Applying: MPhil in European, Latin American and Comparative Literatures and Cultures
Please see the听听section for general information on applying, funding options and deadlines.听听
Further course information is available听here.
Who should apply
Applications for the MPhil course are welcomed from those who have or expect to obtain a good first degree (at least a high 2.1 or the equivalent) in Modern European Language/Culture. 听Other听humanities degrees are also considered.听听
By "comparative literatures and cultures", we do not mean the study of any or all literatures in English translation, and we would expect our students to have reading competency in at least one of the language areas covered by the Faculty of Modern and Medieval Languages (i.e. European languages other than English, which includes the development of these languages in other parts of the world, e.g. Spanish and Portuguese in Latin America). Students sometimes have this competency in more than one MMLL language, but many students use the MPhil to work solely on primary material from one particular language (e.g. working on Russian primary material alone for all of their written work here). It is sometimes possible to develop your knowledge of one of these MMLL languages whilst you鈥檙e here (e.g. via the University Language Centre), though not plausible to do so from scratch. In addition to writing on the ELAC MPhil about material in the languages covered by MMLL, you can also write about English language material (e.g. someone working on 19th century literature in the second term might write an essay comparing Madame Bovary and Jane Eyre). But students who wish to work solely on texts written in English or translated into English will find relevant MPhils in the English Faculty. It is possible on the ELAC programme to use conceptual and theoretical material in English translation.
Applicants for the MPhil by Thesis should already have a substantial level of familiarity with the study of literary texts听or other cultural material in the relevant culture, and who already know the area they wish to research for their thesis. To be eligible for consideration for the 'By Thesis' MPhil, a student will need (a) an appropriate level of linguistic and/or cultural expertise and (b) a clear idea of the area in which the thesis will be written.
If you are not a native English speaker we would expect you to have passed an English Language Proficiency test at the required level. The following examinations with minimum scores are accepted: IELTS 7.5 (with a minimum of 7 in each unit); TOEFL听iBT听110 (with at least 25 in each individual element);听CAE Grade A or B (with at least 193 in each individual element) plus a language centre assessment;听CPE Grade A, B or C听(with at least 200 in each individual element).听
How to apply & Funding
You can apply online at the . 听Their site also听provides detail on the course structure and content;听fee rates;听information on the College system; and information听regarding the application process.
Please find further information regarding applications and funding on our听Applying to听MMLL听辫补驳别.
Central University information on funding can be found听, and a link to the University's funding search can be found听.
When to apply
Please see for information on deadlines.
Supporting documents
Once you have submitted your Applicant Portal听application online and paid the听application fee, you will later receive an email which will grant you access to your Applicant Self-Service. 听At this stage you will be able to upload your supporting documents.
- Academic transcripts for any degree-level courses you have taken
- Evidence of your English ability (if you are not a native English speaker)
- A sample of writing, of听approx 3000 words. The sample can be either an essay produced during undergraduate studies or a section of a dissertation, and must be a single-authored work in English. 听
- A research proposal, maximum one page.
- Your curriculum vitae (CV)
Your nominated referees will be sent an automated email when you submit your application, inviting them to upload their references directly to the system. 听
Further information on supporting documents can be found on the .
Consideration of applications
Applicants who apply for US Gates funding by the October funding deadline may normally expect to receive an admissions decision in December. 听All other applicants who apply by the funding deadline in January may normally expect to receive a decision before the end of March, and the majority of offers are made in February and March. 听Following the funding deadlines, applications are processed on a rolling basis and applicants may normally expect a decision within 12 weeks following the submission of their completed application and required supporting documents. 听Occasionally, applicants may not receive a decision within the normal timeframe due to being placed on a reserve list. 听If this is the case then the Faculty will be in touch to let applicants know. 听Normally the latest date for decisions to be communicated is the end of June.
Finding a supervisor
Though not compulsory, it is a good idea to try to identify in your application a potential supervisor for your MPhil dissertation by looking at听the relevant page on the Faculty website.听 This link allows you to search by language and subject area, and to look at the research interests of particular academics. You do not have to contact a potential supervisor before applying, but you should feel free to do so. They can sometimes be a source of useful advice about your research topic or about their own availability as a supervisor.听
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