Hispanic Studies, BA (Hons)

Enhance your professional, intellectual, and cultural development by studying Spanish, one of the world's most spoken languages, enabling communication across over 20 countries. Our BA in Hispanic Studies immerses you in Spanish and Latin American history and culture through music, literature, film, and theatre. If you enter with A-level Spanish, you can study Portuguese from the first year, continuing it through to your final year or stopping after the second. Beginners or GCSE-level students will achieve the same Spanish fluency by graduation and begin Portuguese in year two, with opportunities to experience Spain, Latin America, Portugal, and Brazil during the third-year abroad, boosting communication skills, confidence, and employability.The programme's first-year modules introduce Spanish at beginner or post-A-level levels, with post-A-level students also taking beginner Portuguese, alongside non-language modules on Hispanic and Lusophone literatures, cultures, history, and societies, all taught in English. In year two, language classes focus on fluency for the abroad experience, while non-language modules deepen cultural knowledge. The third year involves study or work in Spanish-speaking regions, with options for Portugal or Brazil for continuing Portuguese students. Final-year studies at Nottingham refine language skills to the same level for all, complemented by research-based specialist modules in small groups.

Our first-year core modules are designed as an introduction. This means we will build everyone's knowledge to the same level, so you can progress through to year two. In year one, you take Spanish language at beginners' or post-A level. Post-A level students also take beginners' Portuguese. Your non-language modules (you choose four) introduce you to the literatures, cultures, history and societies of the Spanish-speaking and Portuguese-speaking worlds. These modules are taught in English and give you an overview Hispanic Studies. In year two, your language classes in Spanish (and Portuguese for post-A level students) are dedicated to giving you the fluency and confidence for work or study during the year abroad. Students who started the course as beginners in Spanish take a module in beginners' Portuguese. Your non-language modules deepen your awareness of Hispanic and Lusophone cultures and societies. Your third academic year is spent in Spain and/or Spanish America either studying at a university, working as a language teaching assistant or doing a work placement. Post-A level students who intend to carry on with Portuguese in their final year can also spend time during their year abroad in Portugal and/or Brazil. Your final year is back at Nottingham where you will further develop the language skills you acquired on the Year Abroad. Students who started the degree as beginners in Spanish take the same language modules as those who studied the language post-A level, reaching the same degree level. In addition, you can take specialist modules based on the research we are currently doing. These modules are taught in small groups in English.