Spanish Studies and History BA (Hons)

Lancaster’s joint Spanish Studies and History degree is taught by the Department of Languages and Cultures in conjunction with the Department of History. This degree includes an international placement in year 3.

Your Spanish Studies programme gives you the opportunity to acquire high-level language skills while gaining a thorough understanding of the country’s historical, cultural, social and political background in a global context. In History, you will develop your critical abilities studying modules in British, European and American world history.

Your first year comprises an exploration of the Spanish language and its cultural context as well as the core History module ‘From Medieval to Modern: History and Historians’. Alongside this, you can choose the History module ‘People, Places, and the Past’ or a minor subject from another department.

Building on your language skills in Year 2, you will study the culture, politics and history of the Spanish-speaking world in more depth, as well as selecting modules which are international in scope and promote a comparative understanding of Europe and beyond. You will combine these with the core module, ‘The Nature and Practice of History’, and select options such as, 'Mapping Terra Incognita: Travel and Exploration of the Americas and the Pacific, 1492-1642' and 'Spain 1560-1700: Inquisition, Armada and Empire'.

Spending your third year abroad in a Spanish-speaking gives you the opportunity to develop your language proficiency while deepening your intercultural sensitivity. You can study at a partner institution or conduct a work placement.

Careers

In a globalised world, foreign languages combined with knowledge of international history and contemporary cultures are highly valued by employers. During your degree you will have the opportunity to develop the ability to think critically, analyse evidence and structure an argument, as well as gaining rich interpersonal, intercultural, cognitive and transferable skills. These skills will open up a variety of careers such as working in museums and heritage, IT, business development, civil service, events management, finance, journalism, publishing, research and sales, as well as teaching and translating both in the UK and abroad.

Many graduates continue their studies at Lancaster, making the most of our excellent postgraduate research facilities. We offer Masters degrees in Translation, Languages and Cultures, and History as well as PhD research degrees.