Program Overview

Overview of Hispanic Studies and Linguistics

The Hispanic Studies and Linguistics program at Queen Mary University of London combines learning Spanish and exploring Hispanic culture with studying the way language itself works. This program covers the history, politics, sport, literature, and film of several nations, including Spain and diverse countries in Latin America. As Spanish is the second most widely spoken language in the world, it is an important tool for intercultural communication. No prior knowledge of Spanish is required, and students may also have the opportunity to learn the Catalan language as part of their degree.

Structure

The program is structured over four years, with the third year spent studying or working in a Spanish-speaking country. The Spanish language modules taken will depend on the student's entry level, with separate classes for beginner, post-GCSE, post-A-level, and native speakers.

Year 1

• Compulsory modules:
  • Culture and Language
  • What is Language?
  • Myths and debates about human language
  • Spanish language module (streamed according to entry level)
• Optional modules include:
  • AI and Languages
  • Thinking Linguistics: Approaches to Writing and Analysis
  • Sociolinguistics: English in Use
  • Psychology of Language
  • Semantics: How we make meaning
  • Sounds and Sound Systems

Year 2

• Compulsory modules:
  • Spanish II
• Optional modules include:
  • Women's Filmmaking in Latin America
  • Catalan Culture: Art, Literature and Football
  • Applying Linguistics in the Real World
  • Coding for Linguists
  • Bilingualism and Multilingualism

Year 3

• Year abroad, with options to:
  • Teach English as a foreign language assistant
  • Attend university
  • Work in the professional world, either on a work placement with support or independently with approval

Year 4

• Compulsory modules:
  • Spanish III
• Optional modules include:
  • Translation Project
  • Afropean Identities
  • Advanced Semantics: Puzzles in Meaning
  • Latin American Cinema from the 1960s to the Present
  • Spanish Graphic Novels in the 21st Century
  • Language and Health Communication
  • Language, Media, and Multimodality
  • Labour in Latin American Culture
  • Sex, Gender and Language

Teaching and Learning

Students will receive approximately 10 to 16 hours of weekly contact time, in the form of lectures, seminars, and language classes. For every hour spent in class, students will complete a further two to three hours of independent study. Assessment typically includes a combination of research diaries, poster presentations, class tests, and exams. In the final year, students will complete a research project working on real data, using cutting-edge theoretical ideas.

Resources and Facilities

The School offers excellent on-campus resources, including:

• The Queen Mary library
• The Multimedia Language Resource Centre
• A phonetics laboratory
• Subscriptions to foreign newspapers and journals
• Language clubs and social activities
• Ling Lunch talks and guest speaker seminars

Entry Requirements

• A-Level: Grades BBB at A-Level
• IB: International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum of 30 points overall
• BTEC: See detailed subject and grade requirements
• Access HE: We consider applications from students with the Access to Higher Education Diploma
• GCSE: Minimum five GCSE passes including English at grade C or 4
• EPQ: Alternative offers may be made to applicants taking the Extended Project Qualification
• Contextualised admissions: Our standard contextual offer is BCC at A-Level, and our enhanced contextual offer is CCC at A-Level

Funding

• Loans and grants: UK students are eligible to apply for tuition fee and maintenance loans
• Scholarships and bursaries: Queen Mary offers a generous package of scholarships and bursaries
• Support from Queen Mary: Specialist support on all financial and welfare issues through our Advice and Counselling Service

Careers

Studying Spanish and linguistics provides a highly desirable collection of skills, including analytical ability, research skills, precision, and numeracy. Graduates have been hired by various organizations, including Embassy Language School, the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, and the London School of Economics. The School runs regular careers events and offers support with finding work experience, internships, and graduate jobs.

About the School

The School of the Arts combines innovation, discovery, and excellence in education and research in Drama, Film, Modern Languages, English & Comparative Literature, Creative Writing, Linguistics, and Liberal Arts. The School is committed to social justice, inclusivity, and social mobility, and collaborates with external organizations and prominent writers and performers. Facilities support both academic and practice-based learning, equipping students with critical thinking and practical skills.