Overview
Learning a language can change your life. It can unlock a world of travel and global work opportunities. Spanish is consistently ranked as one of the most in-demand languages for UK employers. It’s needed for communication across international business and finance (Source: People Management).
We can teach you Spanish from beginner or advanced level. You’ll develop confident speaking, reading and writing skills while exploring the cultures of Spain and Latin America.
What you will learn on Spanish and Latin American studies
We can teach you Spanish from beginner or advanced level.
- Develop confident speaking, reading and writing skills.
- Explore the cultures of Spain and Latin America.
- Learn key employability skills from modules dedicated to workplace language.
- Combine a degree in Spanish language with other subjects such as Business, Journalism or French.
Study abroad in a Spanish‑speaking country
Most students spend Semester 6 (in Year 3) studying at a university in a Spanish‑speaking country. You’ll be able to benefit from:
- exchange partnerships with universities across Spain;
- exchange options with partner universities in Mexico City, Santiago de Chile and Córdoba in Argentina.
You can also spend a full year working abroad, usually between semesters 4 and 5. Many students take on paid positions as English language assistants in schools through the British Council. You can gain valuable work experience while improving your Spanish.
Culture beyond language
We regularly organise cultural events in Spanish and Latin American Studies. For example, students can take part in film screenings run in collaboration with the Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival. Events have included film makers visiting to discuss their work and Spanish culture. Past visitors include:
- Santiago Miralles (Spanish Consul)
- Miguel Faus (screenwriter, director)
- Segundo Fuérez (filmmaker and animator)
- Frida Muenala (filmmaker and producer)
- Maria Elorza (director)
These experiences help bring the language to life and deepen your cultural understanding.
Linguistic and practical skills
This is a Spanish degree that will give you not just a language, but transferable practical skills valued across many professions.
You’ll develop the linguistic and intercultural skills required by employers. You’ll also develop other key career skills such as:
- critical analysis
- reasoning and problem solving
- communication
These skills prepare you for careers in areas such as international business, education, media, diplomacy, tourism and global organisations.
Top reasons to study with us
Prizes or awards
When graduating, the best student will receive the Blanco White prize.
Entry requirements
Year 1 entry – Four-year honours
Highers
ABBB
A-level
BBB
IB Diploma
28
BTEC (Level 3)
DDM
Essential subjects
To apply for a combined degree with French and Spanish, you’ll require one of these languages at Higher or A-level (or equivalent).
Essential subjects must have been taken within the last five years to ensure your required subject knowledge is current. Recent work experience can be taken into consideration in place of a formal qualification.
Widening access students
Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages.
Care-experienced applicants will be guaranteed an offer of a place if they meet the minimum entry requirements.
Year 2 entry – Three-year honours
Advanced Highers
ABB
A-levels
ABB
IB Diploma
32
Essential subjects
Spanish
Essential subjects must have been taken within the last five years to ensure your required subject knowledge is current. Recent work experience can be taken into consideration in place of a formal qualification.
Other Scottish qualifications
Scottish HNC/HND
Year one minimum entry - Bs in graded units.
Access courses
University of Stirling access course - for mature students only. You must pass the course with 50% or above.
SWAP access course - for mature students only.
Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.
Foundation Apprenticeships
Considered to be equivalent to 1 Higher at Grade B
Essential subjects
To apply for a combined degree with French and Spanish, you’ll require one of these languages at Higher or A-level (or equivalent).
Essential subjects must have been taken within the last five years to ensure your required subject knowledge is current. Recent work experience can be taken into consideration in place of a formal qualification.
Other qualifications
English, Welsh and Northern Irish HNC/HND
Merits and Distinctions
English, Welsh and Northern Irish access courses
Access to Higher Education - 60 credits, minimum 45 at QCF Level 3, pass at 60% or above.
Essential subjects
To apply for a combined degree with French and Spanish, you’ll require one of these languages at Higher or A-level (or equivalent).
