Prospective Students
Program Overview
The Program in Comparative Literature at the University of Texas encourages a wide variety of critical methodologies and approaches. It operates on the assumption that many versions of the discipline coexist productively and that their doing so will stimulate fruitful debates among faculty and students. Moreover, in keeping with its open and flexible conception of Comparative Literature, the Program does not restrict the literatures taught in it to any particular geographical area or to any historical period: they range from Latin American to Russian, classical Greek to Hindi, contemporary American to ancient Chinese.
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Admissions
Our program accepts approximately 10% of applicants in a highly selective admissions process. We admit Ph.D. candidates in the fall semester only, and we do not offer a terminal M.A.
The deadline to apply Fall 2026 entry is December 5th, 2025 at 11:59 pm CST.
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Funding
All accepted Ph.D. students receive six years of full funding through a combination of Teaching Assistant & Assistant Instructor appointments and fellowships. Our funding package includes full tuition in the Fall and Spring semesters, health insurance, an annual stipend, and a substantial first-year fellowship to assist with startup costs. Students are also eligible to compete for fellowships and awards offered by the UT Graduate School, as well as professional development awards to support research travel and career development activities.
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Student Organizations
Students in the Ph.D. in Comparative Literature have the opportunity the join various student groups for academic and professinal development. The Graduate Association of Comparative Literature Students at UT (GRACLS) hosts Comparative Literature student socials, as well as an annual conference in Comparative Literature each Fall. Students can gain valuable experience as GRACLS conference organizers, presenters, or attendees.
Each year, our students are invited to volunteer to teach with Inside Literature, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and community-based learning program at a pre-trial correctional complex.
Students in our program can also join graduate student groups such as the Turkish Language in Translation Reading Group (TLIT) or the Ethnic and Third World Literatures Review of Books (E3W).
Our students are often active members of the the UT Graduate Assembly and the ACLA.
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