Study  ›   Undergraduate courses

Hispanic Studies

We've set the country or region your qualifications are from as United Kingdom. Change it here

Apply for this course

Although the UCAS equal consideration date has now passed, many of our courses are still accepting applications from UK students for 2024 entry through UCAS.

The deadline for international students is 30 June 2024.

Related courses

There are eleven courses related to Hispanic Studies that you might be interested in.

Change country or region

We’re showing entry requirements and other information for applicants with qualifications from: United Kingdom.

Commonly selected...

Change to the United Kingdom


Not on the list?

If your country or region isn’t listed here, please contact us with any questions about studying with us.

Get a prospectus or course leaflet

Bachelor of Arts

A Bachelor of Arts (BA Hons) is a bachelor’s degree awarded for an undergraduate programme in the arts.

Return to top

Course overview

Hispanic Studies at Liverpool covers the languages, literatures, cultures and histories of Spain, Portugal and Latin America.

Introduction

Liverpool is one of the few UK universities to offer Basque, Catalan and Portuguese Studies, which makes our programmes more diverse and stimulating than many. Spanish and Portuguese are truly global languages; Spanish has over 400 million speakers and Portuguese has over 200 million.

At the University of Liverpool we take a pluricultural and plurilingual approach to the Luso-Hispanic World. We have a strong interest in looking at Spanish in and beyond Spain with an emphasis on the variety of different languages and cultures encountered in Spain, in Portugal and in Latin America. This programme allows you to develop Spanish language skills (whether from beginner or A-level standard) to proficiency level (at least C1 of the CEFR), as well as introducing you to a broad range of aspects of Hispanic studies from linguistics through historical and cultural study (including literature and film) to practical skills such as translation and interpreting. Not only will you become a confident reader, writer, listener, and speaker of Spanish, with the option of studying a second Iberian language (Basque, Catalan or Portuguese), but you will also gain a thorough understanding of many aspects of Hispanic Studies.

We have a vibrant community of students who are involved in a wide range of extracurricular activities including Iberian and Latin American Week, an annual symposium, visiting writers, and much more.

What you'll learn

  • The ability to communicate appropriately, fluently and accurately in a number of personal and professional contexts in Spanish/Basque/Catalan/Portuguese
  • Linguistic principles required to analyse Hispanic languages
  • Detailed study of literary and other cultural texts and contexts to develop a broad knowledge and critical understanding of the cultures, communities and societies in which Spanish/Basque/Catalan/Portuguese is spoken
  • The ability to contextualise a broad range of materials in written and spoken Spanish/Basque/Catalan/Portuguese
  • Analytic engagement with texts
  • Oral and written presentation skills in both your native language and Hispanic languages

Teaching Excellence Framework 2023

We’re proud to announce we’ve been awarded a Gold rating for educational excellence.

Course content

Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.

Year one

Each year you take two modules in Spanish language at the appropriate level, plus students of advanced Spanish will take two further modules in Portuguese, Catalan or Basque which you will learn from scratch if you take Hispanic Studies as a Major or as a Single Honours degree.

In Year One you will also take foundational modules which introduce Iberian and Latin American histories and cultures; students of advanced Spanish taking Single Honours will also take a ‘Language awareness’ module, which is designed to support your language learning by sensitising you to issues in language and linguistics, and a module on Iberian Literature.

Students of advanced Spanish will take four language modules and four foundational modules.

Students of beginners’ Spanish will take two Spanish language modules, four foundational modules and two additional modules in another subject.

Compulsory modules

BEGINNERS SPANISH 1+2 (SPAN112)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 1

An intensive course for those who have not studied Spanish before. Through a variety of methods, students will be provided with basic competence in reading, writing, listening and speaking Spanish. Students are expected to reach a level equivalent to that of level A1.

INTERMEDIATE SPANISH 5, YEAR 1 (SPAN105)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 1

This module is mapped against B1+ level in Spanish according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

The aim of the module is to work towards the expansion of the student’s already existent knowledge of Spanish language. Furthermore, the module places special emphasis on conversational fluency, grammatical accuracy and vocabulary acquisition. Students will receive three contact hours a week divided into two hours of integrated skills language seminars plus a one hour lab session of practical skills (listening and conversation) per week. In addition, students are expected to undertake regular independent language learning for which they will provided with materials and guidance via the University’s Virtual Learning Environment: Canvas.​

ELEMENTARY SPANISH 3+4, YEAR 1 (SPAN134)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 2

SPAN134 is an elementary, intensive Spanish language and culture module. It aims at building language and intercultural skills, providing students with a solid understanding of the grammar, syntax, vocabulary and use of the Spanish language in context at an elementary level.

