and Mind in Early Twentieth-Century Russia
• Al-Andalus and España: Translatio and Tolerance
• Golden Age Literature and Culture: The Baroque Marvel
• Movements and Crossings: Literary History and the Limits of Representation (Iberian module)
• Latin American Literary Culture
• Latin American Film and Visual Arts

Easter Term

During this term, students write a thesis. Theses must, according to the criteria laid down by the Board of Graduate Studies, 'represent a contribution to learning'. Theses must be written in English. The arrangements for their preparation are similar to those for the essays.  Titles are chosen by students, in consultation with module convenors and/or prospective supervisors, and then have to be approved by the Faculty Degree Committee.

Topics and precise thesis titles must be submitted by a specific deadline in Lent Term. Up to this point the Course Director is the titular supervisor of MPhil students, but once the thesis topics are approved, a specialist supervisor is appointed for each student. 

Placements

http://www.clare.cam.ac.uk/Finance-and-Scholarships/

Feedback

Students can expect to receive an online feedback report each term.  Also feedback on the essays and thesis are provided in the form of a written report.

Assessment

Thesis

Students will be asked to submit a thesis of  no more than 15,000 words.  The examiners have the option to conduct an oral examination with the candidate.

Essays

Students will be asked to complete 3 X 4,500 word essays.  The core course essay is substitutable with a paleography exercise for those taking the Early Modern and Medieval pathway.

• Magistr (Master's Degree) at Pass level. Diploma Specialista (completed post-1991) with a minimum overall grade of good or 4/5 Bachelor's from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and other prestigious institutions with an overall grade of 4/5 Bologna Bachelor's from other institutions with an overall grade of 5/5, Excellent
• Diploma Specialista (completed post-1991) with a minimum overall grade of Excellent or 5/5 Bachelor's from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and other prestigious institutions with an overall grade of 5/5
• IELTS (Academic) 7.5
• TOEFL Internet Score 110
• £50 application fee
• First Academic Reference
• Second Academic Reference
• Transcript
• Research Proposal. Outline of proposed MPhil thesis research (max one page)
• Sample of Work. Approx 3000 word writing sample in English
• Personal Reference. This is only required if you are applying for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship.

The University of Cambridge offers several funding options for students enrolled in the European, Latin American, and Comparative Literatures and Cultures program. Tuition fees vary depending on the student’s residency status, with UK and EU students typically paying lower fees compared to international students from outside the EU. For the academic year 2023-2024, the tuition fee for UK students is approximately £9,250 per year, whereas international students may pay around £22,000 per year. These fees are subject to annual increases, and prospective students are encouraged to consult the official university website for the most current information.

In addition to tuition fees, students must consider living expenses, which include accommodation, food, transport, books, and personal costs. Cambridge's cost of living estimates suggest that students should budget approximately £12,000 to £15,000 annually for these expenses. Many students seek financial aid to cover these costs, and Cambridge offers a variety of scholarships, bursaries, and grants aimed at supporting both domestic and international students.

For UK and EU students, government-backed student loans are available to cover tuition fees and maintenance costs, with eligibility and loan amounts varying based on individual circumstances. International students are encouraged to explore external funding options such as scholarships from their home countries or international organizations, as well as university-specific bursaries and awards. The Cambridge Trust provides numerous scholarships for graduate students, some of which are aimed specifically at students studying European, Latin American, or Comparative Literatures and Cultures.

The university also encourages applicants to seek external funding sources, including family support, private foundations, and cultural associations. Many departments and colleges at Cambridge also offer hardship funds and emergency bursaries to assist students facing unexpected financial difficulties. Furthermore, some part-time work opportunities are available on or near campus to help students offset living costs, but work hours may be limited by visa regulations for international students.

Prospective students are advised to carefully review the specific funding opportunities associated with the Department of Modern and Medieval Languages at Cambridge, where the program is housed. Detailed information about application deadlines for scholarships, eligibility criteria, and the application process is available on the university's official website. Planning finances early and exploring a combination of grants, loans, and part-time employment options can significantly reduce financial burdens and help students focus on their academic pursuits in European, Latin American, and Comparative Literatures and Cultures.

The MPhil in European Latin American and Comparative Literatures and Cultures at the University of Cambridge is an interdisciplinary postgraduate degree designed for students with a keen interest in the literary and cultural exchanges among Europe, Latin America, and other regions. This program provides students with the opportunity to explore diverse literary texts, cultural practices, and theoretical frameworks that illuminate the complex relationships across different cultural contexts. The course aims to develop advanced research skills, critical thinking, and a nuanced understanding of intercultural dynamics in literature and culture.

Students typically engage with a wide range of sources including literary works, essays, visual arts, and media, examining themes such as identity, migration, postcolonialism, feminism, translation, and transnationalism. The program encourages comparative analyses across languages and cultures, fostering an appreciation of linguistic diversity and cultural specificity. Participants benefit from the university’s extensive resources, including specialized libraries, archives, and a vibrant community of researchers and scholars in the fields of European, Latin American, and comparative studies.

The structure of the MPhil involves coursework, which includes seminars and lectures, and a dissertation component that allows students to conduct focused research on a topic of their choice under supervision. The program equips students with essential research methodologies, theoretical tools, and linguistic competencies necessary to pursue doctoral studies or careers in academia, publishing, cultural organizations, translation, or diplomatic service.

Admission to the program requires a strong academic background in literature, cultural studies, or related disciplines, and proficiency in relevant languages may be advantageous. The university emphasizes a diverse and inclusive academic environment, welcoming applicants from around the world. The MPhil degree offers a rigorous yet flexible platform for students eager to deepen their understanding of transcontinental literary and cultural phenomena, and to contribute scholarly insights to these vibrant fields.