MPhil in Literature, Culture and Thought (LCT)

The MPhil in Literature, Culture and Thought (formerly the MPhil in European, Latin American and Comparative Literatures and Cultures) by Advanced Study offers students the opportunity to explore a diverse range of literary, theoretical and cultural interests in a rich and dynamic scholarly context. The programme provides students with the critical and theoretical tools to undertake in-depth study of specific aspects of European literature and culture and / or Latin American and Francophone contexts.

Students will have the opportunity to study cultural artefacts across a wide range of language areas, at least one of which students will be required to study in the original language.

The programme introduces students to a broad range of critical theory and intellectual history and includes the writing of a dissertation based on original research. In the first term, students take the Core Course in Critical Theory.

At Cambridge, students will be taught by some of the world’s leading literary historians and the most cutting-edge theorists in the field of modern languages. To see all our teaching staff, please refer to the staff list.

In the Lent term, students choose from a range of module options. 

Many students specialise in modern literature and critical theory from various contexts. In addition, the course has dedicated pathways for students who wish to specialise in Medieval and Early Modern studies or Latin American studies.

The Easter term is dedicated to writing a dissertation.

Applying

Visit the Applying and Funding page for information about applications and funding sources/deadlines.

The MPhil in Literature, Culture and Thought (formerly the MPhil in European, Latin American and Comparative Literatures and Cultures) By Thesis is a research course. The Core Course introduces students to a broad range of critical theory concepts and methods of textual analysis (and, if relevant, paleography). The course as a whole allows for in-depth study of specific cultures and contexts, and includes the writing of a thesis based on original research.

The majority of students will follow the MPhil by Advanced Study course.  The MPhil by Thesis course is for students falling under exceptional circumstances: it is designed for students whose already have a substantial level of familiarity with the study of literary texts or other cultural material in the relevant culture, and who already know the area they wish to research for their thesis. To be eligible for consideration, a student will need (a) an appropriate level of linguistic and/or cultural expertise and (b) a clear idea of the area in which the thesis will be written.  

Educational aims

• To develop and test the ability to carry out a substantial advanced project of independent research in an area of literary, cultural or film and screen studies falling under LCT, presented in the form of a 30,000-word thesis
• To develop and test the ability to make a significant contribution to learning that reflects one academic year of dedicated Master's-level research.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the programme students will have:

1. developed a knowledge of critical theory and methods of textual analysis (and, if relevant, paleography), and an ability to work with theory or specific critical approaches;
2. developed a deeper knowledge of one or more areas of Literature, Culture and Thought and of the critical debates within that (or those) area(s);
3. developed more advanced critical judgement and sensitivity to literary texts or other cultural material;
4. demonstrated advanced skills in literary analysis (or the analysis of other cultural material);
5. developed intellectual and practical research skills
6. managed a sizeable research project (of 9 months duration, culminating in a 30,000 word dissertation) which will represent a considerable achievement in its own right and prepare students for longer research projects (in particular a PhD).

Teaching and assessment

MPhil by Thesis students will normally attend the Core Course in the first term and may attend module seminars in the second (Lent) term with the permission of the module leaders.

Formal assessment is by a 30,000-word thesis, submitted in early June. The examination process is very similar to that of the PhD, and consists of two parts: scrutiny of the thesis by one internal and one external examiner, and a viva involving both examiners and the candidate. Some candidates may be asked to carry out corrections to their thesis which may mean graduating in October rather than in July.

Outcome

Students receive the overall outcome of pass/fail. No mark is awarded for the MPhil By Thesis.

Part-time students

It is also possible to take a part-time route for the MPhil By Thesis course, and the expected timeframe would be 21 months, with a thesis submission date of early June in the second academic year of study.

Part-time students will be required to attend the Core Course lectures and one Core Course seminar in their first term.  Students attend one Module in the Lent term of the first year. 'By Thesis' students do not submit essays for lectures, seminars or modules. The rest of their first year and all of their second year is devoted to the thesis. The thesis will be submitted in early June of the second year.

Applying

Please visit the Applying and Funding page for information about applications and funding sources/deadlines.