Legal Studies and Spanish & Latin American Studies (5 years) (MA)

In this section

Undergraduate Virtual Open Day

Register to attend our Undergraduate Virtual Open Day on Thursday 19 November.

Introduction

Legal Studies and Spanish & Latin American Studies at Aberdeen adds to your solid grounding in a major modern European language and culture with a closer look at the law, including European law and how it affects our lives today, and issues both topical and controversial. You’ll spend the third year of this 5-year degree studying in a Spanish-speaking country, and graduate with the language and legal skills to open up exciting career options including in European affairs and business.

Study Information

At a Glance

Learning Mode
On Campus Learning
Degree Qualification
MA
Duration
60 months
Study Mode
Full Time
Start Month
September
UCAS Code
MR94

Spanish & Latin American Studies at Aberdeen has an outstanding reputation, with the highest possible rating of ‘Excellent’ in the last national Teaching Quality Assessment.

Aberdeen is one of the most dynamic place to study the Spanish language and the cultural frameworks in countries where it is spoken. We’ll equip you with the skills to communicate in a global language, spoken by 350 million native Spanish speakers in 19 Latin American states, the Spanish Peninsula, and increasingly in the US.

You’ll also study historical, anthropological, literary and cultural texts, films and visual culture of Spain and Latin American countries.

Our Law school has an outstanding reputation, ranked 12th in the UK out of more than 90 law schools, positioned in the top five for graduate prospects, and scores an impressive 95% for student satisfaction.

You’ll add value to your studies in Spanish language and culture by exploring what law teaches us about a society, including looking at European and international law, and topical issues including human rights within the EU.

As an integral part of your 5-year programme you will spend the whole of year three taking your language and cultural skills to a very high level as a teaching assistant or visiting student in a Spanish-speaking country.

Studying law develops important academic qualities including clear, careful and independent thinking, adding value to your language skills and extending your already-bright career opportunities in European business and organisations, NGOs, charities and international development, government service, marketing, and much more.

Aberdeen Global Scholarship

The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme.

What You'll Study

Year 1

Year 1: Compulsory Courses

Scottish Legal System and Method (LS1019)

15 Credit Points

This course introduces the fundamentals of Scottish legal system and Scottish legal method. Lectures, tutorials and a workshop will cover topics such as the Scottish legal tradition, formal sources of Scots law, the legislative process, organisation of the courts, judicial precedent, civil procedure, alternative dispute resolution and legal services. Students will be introduced to reading statute, precedent and the Institutional Writers in light of the fundamentals of Scottish legal method.

Foundations of Private Law (LS1022)

15 Credit Points

The course provides firstly a map of private law as drawn from the institutional scheme of classical Roman law as still followed today in Scotland. It then progresses to an equivalent of the medical student’s study of anatomy in the sense that, concentrating on the law of property and obligations, it examines the main concepts of private law and how they interact and operate together so as to provide a sophisticated body of legal principles which can be used to resolve real-life disputes within private law.

Academic Writing for Language & Literature (AW1008)

This compulsory evaluation is designed to find out if your academic writing is of a sufficient standard to enable you to succeed at university and, if you need it, to provide support to improve. It is completed on-line via MyAberdeen with clear instructions to guide you through it. If you pass the evaluation at the first assessment it will not take much of your time. If you do not, you will be provided with resources to help you improve. This evaluation does not carry credits but if you do not complete it this will be recorded on your degree transcript.

Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD1002)

This course, which is prescribed for level 1 undergraduate students and articulating students who are in their first year at the University, is studied entirely online, takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across the first 4 weeks of term.

Topics include University orientation overview, equality & diversity, MySkills, health, safety and cyber security, and academic integrity.

Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Transcript as ‘Achieved’.

Year 1: Optional Courses

Beginner

  • Spanish Language 1 (SP1027)
  • Spanish Language 2 (SP1528)

Intermediate

  • Spanish Language 2 (SP1028)
  • Spanish Language 3 (SP2525)

Advanced

  • Spanish Language 3 (SP2525)

All options will also select:

  • Spain and Spanish America: History, Culture, Politics (SP1039) AND/OR The Global City (LA1501)

Plus select 30 credits from the LS courses listed below, plus further credit points from non-LS courses of choice to gain a total of 120 credits.

