Did you know there are 19 Spanish/Portuguese speaking nations in America? These populations are growing and with them a growing need for specialists with knowledge of politics, relationships, power and globalisation and its effects on these populations. There are wide ranging careers to go into with a degree in Latin American Studies. These can be within diplomacy and civil service, advocacy, government and foreign embassies, or media relations and journalism. You can also go on to study a PhD in your chosen area of specialism and devote your career to becoming an expert.
A truly interdisciplinary degree, the Latin American Studies Programme draws on expertise from both Hispanic Studies in the School of Modern Languages and the Department of Politics and International Relations. The degree consists of both core courses (including Culture and Society in Latin America; Themes in Latin American Studies; Strategic Studies in Latin America) and a variety of electives (including Spanish language), which will allow students to tailor their own degree to their specific interests.
Semester 1
Optional
Semester 2
Optional
Semester 3
Find out more detail by visiting the programme web page
Find out about fees:
Find out more from the programme page
*Please be advised that some programmes have different tuition fees from those listed above and that some programmes also have additional costs.
View all funding options on our funding database via the programme page and the latest postgraduate opportunities
Find out more about:
Find out more about living in Aberdeen and living costs
Specialise in aspects of Latin American culture and society. You’ll use your skills and knowledge from Hispanic Studies or a related discipline to focus on this rich and vibrant area of the world.
There are modules on the literature, culture, politics and history of major Latin American nations. The course includes research training, supervised study on a specialised Latin American topic and a dissertation. You can also choose optional tailor-made directed reading modules.
We’re very strong on Latin American literature, culture and society, contemporary Spanish culture and society and nineteenth-century Spanish literature – with a major research project on Pérez Galdós.
We specialise in Catalan studies, and the modern literature and culture of the Portuguese-speaking world. We also have expertise in contemporary Spanish politics and the novel, and Hispanic linguistics, language policy and planning.
We’re based in a new, specially designed building, with modern facilities for teaching and research. Our regular research seminars, conferences and study days give you the chance to keep up with innovative thinking and research.
You’ll have access to all the materials you’d expect from a major research university, including an extensive collection of Spanish, Portuguese and Catalan-language literature and films, newspapers and periodicals.
You’ll be taught through seminars, tutorials and practical sessions of analysis and discussion.
Assessment is by essays, reviews, translations and a dissertation.
This wide-ranging and flexible programme offers students the opportunity to develop their understanding of the cultures of the Hispanic world at an advanced level. As a pathway of the Language, Culture and History MA, students can combine their interest in Hispanic Studies with optional modules from Gender Studies, Translation Studies, and Comparative Literature.
The programme offers a broad range of optional modules in Hispanic cultures from the early modern period to the present day, alongside relevant training in research skills and methodologies. Students develop a knowledge and understanding of the key aspects and complex concepts used to understand Hispanic literature, film and culture.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme offers two pathways: taught and research. Taught: one core cross-language module (30 credits), three optional modules (90 credits), dissertation (60 credits). Research: one core cross-language module (30 credits), two taught modules (60 credits), dissertation (90 credits).
A Postgraduate Diploma, one core module (30 credits), three optional modules (90 credits) full-time nine months or part-time two years, is offered.
A Postgraduate Certificate, one core module (30 credits), one optional module (30 credits) full-time three months, part-time six months, is offered.
Core module
Optional modules
Students take a choice of optional modules on topics such as the following:
Dissertation/report
All students undertake an independent research project on a literary, cultural or historical topic, which culminates in a 12,000-word dissertation (taught pathway) or 18,000-word dissertation (research pathway), written in Spanish or English.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, classes and tutorials. Students are encouraged to undertake independent reading both to supplement and consolidate what is being taught. Students are assessed by a variety of methods, including long essays, take-home exams, and the dissertation.
Further information on modules and degree structure is available on the department website: Language, Culture and History: Hispanic Studies MA
This programme may lead to further research, or to employment in which a broad familiarity with Spanish and Latin American culture is an asset.
Recent career destinations for this degree
Careers data is taken from the ‘Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education’ survey undertaken by HESA looking at the destinations of UK and EU students in the 2013–2015 graduating cohorts six months after graduation.
UCL Spanish & Latin American Studies features staff who are nationally and internationally renowned experts in the field, who publish in their specialist areas and are active researchers. The department regularly hosts a number of events including conferences, research seminars, symposia and a documentary film course in Cuba.
