Hispanic studies embraces the study of the languages, literatures and cultures of Spain, Portugal and the wider Spanish and Portuguese-speaking world, with particular emphasis on Spanish America and Brazil. For this degree you will study both Spanish and Portuguese as core languages.

You will immerse yourself in the Hispanic languages and culture, spending time abroad in both a Portuguese- and a Spanish-speaking region before you take up Honours in Hispanic Studies.

Programme structure

Year 1

The course you study in first year depends on how much Spanish you have studied before. If you have an SQA Higher or A-level in Spanish (grade A or B), you can opt for the Level-1 Language and culture course. This will build on your knowledge of Spanish and reinforce your awareness of linguistic structures, both spoken and written. On the cultural side, you will study a number of key genres (eg narrative, film, poetry, drama) and study texts and films in Spanish.

If you are a beginner or near-beginner in the language, provided that you have some previous successful language learning experience, you can take the Level-1 Beginners course, which will provide an intensive foundation in reading, writing and speaking Spanish. If you perform well on this course, you can progress to second year and beyond.

Portuguese is available as a Level-1 course for beginners which may be taken in year 1 or 2.

You will also study two other subjects of your choice in year 1: see Degrees in Arts, Science and Social Sciences.

Year 2

The first-year Language and culture course leads to Spanish 2, which extends and develops your linguistic skills and builds your knowledge of Spanish culture through the study of further texts and other cultural forms. Students progressing from the first-year Beginners course normally study additional Level-1 cultural materials alongside the Level-2 course.

You will also study two other subjects in year 2: see Degrees in Arts, Science and Social Sciences.

Year 3

It is essential that you spend your third year abroad to gain admittance to Honours. If you spend your year in a Spanish-speaking country then you would normally spend at least the last three months of the second semester of your fourth year in Portugal. If you spend your year in a Portuguese-speaking country then the shorter period would be spent in Spain.

Years 4 and 5

If you successfully complete the Hispanic Studies courses in first and second years, you may progress to Single Honours Hispanic Studies. You will take both Spanish and Portuguese as core languages. You will tailor the remainder of your studies to meet your own particular interests, mixing Spanish- and Portuguese-based topics.

Special features

Our international links

Career prospects

Academic entry requirements
for entry in 2014

MA

Highers: AAAA or AAABB (including English and a humanities subject or a language (including Gaelic) at grades A/B or B/A) in first sitting = unconditional offer.

Applicants who achieved AAAB or AABBB (including English and a humanities subject or a language (including Gaelic) at grades A/B or B/A) at their first sitting WILL receive an offer from the University. This offer may be conditional (on second sitting results) or unconditional, depending on how many applications are received from students who have attained these grades.

Additional offers, either conditional or unconditional, MAY be made to applicants who achieved AABB or ABBB at their first sitting. A decision re these applications will be made in March 2014 once all applications have been reviewed.

A-levels: AAB.

IB: A minimum of 34 points is required to be considered for an offer. Actual offers will specify subjects and grades to be attained at Higher Level.

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training):

• overall score 6.5
• no sub-test less than 6.0
• or equivalent scores in another recognised qualification (see below)
   

Common equivalent English language qualifications:

• ibTOEFL: 92; no sub-test less than 20
• CAE (Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English): B minimum
• CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English): C minimum
• PTE Academic (Person Test of English, Academic test): 60; no sub-test less than 59

Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the Language Centre Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:

• Language Centre, University of Glasgow
• BALEAP guide to accredited courses 

FAQs

Visa requirements and proof of English language level

It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.

For further information about English language, please contact the Language Centre.

Tuition fees

How and when you pay tuition fees depends on where you’re from: see Tuition fees for details. If you’re from outside the EU, please see International students for more information.

Scholarships

We offer a wide range of scholarships to our undergraduates, including both home/EU and international students. The University is committed to supporting students and rewarding academic excellence. That’s why we’ve invested more than £1m in additional scholarship funding over the last year.
 
For a full list of scholarships including eligibility criteria and how to apply, please see:

• Scholarships