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What do I need to study Hispanic Studies at Aberdeen?

If you are thinking of coming to Aberdeen to study Hispanic Studies, you no doubt have plenty of questions about what's involved and what qualifications you will require. You will probably be comparing Aberdeen's department with other departments elsewhere, and looking for as much information as possible to guide your decision. If you have reached this far, you are doing well! The world wide web is increasingly a good way of finding out more about universities and departments. But you should look at the university prospectus, you might also want to consult teachers and friends, and it is always a good idea, if possible, to arrange a visit to some of the universities that interest you.

If you are currently living outside of Scotland, you should know that the university system here is quite different from that found in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland. Specifically, a Scottish Honours degree normally takes four years (for Hispanic Studies, this makes five if you include the year's residence abroad), although there are ways of going through quicker if you want and are able to do so. Moreover, in your first two years you can study a variety of subjects, and you usually do not make a final decision on your Honours subject until the end of your second year. Even then, many students choose to take a joint Honours degree, combining Hispanic Studies with (for example) History of Art or French of Philosophy, or taking a subsidiary qualification in Film Studies or Women's Studies.

The Scottish system therefore means that you have a lot of flexibility and freedom over what you study, especially in your first year. It also means that you apply and are admitted to a degree course rather than to a subject department. In other words, you do not apply to the Department of Hispanic Studies, but rather apply to study an MA in Arts and Social Sciences. For more information, contact Student Recruitment Services. They can also send you a prospectus and organise a visit to the university.

You will probably be entering the university with a good idea of the subjects that you will be want to study. If Hispanic Studies is one of those subjects, then you will have questions about what experience and qualifications students normally have when they start studying in the department. You may already have an 'A'-level or Higher in Spanish, or you may be a complete beginner. Here we examine all the possibilities...

I have never studied Spanish before

May of our students come to Aberdeen with no Spanish, and go on to take good degrees in Hispanic Studies. Our intensive beginners' courses help you reach a good level of Spanish in a relatively short period of time, and our introductory culture courses assume no previous knowledge of the Hispanic world.

I have some knowledge of Spanish, but not much

If you have some Spanish, but not a Higher or 'A'-Level, you will be able to join a departmental language course at an appropriate level. Staff in the department will be able to give you more detailed advice once they know a little more about your learning experience in Spanish.

(Note, however, that if you wish to follow the programme in European Studies, European Languages and Education, European Languages and Twentieth Century Culture, or European Management Studies, all of which can be taken with Hispanic Studies, then you will need a Higher or 'A'-Level in Spanish or another modern European language--for further details see the pages on probable going rates for entry in 2004).

I am taking Higher or 'A'-Level Spanish

If you have or are taking a Higher or 'A'-Level in Spanish, then you will be expected to enter the advanced or non-beginners' language courses. You will, however, be sharing your courses in Hispanic culture along with beginners, which means that there is no great divide between those who have had some experience and those who have not.

Remember that you will not be applying to the department, but rather to study in the MA in Arts and Divinity (as explained above), so you will normally not be asked to have a particular grade in Higher or 'A'-Level Spanish.

El castellano es mi lengua nativa

Esto no presenta ningún problema: tenemos varios alumnos de origen latinoamericano o español que han venido a Aberdeen para estudiar su propia cultura e historia. No se permite que los estudiantes de habla hispana sigan el programa lingüístico del departamento durante los dos primeros años del MA, pero pueden seguir el programa normal en cuanto a los cursos de cultura. Al llegar al programa de Honours, siguen los cursos avanzados de lengua.

Hay que tener en cuenta que la mayoría de las clases de literatura, arte e historia se imparten en inglés y además muchos de los exámenes y ensayos deben redactarse en este idioma, por lo cual se tendrá que poseer un conocimiento adecuado del inglés.

Además de un conocimiento del inglés, se deberá poseer asimismo cualificaciones equivalentes a 'A-Levels' (cursos preuniversitarios) ingleses en asignaturas compatibles con el contenido del curso que desea seguir. Contacte el Departamento para obtener mayor información sobre la convalidación de títulos académicos internacionales.

Las solicitudes a universidades británicas se hacen a través del 'University Council Admissions Service' (UCAS) y no directamente a las universidades. Para obtener más información sobre los trámites de admisión e inscripción, contacte el Departamento de Español llamando a (+44)(0) 1224 272549 (horas de oficina: 0900-1200, 1300-1600, hora británica), enviando un FAX a (+44)(0) 1224 272562, o escribiendo a j.a.biggane@abdn.ac.uk.

I am taking my Highers or 'A'-Levels and want to know what grades I will need

As you will be applying to the degree programme, and not to the department, the department does not set its own targets. The university does, however, give information on the "going rates" for entry each year. This information is available from the Student Recruitment Services, who can provide more detailed information on these going rates .

I want to apply to Aberdeen through Clearing

Check the information on Clearing .

I am a mature student

Roughly a quarter of students entering the university are mature students, so you certainly won't be alone. You may either join a beginners' course, or, if you have some experience of Spanish, we may be able to admit you to other courses as appropriate. The department will be able to give you more detailed advice once they know more about your experience or any qualifications you may have.

Hispanic Studies, School of Language & Literature
Taylor Building · University of Aberdeen · Aberdeen · AB24 3UB · Scotland
Telephone: +44 (0)1224-272549 · Fax: +44 (0)1224-272624

Page last modified: Wednesday, 04-Aug-2004 11:39:50 BST

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