The Department of Spanish, Portuguese & Latin American Studies is active in all fields of Penninsular language, literature and cultural history from the earliest times to the present day. Our particular strengths are in medieval and early modern studies, modern literature and culture (both Peninsular and Latin-American), and the modern Spanish language.
The study of Portuguese embraces the language, history and culture of four continents: Europe, America, Africa and Asia, and we are able to offer an unrivalled choice of modules in the literature, cultural history and history of the Lusophone world, together with the opportunity to gain a high level of linguistic proficiency.
The year abroad will normally be split between a Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking country. If you are a beginner in the Portuguese language (Foundation level), you additionally take an intensive language module in Portugal prior to your second year.
ABOUT THE Department of Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies
CAREERS
Recent graduates have gone on to gain employment in a variety of areas including business and commerce, finance, marketing, accountancy, law, the Civil Service, the media, charitable and non-governmental organisations, while others have remained in higher education to gain a teaching qualification or continue their studies at postgraduate level. Recent graduates have found employment as…. • Events Intern, Mexican Chamber of Commerce • Operations Support Assistant, an environmental consultancy • Political Researcher • Member Services Executive, Streetcar
TEACHING STYLE
Our department is active in all fields of Hispanic and Lusophone language, literature and cultural history from the earliest times to the present day. Our particular strengths are in medieval and early modern studies, modern literature, history and culture, and the modern Spanish and Portuguese languages. You will be studying with staff who are experts in their fields and whose advanced research is reflected in the optional modules available. Some of our lecturing staff also teach across disciplines in the History, European Studies and Comparative Literature programmes.
STRUCTURE OF PROGRAMMES & ASSESSMENT
Our programmes offer students a flexible yet coherent structure within which to explore the richness of the Hispanic and Lusophone worlds. Each year, you will follow a core language module and take options in literature, culture and history, covering a wide range of historical periods. Our programmes enable you to build incrementally upon your knowledge and develop areas of individual interest which form the basis of your final-year modules (which include a dissertation option). Progression from year to year depends upon passing the required number of credits and the compulsory language module.
LOCATION
We are located in the heart of London, within easy access to a wide range of institutes and centres (eg the Instituto Cervantes, Camoes Institute) that promote Hispanic and Lusophone culture including theatre, music, and art. The Maughan Library contains an extensive collection of material on the Hispanic and Lusophone worlds, including several in the Rare Books collection. Within London there are other important complementary collections in the libraries and research institutes of the University of London and the British Library.
SPECIAL NOTES
The year abroad is an obligatory part of our programmes, with a wide range of options to study (eg under the Socrates-Erasmus programme) or, through the British Council English Language Assistant programme, to teach in a variety of institutions in Spain, Portugal and Latin America.