Program Overview

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Film & Visual Culture and Spanish & Latin American Studies, MA

Introduction

Film & Visual Culture and Spanish & Latin American Studies at Aberdeen gives you a rigorous training in the history and theory of the moving image in the 21st century with the added advantage of top-rated study of the Spanish language and the literature, history and cultures of Spain and Latin America – including cinema – adding international possibilities to a career in creative arts and media, business, tourism and many other options too.

Study Information

At a Glance

• Learning Mode: On Campus Learning
• Degree Qualification: MA
• Duration: 48 months
• Study Mode: Full Time
• Start Month: September
• UCAS Code: WRK6

Our unique Film and Visual Culture programme combines close analysis of visual objects and artefacts – analogue and digital, moving and still, underground and mainstream – with theories of visual representation, production and circulation. You’ll gain specialist knowledge and skills in the academic study of cinema, with an emphasis on building analytical skills in research and critical writing. You’ll also have the opportunity to develop skills in digital video production and web design.

Aberdeen is one of the most dynamic places to study and research the Spanish language and the cultural frameworks in countries where it is spoken. You’ll be equipped with the skills to communicate in a global language, spoken by 350 million native Spanish speakers in 19 Latin American states, Spain, and increasingly in the US. You’ll also study historical, literary and cultural texts, films and visual culture.

As an integral part of your 4-year programme, you will spend half of year three developing your language skills as a teaching assistant or visiting student in a Spanish-speaking country.

You’ll graduate well prepared for a career in the creative arts, new media, journalism, or teaching, and with the international dimension opening opportunities in business, tourism and many other options.

What You'll Study

Year 1

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Academic Writing for Language & Literature (AW1008)
  • Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD1002)
  • Introduction to Visual Culture (FS1008)
  • Introduction to Film and the Cinematic Experience (FS1508)
• Optional Courses:
  • Select ONE of the following options:
    • Intermediate: Spanish Language 2 (SP1028) or Spanish Language 3 (SP2525)
    • Advanced: Spanish Language 3 (SP2525)
  • All options will also select:
    • Spain and Spanish America: History, Culture, Politics (SP1039) AND/OR The Global City in Text and Film (LA1501)
  • Plus select further credit points from courses of choice to reach 120 credit points.

Year 2

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Visualising Modernity (FS2007)
  • Spanish Language 4 (SP2026)
  • Latin America: Texts and Contexts (SP2036)
• Second half session to be spent in Spain or Latin America

Year 3

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Spanish Language 6 (SP30A3)
• Optional Courses:
  • Select 60 credits from Film and Visual Culture courses.
  • Also, select further courses at level 3 in Spanish and Latin American Studies to reach a total of 60 credits.

Year 4

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Spanish Language 7 (SP40A5)
• Optional Courses:
  • Select ONE of the following dissertation course options:
    • Dissertation in Film & Visual Culture (FS4002) [First Semester]
    • Dissertation in Film & Visual Culture (FS4506) [Second Semester]
    • Dissertation in Hispanic Studies (SP4039)
  • Plus, select further credit points from level 4 course(s) in Film and Visual Culture to make up 60 credit points in the discipline.
  • Also, select further courses at level 4 in Spanish and Latin American Studies to gain 60 credit points.

How You'll Study

Learning Methods

• Individual Projects
• Lectures
• Research
• Tutorials

Assessment Methods

Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods:

• Coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course
• Practical assessments of the skills and competencies they learn on the course
• Written examinations at the end of each course

The exact mix of these methods differs between subject areas, years of study and individual courses.

Honours projects are typically assessed on the basis of a written dissertation.

Why Study Film & Visual Culture and Spanish & Latin American Studies?

Why Film & Visual Culture

• A curriculum which perfectly balances creativity with broad study, theory and critical analysis as you learn to think within the movements of cinema, and pursue questions beyond the film frame.
• The George Washington Wilson Centre for Visual Culture, promoting interest and organising events in visual culture, including film, photography, art history, anthropology and museum studies.
• A programme which also looks at the practical elements of film and visual culture, including the production and circulation of film.
• The spectacular, award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library provides a stunning, iconic and inspiring study environment with state-of-the-art learning technology and reference works on film and visual culture.
• Strong emphasis on applied learning as well as theory, so you develop a range of practical skills that will give you a good grounding in your future career.
• An exciting and flourishing cultural scene in north-east Scotland.
• A packed campus programme of student and public events, exhibitions, seminars, café discussions and film showings.

Why Spanish & Latin American Studies

• The opportunity to study visual culture, literature, history, politics and anthropology in relation to Spain and/or Latin America.
• Special areas of research expertise include 20th century Spain, contemporary and historical Mexico, visual culture, gender studies, history of science in Latin America, and studies of citizenship and society.
• Multicultural north-east Scotland, with many Spanish speakers working or studying in this region due to its role as a world centre for oil and gas.
• The spectacular, award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library, with top-class study facilities, state-of-the-art learning technology, and extensive Spanish and Latin American works to inspire your studies.
• A packed campus programme of events, exhibitions, film showings, and the annual WayWORD literary festival which welcomes international figures, experts, writers and scientists to campus every spring, including authors writing in Spanish.

Entry Requirements

Qualifications

• SQA Highers:
  • Standard: AABB
  • Minimum: BBB
  • Adjusted: BB
• A LEVELS:
  • Standard: BBB
  • Minimum: BBC
  • Adjusted: CCC
• International Baccalaureate: 32 points, including 5, 5, 5 at HL.
• Irish Leaving Certificate: 5H with 3 at H2 AND 2 at H3.

Fees and Funding

• EU / International students: £20,800
• Home Students: £1,820
• England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland: £9,535

Careers

There are many opportunities at the University of Aberdeen to develop your knowledge, gain experience and build a competitive set of skills to enhance your employability. This is essential for your future career success. The Careers and Employability Service can help you to plan your career and support your choices throughout your time with us, from first to final year – and beyond.

Our Experts

You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change.