rt47 - Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American BA
Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies BA Honours
UCAS Code: RT47 (full time: 4 Years)
Course Overview
This degree gives you the chance to explore the rich linguistic, social and cultural diversity of the Hispanic world.
At a Glance
UCAS Code
RT47
UCAS Institution Name and Code
NEWC, N21
Degree Awarded
BA Honours
Course Duration
4 Years
Entry Requirements
A Level: ABB-BBB
IB: 32 points
Opportunities
We cover cultures and countries from the Iberian Peninsula to Latin America and the Spanish Caribbean.
You will achieve a high level of spoken and written Spanish, and develop a strong level of Portuguese from beginner’s level. There are also options in Quechua and Catalan.
You spend a year abroad, working or studying, immersed in the culture and societies of the countries that fascinate you.
A broad choice of research-informed modules on the vibrant cultures and histories of Spain and Latin America complement your language learning.
Quality and ranking
Newcastle University is ranked
- 3rd in the UK in The Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019 (Iberian Languages category)
- 6th in the UK – The Complete University Guide 2020 (Iberian Languages category)
- Ranked 5th in the UK with a 95% overall student satisfaction score (Iberian Studies category) - The National Student Survey 2019
Year abroad
All of our modern languages degrees include a compulsory year abroad.
Students studying a European language can:
- study at one of our partner universities
- undertake a work or voluntary placement
- or do a combination of the above (ensuring that they do not overlap)
You usually divide the year between the two countries relating to your chosen languages, although it may be possible to spend the whole year in one country.
If you are studying three languages we encourage you to spend some time during the summer vacation in the country of your third language.
Support for year abroad
We offer lots of help to prepare you for your year abroad, including:
- briefings covering practicalities like insurance, visas and student safety
- support to find a work placement
- a Tandem Learning Scheme, to practise conversation in your foreign language and make contacts in the country before you travel
- a training course for language assistants
We also run social events for second-year students to meet finalists who have already done their year abroad, Erasmus students from our partner universities in Europe, and Chinese and Japanese exchange students from our host universities in East Asia.
Our Year Abroad team will keep in close touch with you while you are abroad. You will communicate regularly with your personal tutor. You'll also complete blog posts through our e-portfolio system. This will help you reflect on your linguistic, personal and professional development.
Facilities and support
You will join the School of Modern Languages at Newcastle. We're a small and friendly School with around 50 staff, 30 of whom are native speakers of the languages they teach. We have been teaching languages at Newcastle for over 100 years. This mark of quality and heritage is reflected in the reputation that the School holds.
Facilities
Facilities include state-of-the-art language laboratories and an award-winning Language Resource Centre, with self-study resources for over 50 languages. You'll also have access to specialist language software, dictionaries, DVDs, films and live satellite TV channels.
Find out more about our facilities on the School website.
Resources
We have excellent links with other institutions, including the Centro de Língua Portuguesa (Instituto Camões) which is a major regional and national resource, supporting the teaching of Portuguese.
Support
You'll be supported by a personal tutor throughout your degree – an academic member of staff who can help with academic and personal issues.
Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellow students who can help you settle in and answer any questions you have
Social activities
There are lots of opportunities within the School for you to meet new people and get involved with different activities, including joining our student-run Modern Languages Society.
There are opportunities for translation through our Real Translation scheme. Alternatively, you can get involved with our student-led publications Flying Solo and Gift of the Gab.
Modules for 2019 entry
Please note
The module and/or programme information below is for 2019 entry. Our teaching is informed by research and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, student feedback, or insufficient numbers of students interested (in an optional module). To find out more read our terms and conditions.
Module/programme information for 2020 entry will be published here as soon as it is available (end of May 2020).
Our degrees are divided into Stages. Each Stage lasts for an academic year and you need to complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each Stage. Further information, including the credit value of the module, is available in each of the module descriptions below.
Stage 1
Building on your current language skills, you study intermediate Spanish and entry-level Portuguese, and choose from a range of optional cultural modules.
Compulsory modules
- POR1065 Level A (HE Entry Level) Portuguese I
- POR1066 Level A (HE Entry Level) Portuguese II
- SPA1071 Level B (HE Intermediate) Spanish
Optional modules
You also take three of the following optional modules:
- LAS1010 An Introduction to Latin America
- SML1018 Introduction to Literature
- SML1019 Introduction to Linguistics
- SML1021 Introduction to International Film
- SML1022 Introduction to Cultural Studies
- SPA1019 Introduction to History, Culture and Society of the Iberian Peninsula
Stage 2
Building on your Stage 1 language study, you take advanced Spanish and intermediate Portuguese, and choose from a range of optional cultural and language modules.