Spanish Language 1 (SP1027)

15 Credit Points

This is a fast-paced and intensive language course for students with very little or no previous knowledge of Spanish. It is aimed at students intending to pursue an honours (single or joint) degree in Spanish and Latin American Studies but is also suitable for students on other degree programmes.

This course involves intensive language study. Upon successful registration to this course, you are expected to complete a short online entry test on MyAberdeen to ensure that you are registered for the most appropriate course for your language ability. You will not be able to access the course site until you have completed this short test.

It is strongly recommended that you complete this test at the earliest opportunity as your timetable/course selections may be subject to change if your language ability would be better suited to an alternative course. You will be informed of this as soon as you complete the test.

The short entry test does not count toward your overall grade for this course.

It is recommended (subject to individual entry test results) that:

  • Students who have no experience of Spanish register for SP1027: Spanish Language 1
  • Students who have studied Spanish to National 5 level (or equivalent) register for SP1027: Spanish Language 1
  • Students who have studied Spanish to Higher level (or equivalent) register for SP1027: Spanish Language 1
  • Students who have studied Spanish to Advanced Higher level or A Level (or equivalent) register for SP1028: Spanish Language 2
Spanish Language 2 (SP1028)

15 Credit Points

This is a fast-paced language course for students with some previous knowledge of Spanish. It is aimed at students intending to pursue an honours (single or joint) degree in Spanish and Latin American Studies but is also suitable for students on other degree programmes.

This course involves intensive language study. Upon successful registration to this course, you are expected to complete a short online entry test on MyAberdeen to ensure that you are registered for the most appropriate course for your language ability. You will not be able to access the course site until you have completed this short test.

It is strongly recommended that you complete this test at the earliest opportunity as your timetable/course selections may be subject to change if your language ability would be better suited to an alternative course. You will be informed of this as soon as you complete the test.

The short entry test does not count toward your overall grade for this course.

It is recommended (subject to individual entry test results) that:

  • Students who have no experience of Spanish register for SP1027: Spanish Language 1
  • Students who have studied Spanish to National 5 level (or equivalent) register for SP1027: Spanish Language 1
  • Students who have studied Spanish to Higher level (or equivalent) register for SP1027: Spanish Language 1
  • Students who have studied Spanish to Advanced Higher level or A Level (or equivalent) register for SP1028: Spanish Language 2
Spanish Language 3 (SP2525)

15 Credit Points

This course follows Spanish Language 2 or can be taken by students who have the required level of Spanish.

Spanish Language 2 (SP1528)

15 Credit Points

This is a fast-paced language course for students with some previous knowledge of Spanish. It is aimed at students intending to pursue an honours (single or joint) degree in Spanish and Latin American Studies but is also suitable for students on other degree programmes.

This course involves intensive language study. Upon successful registration to this course, you are expected to complete a short online entry test on MyAberdeen to ensure that you are registered for the most appropriate course for your language ability. You will not be able to access the course site until you have completed this short test.

It is strongly recommended that you complete this test at the earliest opportunity as your timetable/course selections may be subject to change if your language ability would be better suited to an alternative course. You will be informed of this as soon as you complete the test.

The short entry test does not count toward your overall grade for this course.

It is recommended (subject to individual entry test results) that:

  • Students who have no experience of Spanish register for SP1027: Spanish Language 1
  • Students who have studied Spanish to National 5 level (or equivalent) register for SP1027: Spanish Language 1
  • Students who have studied Spanish to Higher level (or equivalent) register for SP1027: Spanish Language 1
  • Students who have studied Spanish to Advanced Higher level or A Level (or equivalent) register for SP1028: Spanish Language 2
Criminal Law (LS1020)

15 Credit Points

This course is a compulsory course on the LLB degree introducing students to Scottish criminal law including its sources and current law. It examines various aspects of substantive law including crimes against the person, crimes of dishonesty, crimes against property, and criminal defences enabling students to understand and apply the law in these areas. The course also develops students’ written, verbal and analytical skills utilising written coursework and problem-solving exercises in tutorial groups and a workshop.

