Geography and Spanish & Latin American Studies

Geography and Spanish with Latin American studies is a combination that brings together the spatial and environmental sciences of geography with linguistic and cultural immersion in the Spanish-speaking world, and particularly in Latin America, one of the most geographically, culturally and politically diverse regions on the planet. Geography provides the tools to understand physical environments, human settlements, economic patterns and the relationship between people and the natural world. Spanish and Latin American studies adds the language competence and cultural knowledge to engage with those environments and patterns from the inside, through the literature, history, politics and daily life of Spanish-speaking societies.

At the University of Aberdeen, this four-year degree can be taken at beginner, intermediate or advanced levels of Spanish, so that students at different starting points can all benefit from the programme. A year abroad is built into the degree, giving you the opportunity to spend time in a Spanish-speaking country, developing your language through immersion and your understanding of Latin American or Iberian environments and societies in person. You will study topics in both physical geography, including geomorphology, climate and ecosystems, and human geography, including development, urban change and cultural landscapes, alongside advanced Spanish language and engagement with Latin American history, politics and culture.

The combination develops analytical and linguistic skills that are valuable across many international contexts: the ability to understand spatial and environmental patterns, to work with geographical data and to communicate across cultural and linguistic boundaries is relevant to careers in development, environmental management, international business and policy.

Graduates go on to careers in international development, environmental consultancy, urban planning, teaching, journalism, international business, the civil service and organisations working in Latin America and the wider Spanish-speaking world. Further study in geography, development studies, Latin American studies or Spanish is also common.