INTERMEDIATE SPANISH 6, YEAR 1 (SPAN106)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 2

This module is mapped against B2- level in Spanish according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

This is a first year advanced language course taught in the second semester where students attend seminars and practical sessions in small groups and focus on spoken and written Spanish. The aim is to work towards the expansion of the student’s already existent knowledge of Spanish language. Furthermore, the module places special emphasis on conversational fluency, grammatical accuracy and vocabulary acquisition. Students will receive three contact hours a week divided into two hours of integrated skills language seminars plus a one hour lab session of practical skills (listening and conversation) per week. In addition, students are expected to undertake regular independent language learning for which they will provided with materials and guidance via Canvas.

INTRODUCTION TO IBERIAN AND LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES I (HISP120)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 1

The Introduction to Iberian and Latin American Studies I module (HISP120) provides students with a basic introduction to Luso-Hispanic history, culture and society. It focuses on key topics such as colonialism and decolonisation, race and ethnicity, and sub-state and national identities. Along with Introduction to Iberian and Latin American Studies II (HISP121) in Semester 2, this module will serve as the foundation upon which you build your knowledge and understanding of Luso-Hispanic history and culture throughout your degree.

INTRODUCTION TO IBERIAN AND LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES II (HISP121)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 2

This module provides students with a basic introduction to Luso-Hispanic history, culture and society. It also covers core skills necessary for undergraduate studies, familiarising you with a range of information sources. This module is thus also aimed at developing confidence and ability in research and academic writing. Along with Introduction to Iberian and Latin American Studies I (HISP120), this module will serve as the foundation upon which you will build your knowledge and understanding of Luso-Hispanic history and culture throughout your degree.

LANGUAGE AWARENESS (MODL105)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 1

The module is an introduction to linguistics, focusing on issues in theoretical and applied linguistics which are relevant for language learners. It aims to equip students with a better awareness of and explicit knowledge about language and language learning. The meta-awareness thus gained will assist in hypothesis testing and rule formation essential to the learning of language.

WOMEN IN IBERIAN AND LATIN AMERICAN LITERATURE AND CULTURE (HISP112)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 2

This module will introduce students to a range of literary and cultural forms which give prominence to women’s roles in cultural and social change. Students will engage with a number of key texts and gender related concepts and will consider the ways in which representations of women, whether produced by women or, indeed, by men, have both influenced and been influenced by important social and cultural movements in Spain, Portugal and Latin America from the early modern to the modern eras.  

INTRODUCTION TO FILM LANGUAGE (FILM101)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 1

The aim of the course is to give you grounding in analytical skills, an appreciation of the significance of film as a medium, and an ability to write about film in an accessible and well informed way for different audiences and different purposes.

Furthermore, the course will introduce you to the basic components of the audiovisual ‘language’ which film uses to communicate with its audience, and to the methods that you should use when analysing how any one film uses this language. We will look at a wide variety of films selected for their particularly innovative or influential treatment of different aspects of this ‘language’.

APPROACHES TO FILM (FILM102)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 2

The aim of this course is to introduce you to key theoretical and conceptual debates within Film Studies. It will develop your ability to apply these concepts to close readings of film texts and, in doing so, enhance your skills of critical analysis and independent thinking.

Optional modules

BEGINNERS' BASQUE 1+2 (BASQ112)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 1

Beginners’ Basque 1+2 equips the students with the skills needed to start communicating in Basque. It covers basic grammar structures and vocabulary and lays a solid foundation for further study. The course includes as well an introduction to a variety of aspects of Basque culture.

BEGINNERS CATALAN 1+2 (CATL112)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 1

The principal aim of this module is to achieve greater proficiency in written and speaking Catalan and to provide a solid grammatical foundation.

The student will also have the opportunity to achieve an extra qualification by taking the International Catalan Certificate issued by the Institut Ramon Llull and held at the University of Liverpool.

BEGINNERS PORTUGUESE 1+2, YEAR 1 (PORT112)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 1

This introductory Portuguese language module offers absolute beginners a comprehensive overview of basic grammatical functions and linguistic skills that will provide students with basic competence in reading, writing, listening and speaking Portuguese at A1+/A2 level according the Common European Framework of Reference.

ELEMENTARY BASQUE 3+4 (BASQ134)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 2

Elementary Basque 3+4 takes the students up to the A2 Breakthrough level of the CEFRL by widening the range of grammar structures and vocabulary to be acquired and so enhancing their receptive and productive skills. The course materials keep introducing the students to a wide variety of aspects of Basque culture.

