Hispanic Studies and Beginners' Russian BA

Course overview

This course combines the study of the Hispanic-speaking world with the study of Russia. In both parts of the course you will explore the cultures, literatures and histories of each region and acquire a high-level proficiency in the languages. Students have the option to attend a two-week language course in Russia in the first summer vacation. In the final year of your course you will reach the same level of linguistic competence as fellow students who studied Russian at A level.

Year one 

You will begin a structured course in Spanish to take you to degree level over the next years. You are also introduced to aspects of modern literature, culture and history. In Russian, you take special introductory language modules which give you a good grasp of the spoken language and take you to approximately A level standard by the end of this year.

Year two

You will develop your knowledge of Spanish to prepare you for the year abroad. You will also deepen your understanding of more specialist aspects of modern literature, culture and history. In Russian, you will develop your knowledge of the language and culture through more advanced modules.

Year three

During your year abroad you will usually spend one semester in Spain or Spanish America and one semester in Russia. In both semesters you will study at a higher education institution or language school and may gain some work experience in the private or voluntary sector, including English language teaching. In the first semester you may have the option to work as a school assistant.

Year four

In Hispanic studies, you will develop your language skills to degree level, and select specialist topics in the literature, culture and history of Spain, Portugal and Latin America. In Russian, you will apply your language skills in high-level modules, including employment-related ones. You can choose from a wide range of modules on Russian literature, culture and history and you have the opportunity to undertake in-depth study in your area of interest, including the option to write a dissertation. There are also fast-track options to learn Serbian/Croatian and Slovene.

More information

See also the Department of Russian and Slavonic Studies.

Entry requirements

A levels: ABB, including B in Spanish at A level

English language requirements 

IELTS 7.0 (no less than 6.0 in any element)

TOEFL iBT 100 (minimum 19 with 20 in Speaking).

Alternative qualifications 

For details please see alternative qualifications page.

Flexible admissions policy

We may make some applicants an offer lower than advertised, depending on their personal and educational circumstances.

Modules

The modules we offer are inspired by the research interests of our staff and as a result, may change from year to year. The following list is therefore subject to change but should give you a flavour of the modules we offer.

Typical year-one modules

• Beginners Russian A
• Beginners Russian B
• Lengua Española: I
• Introduction to Literature in Spanish

Typical year-two modules

• Intermediate Russian
• Lengua Española: II

Typical year-three modules

Year spent abroad.

Please see the Department of Spanish, Portuguese & Latin American Studies Year Abroad page and the Department of Russian and Slavonic Studies Year Abroad page. 
 

Typical year-four modules

• Lengua Española: III
• Advanced Russian
• Russian for Business Situations
• Interpreting

Typical optional modules

• Introduction to Eastern Orthodoxy
• Imagining Crime: Russian Detective Fiction
• Fantastic Worlds of Slavonic Literature and Cinema 
• Modern Spanish and Spanish American Literature and Film
• Advanced Spanish Translation
• Civil War and Memory Wars in Contemporary Spain
• Nabokov's Fiction
• Theories of Literature
• Comparative Modern Literature in the Romance Languages
• Multimedia Russian

Careers

By the end of this course you will have reached a high level of linguistic competence in Spanish and Russian and will have the ability to use both languages in complex contexts. You will also have a specialist knowledge of Spanish and Russian literature, history, culture and society. Your knowledge of two languages and international experience will be desirable skills to employers.

Average starting salary

The average starting salary for 2010/11 full-time graduates of the Department of Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies was £16,622.*

*Average starting salary from known destinations of first-degree leavers who studied full-time, 2010/11.

Careers Support and Advice

Studying for a degree at The University of Nottingham will provide you with the type of skills and experiences that will prove invaluable in any career, whichever direction you decide to take. Throughout your time with us, our Careers and Employability Service can work with you to improve your employability skills even further; assisting with job or course applications, searching for appropriate work experience placements and hosting events to bring you closer to a wide range of prospective employers.

Have a look at our Careers page for an overview of all the employability support and opportunities that we provide to current students.  

KIS