- UCAS course code
- RR45
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Overview
- Degree awarded
- Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- Duration
- 4 years
- Typical A-level offer
-
ABB, including Spanish
- Typical contextual A-level offer
-
BBB including SpanishFind out more about contextual admissions.
- Refugee/care-experienced offer
-
Applicants who have been in local authority care for more than three months or have refugee status may be eligible for an offer two grades below the standard requirements.Find out more about contextual admissions.
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer
-
34 points overall. 6,5,5 in Higher Level subjects including Spanish
- How to apply
- Apply through UCAS
- UCAS course code
- RR45
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Course overview
- Perfect your expertise in Spanish and Portuguese (with the opportunity to also learn Catalan) and extend your knowledge of a wide range of countries and cultures.
- Spend your third year studying or working abroad in a Spanish- or Portuguese-speaking country in Europe or Latin America.
- Study at a university ranked in the top ten in the UK for Languages, Literature and Linguistics (THE World University Rankings by Subject 2020).
Open days
We are carefully reviewing all our recruitment events in light of the developing coronavirus outbreak.
View the latest updates on measures we are taking .
As we're unable to host on-campus visits, or attend events like UCAS and overseas recruitment fairs at the moment, look at our virtual open day content to help you learn more about the University.
You will be able to watch videos about the university, including accommodation, student finance and course-specific sessions.
We'll update our website once plans for 2021 events are able to be confirmed.
Fees
Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2024 will be £9,250 per annum. Tuition fees for international students will be £25,500 per annum. For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Scholarships/sponsorships
Residence Abroad Support
We offer dedicated financial support packages of up to £2,000 for residence abroad students, based on household income. You will be automatically assessed for this, based on your Student Finance financial assessment - you just need to make sure you apply for a financial assessment in the academic year in which your residence abroad will take place.
Contact details
- School/Faculty
- School of Arts, Languages and Cultures
- Telephone
- +44 (0)161 275 3211
- Facsimile
- +44 (0)161 275 3031
- ug.languages@manchester.ac.uk
- Website
- http://www.alc.manchester.ac.uk/
- School/Faculty overview
-
See: About us
Courses in related subject areas
Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.
Compare this course
Entry requirements
A-level
Contextual offer
BBB including Spanish for applicants who meet our contextual offer criteria. For further information and to check eligibility visit our Contextual Offers page.
AS-level
Unit grade information
The University of Manchester welcomes the provision of unit information where available. Like all other information provided by applicants this may be taken into consideration when assessing your application. Unit grades will not normally form part of an offer conditions.
GCSE
Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education including acceptable levels of Literacy and Numeracy, equivalent to at least Grade C or 4 in GCSE/iGCSE English Language and Mathematics. GCSE/iGCSE English Literature will not be accepted in lieu of GCSE/iGCSE English Language.
Please note that if you hold English as a second language iGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications or achieve a higher grade in your iGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the academic School for clarification.
International Baccalaureate
34 points overall. 6,5,5 in Higher Level subjects including Spanish
Other international entry requirements
Scottish requirements
We normally require grades AABBB in Scottish Highers. In addition, one Scottish Advanced Higher is normally required at Grade B. Where a pre-requisite subject is required at A-level, then this Advanced Higher should be in that subject.
English Language and Mathematics not taken at Higher/Advanced Higher must have been achieved at SCQF level 5 (minimum National 5 grade C / Intermediate 2 grade C / Standard Grade Credit level grade 3).
If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the Academic School(s) to which you plan to apply.
Welsh Baccalaureate
The minimum grade required will normally be the same as the lowest grade listed in the A Level entry requirements.
If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the academic School(s) you plan to apply to.
European Baccalaureate
The University of Manchester welcomes applicants with the European Baccalaureate. Acceptable on its own or in combination with other qualifications, applications from students studying for this qualification are welcome and all applicants will be considered on an individual basis.
We normally require 77% to include a minimum of 8.0 in Spanish.
AQA Baccalaureate
In making offers, the University will focus on the three A Levels taken within the AQA Baccalaureate. Students need to check the standard A Level requirements for their chosen course.
