Study Hispanic culture and the Spanish language on a degree in the heart of London. Our department is active in all fields of Hispanic language, literature and cultural history. Our particular strengths are in medieval and early modern studies, modern literature and culture, and the modern Spanish language.
KEY BENEFITS
- One of the country's most highly rated Spanish departments for teaching and research.
- Programme taught by staff who are experts in their field.
- Central location offers easy access to a wide range of institutes and centres that promote Hispanic culture.
- Opportunity to study abroad for a year offers students the chance to immerse themselves in culture and society and achieve language fluency.
- Lively department social life through the student-run Hispanic Society.
UCAS code
R410
Programme type
Single honours
Duration
Four years
Location
Strand Campus
Year of entry 2014
Offered by
School of Arts and Humanities
Department of Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies
Closing date
Please refer to the
UCAS website for application deadline dates, or contact the relevant Admissions Office for further advice
Fees & funding
For information on fees and funding for undergraduate programmes at King's go to
http://www.kcl.ac.uk/ug/funding/ CONTACTS
Address
Department of Spanish, Portuguese & Latin-American Studies
King's College London
Strand
London WC2R 2LS
Contact name
Centre for Arts & Sciences Admissions
Email
Tel
020 7848 2350/2374
Fax
020 7848 7200
PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION
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.
Common to all our programmes, which are normally four years, are the compulsory language modules taken each year. These concentrate on different language skills from oral presentation to comprehension, translation and editing. Optional modules cover linguistic subjects, historical and cultural themes and literary studies.
The third year will normally be spent abroad.
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.
Currently, students study the following core modules. If there are options available the current choices are also shown. King's reviews its optional modules on a regular basis, in order to continue to offer innovative and exciting programmes and this list is therefore subject to change. Please check here for updates, or contact the department for further advice.
YEAR 1
One core module, plus six optional modules.
YEAR 1 CORE
Spanish Language I
YEAR 1 OPTIONS
Culture & Society in Imperial Spain
Latin American Visual Arts, 19th & 20th Century
Introduction to Spanish American Narrative
Spain in the 19th Century
Spain in the 20th Century
Medieval Spain: from Frontier to Empire
Introduction to Modern Spanish Culture I
Introduction to Modern Spanish Culture II
YEAR 2
One core module, plus six optional modules.
YEAR 2 CORE
Spanish language II
YEAR 2 OPTIONS
Catalan Language & Culture
The Spanish Civil War
The Lyrics of Love & Hate
Nationalism in Spain
Culture & Identity in Spanish America
Cervantes' Don Quijote
After Franco: Films & Texts of the Transition
Goya & the Dream of Reason
Perceptions of Modernity, Spanish America 1800-1920
YEAR 3
Normally spent in a Spanish-speaking country.
YEAR 4
One core module, plus six optional modules.
YEAR 4 CORE
Spanish Language IV
YEAR 4 OPTIONS
Religion, Politics & Violence in Modern Spain
Advanced Topics in Applied Linguistics
Myth & Archive: 19th & 20th Century Rewritings on Colonial Latin America
Stereotypes in Modern Spanish Cinema
Key Terms & Points of View in Latin American Visual Arts
Journey through Spain: Travel Writing in Modern Spain
History & Imagination in 19th-century Spanish Narrative
Real & Ideal in Early Modern Spanish Literature
Writing Women in Medieval & Early Modern Spain
Dissertation
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Australia
Tertiary Entrance Ranking
96+ ATAR, or an OP of band 3 for Queensland with high marks in Spanish
Austria
Reifezeugnis (Matura)
Reifezeugnis with 1 including 1 in Spanish
Belgium
Certificat D
Certificat D’Enseignement Secondaire Superieur/Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs with 8/10 or 17/20 including 8 or 17 in Spanish
Brazil
Brazil
High School Leaving Certificate (Certificado de Ensino Médio) with 8 OR B OR Muito Bom PLUS at least one year of Bacharel/Licenciado at a Brazilian University with a GPA of at least 8.0 OR the King’s College London International Foundation Programme OR 3 A-levels with grades of AAB. Including high marks in Spanish (equivalent to A-level grade A)
Bulgaria
School Leaving Certificate
Diploma za Sredno Obrazovanie with the majority of subject marks of 5.5 including high marks in Spanish
Canada
Secondary School Certificate/Diploma
High School Certificate/Diploma with 85% OR Ontario University Preparatory Course with 85% at five grade 12 4U subjects. The sixth subject may be at 4U or 4U/C level. OR the Quebec CEGEP Cote R with an overall R score of 31. (All including high marks in Spanish.)
