MA Spanish and History

Year 1

You will study either Spanish 1A or 1B depending on your language skills. You will also study a selection of literary texts and films.

Year 2

You will continue to develop your spoken and written language skills and continue to study Spanish and Latin American culture. If you wish to study Catalan, you can start to learn about the language, history and culture of Catalonia.

Year 3

You will study or work in Spain or Latin America.

Year 4

You will study advanced language courses and choose from a range of specialist courses on Spanish and Latin American history, literature, film and culture.

Programme structure

Find out more about the compulsory and optional courses in this degree programme.

To give you an idea of what you will study on this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.

Programme structure (2018/19)

Our facilities

Teaching takes place in and around the School of Literatures, Languages & Cultures, in the University's Central Area. We are based in a state-of-the-art building, at 50 George Square, which houses computer microlabs, a language resource centre, and social facilities as well as tutors' offices, lecture theatres, and a film projection room.

Study abroad

During Year 3, you will spend a minimum of 30 weeks on approved work or study placement in the country/countries relevant to the language/s studied.

Guaranteed study abroad funding for students required to complete a year abroad

How will I learn?

Courses are taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials and computer-assisted learning.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed by a combination of coursework, including presentations, and exams, including oral exams.

Programme details

Find out more about this programme's aims, what you will learn, how you will be assessed and what skills and knowledge you will develop.

To give you an idea of what to expect from this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.

Programme details (2018/19)

With a qualification in Spanish and/or Portuguese, your career options are broad and varied. Graduate employers increasingly value language skills, the intercultural and critical awareness provided by international experiences, and imaginative thinking.

Some graduates want to continue speaking the language they have learned on a daily basis and this will point to career paths in translation, interpreting, teaching or business. International companies have offices in other capitals and commercial centres and careers include trading products and services, sales and logistics.

Some decide to work within the public sector or third sector including the Civil Service, the United Nations or international charities.

Others would like a career where their insights into the culture of a country or language could be of use such as working in creative industries, the arts, tourism, travel or politics.

Graduate jobs are often not degree-specific, which means an employer is looking for graduate-level skills and abilities. For language graduates these include strong communication skills and the ability to analyse and interpret other cultures. Such skills can be applied in careers including marketing, policy work and law.

Throughout your time at the University, you will have many opportunities to gain experiences to complement your programme, subject combinations and interests. This could include completing work experience with employers who advertise and promote opportunities at the University or joining a society.

Typical offer range

The typical offer is likely to be:

• SQA Highers: AAAA - ABBB.
• A Levels: ABB.
• IB: 40 points (grades 766 at HL). (Revised 05/07/2018 to provide more accurate information.)

Access threshold

The access threshold for a contextual offer is:

• SQA Highers: ABBB.
• A Levels: ABB.
• IB: 34 points (grades 655 at HL).

Find out more about access thresholds and contextual offers

Detailed requirements for all applicants

To be considered for an offer of a place all applicants must meet the following requirements:

• SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S5 or ABBBB/AABB from S4-S6, with a minimum of BBB achieved in one year of S4-S6. A language other than English required. National 5: English at Grade C and Mathematics or an approved science at Grade C.
• A Levels: ABB including a language other than English. GCSEs: English at Grade C or 4 and Mathematics or an approved science at Grade C or 4.
• IB: Award of Diploma with 34 points overall and grades 655 in HL subjects including a language other than English. SL: English at 5 and Mathematics or an approved science at 4.

Additional requirements

Language requirement

Please note that for degrees that have a subject requirement of a language other than English, students may not use their own native language to meet this requirement. In these instances, English or an alternative language other than native will be acceptable.

Find out more about entry requirements

International applicants

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.

Entry requirements by country

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international student and your school qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to the University you may be eligible for admission to this degree programme through our International Foundation Programme.

International Foundation Programme

Mature applicants

We welcome applications from mature students and accept a range of qualifications.

Mature applicant qualifications

You must provide evidence that your written and spoken English is at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

If English is not your first language, you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your spoken and written English:

• IELTS Academic module overall 6.5 with 5.5 in each component
• TOEFL-iBT 92 or above with 20 in each section
• Cambridge English: Advanced or Proficiency overall 176 with 162 in each component
• Pearson Test of English (Academic): Total 61 with at least 51 in each "Communicative Skills" section
• Trinity ISE: ISE II with a distinction in all four components

About English language requirements

SQA, GCSE and IB

For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:

• SQA National 5 Grade C
• SQA Standard Grade 3
• SQA Intermediate 1 Grade A
• SQA Intermediate 2 Grade C
• GCSE Grade C or 4
• Level 2 Certificate Grade C
• IB Standard Level Grade 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)

This information is part of a government initiative to enhance the material that higher education institutions provide about their degree programmes.

It is one of many sources of information which will enable you to make an informed decision on what and where to study.

Please note that some programmes do not have Unistats data available.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees for MA Spanish and History

Additional costs

For your compulsory residence abroad in Year 3, we give you a wide range of options. Your costs will depend on where you decide to go, and how you spend your time. A placement with an Erasmus work grant, for example, could make this the cheapest year of your programme.

Universities outside the EU may charge you a fee for courses but we will reimburse you for this provided the course has been approved. You will be informed about the cost implications as you plan your year abroad, during Year 2.

Funding

For more information on how much it will cost to study with us and the financial support available see our fees and funding information.

Fees and funding

• College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences Undergraduate Admissions Office
• Email: CAHSS.UGAdmissions@ed.ac.uk
• Phone: +44 (0)131 650 3565
• Web: Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies website
• International enquiries