Spanish Degree Guide

Spanish is spoken by over 500 million people worldwide and is the official language of more than 20 countries across Europe, Latin America and parts of Africa.

 It plays a central role in global communication, politics, trade, culture and the arts. A degree in Spanish offers students the opportunity to gain fluency in one of the world’s most important languages while exploring the literature, film, history and contemporary issues of the Spanish-speaking world. Whether your interest lies in language, culture or international affairs, studying Spanish provides a broad academic foundation and opens the door to global career opportunities.

Why Study Spanish?

Spanish is one of the most widely spoken and fastest growing languages globally. It is an official language of the United Nations and a key language in international business, diplomacy, education, media and development. Studying Spanish helps students build strong communication skills, cultural fluency and analytical thinking. It provides access to diverse histories and perspectives across Spain, Latin America and beyond. A Spanish degree supports a global outlook and enhances employability in a wide range of sectors.

What Does a Spanish Degree Involve?

A degree in Spanish combines intensive language learning with the study of literature, film, history and society. Students typically work on spoken and written fluency, translation and interpretation and grammatical accuracy. Cultural components may include literature from the Golden Age to the present, Latin American poetry and fiction, Spanish cinema, postcolonial studies, politics and identity in the Hispanic world and contemporary social movements. Many programmes also offer optional modules in areas such as linguistics, philosophy or gender studies. Most Spanish degrees include a year abroad in a Spanish-speaking country, spent either studying at a university or completing a work placement. This immersive experience is essential for developing confidence and fluency.

Studying Spanish in the UK

Spanish can be studied on its own or alongside another subject such as English, History, International Relations, Politics or another language. A wide range of universities across the UK offer Spanish degrees, with options for both advanced and beginner learners.

Higher entry requirements (AAB to A*AA): University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, University of Exeter, University College London, University of Durham, University of Warwick

Typical entry requirements (ABB to BBB): University of Southampton, University of Leeds, University of Nottingham, University of Liverpool, University of Kent

Wider access and lower entry requirements (BBC to CCC or equivalent): University of Hull, University of Roehampton, Canterbury Christ Church University, University of Central Lancashire, Aberystwyth University

Many universities offer a beginners’ or ab initio route for students who did not take Spanish at A Level, making the subject accessible to a wider range of applicants.

A Level and Equivalent Entry Requirements

For advanced-level entry, universities usually require A Level Spanish or equivalent qualifications. For beginners’ pathways, no previous Spanish is required, although students are often expected to show strong performance in essay-based subjects such as English, History or Sociology. Institutions also welcome a range of other qualifications including the International Baccalaureate, BTEC and Access to HE Diplomas. GCSE or equivalent experience in a modern language may be recommended, especially for those entering a fast-track language course.

What Makes a Strong Application?

Universities look for applicants who are enthusiastic about language and communication, interested in Hispanic cultures and capable of independent study. A strong personal statement might mention books or films encountered in Spanish, time spent in Spanish-speaking countries, language clubs or independent learning through media or online platforms. Students should show a genuine interest in global perspectives and an openness to living and studying abroad.

Studying Spanish in the European Union

Many universities across the EU offer excellent opportunities to study Spanish, particularly in countries with strong language departments or close ties to the Hispanic world. In the Netherlands, institutions like the University of Amsterdam and Leiden University offer Spanish within modern language or area studies degrees. In Germany, universities such as Heidelberg and Freie Universität Berlin offer Spanish studies within humanities and philology programmes. In France and Belgium, students can study Spanish as part of modern language, translation or European studies degrees, often with a strong focus on Spanish literature and Latin American culture. Courses may be taught in the local language or in English and increasingly include study-abroad options in Spain or Latin America.

Studying Spanish in the United States

Spanish is one of the most widely studied languages in the US, where large Hispanic populations and geographic proximity to Latin America make it especially relevant. Universities such as the University of California, Berkeley, University of Texas at Austin, and New York University offer Spanish degrees that combine language proficiency with literature, Latin American studies, Chicano culture and political history. Liberal arts colleges such as Middlebury College and Pomona College also offer highly regarded Spanish majors. US degrees tend to be flexible, allowing students to combine Spanish with subjects like international relations, anthropology, education or media studies. Many programmes include study-abroad partnerships in Spain, Mexico or South America.

Studying Spanish in Canada

In Canada, Spanish is offered at most major universities within modern languages or global studies faculties. Institutions such as the University of Toronto, McGill University, University of British Columbia and Université de Montréal offer Spanish language and Hispanic culture courses that may be studied alone or in combination with other subjects. Bilingual learning environments are common, and Canadian institutions often support study-abroad exchanges or experiential learning in Latin American countries. Students may also specialise in Latin American politics, migration studies or cultural history alongside advanced language modules.

Studying Spanish in Australia and New Zealand

Universities in Australia and New Zealand offer Spanish as part of arts, global studies or language degrees. Leading institutions include the University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, University of Queensland and the University of Auckland. Spanish is taught both to beginners and advanced learners, often with opportunities to spend a semester or year abroad in Spain, Chile, Argentina or Mexico. Many degrees include cultural modules on Spanish and Latin American cinema, literature and society, as well as practical training in translation, academic writing and professional communication. Students benefit from a growing interest in Latin America’s political and trade relationships with the Asia-Pacific region.

Career Opportunities for Spanish Graduates

Graduates in Spanish are well equipped for careers that require international awareness, linguistic skills and cross-cultural understanding. Common sectors include translation and interpreting, education and teaching, publishing and journalism, international development and NGOs, diplomacy and the civil service, global business and marketing, cultural institutions, tourism and travel and law and consultancy. Spanish is particularly useful in the Americas and increasingly important in global digital media, customer engagement and international outreach. Many graduates also pursue postgraduate study in subjects such as international relations, applied linguistics, education, law and Hispanic studies.

Is a Spanish Degree Right for You?

If you are fascinated by the language and cultures of the Spanish-speaking world, enjoy learning and communicating in different contexts and want the opportunity to live abroad and broaden your global outlook, then a degree in Spanish could be the perfect choice. It combines academic depth with real-world application and prepares students for meaningful careers in a wide range of international environments. Studying Spanish at university is not only about learning to speak the language. It is about engaging with the voices, histories and ideas that shape one of the world’s most diverse and influential language communities.