BA

Spanish and Latin American Studies

BA Spanish and Latin American Studies Code R401 Attend an Open Day Attend an Open Day

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Key Facts

R401

  • UCAS Tariff

    120 - 104

  • Course duration

    4 years

Available for September start 2025

Further details on entry requirements

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The BA Spanish and Latin American Studies offered by our Department of Modern Languages is a four-year degree scheme designed to provide you with a profound practical knowledge of the Spanish language. The degree will equip you with the much-needed tools to reflect on past and contemporary literature, society, cinema, translation and politics both in Spain and Latin America. You will spend your third year abroad in either Spain or Latin America, in one of a number of options, either studying or gaining valuable work experience. This degree has two pathways in the first year only: one for students with an A-Level (or equivalent) in Spanish and another for those with little or no current knowledge of the language through the Beginners’ route. Come and join us at Aberystwyth University!

Course Overview

Why study BA Spanish and Latin American Studies at Aberystwyth University?

  • The Department of Modern Languages is a close knit department in which the student is the primary focus. We know all of our students by name and a real sense of community is developed in which lecturers and tutors are always on hand to guide the students through their studies.
  • All students in our department thrive in our multilingual environment. We teach most of our modules and classes through the target language, many of our teaching staff are native speakers and all are experts in their respective languages.
  • If you are a Beginner in the Spanish Language, do not worry, you will be taught on our Spanish Beginners Language course and in your first year, your language skills will rapidly advance and you will join the Advanced students in the second year.
  • If you are entering this course with a Spanish A-Level (or equivalent), you will continue to develop your linguistic competencies but at the same time be enrolled onto the Hispanic Civilisation course where you will begin your journey through the culture, literature, film and politics of Spain and Latin America.
  • You will also have the opportunity to study Brazilian-Portuguese to enhance your employability opportunities further.
  • Our ground-breaking ‘Study and Research skills’ course in the first year will equip you with the most advanced skills necessary to successfully complete your degree.
  • Aberystwyth is a small town with a big heart and a cosmopolitan outlook. As a vibrant and friendly University, we attract students from all corners of the world, and the intimate atmosphere makes it a great place to get to know people, meaning that you will easily find Spanish-speaking students with whom to practise your Spanish.
Our Staff

All of the lecturers in the Department of Modern Languages are qualified to PhD level and are research active specialists in their chosen field. We also employ highly qualified and experienced language tutors, and native-speakers, who will ensure that your learning is of the highest possible quality and who will provide you with constant support through your years of study.

Modules September start - 2025

Please note: The modules listed below are those currently intended for delivery during the next academic year and may be subject to change. They are included here to give an indication of how the course is structured.

Core

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Beginners Spanish 1 SP10820 20
Beginners Spanish 2 SP11020 20
Brazilian Portuguese (Basic) EL10720 20
Hispanic Civilization SP10610 10
Spanish Language Advanced SP19930 30
Study and Research Skills in Spanish and Latin American Studies SP11120 20

Options

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Academic Writing: Planning, Process and Product IC17720 20
Introduction to European Film EL10520 20
Language, Culture, and Identity in Europe EL10820 20

* Also available partially or entirely through the medium of Welsh

Careers

In a competitive world, where expectations from the open market are swiftly increasing, to study the third most spoken language in the world will put you in an advantageous position. In addition, you will study Brazilian-Portuguese to enhance further enhance your employment opportunities. Your third year will be spent abroad either studying at a partner university or working. A recent Erasmus Impact survey showed that 64% of employers considered international experience important for recruitment and that studying or working abroad will increase your chances of finding employment by up to 41% compared to students who do not study or work abroad. 

Graduates from the Department of Modern Languages have pursued careers in: 

  • translation and interpretation
  • broadcasting
  • education 
  • marketing 
  • Human Resources 
  • website development
  • international banking 
  • the Civil Service.

Teaching & Learning

The breakdown below will provide you with an illustration of what you may study during the four year degree scheme.

What will I learn?

During your four years, you will have four weekly hours of language work, which includes:

  • speaking
  • writing
  • listening
  • translation.

In addition you will be provided with all the tools necessary to continue your learning outside the classroom. We have a wide selection of materials available through the interactive student learning system (BlackBoard) where you can access up-to-date learning resources wherever you are at any time. A wide range of expertise is available within our Department and this is reflected in the module choices that we have on offer.

On this course you can choose to study:

  • Spanish literature
  • Spanish film
  • Latin American film
  • Cuba and the Cuban Revolution
  • Brazilian-Portuguese
  • Spanish for Business
  • Contemporary Spain.

How will I be taught?

You will be taught through the medium of lectures, seminars and language workshops using our state of the art language laboratories. Most of our courses are taught in the medium of the target language (both language and content).

You will be assessed in a variety of ways depending on the modules, usually through a combination of coursework and exams.

Your progress will be continuously developed through tutorial consultations and through the Personal Development and Employment Portfolios that you will produce during your studies.

Typical Entry Requirements

UCAS Tariff 120 - 104

A Levels BBB-BCC to include B in Spanish (unless to be studied as a beginner)

GCSE requirements (minimum grade C/4):
English or Welsh

BTEC National Diploma:
DDM-DMM to include B in A level Spanish (unless to be studied as a beginner)

International Baccalaureate:
30-28 with 5 points in Spanish at Higher Level

European Baccalaureate:
75%-65% overall with 7 in Spanish

English Language Requirements:
See our Undergraduate English Language Requirements for this course. Pre-sessional English Programmes are also available for students who do not meet our English Language Requirements.

Country Specific Entry Requirements:
International students whose qualification is not listed on this page, can check our Country Specific Entry Requirements for further information.

The University welcomes undergraduate applications from students studying the Access to Higher Education Diploma or T-level qualifications, provided that relevant subject content and learning outcomes are met. We are not able to accept Access to Higher Education Diplomas or T-levels as a general qualification for every undergraduate degree course.
Our inclusive admissions policy values breadth as well as depth of study. Applicants are selected on their own individual merits and offers can vary. If you would like to check the eligibility of your qualifications before submitting an application, please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for advice and guidance.

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