See UCLA's minimum requirements for all graduate program applicants.

In addition to the University's minimum requirements and those listed above, all applicants are expected to submit a statement of purpose, a writing sample and a short statement describing language proficiency in a language other than English.

A bachelor's degree in literature, ancient or modern, is preferred, with a grade point average of at least 3.4 in upper division literature courses. Literary proficiency in one foreign language and at least an elementary knowledge of a second one are expected.

Care should be taken with the statement of purpose and the writing sample, since the quality of thought and argument these exhibit weigh significantly in admissions decisions.