Hispanic Studies

Hispanic Studies focuses not only on the Spanish language but also on the cultures of Spain and Latin America. Spanish is the second most widely spoken language after English in the western hemisphere. It is currently spoken by 350 million people in 19 Latin-American states, the Spanish Peninsula, and increasingly in the USA.

Why Aberdeen?

• Hispanic Studies at Aberdeen is a dynamic and successful department. Its national research rating is 'good', and its national teaching rating is 'excellent'
• Courses give equal weight to the study of Spanish and Latin-American cultures
• The Department's programmes are multi-disciplinary; students have the opportunity to study visual culture, literature, history, politics and anthropology in relation to Spain and/or Latin America

Programmes

Study Abroad

Single Honours in Hispanic Studies, and most Joint Honours involving Hispanic Studies, are available either as Mode A degrees (5 years) including a full academic year spent in a Spanish-speaking country, or as Mode B degrees (4 years) including half an academic year spent in a Spanish-speaking country. For both degrees the programme for years 1 and 2 is identical, so no final decision need be made before December of year 2. Candidates are strongly recommended to apply initially for the Mode A degree. For Joint Honours in Hispanic Studies-German and Hispanic Studies-French, one half session is spent in a Spanish-speaking country, and one half session in a country in which the other language is spoken. Students commonly work as assistant language teachers via the British Council or Comenius schemes, attend Universities in Spain or Latin America, or arrange independent placements in voluntary organizations or businesses.

The opportunity to take Enhanced Study options as part of your degree and participate in co-curricular activities. See www.abdn.ac.uk/thedifference for more information.

Courses are available from first to fourth year. There is an Honours degree, and a Designated degree in Hispanic Studies.

First Year

In addition to two language courses (to be determined by initial placement test), students take either Latin America: A Cultural History and Spain: A Cultural History, which focus on history, literature, visual culture, politics, society and anthropology.

Second Year

In addition to two language courses, students take Latin America: Texts and Contexts, and Spain: Texts and Contexts. These courses build further on the multidisciplinary level 1 courses. Students may substitute one of these with the School cross-disciplinary courses -  Literature, History and Thought: 1848 to 9/11, Modes of Reading or Ethnography for Language Learners. Students not intending to proceed to an Honours programme in Hispanic Studies may study the language courses alone.

Third and Fourth Year (Honours)

Students who reach a satisfactory level or performance in Hispanic Studies in first and second year, and who fulfil the residence abroad requirements, are admitted into Honours. The Honours programme offers advanced language study coupled with a range of courses from the Hispanic Studies Honours programme. Students can choose to specialise in either Latin-American Studies or Spanish Studies, and a wide range of option courses, covering Spanish and Latin-American Literature, Visual Culture, Society, Politics, Anthropology, Cultural History and Translation are available.

Teaching and Assessment

Teaching quality in Hispanic Studies has been rated as ‘excellent’. All courses use up-to-date resources and teaching and assessment methods. Assessment takes the form of a combination of continuous assessment and examination. Continuous assessment forms a particularly important component of work at Honours level.

Careers

Graduates go on to a wide range of careers, some of which, such as teaching and translating, draw directly on their university studies. Others, such as journalism, marketing and business, draw on the more general academic and personal skills that the degree fosters.

Finding your direction

There are many opportunities at the University of Aberdeen to develop your knowledge, gain experience and build a competitive set of skills to enhance your employability. This is essential for your future career success.  The Careers Service can help you to plan your career and support your choices throughout your time with us – from first to final year – and beyond.

• More information on employability at the University of Aberdeen.
• More information on the Careers Service.
• More information on careers prospects and employability with a degree in Hispanic Studies.

Entrance Requirements

SQA Highers - BBBB*
A Levels - BBB*
IB - 30 points, 15 points HL*
ILC - BBB*

*There is no formal requirement for entry to the Spanish beginners' course. Students who already have a qualification in Spanish sit a placement test to determine the language course appropriate to them. All students, whether beginners or with a qualification such as Higher grade, can proceed to Honours, subject to satisfactory performance at levels 1 and 2.

For further details of entrance requirements click here

Please click on the links below to find out more information on funding in your area.

• Scotland and EU (Excluding England, Wales and Northern Ireland)
• Rest of UK (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)
• International
• Scholarships

Related Links

• Scholarships
• Entrance Scholarships
• Funding Database
• England Wales and Northern Ireland Finance Guide