Spanish is the world’s second most widely spoken language. By combining Spanish into your degree, you will increase your ability to be internationally mobile after your time at university.

Spanish is a major world language spoken by around 450 million people so choosing a degree which includes Spanish will open up a wide range of opportunities for you both at home and abroad. The study of Spanish will not only equip you with excellent language and communication skills but also with advanced cultural knowledge and a range of transferable skills valued by employers.

Our Spanish degree programme is designed to develop practical language skills in Spanish to a high level of fluency and proficiency. As well as emphasising linguistic skills we aim to develop your knowledge of Spanish culture, your critical and analytical skills, your intercultural awareness, your abilities in translation and interpreting, and a thorough understanding of contemporary Spanish society.

The flexibility of our course means that you can begin your study of Spanish from scratch, post-GCSE, post-AS level or post-A level. If you are starting from scratch or post–GCSE you will take intensive language modules in your first year.

Spanish can be taken as a dual or minor discipline and combined with a wide variety of other subjects allowing you to tailor your degree to your particular career plans or interests. Popular combinations include Spanish and French, TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), Business, and English. Many other more unusual combinations are also possible. Please see the Combined Subjects programme.

If you choose Spanish as a dual subject (approximately half your course) you will spend a period abroad in a Spanish-speaking country and your course will last four years. Students choosing to take Spanish as a minor subject (approximately one third of the course) do not normally go abroad and therefore complete their degree in three years.

Sunderland University is keen to encourage students to go abroad as it is a unique opportunity for you to experience Spanish culture at first hand, to enhance linguistic skills, to broaden your horizons and to develop invaluable skills for the future. The experience will help give you an edge over other candidates when it comes to applying for jobs. While abroad you can choose to work as a language assistant (particularly if you plan to enter teaching) or you could undertake a work placement or study at one of our partner universities.

Our university is one of a very small number of universities which is offering a fees waiver for the year abroad, which means our students going to Spain as part of the course pay no fees for their year spend abroad.

Graduates in modern languages are sought after by employers not merely for linguistic skills but also for their broad intellectual training. A wide range of opportunities will therefore be open to you in the UK and abroad; not only in teaching and translating but also in tourism, business, the media, government, law and many other fields.

The Languages Team at Sunderland is supportive and approachable and we will encourage you to actively pursue your interest in Spanish alongside other like-minded students. According to the national Student Survey 90% of our language students believe that staff are good at explaining things. Throughout your degree you will also have a Personal Tutor who will monitor your progress, discuss options, and offer you appropriate guidance