The units of broader study, enrichment activities and the Extended Project are considered to be valuable elements of the AQA Baccalaureate and we would therefore strongly encourage students to draw upon these experiences within their personal statement.
Foundation year
Applicants completing the INTO Manchester in partnership with The University of Manchester international foundation programme are required to achieve ABB in academic subjects and grade A in the EAP with writing, speaking, listening, reading grade B.
Applicants completing the NCUK International Foundation year are required to achieve ABB in academic subjects and grade A in the EAP with writing, speaking, listening, reading grade B.
Please read this in conjunction with our A-level requirements, noting any pre-requisite subjects.
For all other foundation programmes please see this list of approved UK foundation programmes .
Pearson BTEC qualifications
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma: we consider the National Extended Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to this course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Extended Diploma with grades Distinction, Distinction, Merit, plus one A-level at Grade A in Spanish.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma: we consider the National Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to this course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Diploma with grades Distinction, Distinction, plus one A-level at Grade B in Spanish.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma: we consider the National Foundation Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to this course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Foundation Diploma with a Distinction grade, PLUS one A-level at Grade B in Spanish, PLUS an EPQ or AS at Grade B.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate: we consider the National Extended Certificate for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to this course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Extended Certificate with a Distinction grade, PLUS two A-levels at Grades BB (one of these A-levels should be in Spanish.
The University of Manchester welcomes applications from students who have achieved legacy BTEC qualifications (pre-2016) such as the BTEC Extended Diploma, BTEC Diploma, BTEC Subsidiary Diploma, and BTEC Certificate. The grades required are likely to be the same or vary similar to the new BTEC qualifications (first teaching 2016, awarded 2018). Please contact the Academic School for clarification.
If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the academic School(s) to which you plan to apply.
OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications
Cambridge Level 3 Technical Extended Diploma (CTEC): we do not consider the Technical Extended Diploma for entry to this course.
Cambridge Level 3 Technical Diploma (CTEC): we consider the Technical Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Diploma with grades Distinction, Merit, plus an additional level 3 qualification such as an A Level at grade A in Spanish .
Cambridge Level 3 Technical Foundation Diploma (CTEC): we consider the Technical Foundation Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Foundation Diploma with grades Distinction, Distinction, plus an additional level 3 qualification such as an A Level/A Level at min. Grade B in Spanish, PLUS an EPQ or AS Level at grade B.
Cambridge Level 3 Technical Extended Certificate (CTEC) : we consider the Technical Extended Certificate for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Extended Certificate with grade Distinction, plus two additional Level 3 qualifications such as A Levels at grades BB, one of which must be in Spanish.
The University of Manchester will consider applications from students who have achieved legacy CTEC qualifications (pre-2016) such as the CTEC Extended Diploma, CTEC Diploma, CTEC Subsidiary Diploma, and CTEC Certificate. The grades required are likely to be the same or vary similar to the new CTEC qualifications (first teaching 2016, awarded 2018). Please contact the Academic School for clarification.
If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the Academic School(s) to which you plan to apply.
Access to HE Diploma
The specific course requirements are a minimum of 30 credits with a Distinction grade, plus 15 credits with a Merit grade, all in a Humanities-related subject. Where possible, 15 of the Distinction credits should be in the pre-requisite subject required for A-levels.
Applicants to Languages programmes are also required to have a minimum of GCSE grade B/6 in a modern language or in English Language.
Cambridge Pre-U
We consider applicants offering Pre-U Principal Subjects, or a mix of Pre-U and A Level subjects, provided a minimum of three distinct subjects overall is taken.
Candidates taking Pre-U principal subjects in conjunction with A levels are expected to achieve a combination of D3, M2, M2 in the Pre-U and ABB at A level in three distinct subjects.
If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the Academic School(s) you plan to apply to.
Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
Core Maths
The University recognises the value of Level 3 Core Mathematics qualifications. Core Mathematics is not a compulsory element of post-16 study and as a result we will not normally include it in the conditions of any offer we make. However, if a student chooses to undertake a core mathematics qualification this may be taken into account when we consider a student's application, particularly for courses with a distinct mathematical or statistical element that does not require A Level Mathematics. Academic Schools may also choose to take a student's performance in Core Mathematics into account should places be available in August for applicants who narrowly miss the entry grades for their chosen course.
