Overview

The Comparative Literature program at the University of Pennsylvania enables students to engage rigorously with critical theory as both reflection on interpretive method and tool of critique.

It draws its graduate faculty from many disciplines: the languages and literary histories of Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, East Asia, and South Asia; history; art history; religion; anthropology; folklore; political science; sociology; communications.

Features

We provide a structured and challenging program in which graduate students can combine the careful study of a particular literary tradition with interests in other languages and disciplinary approaches.

The broad field interests that our students bring to their projects include the history of philosophy, film and media studies, technology and the history of science, and area studies, such as the Mediterranean world. Our students work across all historical periods, from antiquity and the Middle Ages to the postmodern, and across diverse language fields.

Programme Structure

Topics in this program include:

Theorizing in Particular
Medieval-Renaissance Seminar
History of Material Texts Seminar
Humanities Forum
Latitudes Seminar
Marxist Reading Group
Ethno-History Workshop

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 60 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-08-31 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-15 00:00:00

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

100

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Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Philadelphia, United States

Disciplines

Literature View 128 other PhDs in Literature in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

100

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IELTS

Prepare for Your English Test

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Other requirements

General requirements

There is no foreign language requirement for admission. But we are much more interested in candidates who have a deep interest in at least one non-Anglophone literary or representational tradition, and who have already achieved high levels of competence in the relevant language or languages for their desired area of study.

A personal statement of approximately 1,000 words
A critical writing sample of approximately 20 double-spaced pages.
Electronic versions of your academic transcripts must be submitted with your application

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

44792 USD / year

≈ 44792 USD / year
Out-of-State

44792 USD / year

≈ 44792 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

44792 USD / year

≈ 44792 USD / year

Additional Details

Most of our PhD programs are fully funded, meaning the program will pay for your tuition and fees, as well as provide you with a minimum stipend of $39,425.

Living costs

Philadelphia

United States

1313 - 2284 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Comparative Literature.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Features

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Additional Details

Living costs

Philadelphia

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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