Contract (LS1520)

15 Credit Points

Contract is one of the central subjects of private law and is one of the main branches of the law of obligations, the other being Delict and Unjustified Enrichment. Contract Law covers obligations which are voluntary in nature. Every day we make contracts from buying a newspaper to buying a house. Contract Law is an area where Scots law and English law are very similar, and this course will cover Scots contract law but also highlight where English law differs with the aim of giving students a working knowledge of contract in both countries.

Delict and Unjustified Enrichment (LS1536)

15 Credit Points

This course introduces students to two of the key branches of the Scots law of obligations, namely delict (which governs legal liability for situations such as the negligent infliction of harm upon others and defamation) and unjustified enrichment (which is concerned with questions such as, if I pay you money in error, am I entitled to demand that you return it?).

UK Constitutional Law (LS1537)

15 Credit Points

This course is an introduction to the laws and rules of the UK Constitution. Major topics include the institutions of state, parliamentary sovereignty, the rule of law, the separation of powers, and devolution. This area of law is fast-moving, and an effort is made to address current issues.

Foundations of Common Law with English Criminal Law (LS1533)

15 Credit Points

The common law tradition is one of the major legal traditions of the world. This course briefly introduces students to the conceptual and institutional structures of the common law tradition. This, in turn, introduces the fundamentals of the modern English legal system and its practical operation. A large section of the course then turns to the practical operation of English law through study of English Criminal Law.

A World Full of Law: Legal Cultures Before the Age of Exploration (LS1030)

15 Credit Points

This course presents legal history over several millennia and from many different original cultures. This course carries the student through a legal adventure, exploring a wide range of legal systems around the globe and throughout human history.

The course covers the origins of law from Africa, South Asia, East Asia and beyond. From those beginnings, it traces how legal cultures emerged, evolved, or transformed. The course will explore the interplay of law and religion over the centuries. The goal of the course is to enable students to become aware of the wonderful diversity of legal systems before the Era of Exploration.

The Global City in Text and Film (LA1501)

15 Credit Points

Focusing on major cities in Europe and the Americas, this course unit uses a range of texts, including films, poetry and fiction, to investigate urban spaces as sites of promise, power and loss. Representations of global cities, and experiences of urban dwellers, highlight themes such as empire, identity, leisure, labour and love. Set amid glittering facades and gritty back streets, the texts studied in this course explore the many meanings of the urban experience across place and time. These urban encounters also provide a way of understanding key social, political and cultural moments in the past and present.

Spain and Spanish America: History, Culture, Politics (SP1039)

15 Credit Points

The course introduces students to colonial encounters ranging from Muslim Iberia to the pre-conquest Americas and continuing into the period of the Spanish Empire. From the nineteenth century, conquest and colonial encounters continued as newly-independent Spanish American states seized indigenous territories, while colonial mentalities re-surfaced in contexts as diverse as the Spanish Civil War and Southern Cone dirty wars. These examples show how colonial encounters helped shape contemporary Spain and Spanish America.

Year 2

Year 2: Compulsory Courses

Residence Abroad Preparation for Mlti Students (LA10RP)

This course is restricted to MLTI (Modern Languages / Translation and Interpreting) students.

This course is for students preparing their residence abroad, as part of their degree requirements on Modern Languages (Mode A and Mode B) or Translation and Interpreting programmes. This course carries no credits in itself, but provides essential support and guidance as MLTI students organise their residence abroad to meet their degree requirements.

Year 2: Optional Courses

Beginner

  • Spanish Language 3 (SP2025)
  • Spanish Language 4 (SP2526)

Intermediate/Advanced

  • Spanish Language 4 (SP2026)
  • Spanish Language 5 (SP2531)

Both options will select:

  • Latin America: Texts and Contexts (SP2036) AND/OR World-Changing Protests: History,
    Culture, Politics (LA2501)

Plus select a further 60 credit points from the following LS courses.

NOTE:

  • It may not be possible to combine every one of these options with the compulsory courses in the candidate’s other subject due to timetabling constraints.
  • Students must check the necessary pre-requisites before registering for optional LS or LX courses – please refer to the Course Catalogue online.

Comparative Law II: The Romano-Germanic Tradition (LS2540)

Spanish Language 3 (SP2025)

15 Credit Points

This course follows Spanish Language 2 or can be taken by students who have the required level of Spanish.

