Comparative Literature

Degrees and Fields of Study

  • Ph.D. in Comparative Literature
  • Ph.D. with Certificate Program in Culture and Media (with Tisch School of the Arts)
  • Ph.D.-J.D. in Comparative Literature/Law (Dual Degree)

Application Deadlines

  • December 20: Fall admission
    • Ph.D.-J.D. applicants must submit two separate applications — one to GSAS, and another to NYU Law. Please consult NYU Law Admissions for the J.D. application deadline.

Applications and all supporting materials must be submitted online by 5PM Eastern Time. If a listed deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or U.S. federal holiday, then the next business day will be the actual deadline.

Requirements

In addition to the general application requirements, the department specifically requires:

Test Scores

GRE
  • GRE not required.
TOEFL/IELTS

Applicants must submit official TOEFL or IELTS scores unless they:

  • Are a native English speaker; OR

  • Are a US citizen or permanent resident; OR

  • Have completed (or will complete) a baccalaureate or master's degree at an institution where the language of instruction is English.

Statement of Academic Purpose

In a concisely written statement, please describe your past and present work as it relates to your intended field of study, your educational objectives, and your career goals. In addition, please include your intellectual and professional reasons for choosing your field of study and why your studies/research can best be done at the Graduate School of Arts and Science at NYU. The statement should not exceed two double-spaced pages.

Writing Sample

The writing sample should be an academic paper (e.g., term paper or published article) of about 12-15 double-spaced pages. The paper must be in English, and should demonstrate your best work. It need not demonstrate a comparative approach but may focus on a single national literature, or upon a critical/theoretical issue. If you choose to submit part of a chapter from a longer work (such as a thesis), please include a brief introductory note to provide context for the sample. Please do not submit a full chapter if it exceeds the page count indicated above.

Special Instructions

Please be aware of the department's non-English language requirements. Check the department website for further information.