Degrees Offered

• BA Honours Spanish and Portuguese Studies (4 years) (UCAS Code: RR45)

Contact Information

For entrance requirements
E: admissions@qub.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)28 9097 3838

For course information
Spanish and Portuguese Studies
School of Modern Languages
T: + 44 (0)28 9097 5362
E: spanish@qub.ac.uk
W: http://www.qub.ac.uk/ml

Entrance Requirements

Post A-level

• A-level: BBB including A-level Spanish
  
• Irish Leaving Certificate B2B2B2B2CC/B2B2B2B2B2 including Higher Level grade B2 in Spanish.

Beginner Level

• A-level: BBB + evidence of linguistic ability.
  
• Irish Leaving Certificate: B2B2B2B2CC/B2B2B2B2B2 + evidence of linguistic ability.

Note: if the language is studied at a higher level then the grade indicated at that level will be required.

For students whose first language is not English
An IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each test component or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Further information on other acceptable English Language qualifications is available here

If you are an international student and you do not meet the English Language requirements, you should consider a preparation course at INTO Queen's University Belfast, which will develop the language skills you need to progress. INTO Queen's University Belfast is based on the University campus and offers a range of courses. For a full list click here

The Subject

Spanish and Portuguese are two of the world's most widely-spoken languages, spanning every continent across the globe. They are vibrant and growing subjects of interest, and, as such, they are major vehicles for international commerce and trade, as well as the doorway into a variety of rich and fascinating cultures.

Modules on offer analyse a wide variety of literary, historical, social, cultural and linguistic aspects of Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries across the globe. This is an integrated degree programme, allowing for an in-depth knowledge of two major world languages and their cultures (please see our website for details).

Course Content

Level 1
All students follow modules in Spanish and Portuguese language, which are of a broadly communicative nature, focusing on contemporary social and cultural issues and drawing on authentic materials.

Advanced and 'AS' Stage 1 students will take a Spanish Language for Special Purposes strand, which will enable them to develop competence in general employment-related situations.

Beginner students will undertake an intensive course, specifically designed to bring them to A-level standard within a year.

Students will also take contextual modules introducing them to key concepts and historical moments of Iberian and Latin American culture, literature and society.

Levels 2 and 3
Levels 2 and 3 provide the opportunity to build upon the linguistic skills and cultural awareness developed in Level 1. In both years, students take a compulsory core module, comprising advanced language study and a choice of cursillo, or 'mini-modules'. The cursillos centre on intensive language study for ex-beginners (in Level 2), language for professional purposes (Legal Spanish, Business Spanish), or a variety of historical, cultural, linguistic and literary topics.

Subjects on offer include: the Mexico-US Border, Translation, The Mexican Periodical Press, Maria Victoria Atencia's Legends of the Self, Larra and Remedios Varo. Depending on their pathway, students can then choose from the range of optional modules which include:

Avant-Garde Explorations
Encuentros Maravillosos: Exploration and Survival in Latin America
Failed Romances of Latin America
Reading the Book of Nature
Representations of the Mexican Revolution in Literature, Art and Film
Rewriting Love in the Renaissance
Spanish Memoirs and Autobiographies of the 20th Century
The Spanish Enlightenment
Theory and Practice of Literary Translation
Through a Child's Eyes: Post-Civil War Narratives by Women
Towards a Portuguese Post-colonialism
World as Stage

Click here for more information on modules

Learning and Teaching

At Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable our students to achieve their full academic potential.

On the BA in Spanish and Portuguese we do this by providing a range of learning experiences which enable our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society and make use of innovative technologies and a world class library that enhances their development as independent, lifelong learners. The School of Modern Languages is the smallest School in the University and because of this we create a supportive environment in which we get to know each of our students individually. Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course are:

• Seminars/tutorials:  Almost all of the teaching in Modern Languages is carried out in small groups (typically 10-20 students) in English, Spanish and Portuguese.  These provide significant opportunity for students to engage with academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions of them and to assess your own progress and understanding with the support of peers.  Students should also expect to make presentations and other contributions to these groups. All of our language teaching and the vast majority of our other modules are delivered through small-group seminars.

• Oral classes:  Students will have opportunities to develop oral skills and apply grammar and vocabulary in real-life, practical contexts. All these classes are taught in very small groups (typically 6-12 students) and are facilitated by a native speaker. Students will be expected to attend 1 oral class per week as part of your core language module.

• Lectures: Theseintroduce basic information about new topics as a starting point for further self-directed private study/reading.  Lectures also provide opportunities to ask questions, gain some feedback and advice on assessments (normally delivered in larger groups of approximately 40 students). Only a few of our modules are delivered in this way, e.g. Introduction to Iberian Studies.

• E-Learning technologies:   Information associated with lectures and assignments is often communicated via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Queen’s Online.  A range of e-learning experiences are also embedded in the degree through, for example:  computer-based grammar learning packages; interactive web-based learning activities; opportunities to use IT programmes in project- based work and for presentations etc.

• Self-directed study:  This is an essential part of life as a Queen’s student when important private reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date and assignment research and preparation work is carried out.

• Year Abroad:  Students taking a BA in Spanish and Portuguese undertake a year abroad after Level 2. Students on this programme normally spend one semester in a Spanish-speaking country and the other in a Portuguese-speaking country. This is a significant learning and employability enhancement opportunity during which students can study in a Spanish or Portuguese University, work as an English-Language Teacher, undertake a paid work placement etc. This feature of our degree programme gives students the opportunity for personal development, gives them a job placement, further develops communication and language skills, and the challenges of living abroad come to be a unique (and unforgettable) stage in their own personal development.

