Comparing literature, film, visual arts, thought across time and space
Comapratism is fundamental to much of the research conducted by staff in the School of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures. Our commitment to comparative literature and culture inspired us to create the programme more than a decade ago, and our students and courses have inspired us in many ways since.
Our teaching staff have international reputations and combine excellence in teaching with the cutting-edge research which informs the courses we design for our students.
We win prizes for our books, publish widely, collaborate with Research Councils, write blogs and appear in the media. Our research in Comparative Literature and Culture is impressively interdisciplinary, spanning literature, cinema, visual arts and thought, and a huge variety of places, periods and genres, always adopting innovative critical perspectives.
With seminars, grant-attracting collaborative research networks and guest lectures at Royal Holloway, our vibrant research environment encourages collaboration and exchange across traditional disciplinary boundaries.
Internationally acclaimed research
Our world-leading research strengths were confirmed by the results of the most recent, nationally-conducted Research Excellence Framework (2014), which singled out our 'outstanding' or 'very considerable' impact (defined as 'reach and significance').
TECHNE Training partnership
What is more, as well as working together and with academics worldwide, we have a wide range of other partners (literary prize panels, art galleries, film councils).
Royal Holloway is also the lead member of the TECHNE London and South-East Doctoral Training Partnership, which offers Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) awards. TECHNE comprises seven universities and is one of the 11 AHRC Doctoral Training Partnerships. TECHNE's vision is to produce scholars who are highly motivated and prepared for academic, public or professional life. Its students will benefit from a diverse range of training workshops and opportunities to engage with partners in the arts and cultural sector. If you are interested in applying for a TECHNE award, the first step is to speak to a prospective supervisor or the Director of Graduate Studies.
There are around 50 awards per annum for students who are applying to undertake PhD study. Students who apply for a TECHNE award will be considered automatically for a university Scholarship but you must apply concurrently to the relevant institution.
Our postgraduates
Our postgraduates play a vital and active role in our research culture, and we run an annual Postgraduate Colloquium showcasing the work of our MA by Research and PhD students. Academics and students alike benefit from the role we play in LINKS (London Intercollegiate Network of Comparative studies) with its inclusive seminar series bringing together academics and students from across the University of London to discuss the latest developments in Comparative Literature and Culture and to enjoy talks, roundtables and panels by world-renowned speakers.
Find out more about postgraduate studies.
