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Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world – outside Spain, it is the official language of all countries in South and Central America except Brazil, and is widespread in many parts of North America.
Overview
The programme at Kent gives you the opportunity to explore the languages and cultures of Spain and Spanish America while developing your language skills. You can study Hispanic Studies at Kent whether you have an A level or GCSE in Spanish, or whether you are a beginner or have some experience of the language.
The programme offers some unique features. You have the opportunity to spend a year abroad in a Spanish-speaking country and we offer advanced language modules focusing on translation and interpreting – valuable skills when looking for employment.
As from the 2017/18 academic year, Hispanic Studies will also include the Catalan language as a compulsory part of the programme, so you will begin to learn the Catalan from your second year.
Our facilities include multimedia laboratories, which offer a variety of interactive language learning programmes and dictionaries, and access to audio, video and computer-assisted language learning facilities.
Independent rankings
In the National Student Survey 2016, 88% of our Hispanic Studies students were satisfied with the quality of teaching on their course. Iberian Languages at Kent was ranked 1st for research quality in The Complete University Guide 2017.
Modern Languages and Linguistics was ranked 3rd in the UK in the REF2014, with 85% of its published research graded 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent'.
Course structure
The following modules are indicative of those offered on this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.
On most programmes, you study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. You may also be able to take ‘wild’ modules from other programmes so you can customise your programme and explore other subjects that interest you.
Year abroad
Going abroad as part of your degree is an amazing experience and a chance to develop personally, academically and professionally. You experience a different culture, gain a new academic perspective, establish international contacts and enhance your employability.
All Hispanic Studies BA students are required to spend a Year Abroad between Stages 2 and 3. You are expected to adhere to any academic progression requirements in Stage 2 to proceed to the Year Abroad. If the requirement is not met, you may have to postpone your Year Abroad.
The Year Abroad is assessed on a pass/fail basis and will not count towards your final degree classification. You spend the year working as an English language assistant or in approved employment, or studying at one of our partner universities. For a full list of our partner universities, please visit Go Abroad.
Teaching and assessment
All Spanish language modules involve three hours teaching each week, with the exception of the beginners’ language modules at Stages 1 and 2 which involve four hours. They include small group seminars, conversation classes run by a native speaker, short lectures in Spanish, work in a language laboratory and work on computer-assisted language learning materials. The culture and literature modules normally involve a one-hour lecture and a one-hour seminar each week.
Stage 1 is assessed by 100% coursework (essays, class participation) in some modules, and a 50:50 combination of coursework and examination in others. Stage 2/3: depending on the modules you select, assessment varies from 100% coursework (extended essays), to a combination of examination and coursework, in the ratio 60:40 or 80:20.
Programme aims
The programme aims to:
- provide a sound grounding in the Spanish language in all its aspects, through extensive reading in Spanish and through the use of Spanish as a spoken and written medium
- provide a good working knowledge of another Hispanic language (ie Catalan)
- provide you with the opportunity to spend half or a full academic year in Spain in most cases as an exchange student at a Spanish university, or as a language assistant in a Spanish school
- develop a critical awareness of the broad canon of Hispanic cultures and societies from the 16th century to the 21st century
- develop a specialist knowledge of a range of areas within the broad canon of Hispanic studies
- train you in the field of translation from and into Spanish
- provide a gateway to related thematic studies comprising various bodies of knowledge and methodological approaches
- provide teaching which is informed by current research and scholarship
- provide a means of access to intercultural awareness and understanding
- provide opportunities for the development of personal, communication, research and other key skills appropriate for graduate employment both in industry and in the public sector
- develop general critical, analytical and problem-solving skills which can be applied in a wide range of situations.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
You gain knowledge and understanding of:
- the Spanish language
- a second Hispanic language
- Iberian literature and cultures from the 16th to the 21st centuries
- Latin-American literature and cultures from the 16th to the 21st centuries
- Iberian and Latin-American history
- critical and cultural theory.
Intellectual skills
You develop the following intellectual skills:
- academic study and enquiry
- the ability to evaluate information critically
- the ability to synthesise information from a number of sources in order to gain a coherent understanding of the subject
- the ability to use problem-solving and communication skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) for the coherent expression and transfer of knowledge
- analysis, evaluation and interpretation of a variety of texts and other cultural products in a critical manner
- the ability to study and reach conclusions independently
- organisation and presentation of ideas within the framework of a structured and reasoned argument.