• Personal Tutor:  Students are allocated a Personal Tutor who meets with them on several occasions during the year to support their academic development.  This gives students one identified contact to discuss any difficulties they might encounter and who can answer any queries they might have.

Assessment and Feedback

Assessment (general):  The way in which students are assessed will vary according to the Learning objectives of each module.  Some modules are assessed solely through project work or written assignments.  Others are assessed through a combination of coursework and end of semester examinations.  Details of how each module is assessed are shown in the Student Handbook which is provided to all students during their first year induction.

Feedback (general):  As students progress through their course at Queen’s they will receive general and specific feedback about their work from a variety of sources including lecturers, module co-ordinators, placement supervisors, personal tutors, advisers of study and your peers.  University students are expected to engage with reflective practice and to use this approach to improve the quality of their work. Feedback may be provided in a variety of forms including:

• Feedback provided via formal written comments and marks relating to work that students, as individuals or as part of a group, have submitted. 
• Face to face comment.  This may include occasions when students make use of the lecturers’ advertised “office hours” to help address a specific query.
• Placement employer comments or references.
• Online or emailed comment.
• General comments or question and answer opportunities at the end of a lecture, seminar or tutorial.
• Pre-submission advice regarding the standards you should aim for and common pitfalls to avoid.  In some instances, this may be provided in the form of model answers or exemplars which students can review in their own time. 
• Feedback and outcomes from practical classes.
• Comment and guidance provided by staff from specialist support services such as, Careers, Employability and Skills or the Learning Development Service.

Once students have reviewed their feedback, they are encouraged to identify and implement further improvements to the quality of their work. 

Careers

Studying for a Spanish and Portuguese degree at Queen’s will assist students in developing the core skills and employment-related experiences that are valued by employers, professional organisations and academic institutions.  Graduates from this degree at Queen’s are well regarded by many employers (local, national and international) and over half of all graduate jobs are now open to graduates of any discipline.

The First Destination Survey showed that none of our language graduates were unemployed six months after graduating in 2010. A Higher Education Funding Council report for 2008 also showed that 3.5 years after graduation, languages students have the fourth highest mean salary (after graduates in Medicine, Pharmacy and Architecture).

Although the majority of our graduates are interested in pursuing careers in law, business, banking and translation, significant numbers develop careers in a wide range of other sectors.  The following is a list of the major career sectors (and some starting salaries) that have attracted our graduates in recent years:

Employer Links – Consultations: We regularly consult and develop links with a large number of employers including, for example, Santander and the British Council who provide sponsorship for our year abroad placements as well as Rolls Royce, Price Waterhouse Coopers and Moy Park / MARFRIGwho are members of the employer liaison panel for the course.  

Placement Employers:Our past students have also gained work placement with organisations such as:

Graduate Careers and Achievements:  Many of our former graduates have risen to the top of their fields and include many famous figures; for example:

• Stephen Wilkinson, Relationship Director Global Financial Instutions - Americas, Barclays Corporate
• Clodagh Shortt, Entrepreneur, Founder of Honey Boutique
• Kaniah Cusack, Press Officer at Dáil Éireann

You should also take a look at www.prospects.ac.ukfor further information concerning the types of jobs that attract languages Graduates.

Further study is also an option pursued by language graduates. Students can choose from a wide range of Masters programmes as well as a comprehensive list of research topics, see: the School of Modern Languageswebsite.

Other Career-related information: Queen’s is a member of the Russell Group and, therefore, one of the 20 universities most-targeted by leading graduate employers.  Queen’s students will be advised and guided about career choice and, through the Degree Plus initiative, will have an opportunity to seek accreditation for skills development and experience gained through the wide range of extra-curricular activities on offer.  See Queen’s University Belfast fullEmployability Statementfor further information.

Degree Plus and other related initiatives:  Recognising student diversity, as well as promoting employability enhancements and other interests, is part of the developmental experience at Queen’s.  Students are encouraged to plan and build their own personal skill and experiential profile through a range of activities including; recognised Queen’s Certificates, placements and other work experiences (at home or overseas), Erasmus study options elsewhere in Europe, learning development opportunities and involvement in wider university life through activities, such as clubs, societies, and sports. 

Queen’s actively encourages this type of activity by offering students an additional qualification, the Degree Plus Award (and the related Researcher Plus Award for PhD and MPhil students).  Degree Plus accredits wider experiential and skill development gained through extra-curricular activities that promote the enhancement of academic, career management, personal and employability skills in a variety of contexts.  As part of the Award, students are also trained on how to reflect on the experience(s) and make the link between academic achievement, extracurricular activities, transferable skills and graduate employment. Participating students will also be trained in how to reflect on their skills and experiences and can gain an understanding of how to articulate the significance of these to others, e.g. employers.

Overall, these initiatives, and Degree Plusin particular, reward the energy, drive, determination and enthusiasm shown by students engaging in activities over-and-above the requirements of their academic studies. These qualities are amongst those valued highly by graduate employers.

Special Features

Study Abroad: all students are required to spend a period of time in a Spanish and a Portuguese-speaking country. This highlights the potential for working abroad after successful completion of their degree.

Support: students run a lively Spanish Society and staff offer a programme of support through a personal tutoring system, skills development programme, and a structured feedback framework, aimed at helping Level 1 students integrate into university life.