Our location in London provides access to numerous cultural and social events relating to the Spanish-speaking world, its literature, films, history and politics. We encourage active participation in the events of the Instituto Cervantes and the Institute for the Study of the Americas, both of which provide access to excellent resources to enhance your studies.
The Research Excellence Framework, or REF, is the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. The 2014 REF was carried out by the UK's higher education funding bodies, and the results used to allocate research funding from 2015/16.
The following REF score was awarded to the department: School of European Languages, Culture & Society
74% rated 4* (‘world-leading’) or 3* (‘internationally excellent’)
Learn more about the scope of UCL's research, and browse case studies, on our Research Impact website.
Our researchers are internationally recognised experts in their fields, with three quarters of their research rated world leading, internationally excellent or internationally recognised in the latest Research Assessment Exercise.
The Hispanic Studies division was rated 5A in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise.
Supervision is provided in the major areas of Spanish, Spanish American and Portuguese literary and cultural studies. Members of staff have research interests in the following fields: Medieval: modern literary theory as applied to medieval texts; mythology and fantasy; oral literature; questions of transmission and textual criticism; Golden Age: Cervantes and the development of fiction; political and social thought; theatre; European Baroque culture; Modern Peninsular: Generation of 98; modern and contemporary fiction; narrative forms; Spanish American and Brazilian: Argentinian culture; women writers; gender, sexuality and representation; and theory.
We offer supervision in the major areas of Spanish, Spanish-American and Portuguese literary and cultural studies, with particular research strengths in the 19th century, theatre of all periods, and the visual arts.
Thanks to the breadth of language research undertaken within the graduate school here at Edinburgh, we can also accommodate an interest in cross-cultural research with a programme of joint supervision.
Our staff pursue a diversity of research interests, offering you a wide choice of areas for study. Research staff have interests in the following fields:
You will have access to the impressive collections of the University’s Main Library, in addition to the nearby National Library of Scotland and its outstanding collection of early modern Spanish material.
The MSc in Globalisation and Latin American Development focuses on the study of economic development in Latin America and the Caribbean and it is designed to prepare a new generation of regional leaders in international development. The programme focuses on the challenges and opportunities that globalisation and democracy offer to developing countries in the Americas and their impact for sustainable and equitable economic development.
We encourage our students to understand development studies from an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approach. Our main focus is on historical and contemporary patterns of economic development and the social impact of economic growth and redistribution. Consequently, our programme provides the students with high-quality training in theories of economic development, social science methods, and principles of policy analysis.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme consists of two core modules (30 credits), four optional modules (60 credits), and the research dissertation (90 credits).
Please note: All optional modules are subject to availability.
Core modules
Our core module on Latin American Development examines different theories of economic growth, identifies some potential explanations of the current patterns of economic development in Latin America, and analyses how the region has responded to challenging global transformations.
Students also take a core module in research methods that includes sessions on research design, qualitative and quantitative methods, and fieldwork preparation.
Optional modules
Additional to the core modules, students can take a number of optional modules that examine the political, sociological, historical, and anthropological aspects of development. Students choose four optional modules from a selection that includes the following:
Students may choose elective modules up to a maximum of 30 credits from other UCL departments or University of London colleges, subject to the Programme Director's approval.
Dissertation/report
All students write a dissertation of 15,000 words (90 credits) on a research topic of their choice related to globalisation and economic development in Latin America.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, independent reading and research, seminar discussions and research skills training. Assessment is through essays, term papers, presentations, analytical exercises and the dissertation.
Fieldwork
Many of our MSc students undertake fieldwork in order to carry out research for their dissertation projects.
There may be travel costs associated with fieldwork. The institute has limited funds available to students to help towards the costs of fieldwork. These funds are awarded on a competitive basis on the criteria of academic performance to date, the quality of the research proposal and the importance of fieldwork for completing the research.
Further information on modules and degree structure is available on the department website: Globalisation and Latin American Development MSc
After completing the programme, our students generally go into careers in the development sector in the UK, Europe, and and Latin America. Our recent graduates have found jobs in international organisations, government institutions (UK and Latin America), NGOs, charitable organisations, think tanks, global news agencies, media groups, higher education institutions, and development consultancy organisations.
Some of our MSc graduates have also successfully gone on to PhD studies in top universities in the UK and the US.
