Graduate Programs in Literature
Explore 400+ Literature graduate programs at 100+ universities across 8 countries.
Overview
Literature programs study written works and the cultures that produce them, from classical texts to contemporary fiction, poetry and drama. Graduate students read closely and widely, work with literary theory, and often focus on a national tradition, a period or comparative literature.
A master's sharpens research, writing and critical skills and can be a stepping stone to doctoral study. A PhD centers on a major research project and is the path to university teaching and scholarship in literary studies.
Graduates work as editors, publishers, writers, teachers, content strategists and communications specialists, and some move into law or cultural organizations. University teaching jobs are competitive, so many graduates build careers where close reading and clear writing are daily requirements.
Most Literature programs charge between $16,000 and $59,000 a year in tuition. The top ten ranked programs charge between $22,000 and $65,000.
Top Ranked Master's Programs
The five highest-ranked universities offering this degree.
- University of OxfordMSt in World Literatures in EnglishDeadline Jan 7 · Tuition $55,974 · Duration 9 months
- University of CambridgeMPhil in American LiteratureDeadline Jan 7 +2 · Tuition $50,350 · Duration 9 months
- University of PennsylvaniaMasters of Arts in EnglishDeadline Dec 15 · Tuition $60,000 · Duration 12 months
- University of ChicagoMaster of Arts Program in the HumanitiesDeadline Jun 23 +2 · Tuition $67,200 · Duration 12 months
- Columbia UniversityMaster of Arts in English and Comparative LiteratureDeadline Mar 26 · Tuition $73,456 · Duration 1 year full-time
Top Ranked PhD Programs
The five highest-ranked universities offering this degree.
- Harvard UniversityDoctor of Philosophy in Comparative LiteratureDeadline Jan 5 · Tuition $57,328 · Duration 72 months
- Stanford UniversityDoctor of Philosophy in Comparative LiteratureDeadline Nov 20 · Tuition $63,540 · Duration 72 months
- Princeton UniversityDoctor of Philosophy in Comparative LiteratureDeadline Dec 15 · Tuition $65,210 · Duration 60 months
- University of OxfordDPhil in Literature and ArtsTuition $18,726 · Duration 96 months
- University of California, BerkeleyDoctor of Philosophy in Comparative LiteratureDeadline Dec 1 · Tuition $28,242 · Duration 84 months
Where to Study
8 countries
Master's Programs
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Compare this subject's ranked universities and the regions where you can study it, across 30,000+ graduate programs.