Spanish Language 4 (SP2526)

15 Credit Points

This course aims to prepare intending Honours students of Spanish and Latin American Studies for their compulsory period abroad in a Spanish-speaking country.

The course will develop further Spanish language skills, both receptive and productive. Classes on grammatical and linguistic analysis will contribute to the development of both sets of skills. In addition students will complete a structured self learning programme of audio-visual study and grammatical reinforcement study.

Spanish Language 5 (SP2531)

15 Credit Points

This course follows Spanish Language 4 and aims to prepare non beginners intending Honours students of Spanish and Latin American Studies for their compulsory period abroad in a Spanish-speaking country.

The course will develop further Spanish language skills, expanding on the vocabulary and introducing formal documents and letters. Classes on grammatical and linguistic analysis will contribute to the development of both sets of skills. In addition students will complete a structured self learning programme of vocabulary and grammatical reinforcement study.

Criminal Law (LS1020)

15 Credit Points

This course is a compulsory course on the LLB degree introducing students to Scottish criminal law including its sources and current law. It examines various aspects of substantive law including crimes against the person, crimes of dishonesty, crimes against property, and criminal defences enabling students to understand and apply the law in these areas. The course also develops students’ written, verbal and analytical skills utilising written coursework and problem-solving exercises in tutorial groups and a workshop.

Eu Institutions and Law (LS2026)

15 Credit Points

This course examines the law of the European Union and its evolving relationship with the legal systems of the United Kingdom. Students will explore the composition and function of the EU institutions, the sources and effects of EU law, state liability, and judicial review, alongside key substantive areas such as human rights, the fundamental freedoms, and competition law. Throughout, particular attention is paid to how the relationship between the UK and EU legal systems continues to develop in the wake of Brexit.

The Law of Property (LS2031)

15 Credit Points

This compulsory LLB course is all about things. What items can you own? How do you become owner of property? What can you do as an owner of property? What can you do with the property of other people? And so on. An understanding of Scots property law is crucial to markets, commerce and domestic life. This course will give students a broad overview of the regulation of land, moveable items and incorporeal rights like intellectual property in Scotland.

Public International Law (LS2032)

15 Credit Points

The course aims to systematically and critically introduce the foundations of Public International Law (PIL). The history, nature, legal personality, statehood and recognition, sources, the law of treaties and how PIL interacts with domestic law are considered in-depth. These are followed by topics such as jurisdiction, sovereignty, the role of the United Nations, the law of state responsibility and peaceful settlement of disputes between states. The contents of the course are designed to enable students to understand why and how international law regulates the behaviour of its actors with respect to some specific subject areas.

Administrative Law and Civil Liberties (LS2033)

15 Credit Points

This course will examine in detail both administrative law and civil liberties under the constitution of the United Kingdom. Major topics include judicial review (scope, standing and grounds), administrative justice, the European Convention on Human Rights, the Human Rights Act 1998, common law rights, and equality law. This area is fast-moving, and an effort is made to address current issues.

Contract (LS1520)

15 Credit Points

Contract is one of the central subjects of private law and is one of the main branches of the law of obligations, the other being Delict and Unjustified Enrichment. Contract Law covers obligations which are voluntary in nature. Every day we make contracts from buying a newspaper to buying a house. Contract Law is an area where Scots law and English law are very similar, and this course will cover Scots contract law but also highlight where English law differs with the aim of giving students a working knowledge of contract in both countries.

Delict and Unjustified Enrichment (LS1536)

15 Credit Points

This course introduces students to two of the key branches of the Scots law of obligations, namely delict (which governs legal liability for situations such as the negligent infliction of harm upon others and defamation) and unjustified enrichment (which is concerned with questions such as, if I pay you money in error, am I entitled to demand that you return it?).

UK Constitutional Law (LS1537)

15 Credit Points

This course is an introduction to the laws and rules of the UK Constitution. Major topics include the institutions of state, parliamentary sovereignty, the rule of law, the separation of powers, and devolution. This area of law is fast-moving, and an effort is made to address current issues.