Where a course requires applicants to have at least grade 6/B or higher in GCSE Mathematics we would be likely to consider a pass in Core Mathematics at a minimum grade C or B as an alternative way to fulfil this requirement. Where an A Level in Mathematics is required then Core Mathematics will not be accepted in lieu of an A Level.
A Level and GCSE Mathematics requirements for our courses vary according to subject so we advise students to contact the academic School, who will clarify whether a student's portfolio of qualifications is acceptable for entry onto the chosen course.
Home-schooled applicants
Non-standard educational routes
Mature students are some of our most well-equipped learners, bringing skills and attributes gained from work, family and other life experiences. Students come from a whole array of backgrounds, study every kind of course, undertake full-time and part-time learning and are motivated by career intentions as well as personal interest. There is no such thing as a typical mature student at Manchester.
The application process is the same as for other prospective undergraduates. If you require further clarification about the acceptability of the qualifications you hold please contact the academic School(s) you plan to apply to. Further information for mature students can be found here ( http://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/mature-students/ )
English language
All applicants to the University (from the UK and Overseas) are required to show evidence of English Language proficiency. The minimum English Language requirement for this course is either:
- GCSE/iGCSE English Language grade C/4 or;
- IELTS 7.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in any one component, or;
- An acceptable equivalent qualification.
Please note that if you hold English as a second language iGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications or achieve a higher grade in your iGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the academic School for clarification.
The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires that every student from outside the UK and the EU must show evidence of a minimum level of English Language in order to be granted a UK visa (Tier 4 visa) to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level. This level is often referred to as the 'B2 level'.
Additionally, our individual Schools may ask for specific English Language proficiency levels that are necessary for their academic programmes. In most cases these requirements are likely to be higher than the B2 level. Further information about our English Language policy, including a list of some of the English Language qualifications we accept, can be found here .
English language test validity
Application and selection
How to apply
Advice to applicants
Mitigating circumstances may be personal or family illness, other family circumstances, change of teachers during a course, problems with school facilities or an unusual curriculum followed by your school or college.
We recommend that information on mitigating circumstances that have affected or are likely to affect your academic performance should be included in the referee's report.
We cannot usually consider information that is supplied after an adverse decision has been made on an application by the admitting School.
If you encounter mitigating circumstances after you have submitted your application, please inform the admissions staff in the School to which you applied as soon as possible.
Where mitigating circumstances have already been considered, for example by the relevant Exam Board, we will not be able to make further allowances.
How your application is considered
You will be invited to an interview prior to an offer being made for this course.
Interview requirements
You will be invited to an interview prior to an offer being made for this course.
Your interview will form part of a visit day, during which you can sample aspects of your chosen course, meet with academics staff, hear from current students and find out about the latest Residence Abroad options.
Your interview will offer you the opportunity to explain your interests and qualifications, and how your chosen course fits with your motivations and study experience.
Returning to education
We welcome applicants who are seeking a return to study. We may be able to make alternative offers in light of your experience but it is important that you have studied languages to an advanced level (please see entry requirements for subject specific criteria). We may interview you if you have not studied languages recently.
Deferrals
Policy for applicants who resit their qualifications
Re-applications
Course details
Course description
Our single honours BA Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies course will give you a strong grounding in writing, speaking and understanding the Spanish and Portuguese languages, as well as the opportunity to learn Catalan.
After Year 1, Portuguese language is not compulsory and you can choose to either concentrate more on the Spanish side of your degree, maintain the balance between the languages, or study more in Portuguese than Spanish by Year 4. You also have the option to study Catalan.
Language study offers much more than just language fluency. You'll explore diverse aspects of the culture, society, history, politics and literature of the countries in which Spanish and Portuguese are spoken, helping you to develop intercultural awareness and communication skills - both highly valued by employers.
You'll benefit from excellent teaching, student support and cutting-edge study facilities, as well as from the vibrancy and cultural diversity of Manchester itself, Western Europe's most multilingual city.
With placement options available at partner universities and in professional environments in Spanish- and/or Portuguese-speaking countries in Europe and Latin America, a compulsory third year abroad gives our undergraduate students unforgettable and invaluable personal and professional experience.
