UCAS code RR45
Hispanic Studies at Liverpool covers the languages, literatures, cultures and histories of Spain, Portugal and Latin America.
Liverpool is one of the few UK universities to offer Basque, Catalan, and Portuguese Studies alongside Spanish, which makes our courses more diverse and stimulating than many others. Spanish is spoken by over 500 million people worldwide, and Portuguese by over 250 million, making them two of the most widely spoken languages globally. We celebrated our Catalan Studies centenary in 2026—a milestone that makes Liverpool the first university outside Spain to reach it, and a testament to the exceptional depth and continuity of our expertise.
At the University of Liverpool, we take a pluricultural and plurilingual approach to the Luso-Hispanic World. We explore Spanish both within and beyond Spain, engaging with the rich variety of languages and cultures encountered in Spain, Portugal and Latin America. Whether you are starting from scratch or building on A level (or equivalent) Spanish, this course will take you to an advanced level of proficiency (C1 of the CEFR). Along the way, you will engage with a broad range of disciplines — from linguistics and historical study, to literature, film, and sought-after practical skills such as translation, interpreting, and subtitling.
Not only will you become confident in Spanish, but you will have the option of adding a second Iberian language to your degree. You may choose Catalan – a living language spoken by over 10 million people – or Portuguese. You will also gain a thorough understanding of many aspects of Hispanic Studies, developing the intercultural awareness that employers value.
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
Students on the advanced pathway take 45 credits of required/mandatory modules in each semester.
In addition, students are required to take two modules in either Portuguese (PORT) or Catalan (CATL). They continue the same language up to C1 Level.
Availabilty of optional modules will be dependent on whether you are an advanced or beginner student, and which additional language you have chosen.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change. This course has been updated for 2027 entry as part of a review of all our programmes. This review has considered refining study pathways, strengthening links with employers, integrating generative AI, developing students’ research skills, and enhancing alignment with our research strengths. Please note, as at all times, the University reserves the right to make reasonable changes, including to content, entry requirements, or fees, or to discontinue programmes. Applicants will be informed of any significant change.
All language modules are worth 30 credits and run across both semesters.
Students take 30 credits of content modules in each semester.
Students on the advanced pathway are required to take one module in advanced Spanish language (SPAN200A), and they are required to continue with the second language they began in year one: either Portuguese (PORT200I) or Catalan (CATL200I).
Beginners’ language modules in Portuguese (PORT100B) and Catalan (CATL100B) are available on an optional basis to students who did not take these languages in year one.
Students on the beginners’ pathway are required to take Intermediate Spanish (SPAN200I), and are required to take an additional Iberian language at beginner’s level: either Portuguese (PORT100B) or Catalan (CATL100B). They continue this language in year four.
HISP219 is available only to students who did not take HISP112 in year one.
MODL200 is a placement module for which you can register directly. You will be contacted in due course with details of a placement.
Students can take a maximum of two MODL or FILM optional modules per session.
Students who take up a new beginners’ language in year two will not be able to make this language a formal part of their Year Abroad plan.
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| ADVANCED SPANISH (SPAN200A) | 30 |
| INTERMEDIATE SPANISH (SPAN200I) | 30 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change. This course has been updated for 2027 entry as part of a review of all our programmes. This review has considered refining study pathways, strengthening links with employers, integrating generative AI, developing students’ research skills, and enhancing alignment with our research strengths. Please note, as at all times, the University reserves the right to make reasonable changes, including to content, entry requirements, or fees, or to discontinue programmes. Applicants will be informed of any significant change.
Required Year Abroad during which students can opt for one of three pathways, which have different forms of assessment.
The Year Abroad carries 120 credits (at Level 5) and counts for 10% of the final degree classification.
Students who are unable to meet the minimum term abroad for personal reasons should discuss this directly with the Director of the Year Abroad. If learning outcomes cannot be met, students will need to transfer onto a three-year programme of Modern Language Studies.
Students can also choose to split this between two of the following pathways.
Students who spend their Year Abroad studying at a university in Latin America will complete MODL225 (semester one) and MODL226 (semester two).
Students who took up a new beginners’ language in year two will not be able to make this language a formal part of their Year Abroad plan.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change. This course has been updated for 2027 entry as part of a review of all our programmes. This review has considered refining study pathways, strengthening links with employers, integrating generative AI, developing students’ research skills, and enhancing alignment with our research strengths. Please note, as at all times, the University reserves the right to make reasonable changes, including to content, entry requirements, or fees, or to discontinue programmes. Applicants will be informed of any significant change.
