European Studies: Spanish Pathway with a Year Abroad BA (Hons)

The European Studies (Spanish pathway) BA is an interdepartmental study course that allows you to study Modern Europe from a Spanish perspective. You will study the politics, history, language and contemporary culture of Spain in-depth, preparing you for the third year where you will be taught and examined at a Spanish institution. Our current partner is the Universidad Complutense de Madrid.

Key benefits

• No prior knowledge of Spanish is required for the ab initio version of this pathway, you will learn the language from scratch.
• Taught by research-active, multi-national team of academics with the opportunity to specialise in particular fields or politics, government and nation.
• Your third year will be spent studying abroad providing you with excellent opportunities to engage in Spanish culture and society.
• Opportunities to take part in a broad range of extra-curricular events, from lectures by visiting speakers to the student-organised annual ‘European Week’ where you will debate contemporary issues.
• You will develop analytical and presentational skills valued by employers, leading to careers in politics, diplomacy, administrations, business and journalism.
• Enjoy an unrivalled range of contacts with cultural institutes, libraries, international firms and government agencies.

Course Aims

• The European Studies (Spanish pathway) BA degree course is split between European Studies modules and Spanish-specific modules.
• You will study a range of required modules that will include European politics, political economy, political thought, contemporary history, culture, economics, law, geography, alongside a focus on Spanish politics, history, language and contemporary culture.
• Your third year of study will be spent in Spain at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid developing your modern language skills and deepening your understanding of Spanish culture and attitudes towards Europe.
• A generous allowance of free choice means that you can freely explore all key aspects of European studies and history, language and contemporary culture of Spain.
• This degree is a four-year study course that is composed of optional and required modules totalling 450 credits. Each year, you will take modules totaling 120 credits, apart from your third year, where you will take modules totaling 90 credits.

Employability

Our graduates from the European Studies BA course have taken up posts with the Foreign Office, with leading financial institutions, with cultural organisations or with lobbying firms at the European Commission. Others have worked in public and private agencies and think-tanks in the UK, as well as further afield in countries ranging from Bosnia to Japan. Many students have undertaken work placements in the media.