Chile
Chile
Licencia de Educación Media with 6 PLUS at least one year of the Licenciatura at a Chilean university with a mark of 5 OR the Kings College London International Foundation Programme OR 3 A-levels with grades of AAB. Including high marks in Spanish (equivalent to A-level grade A)
China
Gao Kao (University Entrance Examination)
University Entrance Examination with at least a foundation/Access year or one year of undergraduate study at a Chinese university with at least 80% (Requires high marks in Spanish)
Cyprus
Apolytirion
Apolytirion (School Leaving Certificate) with 18 with high marks in Spanish, plus at least an additional foundation/Access year
Czech Republic
Maturita
Maturita with 1including 1in Spanish
Denmark
Studentereksamen or Hjere Forberedelseseksamen
Studentereksamen or Højere Forberedelseseksamen with 10 including 10 in Spanish
Estonia
Gmnaasiumi lputunnistus (Secondary School Leaving Certificate)
Gümnaasiumi lõputunnistus with majority marks of 5, (including 5 in Spanish) and an attestation of success in the state entry examinations (Riigieksamitunnistus)
Finland
Ylioppilastutkinto/Studentexamen (National Matriculation)
Ylioppilastutkinto with 6 including 6 in Spanish
France
Baccalaureat (including the option internationale baccalaureat)
The Baccalaureat with 13/20 overall and 13 in Spanish
Germany
Abitur
Abitur with 1.5 overall including 1.5 in Spanish
Ghana
School Leaving Certificate
the West African Senior School Certificate (WASSC/WASSCE) PLUS 3 international Cambridge-board A levels at AAB including Spanish at grade A
Greece
Apolytirion
Apolytirion with 18 including 18 in Spanish
Hong Kong
Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)
Three elective subjects at minimum Levels 5, 5, 5 plus Level 4 in each of the four core subjects. Applicants should demonstrate fluency in Spanish.
Hungary
Erettsegi
Erettsegi with 5 including 5 in Spanish
India
School Leaving Certificate
School Leaving Certificate with 85% overall OR School Leaving Certificate with 75% with at least a foundation/Access year or year of undergraduate study at an Indian university. (Both require high marks in Spanish)
Iran
School Leaving Certificate
Pre-University Certificate (Peeshdaneshgahe) OR the National Entrance Exam (Kunkar) with 16 OR 3 Cambridge International A levels at AAB (All require high marks in Spanish - equivalent to grade A at A level)
Ireland
Irish Leaving Certificate (Higher level unless otherwise stated)
A1 A1 A1 A2 B1 B1 with grade A1 in Spanish
Italy
Esame di Stato
Esame di Stato with 90 with high marks in Spanish
Japan
School Leaving Certificate
Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate (Kotogakko Sotsugyo Shomeisho) PLUS 3 Cambridge Board International A-levels at AAB (including A grade Spanish) OR an Associate degree or Diploma from a Junior College (Jun-Gakushi) with a GPA of 3.3 or B+ or 4 OR a foundation year including high marks in Spanish
Latvia
Atestats par visparejo videjo izglitibu (Certificate of General Secondary Education)
Atestats par visparejo videjo izglitibu with 8 with high marks in Spanish, plus at least a foundation/Access year or one year of undergraduate study at a Latvian university
Lithuania
Brandos Atestatas (Maturity Certificate)
Brandos Atestatas with 90 with high marks in Spanish, plus at least a foundation/Access year or one year of undergraduate study at a Lithuanian university
Luxembourg
Diplome de Fin D
Diplome de Fin D’Etudes Secondaires with Tres Bien including Tres Bien in Spanish
Malta
Matriculation Certificate - Advanced level
Matriculation Certificate with AAB including A in Spanish
Mexico
Mexico
The Bachillerato with a mark of 8 PLUS the King’s College London International Foundation Programme OR at least one year of the Licenciado study with an overall average mark of at least 8/10 OR A-levels with grades of AAB (including grade A Spanish).