The course unit details listed below are those you may choose to study as part of this programme and are referred to as optional units. These are subject to change and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this programme. Although language units may show here as optional, they are a mandatory part of your modern languages degree and you will take the units relevant to your level of language in each year of study. It Is compulsory to study language at all levels of your modern languages degree.
Special features
Residence abroad
Your year of study or work abroad will offer the opportunity to gain first-hand experience of life in Spanish- (and Portuguese-) speaking countries., and further develop your language skills.
Collaborations and partnerships
The University has links with language and cultural institutions across the city, including:
- Instituto Cervantes - a centre for the promotion of Hispanic Cultures
- HOME - international and contemporary art, theatre and film
- Portuguese Consulate General - the official representation of Portugal in the north of the UK, which organises a number of cultural activities.
Societies
The University is home to over 30 international and language-related student societies offering a breadth of cultural activities and experiences including the Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies Student Society.
Learn from experts
All our language tutors are native speakers of Spanish, Portuguese or Catalan, giving you a richer learning experience and exposing you to accents and language usage from multiple regions of the Iberian Peninsula and Latin America
Tailor your degree
You can choose to change the balance away from Portuguese towards Spanish after Year 1, depending on your developing interests.
Teaching and learning
You'll learn through a mixture of formal lectures, seminars and tutorials, spending approximately 12 hours a week in formal study sessions.
For every hour of university study, you will be expected to complete a further 2-3 hours of independent study. You will also need to study during the holiday periods.
The individual study component could be spent reading, producing written work, revising for examinations or working in the University's Language Centre .
Coursework and assessment
You will be assessed in various ways, including:
- written and oral examinations;
- presentations;
- coursework (which may include library research, linguistic fieldwork and data collection, or web-based research);
- in your final year, a dissertation based on a research topic of your choice.
Assessment methods vary from course unit to course unit - see individual course unit listings for more information.
Course content for year 1
You will study 100 credits of compulsory units covering the Spanish and Portuguese worlds and languages, plus 20 optional credits which can be taken within the department or used to explore other areas within the University.
You will take a compulsory core unit on the modern spoken and written Spanish language.
You will also be provided with an introduction to the cultural and historical development of the Hispanic world and develop the skills required to be successful in your further study of Spain and Latin America.
You will also take compulsory core course units in Portuguese language (either for beginners, or for students with an A-level or equivalent).
You will also explore the cultures and history of Portuguese-speaking societies in Portugal, Brazil, Mozambique, Angola and Goa.
Students who have an A-level (or equivalent) in Portuguese can start studying Catalan in Year 1.
You will take only the language units relevant to your level of language in each year of study.
Course units for year 1
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Cultures of the Hispanic World | SPLA10410 | 20 | Mandatory |
Themes in Spanish and Latin American Studies | SPLA10420 | 20 | Mandatory |
Portuguese Language 1 | SPLA52010 | 20 | Mandatory |
Portuguese Language 3 | SPLA52030 | 20 | Mandatory |
Study Project (Portuguese) | SPLA10600 | 20 | Optional |
Spanish Language 3 | SPLA51030 | 20 | Optional |
Catalan Language & Culture 1 | SPLA53010 | 20 | Optional |
Course content for year 2
You follow a compulsory Spanish language course unit, refining your skills in the written and spoken language.
Portuguese language becomes optional rather than compulsory, so you can choose to concentrate more on the Spanish and Latin American Studies side of your degree or continue to study the language and culture of the Lusophone world.
If you continue with Portuguese, the course builds on your skills in the written and spoken language.
You can also learn Catalan from beginner's level or, if you started to study it in Year 1, further develop your knowledge of the language and the cultures which speak it.
You also take optional units in the cultures and histories of the Spanish- and/or Portuguese-speaking worlds chosen from a list,which includes options such as the study of Latin American History, writing women in the Spanish Golden Age, the Cold War in Latin America, and visual cultures in Modern Spain.
