Spanish and Classics

Many of the basic concepts underlying Western society were expressed for the first time in ancient Greek or Latin. Together with Spanish, they are the languages of many highly influential literary and cultural works.

Studying Spanish and Classics helps us understand the contemporary world, and also sheds light on the past. Our flexible joint honours programme enables you to learn at least two languages in their cultural context, or to combine studying Spanish with a non-language pathway through ancient worlds.

Spanish

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

Studying Spanish at the University of Edinburgh, you will be immersed in an extraordinary range of literature, film, poetry and theatre from around the world, explored in its historical context.

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.

Intensive language training, including a year abroad, gives you the opportunity to develop advanced spoken and written skills in Spanish while gaining the broad cultural education valued by graduate employers.

Classics

You will explore the highly influential scholarship and literature of the classical world that gave rise to Western society, opting to take a Latin, Ancient Greek or non-language pathway through Classics.

Why Edinburgh

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

Classical languages have been taught at the University since its foundation in 1583. Spanish has been taught here since the early part 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 opt to take courses in other Schools, or broaden your linguistic portfolio with an additional language, such as Portuguese, Basque, Catalan or Italian.

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.

How long it takes to complete this degree programme

This programme is studied over 4 years, including a year abroad. This enables us to build choice and flexibility into your studies, giving you time to explore options, find what you like and build your skills.

Your first two years will be your pre-honours years. They will give you a good grounding in your subjects. In addition to studying core courses, you will broaden your education and skill set by choosing option courses. This may enable you to change the focus of your programme.

Your final two years will be your honours years. You will spend Year 3 abroad, gaining a lived experience of Spanish-speaking culture. Year 4 will be tailored to your interests in specific topics or approaches to Spanish and Classics.

Programme benefits

• Learn in an historic capital city where Spanish has been taught for over a century.

• Study over four years, including one abroad.

• Become fluent in one or more languages.

• Try out different subjects in your first two years.

• Join societies related to what you're studying.

• Delve into fantastic libraries and collections.