ELEMENTARY CATALAN 3+4, YEAR 1 (CATL134)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 2

This module is mapped against A2 level in Catalan according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

This is an introductory intensive module which aims to provide students with a working knowledge of modern Catalan, written and spoken, roughly at A-level standard. The student will also have the opportunity to achieve an extra qualification by taking the International Catalan Certificate issued by the Institut Ramon Llull and held at the University of Liverpool.

ELEMENTARY PORTUGUESE 3+4, YEAR 1 (PORT134)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 2

This module is mapped against A2 level in Portuguese according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

This module is a continuation of PORT112 and improves upon the linguistic skills acquired in that module. It offers beginners of Portuguese a comprehensive overview of basic grammatical functions and linguistic skills that will provide students with a sound competence in reading, writing, listening and speaking Portuguese.

Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.

Our curriculum

The Liverpool Curriculum framework sets out our distinctive approach to education. Our teaching staff support our students to develop academic knowledge, skills, and understanding alongside our graduate attributes:

  • Digital fluency
  • Confidence
  • Global citizenship

Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:

  • Research-connected teaching
  • Active learning
  • Authentic assessment

All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.

Course options

Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.

Language study

Every student at The University of Liverpool can study a language as part of, or alongside their degree. You can choose:

  • A dedicated languages degree
  • A language as a joint or major/ minor degree
  • Language modules (selected degrees)
  • Language classes alongside your studies

Read more about studying a language

Combine this subject

With a combined degree, you can study two subjects as part of the same degree programme.

  • Choose from 30 subjects and over 300 combinations
  • Choose joint or major minor subjects
  • Adjust the weight of your subjects at the end of your first year
  • Same number of credits as single honours students
  • Same classes as single honours students
  • Appeal to a wide range of employers

Explore combined degrees for Languages and Cultures courses

Your experience

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.

Virtual tour

Supporting your learning

From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:

Careers and employability

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:

  • media
  • industry and commerce
  • finance
  • local and central government
  • translation
  • interpreting
  • teaching in schools and universities

82% of languages, cultures and film students are in work and/or further study 15 months after graduation.

Discover Uni, 2018-19.

Fees and funding

Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.

Tuition fees

UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)
Full-time place, per year £9,250
Year in industry fee £1,850
Year abroad fee £1,385
International fees
Full-time place, per year £22,400
Fees are correct for the academic year 2024/25. Please note that the Year Abroad fee also applies to the Year in China.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support. Learn more about paying for your studies..

Additional costs

We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.

Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this course.

Additional study costs

We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.

Find out more about additional study costs.

Scholarships and bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries to provide tuition fee discounts and help with living expenses while at university.

Check out our Liverpool Bursary, worth up to £2,000 per year for eligible UK students. Or for international students, our Undergraduate Global Advancement Scholarship offers a tuition fee discount of up to £5,000 for eligible international students starting an undergraduate degree from September 2024.

Discover our full range of undergraduate scholarships and bursaries

Entry requirements

The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.

We've set the country or region your qualifications are from as United Kingdom. Change it here

Your qualification Requirements

About our typical entry requirements

A levels

BBB including Spanish.

Applicants with the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) are eligible for a reduction in grade requirements. For this course, the offer is BBC with B in the EPQ.

You may automatically qualify for reduced entry requirements through our contextual offers scheme.

T levels

T levels considered in a relevant subject.

Applicants should contact us by completing the enquiry form on our website to discuss specific requirements in the core components and the occupational specialism.

GCSE 4/C in English and 4/C in Mathematics
Subject requirements

Requirements for 100%:
A Level in Spanish at grade B for entry to Advanced language; (no subject requirement for entry to Beginners’ Language)

Requirements for 50% with another subject outside Modern Languages and Cultures:
A Level in Spanish at grade B for entry to Advanced language; (no subject requirement for entry to Beginners’ Language)

Requirements for 50%/50% with two languages:
A Level at Grade B in either of the two languages

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma

Applications encouraged. We evaluate each BTEC application on its merits, entry to Advanced language with an A level or equivalent in Spanish (no subject requirement for entry to Beginners’ Language).

International Baccalaureate

30 including 6 at higher level in relevant language (no subject requirement for entry to Beginners’ Language), with no score less than 4

Irish Leaving Certificate H2, H2, H2, H3, H3, H3 (including H2 in relevant language for Advanced)
Scottish Higher/Advanced Higher

BBB in Advanced Highers including grade B in relevant language for entry to Advanced language; (no subject requirement for entry to Beginners’ language) combinations of Advanced Highers and Scottish Highers are welcome.

