PhD Comparative Literature at University of California, Santa Barbara

Programme overview

Our Comparative Literature program is committed to the broadest geographic and disciplinary scope, situating the study of literature and culture within a transnational intellectual framework. Reflecting the ongoing paradigm shift of the discipline from an almost exclusive focus on European perspectives to a more properly global awareness, our curriculum encompasses a worldwide range of languages and cultures.

Faculty: College of Letters and Science | Department: Department of Comparative Literature | Study mode: full-time | Location: Santa Barbara, CA, United States

Career pathways

Graduate and professional pathways include Education; Publishing; Law and diplomacy. Top employers include Universities, Colleges, Independent Schools, Publishing companies.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

University-level graduate application (applies to all UCSB graduate programmes): online application through the Graduate Division with transcripts from all post-secondary institutions, statement of purpose, personal history statement, résumé/CV, three letters of recommendation, TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo English Test scores where applicable, and GRE scores only if the programme requires them; deadlines and any programme-specific requirements are set by the department.

Domestic applicants: USD 13,722 a year (2026-27). Resident (California) graduate tuition for the year (4,574 per quarter x 3 quarters as listed in the yearly column), stated for UCSB graduate students generally; excludes Student Service Fee, campus-based fees, tech fee and student health insurance. Nonre Source

Graduate applicants apply through the UCSB online graduate application; the deadline is set by each department. Application fee: $135 for US citizens and permanent residents, $155 for all others, payable by credit card, check or money order. GRE required only by some programmes.

Apply through the official page: https://www.graddiv.ucsb.edu/admissions

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