History and Spanish & Latin American Studies

History and Spanish and Latin American studies is a combination that brings together two of Aberdeen's top-rated programmes, offering an immersive engagement with both the depth of European and world history and the linguistic and cultural richness of the Spanish-speaking world. Spanish is a globally significant language spoken by hundreds of millions of people across Spain, Latin America and communities around the world, and the Latin American dimension of this programme adds a perspective on colonialism, independence, revolution and contemporary politics that has shaped some of the most important historical events of the modern era. History provides the analytical and interpretive tools to understand these events and their long-term consequences.

This four-year full-time programme develops your Spanish language proficiency to a high level, your knowledge of Latin American and Iberian cultures and societies, and your historical knowledge and research skills across European and world history. A year abroad is built into the programme, giving you extended immersion in a Spanish-speaking environment and significantly deepening both your linguistic competence and your cultural understanding. The combination of historical breadth, linguistic skill and international outlook opens up a wide spectrum of career opportunities, including those with an international dimension that would not be available to graduates of either discipline alone.

Graduates of this programme move into careers in which linguistic skill, historical understanding and cultural knowledge are valued together. Journalism, international organisations, the civil service, diplomacy, teaching, research, publishing and the cultural sector are all common directions. The language skills make graduates particularly competitive in roles with a Latin American or Iberian focus, in areas such as international development, trade and investment, journalism and humanitarian work.

Postgraduate study in history, Hispanic studies, Latin American studies or international relations is a natural next step for those who wish to develop specialist expertise.