As opposed to other literary studies courses in the UK (which are commonly affiliated with English departments) the Languages, Literatures, Cultures course offered by Durham University presents a unique opportunity for students who wish to pursue a degree in literatures and comparative studies with a firm emphasis on working on materials in their original language(s). It will thus combine the broad comparative approach to a wide range of seminal historical and current themes in world literature with a strong grounding in linguistic and cultural competence in a particular region or country.
Its purpose is to provide a solid foundation that prepares and indeed invites students to proceed to a PhD in a corresponding field by placing an emphasis on the research-led dissertation component of the course. With an equally strong emphasis on current topics and debates, it will also train students to take up employment in the culture sector.
Courses include:
Starting in
Always verify the dates on the programme website.
You can choose to do this programme part-time or full-time.
Full-timeMinimum required score:
The IELTS – or the International English Language Test System – tests your English-language abilities (writing, listening, speaking, and reading) on a scale of 1.00–9.00. The minimum IELTS score requirement refers to which Overall Band Score you received, which is your combined average score. Read more about IELTS.
Get a free IELTS practice testMinimum required score:
The TOEFL iBT ® measures your English-language abilities in an academic setting. The test has four sections (reading, listening, speaking, and writing), each with a score range of 0-30, for a total score range of 0-120. Read more about TOEFL iBT ®.
Schedule TOEFL®You need the following GPA score:
Applicants for graduate programs must have the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA equivalent to Upper Second Class on the UK Honour scale. Admitted applicants typically have an undergraduate GPA of or better on the UK Honour scale. No exam grade should be lower than 4.5 (European grade scale) or D (American grade scale).
Your GPA (Grade Point Average) is calculated using the grades that you received in each course, and is determined by the points assigned to each grade (e.g. for the US grading scale from A-F).
Students will be expected to have a BA degree (upper-second class degree or equivalent) in a relevant subject, such as language (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Russian), literature or linguistics from a recognised national or international university. Students holding a degree in a non-language-related field may be admitted provided they can demonstrate they have the required competence (C1 following the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) in one of the above mentioned languages.
The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.
Studyportals Tip: Students can search online for independent or external scholarships that can help fund their studies. Check the scholarships to see whether you are eligible to apply. Many scholarships are either merit-based or needs-based.