Hispanic Studies
UCAS code RR45
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Duration
- 4 years
- Start date and application deadlines
-
- Start date
About this course
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
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.
Students on the advanced pathway take 45 credits of required modules in each semester. In addition, students are required to take two modules in either Portuguese (PORT112 and PORT134), Catalan (CATL112 and CATL134) or Basque (BASQ112 and BASQ134). They continue the same language in Year 2 and 4.
Language modules must be taken in pairs.
All modules on the beginners pathway are required. FILM101 and FILM102 are mandatory for those on the beginners pathway only.
Modules
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Year two
All students must take four language modules if taking Hispanic Studies as a Major or as a Single Honours. This means continuing with the two languages studied in Year One or picking up a second language (Basque, Catalan or Portuguese) if you took Spanish as a beginner in Year One.
Students take 30 credits of language modules and 30 credits of optional modules in each semester. All language modules must be taken in pairs.
HISP219 is available only to students who did not take HISP112 in Year 1.
MODL200 is subject to a suitable placement being sourced.
Students can take a maximum of TWO MODL or FILM optional modules per session.
Up to 15 credits of optional modules may be taken from cognate subjects elsewhere in the School of Histories, Languages and Cultures with prior permission from the Subject Lead.
Modules
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| ADVANCED SPANISH 7 (SPAN207) | 15 |
| ADVANCED SPANISH 8 (SPAN208) | 15 |
| ADVANCED SPANISH 7+8 (SPAN278) | 15 |
| ADVANCED SPANISH 5+6 (SPAN256) | 15 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Year Abroad (Year Three)
You will spend one year abroad as an assistant in a school, as a student at a university or on a work placement. You are encouraged to split the year between two countries/regions to be fully immersed in all the languages that you study.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Year four
All students must take four language modules and four optional modules. This normally means continuing with the two languages studied in Years One and Two. Optional modules include a dissertation, an independent translation project, film, linguistics and digital cultures among others.
Students take 30 credits of language modules and 30 credits of optional modules in each semester.
Students can only take one of MODL321, MODL322 or MODL307.
Modules
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| PROFICIENT SPANISH 11 (SPAN311) | 15 |
| PROFICIENT SPANISH 12 (SPAN312) | 15 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Combined degree
Choosing this subject as a combined degree
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 Basque, Catalan or Portuguese as a second language.
You will spend one year in a Spanish-speaking country (or if relevant, Basque or Catalan speaking region or Portuguese speaking country) as an assistant in a school, as a student at a university or on a work placement.
Teaching and assessment
How you'll learn
You will be taught in a mixture of formal lectures, seminars and small group tutorials where a friendly environment prevails and great attention is paid to giving feedback on assessed work.
In language classes, we make every effort to ensure that we have a small number of students compared to competitor institutions, which means that academic staff are able to support students to achieve their full potential. All language modules involve continuous assessment such as oral presentations, listening tests and grammar tests as well as exams. Tuition takes place in small groups with first-language speakers playing a prominent part and includes a range of skills such as listening, writing, speaking, interpreting and translation.
Students are also expected to make regular use of our fully-refurbished Language Lounge to enhance their own study. We encourage our students to become independent learners, and support them through our dedicated library resources in the Sydney Jones Library which is open 24-hour in term time. We also make extensive use of our virtual learning environment VITAL where students can complete structured tasks outside the classroom.
How you're assessed
Performance throughout the year is carefully monitored and used to supplement examinations. For language, such a programme of continuous assessment involves evaluating performance in a variety of written and oral exercises. Other modules have a mix of essay and exam assessment. Our aim is always to assess by methods of evaluation appropriate to the skills being developed and to allow students to gain credit for good work done during the year.
Exams take place at two points in the academic year: at the end of semester one in January and at the end of the session in May, so that the workload is evenly distributed. As regards the final degree result, for language programmes, the second year’s work counts for 20%, the work done during the year abroad (foreign exams or extended essay or portfolio) counts for another 10%, and the final year’s work counts for 70%.
Liverpool Hallmarks
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
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.
Entry requirements
The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| A levels |
BBC |
| BTEC Level 3 national extended diploma |
DDM. |
| BTEC combinations |
BTEC National Diploma DM plus B at A level; BTEC National Extended Certificate M plus BB at A level. |
| Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced |
C in the Welsh Baccalaureate, plus BB at A level. |
| Access |
Pass relevant Access to HE Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits with 27 at Distinction and 18 at Merit. |
Course options
Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.
Global opportunities
University of Liverpool students can choose from an exciting range of study placements at partner universities worldwide.
Year abroad
Broaden your world by spending an additional year of study at a partner university abroad following your second year of study.
- Choose from up-to 26 countries
- Experience another way of life
- Inspire your future career or studies
- Improved prospects of earning a 2:1 or First
- More likely to earn higher salary
- More likely to be employed after graduating
Where can I spend a year abroad on this course?
- Australia
- Canada
- Hong Kong
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- South Korea
- USA
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
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
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.
Explore where you'll study
A day in the life of Modern Languages student Charlotte
Virtual tour
Supporting your learning
From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:
- Careers and employability support, including help with career planning, understanding the job market and strengthening your networking skills
- A dedicated student services team can help you get assistance with your studies, help with health and wellbeing, and access to financial advice
- Confidential counselling and support to help students with personal problems affecting their studies and general wellbeing
- Support for students with differing needs from the Disability advice and guidance team. They can identify and recommend appropriate support provisions for you.
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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