Our Graduates
Recent graduates from the BA Comparative Literature programme have entered graduate professions such as journalism and teaching or are working in arts-related fields. A number have gone on to further study.
This is what some of them say:
'I am currently studying for an MA in International Relations, and I find my background in Comparative Literature is actually really useful as the theoretical aspects of International Relations correlate with some of the literary theory studied during the BA. Many writers' and philosophers' work transcend the disciplines so I am not, as I anticipated, in completely new territory. Comparative Literature if anything demonstrates the connections between cultures and the development of ideas over time. Understanding of this, obviously, is crucial to International Relations so I am pleased that, even though I do not have detailed knowledge of specific events I am always able to ask the right questions, such as how did this evolve? Who were the initiators? What did it influence?' (2008, BA Comparative Literature)
'After graduating I started a Secondary PGCE course in English. My degree in Comparative Literature has proved invaluable, and I find myself with a far broader and varied literary knowledge base than friends and peers who have focused on English literature alone. With increasing curricular focus on global literature, and given the multiculturalism that so marks classroom experiences in London, it is a course that has enriched my desire, ability and confidence in imparting literary skills and ideas to others. Comparative Literature is particularly useful for those interested in context: I now have a real appreciation for the importance of individual and inter-relating social, political and historical contexts in which literature is produced, and it is this basis in reality that so often makes works of fiction come alive. I can only hope that I do as good a job with my students as my lecturers in King's did with me. (2008 BA Comparative Literature)
'Since graduating from King's College London in Comparative Literature this summer, I have decided to take a year to go travelling to consolidate my language skills in Spanish and French. In January, I look forward to spending six months in Buenos Aires, translating Spanish and later, over the summer, I hope to take a French language course in Paris. Ever since I was young, I have wanted to travel and write and have always been passionate about literature and language. For this reason, I have decided to continue my studies in Comparative Literature by doing a Masters degree in September 2009. (2008 BA Comparative Literature)
'Since graduating I have worked as a costume designer and as a dressmaker. Despite the fact that neither of these occupations are directly related to my degree, I would not consider them a change of direction. Taking a degree in Comparative Literature provided me with a broad knowledge of literature and the arts and allowed me to home in on which aspect of the arts I would like to make my career in. My degree also taught me skills which are invaluable in any profession; written communication, time management and being able to argue a point. Whilst at King’s I met many other students keen to work in theatre and fashion, many of whom I have since worked with, and together we have built up an invaluable network of likeminded people. Most important of all I found Comparative Literature to be an incredibly enjoyable degree which has the rare quality of encouraging learning for learning’s sake. (2008, BA Comparative Literature)