Overview

Understanding literatures—and their place within cultures and histories—means initiating dialogues between disparate literatures as well as between literature and its neighbouring cultural spheres.

The Centre for Comparative Literature enables research that is among the best and most exciting at the University and that, because it crosses languages and national borders, cannot be done in any other venue.

Features

The University of Toronto has the largest library in Canada and the fourth largest in North America. The library is especially known for its collections in Spanish, Slavic languages, Medieval and Early modern, Canadiana, East Asian and South Asian languages and literatures.

The University is home to many centres of research and teaching excellence, including the Centre for Medieval Studies, the Centre for Renaissance and Reformation Studies, the Centre for Ethics, the Centre for Diaspora and Transnational Studies.

The University also has the largest English department in the country, the largest French department in Canada outside Quebec, and the largest departments of German, Slavic languages, Spanish and Portuguese, and Italian.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Practicum on Research and Bibliography in Comparative Literature
Dramatic Text and Theoretical Communication: Bertolt Brecht, Robert Lepage, and Robert Wilson
Gender and Agency
Memory, Trauma, and History
Feminist Approaches to Medieval Literature
Visual Portraitures in Contemporary Autobiographical Narratives
Affinities: Readings of Realism and Radicalism
Benjamin’s Arcades Project
Literature, Culture, and Contact in Medieval Iberia
The Problem of Translation: Historical, Theoretical, and Pragmatic Perspectives
Diasporic Cities: Itinerant Narratives of Metropoles by Travellers and Expatriates
Post-Capitalist Fantasy: Culture, Politics, Subjectivity
Revenge, Resistance, Race, and Law

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-09-03 00:00:00
- Apply before 2025-12-15 00:00:00

Language

English

IELTS

7

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TOEFL^® IBT

93

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Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Toronto, Canada

Disciplines

Literature View 12 other PhDs in Literature in Canada

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

IELTS

7

Free IELTS Mock Tests!

TOEFL^® IBT

93

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Other requirements

General requirements

An appropriate master's degree with an average grade of at least A–. Normally, the master's degree will be in comparative literature; however, students with a master's degree in a humanities discipline involving literary studies, especially specific language and literature programs, will also be considered. Demonstrated ability to do advanced research in two languages and literatures other than English.
Applicants, including those from the University of Toronto, must arrange for recommendations from two referees; must submit a statement of purpose of approximately 500 words; and must submit a sample of written work, preferably a short essay on a literary topic.

Student insurance

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items, so make sure your student insurance ticks all the following:

Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
Liability
Home contents and baggage
Accidents
Legal aid

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Tuition Fee

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International

6210 CAD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 6210 CAD per year during 48 months.
National

6210 CAD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 6210 CAD per year during 48 months.

Living costs for Toronto

1502 - 2563 CAD /month

Living costs

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Comparative Literature.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

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