BA Comparative Literatures and Cultures (Q200)

2025 entry

Course summary

BA Comparative Literatures and Cultures offers an exciting opportunity to study a wealth of international cultural production in depth and breadth.

You will study the literatures and cultures of the world in comparative frameworks that draw on methodologies from textual, cultural, and visual studies, as well as from translation, philosophy, history, social science and critical theory. Texts will be read in English translation.

This programme encourages a range of attributes that are highly valued by employers, such as intercultural understanding, analytical and critical thinking, clarity and self-confidence in communication, an aptitude for collaborative work, and creativity. It will instil habits of curiosity, openness, rigour, self-reflection, and evidence-based thinking, which will prepare you for a flexible career across a wide variety of sectors.

You will have access to our state-of-the-art Multimedia Centre, with a collection of movies from all over the world, a student cinema suite, an audio recording and video editing studio, a computer and language lab, and study areas. You can access extracurricular activities such as talks by visiting speakers, societies, language cafes, student newspapers, and talent shows.

Course structure

In the first two years, you will study core units, such as:

  • Comparative Literature: What is it and how can we practise it?
  • Introduction to Visual Cultures
  • Popular Representation and Institutions of Culture
  • Migrations of Culture.

In your third year, you will complete an innovative, supervised, independent project consisting of an extended essay on a topic of your choice and a public-facing element presented to the entire cohort.

Additionally, you will have a wide choice of optional units based in either the culture of a single language or a combination of cultures. Units are informed by staff research interests, and you will be taught by experts in their fields.

Teaching is delivered through lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops, and one-to-one project supervision. Assessments may include presentations, essays, commentaries, exams, collaborative projects, debates, podcasts, video essays, and dissertations.

Full details about the course structure and units for this course can be viewed in the programme catalogue.

Go to programme catalogue

Entry requirements

We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Below is a guide to the typical offers for this course.

AAB
DDD in any Applied General BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma

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34 points overall with 17 at Higher Level
31 points overall with 15 at Higher Level

Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offer
80% overall
Advanced Higher: AB, and Standard Higher: AAABB
Access to HE Diploma in Humanities, Social Sciences, Law or History (or similar titles). The 45 graded Level 3 credits must include at least 21 credits at Distinction and 24 at Merit or above.

More about Access to HE entry requirements
Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.
Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/M2 is B, and M3 is C.
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.

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