Program Overview

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International Relations and Spanish & Latin American Studies, MA

Introduction

International Relations and Spanish & Latin American Studies at Aberdeen puts you at the forefront of contemporary debate on world events, with highly-developed skills in a modern European language and culture, adding value to a broad exploration of our complex international world and the developments which are making history today. You will graduate ideally prepared for a wide range of careers in politics, media, local and national government, NGOs and many other fields.

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: RL2K

Degree Navigation

Overview

Spanish & Latin American Studies at Aberdeen has an outstanding reputation, with the highest possible rating of ‘Excellent’ in the last national Teaching Quality Assessment.

Aberdeen is one of the most dynamic place to study the Spanish language and the cultural frameworks in countries where it is spoken. We will equip you with the skills to communicate in a global language, spoken by 350 million native Spanish speakers in 19 Latin American states, the Spanish Peninsula and increasingly in the US.

You will also study historical, anthropological, literary and cultural texts, films and visual culture. In International Relations, you will look closely at how nations and organisations interact, what contributes to global wealth and poverty and persisting inequalities.

You will study regional and international tensions, nationalism, concepts of democracy – and ever-present concerns of conflict and peace. You will be taught by internationally renowned academics with strong track records in publishing international papers and articles, and who appear regularly in the media, analysing and explaining national, European and world developments.

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 will gain the perfect foundation for international career possibilities including international business, NGOs and international development, plus local and national government, politics, and journalism, with transferable skills including critical analysis and communication ideally suited to a range of careers.

What You'll Study

Year 1

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD1002)
  • Academic Writing for Language & Literature (AW1008)
  • Politics & International Relations 1: Democracy and Governance (PI1018)
  • Politics & International Relations 2: Power and Conflict (PI1518)
• Optional Courses:
  • Select one of the following options:
    • Intermediate:
      • Spanish Language 2 (SP1028)
      • Spanish Language 3 (SP2525)
      • Plus 30 or 45 credit points from courses of choice.
    • Advanced:
      • Spanish Language 3 (SP2525)
      • Plus 45 or 60 credit points from courses of choice.
  • All options will select:
    • Encountering the Other in Iberia and the Americas (SP1538)
    • Latin America: A Cultural History (SP1036)

Year 2

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Ideas and Ideologies in Politics and International Relations (PI2009)
  • Spanish Language 4 (SP2026)
  • Latin America: Texts and Contexts (SP2036)

Year 3

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Spanish Language 6 (SP30A3)
  • Researching in the 21st Century (PI3069)
• Optional Courses:
  • Select ONE second-half session level 3 Politics and International Relations course from the options provided below.
  • PI3579: Digital Politics: Political Communication in the Internet Age(s)
  • The Eu: Contemporary Challenges (PI3073)
  • US Politics (PI3080)
  • Chile and the Long Shadow of Dictatorship (PI3081)
  • Employer - Led Interdisciplinary Project (ED3537)
  • International Security (IR3518)
  • Political Parties in Britain (PI3562)
  • Soviet and Post - Soviet Russian Foreign Policy (PI3565)
  • Human Rights in Global Politics (PI3572)
  • Memory and Politics of the Past (PI3570)
  • The Global Politics of Secession (PI3582)
  • Democratization (PI3583)

Year 4

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Spanish Language 7 (SP40A5)
• Optional Courses:
  • Select one of the following dissertation course options:
    • OPTION 1:
      • Dissertation in Hispanic Studies (SP4039)
      • PLUS one first-half session and one second-half session course at level 4 in Politics and International Relations.
    • OPTION 2:
      • Dissertation (International Relations) (IR4031)
      • PLUS one second-half session course at level 4 in Politics and International Relations.
      • PLUS further credit points from level 4 courses in Spanish and Latin American Studies to gain a total of 60 credits in the 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 International Relations and Spanish & Latin American Studies?

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.

Why Politics and International Relations

• A core curriculum with topical themes of conflict and security, representation and democracy, comparative politics and policy.
• Special focus on the Middle-East, Latin America, North and South Asia, the Nordic Countries, Central and Eastern Europe – as well as Scotland, the UK and the EU.
• Staff with specialist expertise in political parties and elections, democracy, energy politics, European integration and regionalism, human rights and development issues, interest groups, nationalism, conflict resolution and more.
• Opportunities to take advantage of spending your second year studying abroad, in Europe, Japan, Hong Kong or North America.
• The spectacular, award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library, combining a top-class study environment with state-of-the-art technology, and extensive reference collections for your studies.
• A packed campus programme of events, seminars, invited speakers and the annual May festival, engaging prominent influencers, interest groups and public in debating major political issues such as Scottish independence and EU membership.
• All the history and legacy of being part of a university developed over 500 years of national and international political turbulence, social change, and emerging democracy.

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.