Spanish and Philosophy

Spanish is the official language in 20 countries and widely spoken in four more territories, including the United States.

Philosophy has been at the core of Western intellectual life for at least 2,500 years. Studying Spanish and Philosophy together helps us understand the contemporary world, and also sheds light on the past.

Spanish

Our flexible programme invites you to explore the diverse and rich cultures of Spain, Latin America and the Caribbean in historical context. You will be immersed in an extraordinary range of literature, film, poetry and theatre from around the world.

Complete beginners start their language learning by taking our Spanish 1A course; students with substantially more experience of learning the language typically take Spanish 1B. By Year 3, you will have the skills to spend the year in a country where Spanish is spoken.

You will learn how to discern different varieties and registers of Spanish, and gain an intercultural awareness.

By your final year, you will have developed critical and analytical skills to the standard of completing a dissertation or long essay.

Philosophy

Studying philosophy will:

• allow you to think about some of the great philosophical questions in a clear, disciplined and systematic manner

• introduce you to the thinking of some of the great philosophers of the past and present

• illuminate the connections between diverse areas of human experience

• raise your awareness of the assumptions that form the basis of your beliefs

Why Edinburgh

As a world-leading historic, festival and capital city, Edinburgh is the ideal place to study a modern language in its cultural context.

Philosophy has been taught at the University since its foundation in 1583, and Spanish since the early years of the 20th century, celebrating its centenary in 2019.

Studying over four years enables you to choose courses, including from other disciplines, that match your own interests, expertise and employability needs. You can, for example, opt to learn Catalan or Basque as part of your programme, or take pre-honours classes in politics or economics.

We are unique in Scotland in offering students a full academic year abroad within the four-year honours programme, regardless of whether you spend the year studying or working.

Programme benefits

• Study over four years, giving you the choice and flexibility to try out different things.

• Go abroad for the first of your honours years - Year 3.

• Build up to fluency in a major global language, and specialise in different aspects of Spanish and Latin American studies and philosophy as you move through your degree.

• Learn in an historic capital city where we have taught Spanish for over a century.

• Explore fantastic libraries and collections at the University and in the city.

• Join societies, attend events, and gain the skills and confidence for life after university.