Our MA/PhD programs in Comparative Literature is for students who have completed their BA Degrees in Comparative Literature, or English, or literary studies (other disciplines may qualify), and wish to pursue comparative studies of different literary traditions, use interdisciplinary methodologies, and develop their critical engagement with literature as a transnational phenomenon. Students can also study Comparative Literature with a French/Francophone emphasis, or Comparative Literature with a German emphasis.
All students admitted into the MA program are also admitted into the PhD program. Continuation beyond the MA degree (a two-year program) is contingent upon meeting academic standards of scholarship and excellence while completing the MA requirements. The MA/PhD is normally a seven-year program.
Our PhD program in Comparative Literature is for those who come to UC Santa Barbara with an MA from another institution. We also offer doctoral degrees in Comparative Literature with a French/Francophone emphasis, or Comparative Literature with a German emphasis.
Students who enter with an MA from another institution are expected to satisfy all the requirements for the PhD within five to six years (a duration of six years maximum). Comparative Literature PhD students intending to work primarily in French or German Studies may do so through the specializations in those fields.

completed an undergraduate or graduate degree at an institution whose primary language of instruction is English. The minimum score for consideration is 550 when taking the paper-based TOEFL, or 80 when taking the internet-based test, some departments require a higher score. Applicants must make arrangements to take the TOEFL directly with ETS (www.ets.org). Scores should be reported to UCSB using institution code 4835. TOEFL scores must be no more than two years old at the time of application submission. UCSB also considers a minimal score of 7 on the IELTS as an alternative to the TOEFL. IELTS scores must be no more than two years old at the time of application submission