Welcome to the Hispanic Studies Section

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. At all levels particular stress is laid on small-group teaching.

There are separate first-year classes for beginners and non-beginners in Spanish but the sections are combined in the second year where you can obtain practical experience of video production if you opt for cultural/historical group project work.

Portuguese is currently available as a Level 1 course which may be taken in the first or second years of study, while Catalan is available as an option at Honours level. Beginners' classes offer the opportunity to engage with purpose-built multimedia course-ware.

Entry to Honours depends upon performance in the coursework and examinations of Spanish Level 2. There is no quota of places but you must satisfy Faculty requirements for Honours entry and spend your third year abroad. Both Single and Joint Honours students may follow courses in Portuguese as well as Spanish; Social Sciences and Law students take only one language, though still spend the third year abroad. The balance of Honours options varies greatly as do other elements in the course (language/literature; historical/cultural; early/modern; Peninsular/Latin American). In this way, and through the opportunity to pursue individual interests in your Honours dissertation, you have considerable potential for designing a curriculum that best meets your preferences and aspirations.