Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies

Information for applicants to our degree programmes in Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies. ¡Bienvenidx/Bem-vindx!

I’m delighted that you are interested in studying with us and very much hope that you will join our community.  

Spanish at Edinburgh celebrated its centenary in 2019, and Portuguese has been taught here for over 30 years. Today, we rank 3rd in the UK for Modern Languages in the QS World Rankings by Subject 2025.  

Our degrees are flexible, giving you the chance to try out different subjects, for example, in Year 1 and 2, you can choose to take courses in Basque or Catalan.  

We hope that the information we’ve provided will help you choose the right university and degree for you.  

Professor Alex Thomson, Head of School  

Degree programmes and structures

Need a refresher on the details of the degree programme you've applied for? Our Degree Finder provides more information about your programme, such as:

  • what you will study
  • where you will study
  • career opportunities
  • fees, costs and funding 

Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies degree programmes: 2025 entry 

 

A Degree Programme Table (DPT) provides comprehensive information about the structure of a degree programme, including both compulsory and optional courses. The detailed programme content for 2025/26 is available below. 

 

Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies degree structures 2025/26

Why study Spanish, Portuguese and Latin America Studies at Edinburgh?

Two of the most widely spoken languages in the world, Spanish and Portuguese are your gateway to many countries and cultures in Europe, Africa and the Americas.  

At Edinburgh, you can take a single honours degree in Spanish or Portuguese, combine both in a joint degree, or take either with one of a wide range of other humanities subjects, including other languages.  

Study with us, and get the opportunity to develop advanced competency in Spanish, Portuguese or both, gaining the language skills for both social and professional settings. We specialise in teaching students with varying amounts of language experience, so, whatever your existing level, you will be in good hands. Many of our students started as complete beginners in Portuguese.  

As well as language learning, you will be immersed in an extraordinary range of Spanish and Portuguese literature, film, poetry and theatre, explored in its historical context. You can also expand your knowledge of Iberian languages and cultures by taking courses in Basque or Catalan.  

Studying a language in context demonstrates that you are a good communicator and someone who is open to other cultures and new ideas; what employers value as Intercultural Competence. Our graduates have gone on to careers in the private, public, not-for-profit, and for-benefit sectors around the world.  

Undergraduate degrees in Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies

 On all of our undergraduate degree programmes, you will:  

  • Study over four years, giving you choice, flexibility and the chance to try out other subjects.  
  • Study abroad. In Year 3, you will spend time in a Spanish-speaking or Portuguese-speaking country. If you’re taking Spanish and Portuguese as a joint degree, or combining either with another language, you will divide your time between two destinations.  
  • Learn at the heart of Scotland's capital city. When you are on campus, you’ll spend most of your time in the University of Edinburgh's Central Area; in class, in the library, or in one of our many social and support spaces.  
  • Get a chance to join societies related to what you’re studying. There are more than 300 to choose from, including the Spanish Society. We also have a creative writing magazine for European languages, giving you the opportunity to write, edit and publish in Spanish and Portuguese.
  • Delve into fantastic libraries and collections, including around 40,000 resources in Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies at the University, and national galleries and museums within a short walk of campus. 

Have you applied for a joint honours degree? Don't forget to look at the information for each of your subjects. 

Not sure which School looks after the other subject of your degree? Check our School list for information on the subjects they manage. 

College of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences: Schools and subjects 


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