Spanish and Latin American Studies
¡Hola!
With more than 500 million speakers globally, Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world and an official language in 25 countries.
Connect with diverse cultures around the globe
Spanish is spoken by nearly 500 million people worldwide, and is the official language of countries in South America, Central America, the Caribbean, North America, Africa and Europe – which means that if you speak Spanish, you’ll be able to connect more meaningfully with Hispanic cultures all around the world. Studying Spanish will open up new career opportunities and give you the chance to study abroad and travel.
You’ll take a placement test to make sure you’re in the right class for your level, whether you’re a beginner or have studied Spanish before. The Spanish and Latin American studies program will provide you with a wide range of opportunities to develop your Spanish language skills while increasing your awareness of Spanish and Latin American cultures through authentic written, spoken and audiovisual materials. You’ll be able to choose from cultural studies subjects in areas as diverse as Hispanic food studies, cinema, popular culture, literature and gender studies. There are opportunities to do overseas intensives and go on exchange as part of your studies, there are even scholarships and grants you can apply for to help get you there. There's also opportunities for you to do work with Spanish language industry partners to help you develop highly valued workplace skills.
Where can Spanish and Latin American studies take you?
Spanish and Latin American Studies will provide you with ample opportunity to develop your linguistic and cultural proficiency. You’ll be able to develop and enhance skills highly-valued by industry including teamwork, clear communication, leadership, mentoring, professionalism and intercultural competence. Competency in Spanish can increase your competitiveness in the Australian and global job markets across a range of areas including international relations, diplomacy, community development, translation and interpretation, teaching, communications, research and government..
Studying Latin American studies and the Spanish language has confirmed my love for languages. I have always had a great interest in learning languages because I think they are the best way to genuinely approach a culture and they match my desire for moving around – but I have also discovered that a language gives your brain a different type of flexibility and knowing a new language and a new culture allowed me to learn more about my own through comparison.
— Margherita Mezzasoma
Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Spanish and Latin American Studies and Politics and International Studies
Where do I start?
Before you begin studying a language, there are a couple of steps you will need to take:
1. Pick how you’ll study your chosen language
There is a wide range of options available to students interested in studying Spanish and Latin American Studies
Bachelor of Arts students
Bachelor of Arts can study Spanish and Latin American Studies as a major, minor or electives. You can master the Spanish language alongside your degree with a concurrent Diploma in Languages or develop advanced knowledge in Spanish and Latin American Studies in Honours.
Undergraduate students
Not a Bachelor of Arts Student? Get a taste of Spanish and Latin American Studies through breadth subjects, immerse yourself in a Spanish and Latin American Studies breadth track, or master the Spanish language with a Diploma in Languages alongside your undergraduate degree.
Graduate coursework
Master the Spanish language alongside your current graduate degree with a Diploma in Languages, or build on your knowledge with one of our graduate courses.
Master of International Relations
Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced)
Graduate research
Develop advanced skills and knowledge in carrying out independent and sustained research in Spanish and Latin American Studies with one of our research higher degrees.
2. Apply/Enrol
You’ll need to create an account and apply for your chosen course before taking the language questionnaire and placement test.
Visit your chosen course page and begin the application process.
3. Online placement test
The language questionnaire and online placement test makes sure you're placed in the right class for your ability and background in Spanish and Latin American Studies. It's important to note that you should not study for this test or get a friend to take it for you as it will assess your current ability. Your test results will determine what level class you're placed in.
Once you have completed your placement test, you will be placed in one of the below entry points:
Spanish 1 entry point
For students who have very little or no knowledge of Spanish.
Spanish 3 entry point
For students who have undertaken two or three years of secondary school Spanish or who have been admitted to the program after proving adequate knowledge of Spanish, adequate placement test results or equivalent.
Spanish 5 entry point
For students who have obtained VCE Spanish, adequate placement test results, or approved equivalent.
Enhance your study of Spanish
Overseas Spanish and Latin American Studies subjects
Overseas intensive subjects offer you the opportunity to complete an entire Spanish Studies subject overseas in a condensed amount of time. Subjects typically run from one to four weeks.
Work Integrated Learning
Integrate your Spanish and Latin American Studies with authentic work experience.
Spanish language exchange experience
Gain an international perspective and experience Spanish first-hand by studying overseas in a Spanish speaking country for one or two semesters.