Program Overview

French and Spanish & Latin American Studies, MA

Introduction

French and Spanish & Latin American Studies at Aberdeen brings together two top-rated subjects and a great pairing of major European languages to give you a strong competitive advantage in the European and international world. You will gain specialist language, cultural and academic skills to make you extremely attractive to employers in many areas of global business, arts, education, tourism and media.

Study Information

At a Glance

• Learning Mode: On Campus Learning
• Degree Qualification: MA
• Duration: 60 months
• Study Mode: Full Time
• Start Month: September
• UCAS Code: RR14

What You'll Study

Year 1

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Academic Writing for Language & Literature (AW1008)
  • Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD1002)
• Optional Courses:
  • Select ONE of the following options:
    • Beginner:
      • Beginners French Language 1 (FR1028)
      • Beginners French Language 2 (FR1528)
      • French Culture and Society: From Occupation to Decolonisation (FR1031) AND/OR The Global City in Text and Film (LA1501)
      • Spanish Language 1 (SP1027)
      • Spanish Language 2 (SP1528)
      • Spain and Spanish America: History, Culture, Politics (SP1039) AND/OR The Global City in Text and Film (LA1501)
    • Intermediate:
      • Qualified French Language 1 (FR1029)
      • Qualified French Language 2 (FR1529)
      • French Culture and Society: From Occupation to Decolonisation (FR1031) AND/OR The Global City in Text and Film (LA1501)
      • Spanish Language 2 (SP1028)
      • Spanish Language 3 (SP2525)
      • Spain and Spanish America: History, Culture, Politics (SP1039) AND/OR The Global City in Text and Film (LA1501)
    • Advanced:
      • Qualified French Language 1 (FR1029)
      • Qualified French Language 2 (FR1529)
      • French Culture and Society: From Occupation to Decolonisation (FR1031) AND/OR The Global City in Text and Film (LA1501)
      • Spanish Language 3 (SP2525)
      • 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 gain a total of 120 credits.

Year 2

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Revolution and Revolt in Modern and Contemporary France (FR2016)
  • Decentering France: Social Movements and Cultural Transformation (FR2517)
• Optional Courses:
  • Select ONE of the following options:
    • Ex-beginner:
      • Advanced Introductory French Language 1 (FR2012)
      • Advanced Introductory French Language 2 (FR2512)
      • Spanish Language 3 (SP2025)
      • Spanish Language 4 (SP2526)
    • Intermediate - Advanced:
      • Advanced French Language 1 (FR2002)
      • Advanced French Language 2 (FR2502)
      • Spanish Language 4 (SP2026)
      • Spanish Language 5 (SP2531)
  • Also, select ONE OR BOTH of the following:
    • The Global City in Text and Film (LA1501) AND/OR Latin America: Texts and Context (SP2036)
  • Plus, select further courses of choice to make up 120 credit points.

Year 3

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Half the year spent in French speaking country and half spent in Spanish speaking country.
  • Residence Abroad Project (SP30AB)

Year 4

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Junior Honours French Language (FR3089)
  • Spanish Language 6 (SP30A3)
• Optional Courses:
  • Plus further credit points from level 3 courses in French and level 3 courses in Spanish & Latin American Studies to gain a total of 60 credits in each discipline.

Year 5

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Senior Honours French Language (FR4089)
  • Spanish Language 7 (SP40A5)
• Optional Courses:
  • Choose ONE of the following dissertation courses:
    • French Dissertation (FR4097)
    • Dissertation in Hispanic Studies (SP4039)
  • Plus further credit points from level 4 courses in French and level 4 courses in Spanish and Latin American Studies to gain a total of 60 credits in each discipline.

How You'll Study

Learning Methods

• Individual Projects
• Lectures
• Research
• Tutorials

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.

Why Study French and Spanish & Latin American Studies?

Why French

• A vibrant international community on campus and across Aberdeen and north-east Scotland, with many French and French-speaking students, staff and activities on campus and across the region.
• A dynamic French Society, organising social and topical events throughout the year, and a brilliant way to get to know other students studying or speaking French.
• The spectacular, award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library, with stunning study facilities, state-of-the-art learning technology, and a first-class collection of French books and films for your course.
• A packed campus programme of events, exhibitions, invited speakers and the popular WayWord literary festival, which often features work by Francophone writers.
• Your year abroad as a language assistant or visiting student at locations including Lyon, Rennes, Grenoble, Réunion, Brussels, Geneva, Lausanne, the IFP (Institute of French Petroleum) School in Paris and the Club des Langues in Anglet.
• International recognition as a centre for study and research in French, with research covering not only France, but also French-speaking Africa and the Caribbean.

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

• England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland: £9,535
• EU / International students: £20,800
• Self-funded international students commencing eligible undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 will receive a £6,000 tuition waiver for every year of their programme.
• Home Students: £1,820

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.
• 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.