Compulsory modules
Optional modules
You also take four of the following optional modules:
- LAS2028 Diversidad Cultural en America Latina
- LAS2030 Comparative History of Hispano-America and Brazil from Independence to the Mexican Revolution (1789/1810- 1917)
- LAS2032 Caribbean Imaginaries: Image, Text, Music
- POR2001 Cultures and Societies of the Portuguese-Speaking World
- SPA2019 World Spanish
- SPA2021 Introduction to Catalan
- SPA2025 Representations of Revolution, Dictatorship and Democracy in Spain and Latin America
Stage 3 (Year abroad)
You spend a year abroad in an approved Spanish- and/or Portuguese-speaking country either:
- studying at a university
- working as a language teaching assistant
- on an approved work placement
During your year abroad, you take the following compulsory module:
Plus, one of the modules below:
- SML3006 Study Abroad
- SML3007 Year Abroad Placement Report 1
- SML3008 Year Abroad Placement Report 2
- SML3009 Year Abroad Project 1
- SML3010 Year Abroad Project 2
Stage 4
You study further advanced Spanish, and choose from a range of optional cultural and language modules.
Compulsory modules
You take one of the following modules:
- SPA4082 Level D (HE Further Advanced) Spanish: Language for Professional & Academic Purposes
- SPA4083 Level D (HE Further Advanced) Spanish: Translation & Interpreting
Optional modules
You take five of the following optional modules:
- LAS2028 Diversidad Cultural en America Latina
- LAS2030 Comparative History of Hispano-America and Brazil from Independence to the Mexican Revolution (1789/1810-1917)
- LAS2032 Caribbean Imaginaries: Image, Text, Music
- LAS4001 Inter-American Relations from Spanish-American War (1898) to the end of the Cold War (1989/1991)
- LAS4005 Multilingualism and Society in Latin America
- LAS4010 Cultura y Política en Colombia
- POR4003 Lusophone Borderlines: Borders and Crossings in Portuguese-Speaking Cultures*
- POR4010 Level C (HE Advanced) Portuguese
- SML4003 Communicating and Teaching Languages for Undergraduate Ambassadors
- SML4099 Dissertation
- SPA2019 World Spanish
- SPA2025 Representations of Revolution, Dictatorship and Democracy in Spain and Latin America
- SPA4002 Intermediate Catalan**
- SPA4005 Cultura Popular en Latinoamérica y España
- SPA4006 Spectres of the Past: Memory in Contemporary Spanish Culture
- SPA4007 Spanish and Romance Word Analysis
All candidates are considered on an individual basis.
If your qualifications are not listed here, please see our additional entry requirements web pages to find out which other qualifications are considered.
The entrance requirements below apply to 2020 entry.
Careers
Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies careers
Most people study modern languages because of their interest and ability in the subject. Comparatively few go directly into careers in which a language degree is essential – such as translating, interpreting, aspects of publishing or teaching. Many graduates instead go into jobs in which their language skills are desirable, such as the media, hospitality and leisure, areas of finance or journalism.
With ever more European and international connections, such skills will grow in importance and can give you a real advantage in applying for a wide range of graduate jobs.
Ability in languages is increasingly valued by a wide range of employers across all sectors, including industry and business. They recognise that a degree in modern languages is evidence not only of linguistic skills and cultural awareness but also of other personal transferable skills needed in employment.
You will develop the self-confidence to communicate orally as well as on paper, to work effectively in a group, to organise and plan your work and to find solutions to problems by critical, logical and creative thinking. Consequently our graduates find work in diverse areas such as tourism, marketing, management, civil service, advertising and the media, teaching and banking.
The School of Modern Languages works with the University’s Careers Service to run an annual Employability Week, including an opportunity to network with recent graduates. We also collaborate on the Modern Languages careers blog, Careers Translated. The blog gives you access to a range of relevant jobs, training and work experience opportunities, as well as interviews with alumni and employers, and general advice.
Find out more about the career options for Modern Languages from Prospects: The UK's Official Careers Website.
What our graduates go on to do: employment and further study choices
See what our recent graduates went on to do and view graduate destinations statistics. These statistics are based on what graduates were doing on a specific date, approximately six months after graduation. Take a look at the most recent data available for our graduates.
The destination data is available in varying levels, beginning with the University and moving through Faculty and School down to individual course reports. This final level may give you some useful ideas about possible options after your course or a course you are considering.
Careers and employability at Newcastle
Newcastle University consistently has one of the best records for graduate employment in the UK.
96% of our 2017 UK-domiciled UG/PG graduates progressed to employment or further study within six months of graduating.
85.5% of our graduates are in graduate level employment or further study within six months of graduating.
We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through an initiative called ncl+. This enables you to develop personal, employability and enterprise skills and to give you the edge in the employment market after you graduate.
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers.
Applying to Newcastle University through UCAS
To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
UCAS codes for Newcastle University
- institution name - NEWC
- institution code - N21
UCAS buzzword
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All UK schools and colleges and a small number of EU and international establishments are registered with UCAS.
If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.
Making your application
On the UCAS website you can also find out more about:
- application deadlines and other important dates
- offers and tracking your application
Application decisions and enquiries
Find out more about our admissions process and who to contact if you need help with your application.