Commercial Organisations and Insolvency (LS2525)

15 Credit Points

This course is compulsory for LLB students. It consists of various elements split broadly into three parts: (1) the law of agency and the law of partnership; (2) company law; and (3) debt and insolvency law. The lectures will focus on the creation of agency, partnership and companies of different types; the rules that enable these commercial organisations to function; and the law concerning the termination of these commercial organisations, particularly due to insolvency.

Family Law (LS2526)

15 Credit Points

Family Law is a compulsory course for LLB students. During this course, students will be introduced to the key facets of the law governing the formation of adult relationships, including the constitution of marriage and civil partnership, legal rights and duties of spouses and civil partners, same sex marriage, the grounds for divorce and the financial aspects of breakdown of marriage and relationships of cohabitation. This course also focuses on the relationship between children and adults and the legal rights of children, including parental rights and responsibilities, court orders relating to children and the welfare principle.

Introduction to Legal Theory (LS2527)

7.5 Credit Points

This course is an introduction to some of the basic themes and skills linked to learning and doing legal theory. It aims to introduce students to some philosophical tools, concepts, and methods to be able to understand theoretical analysis of the law and legal issues more generally. The course presents these themes and skills, shows some central discussions in the law and legal literature that apply those skills and themes, and then ask students to try using the skills in their tutorial work.

Succession and Trusts (LS2528)

7.5 Credit Points

Students studying for the Aberdeen LLB are required to take this course if they wish to use their degree to enter the Scottish legal profession. The course will examine both testate and intestate succession, in the context of the general principles of the law of succession, including legal rights. Furthermore, it will introduce the functions of trusts, the rights of beneficiaries and the powers and duties of trustees. The course is available only to LLB students in Programme year 2 or above and graduates on the 2 year degree.

Private International Law (LS2532)

15 Credit Points

This course introduces the student to the three core questions of Private International Law:

  1. Jurisdiction: when do the Scottish courts have jurisdiction over a dispute that has one or more cross-border elements?
  2. Applicable law: which country’s law is applicable to cross-border legal relations and disputes?
  3. Recognition and enforcement of judgments: what are the effects of foreign judgments in Scotland?

Throughout the course, students will develop an understanding of how Scots Private International Law addresses legal relations that extend beyond Scotland’s borders. It equips students with the analytical tools needed to resolve complex legal questions arising from cross-border disputes.Students will explore the vital role Private International Law plays in a diverse range of contexts, including – but not limited to - litigation involving the civil liability of Scottish corporations for wrongdoings committed overseas (such as labour rights violations), consumer protection cases, international child abduction, and cross-border inheritance matters.

This is an exempting course for the Faculty of Advocates exam on Private International Law.

Business Law (LS2533)

15 Credit Points

This course is designed to provide non-LLB students with an understanding of the main issues in business law. Topics will cover elements of the Scottish law and legal system concerning Company Law, Partnership, Employment Law, Agency, Contract Law, Delict, Intellectual Property Law and Regulatory Provisions against Fraud, Bribery, and Corruption.

Introduction to Comparative Law (LS2536)

7.5 Credit Points

This foundational course introduces students to the basic ideas, themes and insights of comparative law. The first part of the course focuses on the various concepts and methods that legal and other scholars have used to analyse differences and similarities between legal rules across nations and cultures. It also introduces students to various efforts to map and explain legal diversity across the globe (legal families and traditions, including the civil, common, mixed and other traditions). The second half of the course includes a range of case studies to showcase how the comparative method can be used in different areas of the law and across nations and regions.

Tort in A Comparative Context (LS2537)

7.5 Credit Points

The aim of this course, open to students who have already studied the Scots law of delict (and compulsory for those on the ‘Law with English Law’ programme), is to extend their knowledge of the law governing civil liability. More particularly, it aims to provide knowledge and understanding of the conceptual structure of the English law of torts in comparison with the corresponding branch of Scots law, and deals in detail with a few specific areas of tort liability, such as trespass, occupiers’ liability and nuisance.

Spanish Language 4 (SP2026)

15 Credit Points

This course aims to prepare intending Honours students of Spanish and Latin American Studies for their compulsory period abroad in a Spanish-speaking country.

The course will develop further Spanish language skills, both receptive and productive. Classes on grammatical and linguistic analysis will contribute to the development of both sets of skills. In addition students will complete a structured self learning programme of audio-visual study and grammatical reinforcement study.