Essential subjects must have been taken within the last five years to ensure your required subject knowledge is current. Recent work experience can be taken into consideration in place of a formal qualification.
International entry requirements
Advanced entry
Advanced entry is not available for this course.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
- TOEFL exams taken before 21 January 2026: 80 overall with 18 in reading, 17 in writing, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking.
- TOEFL exams taken from 21 January 2026: 4 overall with no less than 4 in any band.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses
Course details
You can take Spanish and Latin American Studies as a single Honours degree or combine it with another subject such as Business Studies or Marketing.
For single and combined, you can start as a complete beginner or with previous knowledge of the language. You can follow flexible pathways that merge together in semesters 3 and 4.
In our Single Honours and many of our combined degrees there is a compulsory semester to study abroad in a Spanish-speaking country. If there are compelling reasons why you can’t study abroad, we strongly recommend that you to spend a minimum of four weeks in a Spanish-speaking country. This is usually in a language school. You should discuss this in advance with your study abroad advisor.
You should also seek advice from the International Office on grant availability but expect this minimum residence to be undertaken at your own expense and during vacation time.
The "Option B" study route listed below for semesters 5 and 6 is only for students who have received explicit permission from the course director not to study abroad in semester 6.
Modules
Course details
Teaching
You can study Spanish on this Latin American Spanish course at advanced level or as a beginner.
The beginners’ stream concentrates on learning the language in Semesters 1 and 2 through a dedicated language programme. In the first semester of Year 2, beginners progress to an intermediate course – enhancing their knowledge of the language while being progressively introduced to the study of Spanish and Latin American cultures.
In Semester 4, you will be ready to join students from the advanced course with a good knowledge of the language and have a firm grasp of the necessary skills needed to study Spanish and Latin American cultures more critically and intensively.
Assessment
Formal assessment is by coursework such as language exercises, essays on set or chosen topics and written for particular reader groups, and oral presentations and engagement. You will also be assessed through exams of various types, including oral exams in Spanish. Written exams require essay-type answers, and language exams test your progress in language structures. Thus modules are assessed by both coursework and examination.
Study abroad
If you study for an Honours Degree in Spanish, you will spend a period of residence abroad. This is usually in Semester 6, and will place you in a Spanish-speaking university. Stirling has exchange agreements with the universities of León, Santander, Sevilla, Jaén, Huelva, Oviedo, Navarra, Córdoba, Granada and Santiago de Compostela. In Latin America, there are exchange agreements with universities in Mexico City, Santiago de Chile and Córdoba in Argentina.
You will also have the option of working for a year abroad, normally between semesters 4 and 5. Students often spend this in paid employment – typically as a language assistant teaching English in a school.
Contact
Mr José Ferreira-Cayuela, Course Director
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
Scottish students
This fee is set by the Scottish Government and is subject to change.
Although you’re liable for annual tuition fees, if you are domiciled in Scotland you can apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish Government on your behalf.
You will be charged the annual tuition fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
This tuition fee may be subject to change depending on guidance provided by the UK Government.
You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of your tuition fees, from your relevant funding body. Students from the Republic of Ireland are eligible for a tuition fee loan of up to £9,535 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
We also offer additional funding for students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. See our funding opportunities section below for more information.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy and terms and conditions.
International students (including EU)
Eligible students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £10,000-£20,000 over the duration of your course. See our range of generous scholarships for international undergraduate students.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Funding
See what funding opportunities and loans are available to help you with tuition and living costs.
Students from Scotland
Find funding opportunities for Scottish students.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
Eligible students will receive our Stirling Success Scholarship which is worth £5,000.
International students
Eligible international students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £10,000-£20,000 over the duration of your course. Find funding opportunities for international students.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay.
After you graduate
Language skills are highly sought by employers and open up a wide range of careers. Many graduates work for companies that trade globally or provide services to non-English speaking clients.
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