Overview

Understanding literatures—and their place within cultures and histories—means initiating dialogues between disparate literatures as well as between literature and its neighbouring cultural spheres.

The Centre for Comparative Literature enables research that is among the best and most exciting at the University and that, because it crosses languages and national borders, cannot be done in any other venue.

Features

The University of Toronto has the largest library in Canada and the fourth largest in North America. The library is especially known for its collections in Spanish, Slavic languages, Medieval and Early modern, Canadiana, East Asian and South Asian languages and literatures.

The University is home to many centres of research and teaching excellence, including the Centre for Medieval Studies, the Centre for Renaissance and Reformation Studies, the Centre for Ethics, the Centre for Diaspora and Transnational Studies.

The University also has the largest English department in the country, the largest French department in Canada outside Quebec, and the largest departments of German, Slavic languages, Spanish and Portuguese, and Italian.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Practicum on Research and Bibliography in Comparative Literature
Dramatic Text and Theoretical Communication: Bertolt Brecht, Robert Lepage, and Robert Wilson
Gender and Agency
Memory, Trauma, and History
Feminist Approaches to Medieval Literature
Visual Portraitures in Contemporary Autobiographical Narratives
Affinities: Readings of Realism and Radicalism
Benjamin’s Arcades Project
Literature, Culture, and Contact in Medieval Iberia
The Problem of Translation: Historical, Theoretical, and Pragmatic Perspectives
Diasporic Cities: Itinerant Narratives of Metropoles by Travellers and Expatriates
Post-Capitalist Fantasy: Culture, Politics, Subjectivity
Revenge, Resistance, Race, and Law

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-09-08 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-15 00:00:00

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

93

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

7

Prepare for Your English Test

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Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Toronto, Canada

Disciplines

Literature View 12 other PhDs in Literature in Canada

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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

93

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

7

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

An appropriate master's degree with an average grade of at least A–. Normally, the master's degree will be in comparative literature; however, students with a master's degree in a humanities discipline involving literary studies, especially specific language and literature programs, will also be considered. Demonstrated ability to do advanced research in two languages and literatures other than English.
Applicants, including those from the University of Toronto, must arrange for recommendations from two referees; must submit a statement of purpose of approximately 500 words; and must submit a sample of written work, preferably a short essay on a literary topic.

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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

6210 CAD / year

≈ 6210 CAD / year
Domestic Applies to you

Applies to you

Citizens or residents

6210 CAD / year

≈ 6210 CAD / year

Living costs

Toronto

Canada

1502 - 2563 CAD / 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

Student Insurance via Studyportals Partner

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic Applies to you

Living costs

Toronto

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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