MA Modern Languages and Comparative Literatures at Birkbeck, University of London

Birkbeck's MA Modern Languages and Comparative Literatures is a highly flexible course offering you the chance to explore the languages and cultures of the French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese, Spanish and Latin American worlds. It also gives you a thorough grounding in theoretical approaches to comparative literary and cultural studies, so you can develop intellectually and hone your critical and analytical skills.

Faculty: School of Creative Arts, Culture and Communication  |  Duration: One year full-time, on campus; Two years part-time, on campus  |  Study mode: full-time, part-time  |  Intake: October 2027  |  Location: London, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

The core module provides you with frameworks for engaging with comparative literature and cultural theory, embracing the work of thinkers like Roland Barthes, Antonio Gramsci, Raymond Williams, Edward Said, Rosi Braidotti, Audre Lorde and Judith Butler. You will then choose option modules that allow you to explore the modern world across different cultures and texts, according to three main themes: ‘Interrogating the Self’, ‘Imagining the Nation’ and ‘Memory and History’. Compulsory modules include Studying Comparative Literary and Cultural Studies in Modern Languages.

Career pathways

You will find MA Modern Languages and Comparative Literatures graduates following career paths in international organisations or businesses, translating, teaching, research, journalism, publishing, law and the civil service. Possible professions include: teacher, researcher, journalist, translator, academic librarian, writer, arts administrator, advertising copywriter.

Official programme page