University undergraduate student studying in Nightingale Hall accommodation's library, University Park

Hispanic Studies

University Park Campus, Nottingham, UK

Course overview

Do you want to broaden your horizons professionally, intellectually and culturally? Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. Imagine being able to communicate and connect with people in over 20 countries. 

Through our BA in Hispanic Studies you can immerse yourself in Spanish and Latin American history and culture through music, literature, film and theatre.

  • If your Spanish is at A-level, you will also learn Portuguese, the gateway to Portugal, Brazil and Lusophone Africa. You can carry on Portuguese to your final year or stop after the second year.
  • If you start as a beginner in Spanish or with a GCSE, you will graduate with the same level of fluency in Spanish as those who began the course with an A level. You will also learn Portuguese in year 2 of the course.

Indicative modules

Mandatory

Year 1

Spanish 1

Mandatory

Year 1

Portuguese 1: Beginners

Mandatory

Year 1

Spanish 1: Beginners

Mandatory

Year 1

Culture and Society in Brazil, Portugal and Portuguese-speaking Africa

Mandatory

Year 1

Literature in Spanish

Mandatory

Year 1

Modern Latin America

Mandatory

Year 2

Spanish 2

Mandatory

Year 2

Portuguese 2: Beginners

Mandatory

Year 2

Spanish 2: Beginners

Mandatory

Year 2

Portuguese 1: Beginners

Mandatory

Year 2

Nation Building and National Identities in the Lusophone World

Mandatory

Year 2

Luso-Hispanic Cinemas

Mandatory

Year 2

New World(s): Contacts, Conquests and Conflict in Early Modern Hispanic History and Culture

Mandatory

Year 2

Modern Spanish and Spanish American Literature and Film

Mandatory

Year 3

Year abroad

Mandatory

Year 4

Spanish 3

Optional

Year 4

Brazilian Slave Society

Optional

Year 4

Portuguese 3

Optional

Year 4

Translation, Power and Gender in the Spanish-speaking World

Optional

Year 4

Business and Society in Spain

Optional

Year 4

Making the Cuban Revolution: Ideology, Culture and Identity in Cuba since 1959

Optional

Year 4

Literature and Film under Franco

Optional

Year 4

Dissertation in Hispanic Studies

Optional

Year 4

Communicating and Teaching Languages for Undergraduate Ambassadors

Optional

Year 4

Spanish American Narrative and Film

Optional

Year 4

Politics and Literature in Contemporary Spain

Optional

Year 4

Memory and the Future in Iberian and Latin American Culture and Politics

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About modules

The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer, but is not intended to be construed or relied on as a definitive list of what might be available in any given year. This content was last updated on Wednesday 4 September 2024. Due to timetabling availability, there may be restrictions on some module combinations.

When you begin studying at university, you will probably find that you cover material much more quickly than you did while studying for your A levels. The key to success is preparing well for classes and then taking the ideas you encounter further in your own time.

Lectures – provide an overview of what you are studying, using a variety of audio and visual materials to support your learning.

Seminars and workshops – give you the chance to explore and interact with the material presented in lectures in a friendly and informal environment. You will be taught in a smaller group of students, with discussion focusing on a text or topic you've previously prepared.

Workshops are more practical, perhaps through exploring texts, working with digital materials, or developing presentations.

Tutorials – individual and small-group tutorials let you explore your work with your module tutor, perhaps discussing plans for an essay or presentation, or following up on an area of a module which has interested you.

eLearning – our virtual-learning system, Moodle, offers 24-hour access to teaching materials and resources.

Peer mentoring

All new undergraduate students can opt into our peer mentoring scheme. Your peer mentor will help you settle into life at Nottingham, provide advice on the transition to university-level study and help you access support if needed.  

Much of the language teaching you will experience on this degree will be led by native speakers.

Class sizes vary depending on topic and type. A weekly lecture on a core module may have 50-60 students attending while a specialised seminar may only contain 10 students.

Teaching quality

Our staff know that studying complex subjects can sometimes seem challenging (they've all been where you are!). Their contributions to high quality teaching and learning are recognised through our annual Lord Dearing Awards. View the full list of recipients.

Teaching methods

  • Lectures
  • Oral classes
  • Seminars
  • Tutorials
  • Workshops

You will be assessed by a wide variety of methods, consisting mainly of coursework and exams, but you may also be tasked with commentaries, dissertations, group work, in-class tests, portfolios and presentations.

Each module has its own methods of assessment and we strive to make these as varied as possible so that everyone can perform to the best of their abilities. When choosing optional modules, you will be able to see how the module is assessed in advance.

Assessment methods

  • Dissertation
  • Essay
  • In-class test
  • Oral exam
  • Presentation
  • Written exam
  • Commentary

As well as scheduled teaching you’ll carry out extensive self-study such as preparation for seminars and assessments, as well as language practice. As a guide 20 credits (a typical module) is approximately 200 hours of work (combined teaching and self-study). An average week will have between 12-15 hours of classes.

Studying languages can open up a world of opportunities. From banking to charities and from teaching to MI5, businesses and organisations across the globe seek to employ language specialists.


During this degree you’ll be able to choose from a wide range of modules, allowing you to tailor your studies around personal interests. In doing so you’ll start to identify potential career paths and begin to discover your areas of professional interest.


In addition to language skills, you’ll develop transferable skills highly sought after by employers such as confident communication skills, strict attention to detail and the ability to work within different cultures and organisational styles.


“My [language] studies have helped me to develop excellent communication skills, as well as helping me to hone my reading, writing, listening and speaking skills for both my target languages.  I have also become a much more resilient learner, being able to persevere when things start to get tough and independently solve issues where possible.” Charlotte Allwood , French and Contemporary Chinese Studies BA.


Find out more about careers of Modern Language students

Average starting salary and career progression

78.8% of undergraduates from the Faculty of Arts secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual starting salary for these graduates was £23,974.

HESA Graduate Outcomes (2017 to 2021 cohorts). The Graduate Outcomes % is calculated using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on graduates working full-time within the UK.

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.


The University of Nottingham is consistently named as one of the most targeted universities by Britain’s leading graduate employers (Ranked in the top ten in The Graduate Market in 2013-2020, High Fliers Research).

Laboratory staff member Sam Tang helping undergraduates in a chemistry lab session, C10, Chemistry building, University Park. November 5th 2021.Students are John Ventura (left); Sam Tang (middle) and Andrew Laurel (right).

I would say the most challenging part about learning a language is the constant attention you have to dedicate to it every day. This is especially true if you decide to take a language from beginners like I did. However, on the flip side, watching series on Netflix counts as 'revision' so it can be quite enjoyable!

Grace Whitaker

Modern Languages and Translation BA

Course data

Open Day June 2022