Recent career destinations for this degree
Employability
Our MSc graduates will have excellent opportunities to expand their professional networks and establish personal contacts that enhance their future employability. Through institute staff members' extensive professional and personal contacts in the region, and through participating in the institute's extremely active events programme, students will meet potential colleagues in government and the foreign service, development agencies and the international NGO community, business and finance, and print and electronic media. Numerous programme graduates have found employment in industry, state agencies and the third sector via these routes.
Careers data is taken from the ‘Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education’ survey undertaken by HESA looking at the destinations of UK and EU students in the 2013–2015 graduating cohorts six months after graduation.
UCL is one of the world's top ten universities and the UCL Institute of the Americas has the largest programme of teaching, research and events on the Americas in the UK, covering Latin America, the Caribbean, Canada and the United States.
In addition to tuition by world-leading scholars, students benefit from access to a wide range of events, seminars, and conferences on the Americas delivered by scholars, policy-makers, diplomats, activists and other experts on the region.
The institute provides a unique environment in which to study the Americas and excellent networking opportunities are available through our strong links with academic, cultural, diplomatic, policy and business institutions with interests in the region.
The Research Excellence Framework, or REF, is the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. The 2014 REF was carried out by the UK's higher education funding bodies, and the results used to allocate research funding from 2015/16.
Learn more about the scope of UCL's research, and browse case studies, on our Research Impact website.
The Latin American Politics MSc provides students with an opportunity to develop their general and specialist knowledge of major issues in the politics of Latin America. The programme's graduates have established careers in research, journalism, teaching, and policy formulation and implementation in both government agencies and NGOs.
Students will develop a detailed understanding of the political histories of major Latin American countries, key public policy issues, the challenges of democratisation and democratic consolidation, and the domestic and international influences on political developments in the region. They will gain the key research and analysis skills necessary for professional development in the field of Latin American politics.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme consists of two core modules (15 credits each), four optional modules (60 credits in total), and the research dissertation (90 credits).
Please note: All optional modules are subject to availability
Core modules
Optional modules
Students choose four optional modules from a selection that includes the following:
Students may choose a maximum of 30 credits from other departments or from other University of London colleges, subject to the Programme Director's approval.
Dissertation/report
All students write a dissertation of 15,000 words on a research topic of their choice (linked to the subject area of one of their taught modules), provided that it contains a substantial politics focus.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of seminars, lectures, presentations, research skills training, and independent reading and research. There is a range of assessments including essays and a short oral presentation, and the dissertation.
Fieldwork
Many of our Master’s students undertake fieldwork in order to carry out research for their dissertation projects.
There may be travel costs associated with fieldwork. The institute has limited funds available to students to help towards the costs of fieldwork. These funds are awarded on a competitive basis on the criteria of academic performance to date, the quality of the research proposal and the importance of fieldwork for completing the research.
Further information on modules and degree structure is available on the department website: Latin American Politics MSc
Graduates of this programme will be well placed to use their skills and knowledge to find employment in government, business, journalism, finance, international NGOs, teaching, or for further research in this field.
Recent career destinations for this degree
Employability
Students on this degree will have excellent opportunities to expand their professional networks and establish personal contacts that enhance their future employability. Through institute staff members' extensive professional and personal contacts in the region, and through participating in the institute's extremely active events programme, students will meet potential colleagues in government and the foreign service, development agencies and the international NGO community, business and finance, and print and electronic media. On the basis of such contacts, recent programme graduates have found employment in government (the Foreign and Commonwealth Office), NGOs (Amnesty International, Caritas) and political risk-analysis firms, while others have undertaken PhD research.
Careers data is taken from the ‘Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education’ survey undertaken by HESA looking at the destinations of UK and EU students in the 2013–2015 graduating cohorts six months after graduation.
In the UK the Institute of the Americas occupies a unique position in the academic study of the region in promoting, co-ordinating and providing a focus for research and postgraduate teaching on the Americas, including Canada, the Caribbean, Latin America and the United States.
The institute actively maintains and builds ties with cultural, diplomatic and business organisations with interests in the Americas, and it provides resources to the wider academic community, serving and strengthening national networks of North Americanist, Latin Americanist and Caribbeanist scholars.
Students benefit from tuition by world-leading scholars in an academic environment at the cutting-edge of research in the social sciences and the humanities.
The Research Excellence Framework, or REF, is the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. The 2014 REF was carried out by the UK's higher education funding bodies, and the results used to allocate research funding from 2015/16.
Learn more about the scope of UCL's research, and browse case studies, on our Research Impact website.
