Spanish and Latin American Studies

Spanish and Latin American studies is a degree that takes the full geographical and cultural scope of the Spanish-speaking world seriously, from the Iberian Peninsula and its long history of European entanglement to the extraordinary diversity of Latin American societies shaped by indigenous cultures, colonial encounter, slavery, independence struggles, revolution, and contemporary political and economic upheaval. The combination allows you to engage with Spanish as both a literary and cultural language with a millennium of literary history in Europe and as the language of societies across Latin America that have their own distinct histories, literatures, and identities.

At University College London, this four-year, full-time programme is taught by specialists in both Spanish and Latin American cultures, histories, and literatures. You will develop advanced Spanish language proficiency alongside rigorous academic engagement with literature, history, film, and contemporary politics across the Spanish-speaking world. The Latin American studies strand brings perspectives from history, social anthropology, and political science to bear on a region of extraordinary complexity and continuing global significance: from Mexico City to Buenos Aires, from the Amazon to the Andes, the societies of Latin America raise questions about colonialism, development, democracy, and cultural identity that are among the most important of our time.

UCL's location in London, with its significant Latin American and Spanish communities, cultural organisations, and international connections, gives the programme an especially rich context for language learning and cultural engagement. The four-year structure allows you to develop genuine depth in Spanish alongside the area studies content.

Graduates work in diplomacy, international business, journalism, NGOs, cultural organisations, education, and a wide range of roles requiring engagement with the Spanish-speaking world. Postgraduate study in Hispanic studies, Latin American studies, or international relations is a natural next step for those who wish to specialise further.