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Accepted with A Level grades BB including Spanish (no subject requirement for entry to Beginners’ Language).
Access 30 level 3 credits at Distinction and 15 level 3 credits at Merit for entry to Beginners’ language
International qualifications

Many countries have a different education system to that of the UK, meaning your qualifications may not meet our entry requirements. Completing your Foundation Certificate, such as that offered by the University of Liverpool International College, means you're guaranteed a place on your chosen course.

English language requirements

You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you’re from a majority English speaking country.

We accept a variety of international language tests and country-specific qualifications.

International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.

English language qualification Requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5
TOEFL iBT 88 overall, with minimum scores of listening 17, writing 17, reading 17 and speaking 19
Duolingo English Test 120 overall, with no component below 95
Pearson PTE Academic 61 overall, with no component below 59
LanguageCert Academic 70 overall, with no skill below 60
Cambridge IGCSE First Language English 0500 Grade C overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking and listening. Speaking and listening must be separately endorsed on the certificate.
Cambridge IGCSE First Language English 0990 Grade 4 overall, with Merit in speaking and listening
Cambridge IGCSE Second Language English 0510/0511 0510: Grade B overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking. Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate. 0511: Grade B overall.
Cambridge IGCSE Second Language English 0993/0991 0993: Grade 6 overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking. Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate. 0991: Grade 6 overall.
International Baccalaureate Grade 5 at Standard Level or grade 4 at Higher Level
Cambridge ESOL Level 2/3 Advanced 176 overall, with no paper below 162

PRE-SESSIONAL ENGLISH

Do you need to complete a Pre-Sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?

The length of Pre-Sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.

Find out the length of Pre-Sessional English course you may require for this degree.

Pre-sessional English

If you don’t meet our English language requirements, we can use your most recent IELTS score, or the equivalent score in selected other English language tests, to determine the length of Pre-Sessional English course you require.

Use the table below to check the course length you're likely to require for your current English language ability and see whether the course is available on campus or online.

Your most recent IELTS score Pre-Sessional English course length On campus or online
6.0 overall, with no component below 5.5 6 weeks On campus
5.5 overall, with no component below 5.5 10 weeks On campus and online options available
5.5 overall, with no more than one component below 5.5, and no component below 5.0 12 weeks On campus and online options available
5.5 overall, with no component below 4.5 20 weeks On campus
5.0 overall, with no component below 4.5 30 weeks On campus
4.5 overall, with no more than one component below 4.5, and no component below 4.0 40 weeks On campus

If you’ve completed an alternative English language test to IELTS, we may be able to use this to assess your English language ability and determine the Pre-Sessional English course length you require.

Please see our guide to Pre-Sessional English entry requirements for IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5, for further details.

Contextual offers: reduced grade requirements

Based on your personal circumstances, you may automatically qualify for up to a two-grade reduction in the entry requirements needed for this course. When you apply, we consider a range of factors – such as where you live – to assess if you’re eligible for a grade reduction. You don’t have to make an application for a grade reduction – we’ll do all the work.

Find out more about how we make reduced grade offers.

About our entry requirements

Our entry requirements may change from time to time both according to national application trends and the availability of places at Liverpool for particular courses. We review our requirements before the start of the new UCAS cycle each year and publish any changes on our website so that applicants are aware of our typical entry requirements before they submit their application.

Recent changes to government policy which determine the number of students individual institutions may admit under the student number control also have a bearing on our entry requirements and acceptance levels, as this policy may result in us having fewer places than in previous years.

We believe in treating applicants as individuals, and in making offers that are appropriate to their personal circumstances and background. For this reason, we consider a range of factors in addition to predicted grades, widening participation factors amongst other evidence provided. Therefore the offer any individual applicant receives may differ slightly from the typical offer quoted in the prospectus and on the website.

Alternative entry requirements

  • If your qualification isn't listed here, or you're taking a combination of qualifications, contact us for advice
  • If you are returning to learning, have had a disrupted education or are switching career pathways, the one-year Go Higher diploma qualifies you to apply for University of Liverpool arts, humanities and social sciences programmes
  • Applications from mature students are welcome.

Changes to Hispanic Studies BA (Hons)

See what updates we've made to this course since it was published. We document changes to information such as course content, entry requirements and how you'll be taught.

7 June 2022: New course pages

New course pages launched.