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Spanish and Latin American Studies at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS

Course options

2025 - 2026
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Course summary

Our Graduate Diploma in Spanish and Latin American Studies is ideal if you are keen to familiarise yourself with the rich cultural histories of Spain and Latin America, including Brazil, while also improving your Spanish and your research and study skills. Why choose this course?

  • You will be taught by specialists from a centre of teaching and research excellence that prides itself on research-led teaching in French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean and Spanish, making it an outstanding multidisciplinary team.
  • This course has been designed to refresh your knowledge in preparation for a master's degree, particularly after having taken a break from studying, or if you have a degree in a different, but relevant subject area.
  • It will suit international students who want to deepen their knowledge of Spanish language and Spanish and Latin American cultures while experiencing life and study in the UK.
  • It is also ideal for teachers who want to refresh and deepen their knowledge, but are not quite ready to undertake a full MA.
What you will learn This course will help you reinforce your Spanish language skills at an advanced level and develop your analytical and critical skills in the study of Spanish and Latin American cultural forms, including art, film, history, literature and urban studies. You will learn the latest theoretical approaches to cultural critique and explore a wide range of cultural forms within their social and historical contexts. How you will learn This course is available to study full-or part-time. It follows an evening timetable with classes taking place in the evening, so you can balance your studies with other commitments, such as family or work. You will take modules at final-year undergraduate degree level, some of which will be option modules you can choose from depending on your interests. Highlights
  • This course is designed for students who require further training to progress to an MA course, such as Birkbeck's MA/MRes Modern Languages and Comparative Literatures.
  • Our affiliated research centre, the Centre for Iberian and Latin American Visual Studies (CILAVS) provides an important platform for the exchange of ideas and knowledge in this field.
  • You will be able to experience the wider research culture of the School of Creative Arts, Culture and Communication, including the opportunity to take part in our annual Arts Week events programme.
  • All teaching takes place in our central London location in Bloomsbury, a stone’s throw from research libraries and all the cultural richness that London has to offer by way of theatre, museums and galleries.
  • The School of Creative Arts, Culture and Communication offers a number of bursaries for postgraduate students.
Careers and employability On successfully graduating from this Graduate Diploma in Spanish and Latin American Studies, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including development of:
  • intercultural awareness
  • enhanced communication skills
  • critical thinking
  • enhanced multitasking skills.
Graduates can pursue career paths in international organisations or business, and in education, consultancy, media and journalism, marketing and advertising. Possible professions include:
  • researcher
  • journalist
  • teacher
  • translator
  • academic librarian
  • archivist.
We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Modules

For information about course structure and the modules you will be studying, please visit Birkbeck’s online prospectus.

Assessment method

Language modules are assessed via coursework that includes a project and other tasks, as well as oral and written in-class tests. Literature and culture modules are assessed via two essays of 2500-3500 words. You also undertake an 8000-word research project that allows you to explore in depth a topic that interests you.

How to apply

International applicants

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses and foundation programmes to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.

Entry requirements

Applicants should have a second-class honours degree (2:2 or above) in an appropriate subject and will be expected to have language skills in Spanish equivalent to a high A-level or A-level + one year, or C1 (CEFR). Applications are reviewed on their individual merits and your professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be taken into consideration positively. We actively support and encourage applications from mature learners.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £7380 Year 1
Northern Ireland £7380 Year 1
Scotland £7380 Year 1
Wales £7380 Year 1
International £13560 Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing on their course in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases.
Spanish and Latin American Studies at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS