Program description
Spanish MA Hons
As an MA (Hons) student of Spanish, you will develop language and communications skills to a high level of proficiency. You will be able to choose from a broad range of course options that reflect and explore the rich cultural heritage of Spain and Latin America, including: literature from the Golden Age to the present day, history, linguistics, film and translation.
Spanish at St Andrews caters both for students who are beginners and for those who have already studied Spanish as a main subject at school.
During your third year, you have the opportunity to study abroad in Spain at one of the University’s partner institutions, or in Montevideo, Uruguay.
The MA (Hons) in Spanish is also available as a five-year course with an integrated year abroad. The integrated year abroad is an opportunity for students to spend a year working in a Spanish-speaking country between second year and third year.
Admission requirements
These grades are the overall standards required to consider you for entry. Find out more about Standard, Minimum and Gateway entry requirements using academic entry explained and see which entry requirements you need to look at using the.
- SQA Highers
- GCE A-Levels
- IB points
International applicants
If English is not your first language, you will need an overall IELTS score of 7.5, with a minimum score of 6.5 in each component (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking), or an equivalent English language qualification.
For more information about admission requirements, please visit the university website.
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Learn moreProgram content
First Year
Two different types of modules are offered in first year:
- intensive foundation courses for beginners or students with an SQA National 5 or GCSE in Spanish
- advanced language and literature courses for those with higher entrance qualifications such as an SQA Higher or GCE A-level.
Students who are beginners or who have studied Spanish to National 5 or GCSE-level are required to take the following compulsory modules in their first year:
- Spanish for Beginners 1
- Spanish for Beginners 2
Students who have an SQA Higher or a GCE A-Level in Spanish are required to take the following compulsory modules in first year:
- Spanish Language and Texts 1
- Spanish Language and Texts 1
Second Year
Students who are ex-beginners in Spanish and wish to move into mainstream studies of Spanish language and literature are required to take the following compulsory modules in their second year:
- Spanish Language and Texts: ex-Beginners
- Spanish Language and Critical Approaches to Texts 2
Advanced students must take the following compulsory modules in their second year:
- Spanish Language and Critical Approaches to Texts 1
- Spanish Language and Critical Approaches to Texts 2
All students (both advanced and ex-beginners) also have the option of taking the following module, recommended in particular for students wishing to continue their Spanish studies at Honours level:
- Spanish Language and Critical Approaches to Cinema
Honours
If you take Spanish in third and fourth years, you will choose from a variety of advanced options which incorporate literary, historical and cultural studies into language learning. Students of all language levels take the same core modules in Spanish language, including advanced oral, writing and communication skills.
Modules at Honours level in previous years have included (but are not limited to):
- Action Heroes and Anti-heroes in Early-Modern Spain
- Autobiographical Writing in Twentieth-Century Spain
- Linguistic Study of the Spanish Language
- Literary Translation
- Mexico in the Nineteenth Century
- Post-1975 Writing in Spain 1
- Spanish American Literature 1 (Gauchos and Indians)
- Strange Girls and Domestic Angels: Women’s Writing in Spain
- Tales of the Nation
- The Argentine and Chilean Avant-Garde (1920s-1930s).
Scholarships & funding
Several scholarship options are available. Please check the university website for more information.
Program delivery
When not attending lectures, tutorials and practical language classes, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve:
- practicing Spanish grammar and pronunciation
- working on individual and group projects
- undertaking research in the library
- preparing coursework assignments and presentations
- preparing for examinations.
Tuition fees
Career opportunities
Modern languages graduates have an extremely good record of employment after graduating, not only in all sectors that require advanced language skills but also in professional environments that demand good communication and analytical skills.
Employers value language graduates because they demonstrate excellent communication, interpersonal and intercultural skills.
Many graduates go on to:
- specialise in translation and interpreting services, in language teaching or other sector-specific careers
- join international institutions and enterprises, working in international development departments, human resources, administration, media and communication jobs
- start a career in the banking and financial sector
- join the civil service, particularly in positions within the Foreign Office
- continue to study at postgraduate level.
Contact school
About this institute
University of St Andrews
The University of St Andrews is Scotland’s first University. As a 600 year-old institution, we are known across the globe for our world leading quality and depth of research. For six centuries some of the world’s brightest and most promising...
Why study at University of St Andrews
The University of St Andrews is situated in a truly beautiful location. Part of a seaside town it is a picturesque and inspirational location to pursue your studies, where you will have the thinking space needed to be your very best. As a smaller university our size is one of our greatest strengths with class sizes allowing for a close and individual learning experience and giving great access and support from your teachers.
Graduates of St Andrews are highly sought after by employers around the world due to our reputation for excellence. A qualification from St Andrews will help you reach your ambitions and kickstart your career.
Consistently ranked as the best student academic experience in the UK by students in the National Student Survey, your time as a student in St Andrews will be unique and rewarding, leaving you with a prestigious qualification, but also memories and connections to treasure for years to come.
Contact info
University of St Andrews
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