Graduate Admissions
Thank you for your interest in graduate studies within the Division of Literatures, Cultures, and Languages (DLCL). The DLCL is comprised of five different academic departments: Comparative Literature, French and Italian, German Studies, Iberian and Latin American Cultures, and Slavic Languages and Literatures. Each program has a unique set of requirements as well as progression of studies; please review the individual program to learn more about the academic requirements.
Autumn 2023 Admissions Information
Start your application
Due December 7, 2022 at 11:59pm PST
- Comparative Literature
- French and Italian
- German Studies
- Iberian and Latin American Cultures
Due January 4, 2023 at 11:59pm PST
- Slavic Languages and Literatures
Application Requirements
The admissions committees will only consider complete applications for review. A complete application must contain the following items:
- Electronically submitted application and statement of purpose.
- Electronically submitted unofficial transcripts from every post-secondary institute attended. Please do not send transcripts to the department; we will request official transcripts only from those students who receive an offer of admissions.
- Three letters of recommendation. One letter of recommendation should focus on your language skills. If you have a current ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) certificate, please upload it with your application (not required).
- Writing samples requirements vary by department. Read more about specific requirements.
All materials must be submitted online through the application website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Admissions Process and Decisions
Who is on the Admissions Committees?
Faculty from each department review all complete applications and select each new cohort. In some departments, current graduate students may also read applications.
When will admission decisions be announced?
Offers of admission traditionally go out in late February.
Required Materials and Test Scores
Do I have to submit GRE General Test scores?
No. The GRE is no longer required.
I am an international student; am I required to submit TOEFL scores?
In most cases, yes. TOEFL scores are required of all applicants whose first language is not English. All international students should refer to the International Applicants webpage for more information regarding transcripts, English proficiency and visas. University minimum requirements can be found in the Stanford University policies regarding required tests link below:
Visa Information for International Students
As an international student, where can I find out about visas and resources for international students?
All international students must work in cooperation with Bechtel International Center to obtain visas and for other immigration processes. Bechtel is the best resource for all international students.
If you have additional questions, please contact John Giammalva, Student Services Manager, at giammalva [at] stanford.educlass="spamspan".
External Funding
Where can I find additional funding to pursue a graduate degree at Stanford?
Most doctoral students admitted to our programs receive financial support for the length of their doctoral program, including tuition and living expenses, while master’s students are self-funded. However, there are a myriad of funding sources that Stanford graduate students may pursue to support their education, research, travel, and other initiatives.
Several Stanford schools and degree programs and other universities maintain lists of funding opportunities that may be of interest to individual students. Professional and scholarly societies often offer funding to graduate students for dissertation research or conference travel.
Find more information at the Office of the VPGE - Graduate Student Funding page. These sources may take time and patience to investigate, and the links may not be current.
Knight-Hennessy Scholars
The Knight-Hennessy Scholars program cultivates and supports a highly-engaged, multidisciplinary and multicultural community of graduate students from across Stanford University, and delivers a diverse collection of educational experiences, preparing graduates to address complex challenges facing the world. Knight-Hennessy Scholars participate in an experiential leadership development program known as the King Global Leadership Program and receive funding for up to three years of graduate study at Stanford. Two applications must be submitted separately; one to Knight-Hennessy by October 12, 2022 at 1 pm PT, and one to the Stanford graduate degree program by its deadline.
