MA Spanish and Portuguese
About this course
MA (Hons) in Spanish and Portuguese, a Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies degree focusing on the acquisition of advanced linguistic skills and intercultural awareness. The four-year programme includes a compulsory academic year abroad spent studying or working in destinations such as Rio de Janeiro or Lisbon. The first year covers introductory options including linguistics and language sciences, politics, social policy, social anthropology and international relations, and philosophy, divinity and law. Year 2 explores thematic topics through Cultural Responses to War, Migration, Exile, Diaspora, and Crime and Detection in Literature. Year 3 involves spending the period abroad through study, work placements, or volunteering arrangements. The final year focuses on advanced comprehension, summary writing, translation and composition, alongside modules covering history, literature, film, and culture.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: from AAA to ABB (required: a language other than English at B) IB: 34 points with 655 at HL
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Real offers for this course
Applicants have posted 1 UCAS decision for MA Spanish and Portuguese (RR45) at the University of Edinburgh for 2027 entry so far. The published offer is ABB at A level.
Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 52%: 12 offers from 23 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 39 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 83%
- Learning opportunities: 66%
- Assessment and feedback: 64%
- Academic support: 88%
- Organisation and management: 63%
- Learning resources: 86%
- Student voice: 58%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 60 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 94%
- Left higher education: 4%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 1%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 55 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 8%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 3%
- East Midlands: 6%
- West Midlands: 1%
- East of England: 2%
- London: 41%
- South East: 8%
- South West: 4%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 23%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 55 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 96%
- Baccalaureate: 3%
- Other HE qualification: 1%
Modules
- linguistics and language sciences
- business, economics and informatics
- politics, social policy, social anthropology and international relations
- art and architectural history
- history, classics and archaeology
- Celtic and Scottish ethnology
- philosophy, divinity and law
- Cultural Responses to War
- Migration, Exile, Diaspora
- Crime and Detection in Literature
- Gender and Culture
- The Coming-of-Age Narrative
- Introduction to European Cinema
- Dynamics of Language and Power
- Languages Beyond University
- Rio de Janeiro in Brazil
- Lisbon and Coimbra in Portugal
- study in one or two destinations
- work in one or two destinations
- study in one destination and work in another
- two semesters at a single institution
- one semester at two different institutions (in different destinations)
- arrange to work or volunteer with a private company or charity
- apply to an established placement scheme, such as the British Council’s English Language Assistants programme
- Student Wellbeing Service
- Student Counselling
- Student Disability and Learning Support
- University emergency helpline (available 24 hours a day)
- presenting and discussing cultural, political and societal topics in each language
- advanced comprehension, summary writing, translation and composition
- history
- literature
- film
- culture
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Spanish and Portuguese at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £29,000 after 3 years, £37,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £28,500 and £55,500. The £37,500 median after five years is £4,500 more than the UK median for Iberian studies.
Are students happy with the teaching on MA Spanish and Portuguese at University of Edinburgh?
83% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA Spanish and Portuguese at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 175 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MA Spanish and Portuguese at University of Edinburgh?
52% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 12 offers from 23 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does MA Spanish and Portuguese at University of Edinburgh include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory year abroad.
How many students continue on MA Spanish and Portuguese at University of Edinburgh?
94% of students continued into their second year, and 4% left higher education.