Moldova
School Leaving Certificate
Diploma de Bacalaureat with 9 including 9 in Spanish
Netherlands
Diploma Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO)
VWO with 7.5 including 7.5 in Spanish
New Zealand
National Certificate of Educational Achievement Level 3 (NCEA)
the NCEA level 3 with E in the majority of standards/modules in four subjects,including Excellent in Spanish
Nigeria
School Leaving Certificate
The Senior School Certificate (SSC/SSCE) OR the West African Senior School Certificate (WASSC/WASSCE) PLUS 3 Cambridge International A levels at AAB, including A in Spanish
Norway
Vitnemal-videregaende opplaering (Upper Secondary Leaving Certificate)
Vitnemal-videregaende opplaering grade 5 including grade 5 in Spanish
Pakistan
High School Certificate (HSSC)
High School Certificate with A with high marks in Spanish, plus at least a foundation/Access year or one year of undergraduate study at a Pakistani university
Poland
Matura
Matura with 80% in extended level subjects with high marks in Spanish
Portugal
Diploma de Ensino Secundário
Diploma de Ensino Secundário with 18 with high marks in Spanish
Romania
School Leaving Certificate
Diploma de Bacalaureat with 8 including 8 in Spanish
Russia
Attest o (Polnom) Srednem Obrazovanii (Certificate of Secondary Education)
Attesto (Polnom) Srednem Obshchem Obrazovanii with an average of 4.5 including 5 in Spanish at least a foundation/Access year or one year of undergraduate study at a Russian university
Saudi Arabia
School Leaving Certificate
College of Technology Diploma OR Higher Technical Institute Diploma OR Junior Health College Diploma OR Undergraduate Diploma with 85% OR 3 Cambridge International A levels at ABB (all require high marks in Spanish equivalent to A level grade A)
Singapore
Singapore A Level
AAB in three content-based H2 subjects (including Grade A Spanish). Knowledge and Inquiry is not considered as part of the offer
Slovakia
Vysvedcenie Maturitnej Skuska/Maturita
Vysvedcenie Maturitnej Skuske/Maturita with 2 including 2 in Spanish
Slovenia
Maturitetno Spricevalo (Secondary School Leaving Certificate)
Maturitetno Spricevalo with 5 including 5 in Spanish
South Africa
South African Senior Certificate/National Senior Certificate with Matriculation endorsement
The National Senior Certificate with Matriculation endorsement with AABBB including A in Spanish
Spain
Titulo de Bachiller
Titulo de Bachiller with 8 overall including 8 in Spanish
Sweden
Fullständigt Slutbetyg (School Leaving Certificate)
Fullstandigt Slutbeytg with MVG including MVG in Spanish
Switzerland
Federal Maturity Certificate
Federal Maturity Certificate with an overall mark of 5 including 5 in Spanish
Turkey
Lise Diplomasi (High School Diploma)
Lise Diplomasi with an overall mark of 4 with high marks in Spanish, plus at least a foundation/Access year or one year of undergraduate study at a Turkish university
United Kingdom
A levels
AAB
Compulsory subjects
Grade A at A-level Spanish
General Studies and Critical Thinking - College policy
Please note that AS/A level General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted by King's as one of your A or AS levels. However, if offered the grade achieved may be taken into account when considering whether or not to accept a candidate who has just fallen short of the conditions of their offer
Access to HE Diploma
Access to Humanities (or similar) Diploma including study of Spanish at Level 3 with 33 Level 3 credits from units awarded at Distinction, with the remaining credits at Merit. Supplementary information and achievement e.g marks for certain credits/subjects may be required depending on course content.
Cambridge Pre-U
3 Pre-U Principal Subjects with grades of D3 D3 M2 including D3 in Spanish
BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma
Considered on an individual basis
Scottish Highers & Advanced Highers
AAABB at Higher and AB at Advanced Higher with grade A in Spanish
International Baccalaureate
35 points and HL 665 including HL6 in Spanish
European Baccalaureate
80% overall including 8.5 in Spanish
USA
Advanced Placement Tests and/or SAT/ACT (SAT/ACT acceptable only where stipulated)
Three AP subjects with 554 including Spanish at grade 5. Or SAT with a total score of 1800 with at least 600 in each section or the ACT with a score of 27 plus 2 SAT-S with a score of 600 in each plus an AP in the relevant language with 5 or evidence of fluency
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Aptitude testing
No test required
If you are interested in coming to King’s, you should apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) and apply online via the UCAS website (click on 'apply'). If you are applying through a school or college, you will need to obtain a 'buzzword' from the centre you are applying through. Alternatively, you can apply as an individual, independent of a school or college. Please see the UCAS website for instructions. The UCAS institution code name for King’s is KCL, and the institution code is K60.
There are a few programmes which require direct application to King's, this will be stated above
Most applicants are considered between November and March. We are looking for students with a strong interest in language, who are keen to improve their skills further, and who have a love of reading and a lively interest in Hispanic and/or Lusophone-speaking countries. For Hispanic Studies programmes, we are looking for a good command of Spanish however for our Portuguese & Brazilian studies programmes, previous knowledge of Portuguese is not necessary but we look for an indication of linguistic ability.
Successful applicants for all degree programmes, whether single or joint honours, will be invited to an open day. We welcome applications from overseas students and those with significant life experience.