MA Spanish
About this course
MA (Honours) in Spanish, a language and cultural studies degree centred on Spanish language acquisition and Hispanic literature and film. The first year covers language foundations through Spanish for Beginners 1, Spanish for Beginners 2, Spanish Language and Texts 1 and Spanish Language and Texts 2. The second year progresses to Spanish Language and Texts: ex-beginners, Spanish Language and Critical Approaches to Texts 2, Spanish Language and Critical Approaches to Texts 1 and Spanish Language and Critical Approaches to Cinema. Optional study spans topics such as Literary Translation, Autobiographical Writing in Twentieth-Century Spain, Action Heroes and Anti-heroes in Early-Modern Spain, and Guerreras : Women and Emancipation(s) in Colombian Cinema. The programme includes an optional year abroad.
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: AAB IB: 36 (HL 6,6,5)
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What students say
Based on about 46 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 94%
- Learning opportunities: 88%
- Assessment and feedback: 83%
- Academic support: 98%
- Organisation and management: 94%
- Learning resources: 94%
- Student voice: 88%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 80 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 93%
- Left higher education: 2%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 18 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 65%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 15%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
- Administrative occupations: 15%
- Finance Professionals: 15%
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 15%
- Media Professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 95%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 75%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 40%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 25 graduates, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- North East: 5%
- North West: 5%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 5%
- East of England: 10%
- London: 40%
- South East: 10%
- South West: 5%
- Scotland: 25%
- Northern Ireland: 5%
Who gets in
Based on about 75 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 86%
- Baccalaureate: 8%
- Foundation course: 1%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
Modules
- Action Heroes and Anti-heroes in Early-Modern Spain
- Autobiographical Writing in Twentieth-Century Spain
- Guerreras : Women and Emancipation(s) in Colombian Cinema
- Literary Translation
- Love and Loss
- Mexico in the Nineteenth Century
- Post-1975 Writing in Spain 1
- (R)evolutions in Early Modern Love Lyric: Perilous, Provocative, Parodic
- Tales of the Nation
- The Argentine and Chilean Avant-Garde (1920s-1930s)
- The Art of Subversion in Post-War Spain (1939-1975)
- Women in motion: Gender and mobilities in Latin American contemporary literature
- Spanish for Beginners 1 : initiates Spanish language acquisition with a firm grounding in the syntax, morphology and vocabulary of the language
- Spanish for Beginners 2 : continues Spanish language acquisition, instilling accuracy of expression and introducing Spanish-language cultural topics
- Spanish Language and Texts 1 : promotes reading, writing, listening and speaking and widens students' experience of Spanish-language culture
- Spanish Language and Texts 2 : introduces a higher level of linguistic difficulty and aims at a level of attainment that enables students to enter second year Spanish studies with confidence
- Spanish Language and Texts: ex-beginners: involves revision and progressively deeper understanding of the language and intensive practice in spoken and written skills. In the literature component, study is planned so that thorough vocabulary acquisition, analysis of syntax and understanding of extended texts can be realistically achieved
- Spanish Language and Critical Approaches to Texts 2: language material will reflect cultural aspects of the Spanish-speaking world and a variety of texts are studied across time and regions, ranging from the Renaissance in Spain to modern Spanish America
- Spanish Language and Critical Approaches to Texts 1: skills in reading, listening, speaking and writing Spanish are developed through prepared work and class activities. Language material will reflect cultural aspects of the Spanish-speaking world, and major critical approaches in texts are studied with reference to the genres of poetry, prose and drama
- Spanish Language and Critical Approaches to Cinema: enhances language skills with intensive practice in spoken and written skills. The syllabus is based on a selection of films from Spain and Latin America, which are used as sources for thematic discussion and linguistic development
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Spanish at University of St Andrews earn?
The median salary is £29,000 after 15 months, £29,000 after 3 years, £39,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £30,000 and £50,000. The £39,500 median after five years is £6,500 more than the UK median for Iberian studies.
What do graduates of MA Spanish at University of St Andrews do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MA Spanish at University of St Andrews?
94% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA Spanish at University of St Andrews?
The typical offer is AAB at A level. The average entrant had 203 UCAS points.
Does MA Spanish at University of St Andrews include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on MA Spanish at University of St Andrews?
93% of students continued into their second year, and 2% left higher education.