Students who started Portuguese or Catalan at beginners’ level in year two can continue with the language in year four, choosing either Intermediate Portuguese (PORT200I) or Intermediate Catalan (CATL200I).
Students on the beginners’ pathway are required to take either Advanced or Proficient Spanish (SPAN300A or SPAN300P).
Heritage pathway students, like standard pathway students, must take 120 credits in their final year.
Heritage pathway students who have completed SPAN300P prior to their final year will take (at least) 30 credits from the following final-year options:
MODL311 is a pre-requisite for MODL312 for all students. Students will need to achieve a mark of 60% or above in MODL311 in order to progress to MODL312.
Students can take a maximum of two MODL or FILM modules per session, excluding MODL311 and MODL312.
A distinction in spoken Spanish, Portuguese and/or Catalan will be awarded to students who achieve 75% or above in the oral examination for SPAN300P, CATL300P or PORT300P.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change. This course has been updated for 2027 entry as part of a review of all our programmes. This review has considered refining study pathways, strengthening links with employers, integrating generative AI, developing students’ research skills, and enhancing alignment with our research strengths. Please note, as at all times, the University reserves the right to make reasonable changes, including to content, entry requirements, or fees, or to discontinue programmes. Applicants will be informed of any significant change.
If you split your degree between Hispanic Studies and another subject area, you will study a Spanish language module, at beginners or advanced level, and another language or cultural module per semester, alongside two other modules in your other subject.
In year one, you will study two Spanish language modules at the appropriate level and two foundational modules. During your second and final year you will study two Spanish language modules at the appropriate level plus two content modules from a range of options on Latin American literature, Latin American and Spanish cinema, Spanish literature from medieval to modern times, or Catalan or Portuguese as a second language.
You will spend one year in a Spanish-speaking country (or if relevant, a Catalan speaking region or Portuguese speaking country) as an assistant in a school, as a student at a university or on a work placement.
You will be taught through a mixture of lectures, seminars and small-group language classes where emphasis is placed on active participation and regular feedback. Language modules develop reading, writing, listening, speaking, translation and intercultural communication skills.
Tuition takes place in small groups and students are encouraged to make use of the Language Lounge and online learning resources to support independent study. Teaching is informed by current research and includes a blend of classroom-based and digital learning activities.
Performance throughout the year is carefully monitored through a combination of coursework and examinations. Language modules are assessed through a variety of written and oral tasks, including examinations, presentations, translation work and oral assessments. Other modules use a mix of essays, presentations, portfolios, digital projects and exams.
Assessment is designed to reflect the skills being developed and to reward sustained achievement across the year. The Year Abroad is assessed through a range of methods depending on the placement undertaken, and final-year students complete either a dissertation, a research and translation project pathway, or another approved capstone route, depending on their programme pathway.
At Liverpool, we take a distinctive approach to education through the Liverpool Learning Framework. This means teaching that is engaging, inclusive and designed to help you succeed during your studies and beyond.
You’ll develop specialist subject knowledge alongside the skills employers value most, including:
Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:
We also embed key priorities across our curriculum, including AI literacy, employability, and sustainability, helping you prepare for the future and make a positive impact in the world.
We’re committed to creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment where every student can thrive.
Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.
University of Liverpool students can choose from an exciting range of study placements at partner universities worldwide.
Broaden your world by spending an additional year of study at a partner university abroad following your second year of study.
Every student at The University of Liverpool can study a language as part of, or alongside their degree. You can choose:
With a combined degree, you can study two subjects as part of the same degree programme.
Teaching is delivered by the Department of Languages, Cultures and Film, who bring together experts in a wide range of disciplines. A cutting edge research programme and award-winning teaching provide great opportunities to study all aspects of language and culture within a global context.
From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:
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Studying Hispanic Studies is not designed to prepare students for a specific career, but the skills learnt offer a wide range of possibilities. The Higher Education Statistics Agency consistently records high levels of employment for language graduates, and the employability of graduates from Hispanic Studies is very good. The programme produces students who are able to communicate effectively in Hispanic languages and English, to identify and suggest solutions for problems, to absorb and synthesise material from a variety of sources and to be able to construct cogent and coherent arguments based on these sources. You will be equipped for graduate opportunities requiring competence in Hispanic languages, breadth of outlook, sympathetic understanding of other cultures, efficient selection and deployment of information from written sources, critical and evaluative judgements and excellent standards of literacy.
We are justifiably proud of our excellent record on graduate employment. Our graduates go on to careers in all sectors worldwide. These include: