Modern Languages & Cultures

Postgraduate students have the opportunity to explore ambitious transcultural projects that cut across disciplinary boundaries. In particular, we invite applications in the areas covered by our five School research clusters: Visual Culture In collaboration with the Stirling Maxwell Centre and building on the expertise in text/image research within the School, this cluster explores visual culture in literature and the arts in a broad sense (e.g., Mexican photography, French architecture and art, or Brazilian film). Histories and Subjectivities This cluster brings together researchers in the School of Modern Languages and Cultures whose work engages with life histories and autobiography, the body and emotions, gender studies, working lives and professional cultures, history and memory. Writing in Transit/Cultural Translations This cluster brings together our expertise in Comparative Literature, Translation Studies and cross-cultural research, exploring topics such as transnational writing, migration, (un)translatability, ethics and world literature. Critical Editions and Translations In close collaboration with Special Collections and researchers in other Schools of the College of Arts & Humanities, this cluster explores textual cultures, drawing on the School’s expertise and experience in critical editions, book history and translations. Language and Society (SocioLang) This cluster transcends disciplinary boundaries. It builds a dialogue amongst researchers, policy makers and practitioners to explore the dynamics of language, society and change in multilingual contexts.

We have expertise and supervision in language, culture, sociolinguistics, literature and history for the subjects of French, German, Hispanic, Italian and Slavonic Studies, alongside a strong postgraduate community in Comparative Literature and Translation Studies.

Our regular standard of admission is at least an Upper Second Class Honours degree (2:1), although candidates will usually also have completed or be undertaking a Masters qualification.

Research proposal

Candidates are required to provide a single page outline of the research subject proposed (approximately 1000 words). This need not be a final thesis proposal but should include:

• a straightforward, descriptive, and informative title
• the question that your research will address
• an account of why this question is important and worth investigating
• an assessment of how your own research will engage with recent study in the subject
• a brief account of the methodology and approach you will take
• a discussion of the primary sources that your research will draw upon, including printed books, manuscripts, archives, libraries, or museums
• an indicative bibliography of secondary sources that you have already consulted and/or are planning to consult

Your application, including your references and research proposal, will be passed to members of staff whose expertise and research interests most closely match the area of your proposed study.

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)
  7.0 with no subtests under 7.0
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test
• IELTS One Skill Retake accepted.

Common equivalent English language qualifications

TOEFL (ibt, my best or athome)

• 94; with Reading 24; Listening 24; Speaking 23; Writing 27
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements , this includes TOEFL mybest.

Pearsons PTE Academic

• 66 with no subtest less than: Listening 66;Reading 68; Speaking 65; Writing 82
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)

• 185 overall, no subtest less than 185
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Oxford English Test

• Oxford ELLT 8
• R&L: OIDI level no less than 8 with Reading: 27-28 and Listening: 20
• W&S: OIDI level no less than 8

Trinity College Tests

Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEII Pass with Pass in all sub-tests.

University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses

Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.

Alternatives to English Language qualification

• Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
  • students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have complete their degree in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years
• Undergraduate 2+2 degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
  • students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years

For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.