This multidisciplinary Master's programme provides a comprehensive overview of social sciences and humanities in Latin America. The programme's graduates have established careers in research, journalism, teaching, and policy formulation and implementation in both government agencies and NGOs.
Depending on their chosen areas of specialisation, students will develop analytical and critical perspectives on multidisciplinary aspects of Latin American history, politics and international relations, anthropology, geography and environmental issues, and economics, as well as cultural studies. They will gain key research skills, together with in-depth knowledge of current debates in the field of Latin American Studies.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme consists of one core module (15 credits), five optional modules (75 credits), and the research dissertation (90 credits).
Please note: All optional modules are subject to availability.
Core module
Optional modules
Students choose five option modules from a selection that includes the following:
Students may choose a maximum of 30 credits from other departments or from other University of London colleges, subject to the Programme Director's approval.
Dissertation/report
All students write a dissertation of 15,000 words on a research topic of their choice linked to the subject area of one of their taught modules.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of seminars, lectures, presentations, research skills training, and independent reading and research. There is a range of assessments including essays and a short oral presentation, and the dissertation.
Fieldwork
Many of our Master’s students undertake fieldwork in order to carry out research for their dissertation projects.
There may be travel costs associated with fieldwork. The institute has limited funds available to students to help towards the costs of fieldwork. These funds are awarded on a competitive basis on the criteria of academic performance to date, the quality of the research proposal and the importance of fieldwork for completing the research.
Further information on modules and degree structure is available on the department website: Latin American Studies MA
Graduates of this programme will be well placed to use their skills and knowledge to find employment in government, business, journalism, finance, international NGOs, teaching, or for further research in this field.
Recent career destinations for this degree
Employability
Students on this degree will have excellent opportunities to expand their professional networks and establish personal contacts that enhance their future employability. Through institute staff members' extensive professional and personal contacts in the region, and through participating in the institute's extremely active events programme, students will meet potential colleagues in government and the foreign service, development agencies and the international NGO community, business and finance, and print and electronic media. On the basis of such contacts, recent programme graduates have found employment in government (Foreign and Commonwealth Office), NGOs (Amnesty International, Caritas) and political risk-analysis firms, while others have undertaken PhD research.
Careers data is taken from the ‘Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education’ survey undertaken by HESA looking at the destinations of UK and EU students in the 2013–2015 graduating cohorts six months after graduation.
In the UK the Institute of the Americas occupies a core position in the academic study of the region in promoting, co-ordinating and providing a focus for research and postgraduate teaching on the Americas, including Canada, the Caribbean, Latin America and the United States.
The institute actively maintains and builds ties with cultural, diplomatic and business organisations with interests in the Americas, and provides resources to the wider academic community, serving and strengthening national networks of North Americanist, Latin Americanist and Caribbeanist scholars.
Students benefit from tuition by world-leading scholars in an academic environment at the cutting-edge of research in the humanities and social sciences.
The Research Excellence Framework, or REF, is the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. The 2014 REF was carried out by the UK's higher education funding bodies, and the results used to allocate research funding from 2015/16.
Learn more about the scope of UCL's research, and browse case studies, on our Research Impact website.
This course studies literature, language, history and culture from medieval times to the present and covers Spain, Portugal, Brazil, Lusophone Africa and Latin America.
It will help you to deepen and broaden your understanding of the Hispanic & Lusophone world, while providing the opportunity to concentrate on a disciplinary or country-specific focus of interest.
Studying with our expert staff and undertaking supervised research will develop your understanding of the problems and debates which have arisen in the field of Spanish, Portuguese & Latin American Studies both through classroom-led curriculum-based study and supervised research. OUr course provides a rigorous but innovative framework within which students can pursue your personal interests. You will be given training in theoretical concepts and in research skills in order to equip you with the tools to undertake research in your chosen area. This course is ideal if you wish to deepen and develop your knowledge in this field and gain research training and experience.
For graduates wishing to deepen and develop their knowledge of the field of Spanish, Portuguese & Latin American Studies and gain research training and experience. This MA enables students to follow their interests and meet their personal needs while at the same time constituting an intellectually coherent approach which can be pursued at an advanced level.
You must successfully complete modules equivalent to a total of 180 credits. Students take up to 6 modules (120 credits) and complete a compulsory dissertation (60 credits). Modules are taught in weekly two-hour sessions; modules are assessed by coursework.
Many of our students have used the research and academic skills they developed over our course to pursue further research in our Department. However, others have also gone on to excel in a diverse range of careers such as teaching, journalism, cultural management and the financial sector.