Subject-specific skills
You gain subject-specific skills in how to:
- communicate effectively in Spanish and another Iberian language for a range of purposes and audiences
- develop language skills in these three related areas:reception (listening and reading)production (speaking and writing); and mediation between at least two languages (translation and interpreting)
- demonstrate detailed knowledge and effective understanding of the various structures and registers of Peninsular and American Spanish and another Iberian language
- translate accurately and efficiently into and from the target language
- analyse critically a variety of texts (for example, journalistic, historical or literary)
- appreciate cultural diversity
- mediate and display qualities of empathy in an intercultural context.
Transferable skills
You gain transferable skills in:
- communicating effectively with a wide range of individuals using a variety of means
- evaluating your own academic performance
- using problem-solving skills in a variety of theoretical and practical situations
- accurate and effective note-taking and summarising skills
- library and bibliographical research
- using techniques for using language source materials in two Hispanic languages
- taking responsibility for personal and professional learning and development
- time management and prioritising workloads, thinking and performing under pressure
- teamworking
- leadership
- creative and flexible working
- information technology.
Careers
Hispanic Studies students who graduated from Kent in 2015 were the most
successful in the UK at finding work or further study opportunities
(Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education).
Recent graduates have gone into teaching, translating and interpreting, marketing, journalism, publishing, and other areas. Many language graduates begin their career abroad.
The ability to speak another European language is a key asset in the global employment market, and many employers view a graduate with overseas study experience as more employable.
Entry requirements
Home/EU students
The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications. Students offering alternative qualifications should contact us for further advice.
It is not possible to offer places to all students who meet this typical offer/minimum requirement.
New GCSE grades
If you’ve taken exams under the new GCSE grading system, please see our conversion table to convert your GCSE grades.
| Qualification | Typical offer/minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| A level | BBB |
| GCSE | B in a modern European language other than English |
| Access to HE Diploma | The University will not necessarily make conditional offers to all Access candidates but will continue to assess them on an individual basis. If we make you an offer, you will need to obtain/pass the overall Access to Higher Education Diploma and may also be required to obtain a proportion of the total level 3 credits and/or credits in particular subjects at merit grade or above |
| BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC National Diploma) | The University will consider applicants holding BTEC National Diploma and Extended National Diploma Qualifications (QCF; NQF; OCR) on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us for further advice on your individual circumstances. |
| International Baccalaureate | 34 points overall or 15 at HL, including a modern European language other than English 4 at HL or 5 at SL |
International students
The University welcomes applications from international students. Our international recruitment team can guide you on entry requirements. See our International Student website for further information about entry requirements for your country.
If you need to increase your level of qualification ready for undergraduate study, we offer a number of International Foundation Programmes.
Meet our staff in your country
For more advise about applying to Kent, you can meet our staff at a range of international events.
English Language Requirements
Please see our English language entry requirements web page.
Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of 'pre-sessional' courses in English for Academic Purposes. You attend these courses before starting your degree programme.
General entry requirements
Please also see our general entry requirements.
Fees
The 2017/18 tuition fees for this programme are:
| UK/EU | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time |
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
UK/EU fee paying students
The Government has announced changes to allow undergraduate tuition fees to rise in line with inflation from 2017/18.
In accordance with changes announced by the UK Government, we are increasing our 2017/18 regulated full-time tuition fees for new and returning UK/EU fee paying undergraduates from £9,000 to £9,250. The equivalent part-time fees for these courses will also rise from £4,500 to £4,625. This was subject to us satisfying the Government's Teaching Excellence Framework and the access regulator's requirements. This fee will ensure the continued provision of high-quality education.
For students continuing on this programme, fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.*
The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.
Fees for Year Abroad/Industry
As a guide only, UK/EU/International students on an approved year abroad for the full 2017/18 academic year pay an annual fee of £1,350 to Kent for that year. Students studying abroad for less than one academic year will pay full fees according to their fee status.
Please note that for 2017/18 entrants the University will increase the standard year in industry fee for home/EU/international students to £1,350.
General additional costs
Find out more about accommodation and living costs, plus general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.
Funding
University funding
Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. See our funding page for more details.
Government funding
You may be eligible for government finance to help pay for the costs of studying. See the Government's student finance website.
The Government has confirmed that EU students applying for university places in the 2017 to 2018 academic year will still have access to student funding support for the duration of their course.
Scholarships
General scholarships
Scholarships are available for excellence in academic performance, sport and music and are awarded on merit. For further information on the range of awards available and to make an application see our scholarships website.
The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence
At Kent we recognise, encourage and reward excellence. We have created the Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence. The scholarship will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of AAA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications (including BTEC and IB) as specified on our scholarships pages.
The scholarship is also extended to those who achieve AAB at A level (or specified equivalents) where one of the subjects is either Mathematics or a Modern Foreign Language. Please review the eligibility criteria.