Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies - BA (Hons)

University of Leeds

On this course you will gain a detailed understanding of the cultures and histories of Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries in Europe, Latin America, Africa and Asia. These include countries like Portugal, Spain, Mexico, Brazil and Mozambique. You’ll become highly competent in Spanish and Portuguese, and you can study the latter even if you’re an absolute beginner.Core language modules will help you improve your spoken and written languages, while core research modules introduce you to study skills and major issues. Optional modules allow you to explore literature, cinema and history, as well as topics like race, ethnicity, translation and using Spanish for business.Your third year will be spent in a Spanish- or Portuguese-speaking country. This will allow you to practise your language skills and get first-hand experience of local cultures.Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies at Leeds is an exciting place for your undergraduate experience. Our friendly community of students and staff, student-led societies and outstanding pastoral support creates a friendly and dynamic atmosphere for all our students. This course will equip you with the knowledge, skills and intercultural awareness necessary to achieve your true potential and pursue a wide range of exciting global careers.We strongly believe that the best way to build your vocabulary and refine your grammar is through the study of culture and history, and that language classes offer an excellent opportunity to acquire greater knowledge of the Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking worlds. Our teaching across our modules therefore is a unique blend of language and content, and many of your modules will contain classes and/or assessment in Spanish or Portuguese.Studying at Leeds means you will learn from world-leading experts in fields as diverse as Spanish popular music, translation, Brazilian cinema, gender in the Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking worlds, electronic art and writing, Angolan dance, and nationalism and empire. Much of our teaching derives from our research activities and language scholarship in Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies. Click on the links below to see more about the research centres which we lead and the organisations of which we form part:Association for the Teaching of Spanish in Higher Education in the United Kingdom Association of Teachers and Researchers of PortugueseCentre for the History of Ibero-America Centre of World Cinemas and Digital Cultures European Popular Musics Research GroupCentre for Endangered Languages, Cultures and EcosystemsCentre for World LiteraturesSpecialist facilitiesThe official cultural institutes of the governments of Spain and Portugal – Instituto Cervantes and the Instituto Camões – have branches on campus, as does the cultural arm of the Catalan autonomous government, Institut Ramon Llull. The University of Leeds is the only institution in UK Higher Education to host all three. This means you can participate in many cultural events such as Leeds Flamenco Cultural Week, attend poetry readings and film screenings, and take part in competitions and events.Our Language Zone gives you access to free learning resources, including space for personal study, language learning software, and video, audio, books and magazines. You'll also have access to our translation computer labs equipped with specialist software and our interpreter training booths.With four libraries on campus, you’ll find space for study, group work and research. The world class Brotherton Library holds a wide variety of manuscript, archive and early printed material in its Special Collections – valuable assets for your independent research. You’ll have access to free classes and workshops so you can learn how to make the most of the libraries' materials.