BA Comparative Literature at University of California, Irvine

Programme overview

B.A. studying world literatures and cultures through critical theory and translation, covering Asia, Africa, Latin America, North America and Europe, in forms including novels, film, comics, urban space and visual culture.

Faculty: School of Humanities | Department: Department of Comparative Literature | Duration: 48 units (12 courses) | Study mode: full-time | Location: Irvine, CA, United States

What you will study

12 courses (48 units): COM LIT 60A (World Literature), 60B (Reading with Theory), 60C (Cultural Studies), COM LIT 190W capstone, six upper-division Comparative Literature courses and two further courses; optional specializations in Translation Studies and Critical Theory.

Career pathways

Prepares students for careers in education, international relations, law, government, technology, communications and media, nonprofit work and publishing; graduates have won Fulbrights and entered law, nursing, master's and Ph.D. programs.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

UC Irvine freshman admission (applies to all majors without a separate major-specific rule): complete 15 yearlong UC-approved a-g college-preparatory courses (history 2, English 4, mathematics 3, science 2, language other than English 2, visual and performing arts 1, college-preparatory elective 1), with at least 11 finished before the last year of high school and a C or better in each. Minimum GPA in these courses is 3.0 for California residents and 3.4 for nonresidents. SAT and ACT scores are not considered for admission. International applicants whose secondary instruction was not in English need one of: TOEFL iBT 80+, IELTS 6.5+, Duolingo English Test 115+, SAT Writing and Language 31+, ACT English Language Arts 24+, AP English Language or Literature 3-5, IB English A SL 6-7 or HL 5-7, or a C or better in a UC-transferable English composition course.

Requirements published at program group level.

Domestic applicants: USD 14,202 a year (2026-27). Undergraduate tuition for California residents entering Fall 2026 (Tuition Stability Plan, held flat for that entering class). Tuition line only; excludes Student Services Fee, campus fees and health insurance. Applies to all undergraduate majors. Nonresi Source

UCI operates on a quarter system (Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer quarters). First-year and transfer applicants apply for Fall entry; the UC Application for fall 2027 admission is open for submission from October 1 to November 30.

UC Application submission period for fall 2027 admission and scholarships: October 1 to November 30 (application opens August 1). Application fee is $80 for domestic applicants and $95 for international and non-immigrant applicants, payable by credit card or by mail; fee waivers are available for up to four campuses for qualified students. UC Irvine does not consider SAT or ACT scores for admission or scholarship purposes.

Dance, B.Mus. and Arts applicants complete an audition/portfolio process, December 1 to January 31; Drama applicants may submit an optional portfolio or audition. Priority deadline for transfer and second baccalaureate applicants to submit the Transfer Academic Update (TAU) is January 31.

Graduate applications are submitted online through the UCI graduate application portal; the non-refundable application fee is $135 for U.S. citizens and lawful U.S. permanent residents and $155 for all other applicants. Deadlines are set by each programme. GRE is required by some programmes only; TOEFL or IELTS English proficiency is required of graduate applicants unless waived.

Apply through the official page: https://uci.edu/admissions/

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