Your course during COVID-19

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to COVID-19.

Further information

Our COVID-19 Study page gives more information about your Newcastle University study experience.

Terms and conditions and student complaints

The University has terms and conditions which create a positive environment for learning and academic achievement.

Given the changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the commitments outlined are subject to the guidelines that may be in place at the time.

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK.

Read our detailed explanation.

The School of Modern Languages research staff work in a diverse range of fields from sociocultural, historical and political studies, to film and literature, linguistics and sociolinguistics.

We offer expert supervision in the following areas of Latin American studies:

• Spanish, Portuguese, and Latin American cultural history and popular culture (Dr Catalá-Carrasco, Dr Morgan, Dr Oliart, Dr Fehimović, Dr Beleza)
• Historical and contemporary discourses of race and identity in Latin America (Dr Oliart, Dr Morgan, Dr Fehimović, Dr Beleza, Prof Hentschke)
• Spanish American and Spanish Caribbean Latin American film, literature, and theatre (Dr Page, Dr Fehimović)
• Luso-Afro-Brazilian literature and film (Dr Beleza)
• history of education in 19th and 20th-century Latin America (Prof Hentschke, Dr Oliart)
• Youth cultures and social movements, music and politics (Dr Oliart, Dr Beleza)
• Spanish, Portuguese, and Latin American novels (Dr Catalá-Carrasco, Dr Beleza)
• Political, social, and intellectual history of Latin America in the 19th and 20th centuries, especially Brazil and the Southern Cone (Prof Hentschke)
• Linguistics, and sociolinguistics of Latin America (Dr Cru)
• Diachronic Spanish syntax, Old Spanish, language change, and quantitative historical linguistics (Prof Mackenzie)
• Catalan nationalism (Dr Catalá-Carrasco)
• Film, literature and popular culture of the Spanish-speaking Caribbean and its diasporas (Dr Fehimović)
• Lusophone environmental Humanities (Dr Beleza)

You will normally work on a research project which comprises two to four research assignments and a longer dissertation. Your supervisor will be an expert in your chosen field and you will receive support if necessary from an experienced research supervisor. The course is well suited as preparation for PhD research.  

The School has strong links with interdisciplinary research centres and groups, including:

• Centre for Latin American and Caribbean Studies
• Research Centre for Film
• Gender Research Group
• Medieval and Early Modern Studies
• Postcolonial Research Group

You may also have the opportunity to attend festivals and conferences with a direct bearing on your course. Past examples have included:

• Talking to the World Conference
• VAMOS festival

Delivery

This course is delivered by the School of Modern Languages, with the possibility of joint supervision with other schools. Subject to Covid-19 restrictions, you'll mainly be based in Newcastle's city-centre campus. Attendance is flexible and agreed between you and your supervisors depending on the requirements of the research project.

Full-time students are typically expected to undertake 40 hours of work per week with an annual holiday entitlement of 35 days (including statutory and bank holidays). Part-time study requires a commitment of at least 20 hours per week.

The MLitt incorporates a formal research training component where you will develop your research skills and methodologies (20 credits).

You also complete a portfolio of essays chosen in consultation with your supervisors according to your interests and experience (80 credits). You then undertake a dissertation of 16,000–24,000 words consisting of a sustained piece of original research (80 credits).

Study consists mainly of tutorials and independent learning supported by research training. Supervisors will advise you on how to develop your research proposals.

Module changes

Course content changes 

The information above is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Optional module availability

Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals

For courses commencing from September 2021 and beyond, EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals will no longer be eligible for home fees or Student Finance England support.

If you are from the EU you will pay international tuition fees.

All students

Find out more about our tuition fees, including how to pay them and available discounts.

Funding opportunities

If you have lower English Language scores, you may be accepted onto a Pre-sessional English course.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will be offering our Pre-sessional courses online only from June to September 2020.

You need to submit a 1,000 word research proposal with your application. Read our guidelines for producing a research proposal (PDF: 41.5KB) from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Science Graduate School.

You should discuss your research proposal with a potential supervisor in the School of Modern Languages before you submit your formal application. They will be able to offer you advice on whether we will be able to supervise your proposed topic. A list of our staff and their areas of research expertise is provided on our staff pages.

You also need to include a list of modules and marks for previous degrees. 

Start dates

The course starts in September. There is no application closing date for this course, but although specific deadlines for funding may apply.

We suggest international students apply at least two months before the course starts. This is so that you have enough time to make the necessary arrangements.

Deposit

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you must:

• pay a deposit of £1,500
• or submit an official letter of sponsorship

The deposit is payable after you receive an offer to study with us. The deposit is non-refundable, but we will deduct it from your tuition fees when you register.

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