World - Changing Protests: History, Culture, Politics (LA2501)

15 Credit Points

The course will span a century of protests across Europe, the Americas and North Africa, with causes including peace, democracy, human rights, anti-racism, labour rights, equality for women and LGBTI+ communities, climate change and decolonisation. Students will learn about the history, culture and politics of the countries where protests erupt, including of the social movements that lead protests. Approaches will include history, literary, film and media analysis, material and visual culture, music and social science methods.

Foundations of Common Law with English Criminal Law (LS1533)

15 Credit Points

The common law tradition is one of the major legal traditions of the world. This course briefly introduces students to the conceptual and institutional structures of the common law tradition. This, in turn, introduces the fundamentals of the modern English legal system and its practical operation. A large section of the course then turns to the practical operation of English law through study of English Criminal Law.

A World Full of Law: Legal Cultures Before the Age of Exploration (LS1030)

15 Credit Points

This course presents legal history over several millennia and from many different original cultures. This course carries the student through a legal adventure, exploring a wide range of legal systems around the globe and throughout human history.

The course covers the origins of law from Africa, South Asia, East Asia and beyond. From those beginnings, it traces how legal cultures emerged, evolved, or transformed. The course will explore the interplay of law and religion over the centuries. The goal of the course is to enable students to become aware of the wonderful diversity of legal systems before the Era of Exploration.

Year 3

Year 3: Compulsory Courses

Residence Abroad Project (SP30AB)

15 Credit Points

The aim of the Residence Abroad Project is to develop an in-depth understanding of a specific aspect (anthropological, political or cultural) connected with one of the Spanish and Latin American countries in which students are staying. Students are expected to study a topic in its socio-and to complete a report in Spanish of c. 2000-2500 words.

Year 4

Year 4: Compulsory Courses

Spanish Language 6 (SP30A3)

15 Credit Points

This is a core prescribed course open only to Junior Honours Spanish and Latin American Studies students and a selected range of other programmes at the appropriate level. This course aims to enable you to identify and use, accurately, fluently, and with an appropriate level of sophistication, a range of vocabulary and linguistic registers at advanced level.

Year 4: Optional Courses

Select a further 45 credits of Level 3 Spanish and Latin American Studies courses, plus 60 credit points from Legal Studies LX Honours courses listed below.

Year 5

Year 5: Compulsory Courses

Spanish Language 7 (SP40A5)

30 Credit Points

This is the final Spanish language course within the degree that will provide students with advanced comprehension and writing skills in general and specialised registers.

Year 5: Optional Courses

Select ONE of the following dissertation courses:

  • Final Year Project (LA4006)
  • Dissertation in Legal Studies (LX4025)

Plus select further credit points from level 4 courses in Spanish and Latin American Studies and level 4 courses in Legal Studies to gain a total of 60 credits in each discipline.

Final Year Project (LA4006)

15 Credit Points

The Final Year project offers students the opportunity to undertake in-depth independent study on a topic of their choosing. The topic is chosen by the student, in conjunction with the dissertation coordinator and an individual programme supervisor, both of whom approve the topic. The project can either take the form of an extended piece of writing; a creative output with reflective commentary or an extended translation with accompanying commentary.

Dissertation (LX4025)

30 Credit Points

This course allows you to write a 10,000-word piece on an aspect of law that you choose. You will be assigned a member of staff who is an expert in your chosen subject area and who will provide guidance on your topic, research plan, and writing progress.

The course runs over both half sessions and is available only to final-year Honours students. Once your topic and plan are approved by the Law School, you will work independently and submit your dissertation shortly before the Easter break.

We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page. In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips.

How You'll Study

Learning Methods

  • Individual Projects
  • Lectures
  • Research
  • Tutorials

Assessment Methods

Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods:

  • coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course;
  • practical assessments of the skills and competencies they learn on the course; and
  • written examinations at the end of each course.

The exact mix of these methods differs between subject areas, years of study and individual courses.

Honours projects are typically assessed on the basis of a written dissertation.

Why Study Legal Studies and Spanish & Latin American Studies?