Course units for year 2
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Portuguese Language 3 | SPLA52030 | 20 | Mandatory |
Visual Culture in Modern Spain: Film, Painting and Photography | SPLA20062 | 20 | Optional |
Empire and its Aftermath: The Making of Modern Portugal in Literature, Art and Film | SPLA20141 | 20 | Optional |
Writing Women in the Spanish Golden Age | SPLA20161 | 20 | Optional |
Spanish Linguistics | SPLA20772 | 20 | Optional |
Brazilian Literature | SPLA20832 | 20 | Optional |
Culture and Cold War in Latin America | SPLA20871 | 20 | Optional |
Modern Latin American Literature | SPLA20882 | 20 | Optional |
Spanish Language 5 | SPLA51050 | 20 | Optional |
Catalan Language & Culture 1 | SPLA53010 | 20 | Optional |
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Course content for year 3
Your third year of study is spent abroad under approved conditions.
Course content for year 4
Continue studying the Spanish and (if applicable) Portuguese languages, building on what you learned in Years 1 and 2 and during your year abroad.
You will perfect your writing, reading, listening and speaking skills.
Choose from a wide range of options, including the study of the supernatural in Latin American literature and film, social issues in Portuguese and Spanish film, and visual culture from the early modern Hispanic world.
Opt to write a dissertation on an academic subject of your choosing, related to either the Spanish or the Portuguese side of your studies and supervised by a member of staff.
Course units for year 4
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Spanish Language 6 | SPLA51060 | 20 | Mandatory |
Introduction to Interpreting: Context, Skills and Modes | ELAN30241 | 20 | Optional |
Introduction to Professional Translation | ELAN31182 | 20 | Optional |
Dissertation in Modern Languages and Cultures | LALC30000 | 40 | Optional |
Social Issues in Portuguese and Spanish Film | SPLA30642 | 20 | Optional |
Reading the Rain Forest: Visions of the Amazon | SPLA30801 | 20 | Optional |
Modern Spanish Music: A Cultural History | SPLA31081 | 20 | Optional |
The Politics of Business in Latin America | SPLA31092 | 20 | Optional |
The Supernatural in Latin American Literature and Film | SPLA31132 | 20 | Optional |
Memory and Culture in Post-Franco Spain | SPLA31141 | 20 | Optional |
Displaying 10 of 15 course units for year 4 | |||
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Facilities
There are outstanding resources for students, including world leading collections on Lusophone Africa within the library and access to thousands of films and texts on Latin America, Portugal and Spain.
The University Language Centre is home to language resources, including a new interpreting suite, purpose-built recording rooms and resources for over 70 languages.
The Centre also offers multilingual word processing, language learning software, off-air recording and AV duplication, multilingual terrestrial and satellite TV, and extensive support and advice for learners.
Learn more on the Facilities page.
Disability support
Careers
Career opportunities
A degree in Modern Languages and Cultures paves the way for a broad range of careers.
You'll develop intercultural awareness and enhanced communication skills - both highly valued by employers.
You'll also acquire transferable expertise at the very heart of language learning, including enhanced powers of perception and interpretation and advanced decision-making and multitasking skills.
You'll develop independence and self-confidence during your residence abroad, and your intercultural communication skills will make you a strong contender for media, journalism and PR roles.
Many of our graduates go straight into business services, marketing, advertising, management, banking or communications.
Others pursue postgraduate study or further vocational training to become accountants, lawyers, teachers (both in the UK and overseas) or to enter the Civil Service.
The University of Manchester is the most targeted university in the UK for top graduate employers (High Fliers Research, 2019).
Employers who have taken on graduates of our Portuguese courses in the past include Amaze PR, Asos, Ernst & Young, Eversheds, Kinetic, NHS, Procter & Gamble, JD Sports, Future First, Northern & Shell, Goldstar Brand, Rolands Dransfield, Oxfam, Teach First, Greenpeace, Lakestar McCann, Partel Law, Virgin, The Big Word, and IGA Securities.
Employers who have taken on graduates of our Spanish courses in the past include Amaze PR, Asos, Ernst &, Eversheds, Kinetic, NHS, Procter & Gamble, JD Sports, Future First, Northern & Shell, Goldstar Brand, Rolands Dransfield, Oxfam, Teach First, Majestic Wine, Greenpeace, Lakestar McCann, The Co-operative, Partel Law, Virgin, The Big Word, and IGA Securities.