MPhil in European, Latin American and Comparative Literatures and Cultures by thesis Program By University of Cambridge |Top Universities

Program overview

Main Subject

Modern Languages

Degree

MPhil

Study Level

Masters

Study Mode

On Campus

The MPhil in European, Latin American, and Comparative Literatures and Cultures (ELAC) provides students with the critical and theoretical tools to enable them to undertake an in-depth study of specific aspects of European literatures and cultures and/or Latin American and Francophone contexts. The core course introduces students to a broad range of critical theory concepts and methods of textual analysis (and, if relevant, paleography). The course as a whole allows for in-depth study of specific cultures and contexts, and includes the writing of a thesis based on original research.
The MPhil in European, Latin American and Comparative Literatures and Cultures (ELAC) by Thesis is for students whose already have a substantial level of familiarity with the study of literary texts or other 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.
The full-time course runs from October to June, with a submission date of early June.
It is also possible to take a part-time route, in which the expected timeframe is 21 months, with a thesis submission date of early June in the second academic year of the degree.
The main aims of the course are:
  • to develop and test the ability to carry out a substantial advanced project of independent research in an area of literary, cultural or film and screen studies falling under ELAC, presented in the form of a 30,000-word thesis; and
  • to develop and test the ability to make a significant contribution to learning via dedicated Masters-level research that reflects the course length.

Program overview

Main Subject

Modern Languages

Degree

MPhil

Study Level

Masters

Study Mode

On Campus

The MPhil in European, Latin American, and Comparative Literatures and Cultures (ELAC) provides students with the critical and theoretical tools to enable them to undertake an in-depth study of specific aspects of European literatures and cultures and/or Latin American and Francophone contexts. The core course introduces students to a broad range of critical theory concepts and methods of textual analysis (and, if relevant, paleography). The course as a whole allows for in-depth study of specific cultures and contexts, and includes the writing of a thesis based on original research.
The MPhil in European, Latin American and Comparative Literatures and Cultures (ELAC) by Thesis is for students whose already have a substantial level of familiarity with the study of literary texts or other 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.
The full-time course runs from October to June, with a submission date of early June.
It is also possible to take a part-time route, in which the expected timeframe is 21 months, with a thesis submission date of early June in the second academic year of the degree.
The main aims of the course are:
  • to develop and test the ability to carry out a substantial advanced project of independent research in an area of literary, cultural or film and screen studies falling under ELAC, presented in the form of a 30,000-word thesis; and
  • to develop and test the ability to make a significant contribution to learning via dedicated Masters-level research that reflects the course length.

Admission requirements

Undergraduate

7.5+
110+
193+
Applicants for this course should have achieved a UK High II.i Honours Degree.
If your degree is not from the UK, please check International Qualifications to find the equivalent in your country.
Applicants for this course should have achieved a good UK II.i honours degree (or equivalent) in Modern European Language/Culture, with other humanities degrees also considered. In addition to this, applicants should be able to demonstrate an advanced level of familiarity with relevant research methods and topics within their field and readiness for advanced independent research and writing. They would ordinarily demonstrate their readiness to write the MPhil thesis by showing that they have written long independent research essays as part of their undergraduate work (i.e., a final-year 'optional dissertation' or 'senior thesis' of 10,000 words or more). Students who have not undertaken such projects in the past are advised to apply instead to the 'by Advanced Study' version of the ELAC MPhil.
All shortlisted 'by thesis' applicants will be interviewed. If an applicant is found to be unsuitable, it is a possibility that we may offer a place on the MPhil 'by Advanced Study' instead.
An ELAC thesis requires research on material in the original language(s). By 'comparative literatures and cultures', we do not mean the study of any or all literatures in English translation. Applicants must show evidence of advanced reading competency in the language of the material proposed for the student’s thesis research, which must fall within the purview of one of the language sections of MMLL. (Prospective students are encouraged to look at the profiles of the Faculty members in the different language sections who might supervise their work.) In cases where one is not a native speaker of the target language, competency ordinarily must be demonstrated by a degree in a field related to ELAC from a university where instruction was conducted in the language in question, or by an undergraduate degree from another university where the student has taken advanced (i.e., final-year) coursework in a relevant field using material in the target language. If such coursework is not indicated on the student’s academic record, the student should submit the results of a formal language assessment of reading proficiency at the time of application (Common European Framework, C1 or higher, or American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages, Advanced High or higher).  
Students sometimes have this competency in more than one ELAC 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 an additional language whilst you’re here (e.g. via the University Language Centre), though it is not plausible to do so from scratch, as you will be busy with the core work of the MPhil.
16 May 2024
9 Months
Oct
  • Candidates are required to submit references or letter(s) of recommendation for acceptance

Tuition fee and scholarships

Domestic Students

27,523 GBP
-

International Students

45,829 GBP
-

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