Why Spanish & Latin American Studies

  • The opportunity to study visual culture, literature, history, politics and anthropology in relation to Spain and/or Latin America.
  • Special areas of research expertise include 20th century Spain, contemporary and historical Mexico, visual culture, gender studies, history of science in Latin America, and studies of citizenship and society.
  • Multicultural north-east Scotland, with many Spanish speakers working or studying in this region due to its role as a world centre for oil and gas.
  • The spectacular, award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library, with top-class study facilities, state-of-the-art learning technology, and extensive Spanish and Latin American works to inspire your studies.
  • A packed campus programme of events, exhibitions, film showings, and the annual WayWORD literary festival which welcomes international figures, experts, writers and scientists to campus every spring, including authors writing in Spanish.

Entry Requirements

Qualifications

The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.


General Entry Requirements

2027 Entry

SQA Highers

Standard: BBBB

Applicants that present with BBBB will usually receive an unconditional offer.

Where we have more applicants than places we may need to ask for more than the minimum so continued engagement in school is recommended.

Widening Access: BBC

Applicants who meet one or more of our widening access metrics and present with BBC, are guaranteed an unconditional offer.

Foundation Apprenticeship: One FA is equivalent to a Higher at A. It cannot replace any required subjects.

Note: We do not double count a Higher and Advanced Higher in the same subject, but we do consider that a B grade at Advanced Higher is equivalent to an A grade at Higher. 

National 5 English (or equivalent) is required at Grade C or above.

A LEVELS

Standard: BBC

Widening Access: CCC

GCSE English (or equivalent) is required at Grade C/4 or above.

BTEC LEVEL 3 EXTENDED DIPLOMA

DMM in related subjects.

Note: BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate (Subsidiary Diploma) achieved at Distinction level, is normally acceptable in lieu of one A Level at grade B.)

GCSE English (or equivalent) is required at Grade C/4 or above. GCSE Mathematics at Grade C/4 is also required for Accountancy, Economics and Finance programmes.

IRISH LEAVING CERTIFICATE

Five subjects at Higher at H3.

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE

30 points including 5, 4, 4 at HL.

SL in English is also required.

The information displayed in this section shows a shortened summary of our entry requirements. For more information, or for full entry requirements for Arts and Social Sciences degrees, see our detailed entry requirements section.

Fees and Funding

You will be classified as one of the fee categories below.

EU / International students
Tuition Fees for 2027/28 Academic Year
£20,800
Tuition Fees for 2026/27 Academic Year
£20,800
Tuition Fees for 2026/27 Academic Year (Self-funded Students *)
£14,800

The above fee includes the £6,000 Aberdeen Global Scholarship provided to self-funded international students. Full terms and conditions apply.

Tuition Fees for 2027/28 Academic Year (Self-funded Students *)
£14,800

The above fee includes the £6,000 Aberdeen Global Scholarship provided to self-funded international students. Full terms and conditions apply.

Home Students
Tuition Fees for 2026/27 Academic Year
£1,820
Tuition Fees for 2027/28 Academic Year
£1,820
England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland
Tuition Fees for 2027/28 Academic Year
£10,050

The UK Government has confirmed that the RUK fee cap will continue to increase each year to reflect inflation. Tuition fees will increase in line with the Government fee cap each year, and this should be taken into account when budgeting.

Tuition Fees for 2026/27 Academic Year
£9,790

The UK Government has confirmed that the RUK fee cap will continue to increase each year to reflect inflation. Tuition fees will increase in line with the Government fee cap each year, and this should be taken into account when budgeting.

Scholarships and Funding

UK Scholarship

Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland, who pay tuition fees may be eligible for specific scholarships allowing them to receive additional funding. These are designed to provide assistance to help students support themselves during their time at Aberdeen.

Aberdeen Global Scholarship

The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme. More about this funding opportunity.

Funding Database

View all funding options in our Funding Database.

Careers

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 and Employability Service can help you to plan your career and support your choices throughout your time with us, from first to final year – and beyond.

Our Experts

Information About Staff Changes

You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.

Discover Uni

Discover Uni draws together comparable information in areas students have identified as important in making decisions about what and where to study. You can compare these and other data for different degree programmes in which you are interested.

Get in Touch

Contact Details

Address
Student Recruitment & Admissions
University of Aberdeen
University Office
Regent Walk
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX