Spanish and Latin American Studies (Graduate Diploma)
Graduate Diploma
Course overview
Our Graduate Diploma in Spanish and Latin American Studies is ideal if you are keen to familiarise yourself with the rich cultural histories of Spain and Latin America, including Brazil, while also improving your Spanish and your research and study skills.
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Why choose this course?
- You will be taught by specialists from a centre of teaching and research excellence that prides itself on research-led teaching in French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean and Spanish, making it an outstanding multidisciplinary team.
- This course has been designed to refresh your knowledge in preparation for a Master's degree, particularly after having taken a break from studying, or if you have a degree in a different, but relevant subject area.
- It will suit international students who want to deepen their knowledge of Spanish language and Spanish and Latin American cultures while experiencing life and study in the UK.
- It is also ideal for teachers who want to refresh and deepen their knowledge, but are not quite ready to undertake a full MA.
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What will I learn?
This course will help you reinforce your Spanish language skills at an advanced level and develop your analytical and critical skills in the study of Spanish and Latin American cultural forms, including art, film, history, literature and urban studies. You will learn the latest theoretical approaches to cultural critique and explore a wide range of cultural forms within their social and historical contexts.
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How will I learn?
This course is available to study full- or part-time. It follows an evening timetable with classes taking place in the evening, so you can balance your studies with other commitments, such as family or work.
You will take modules at final-year undergraduate degree level, some of which will be option modules you can choose from depending on your interests.
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How often will I attend classes?
Full-time: Two to three evenings a week, October to July.
Part-time: One to two evenings a week, October to July.
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Course disclaimer
Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.
Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the How will I learn? section.
More highlights
- This course is designed for students who require further training to progress to an MA course, such as Birkbeck's MA/MRes Modern Languages and Comparative Literatures.
- Our affiliated research centre, the Centre for Iberian and Latin American Visual Studies (CILAVS), provides an important platform for the exchange of ideas and knowledge in this field.
- You will be able to experience the wider research culture of the School of Creative Arts, Culture and Communication, including the opportunity to take part in our annual Arts Week events programme.
- All teaching takes place in our central London location in Bloomsbury, a stone’s throw from research libraries and all the cultural richness that London has to offer by way of theatre, museums and galleries.
- The School of Creative Arts, Culture and Communication offers a number of bursaries for postgraduate students.
Modules and Teaching
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One year full-time or two years part-time, on campus, starting in October 2026
Course structure
You must complete modules worth a total of 120 credits, consisting of:
- two compulsory modules including a project and one Spanish language module (60 credits)
- two to four option modules (60 credits).
Different option modules are offered in any given year; the following is a sample of the modules that may be offered.
Compulsory modules
Indicative option modules
- Approaches to Spanish Culture and Society (Level 6)
- Cities and Cultures: Urban Experience in Comparative Perspective (Level 6)
- Culture, Space and the Environment in Brazil (Level 6)
- Iberian Political Cultures: Multilingual Approaches to 20th and 21st Century Spain (Level 6)
- The Auteurist Tradition in Spanish Cinema
- The Spanish Noir: Crime and Detection in Contemporary Fiction (Level 6)
- The Urban Experience in Brazil
- Visual Cultures of Travel and Exploration in Latin America (Level 6)
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Teaching
We encourage innovative and engaging ways of teaching to help ensure you have the best learning experience and provide a range of different modes of learning to help you juggle study with work and other commitments.
What are the methods of teaching?
Language modules are taught using a variety of methods and materials from a wide range of media. Literature and culture modules are taught in either English or Spanish.
While different teaching methods are employed, a mixed-mode delivery is usually used: part lecture, part student activity, either singly or in small groups, and part open discussion.
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How will I be assessed?
Language modules are assessed via coursework that includes a project and other tasks, as well as oral and written in-class tests. Literature and culture modules are assessed via two essays of 2500-3500 words.
You also undertake an 8000-word research project that allows you to explore in depth a topic that interests you.
Please see individual modules for more details.
Find out more about assessment at Birkbeck, including guidance on assessment, feedback and our assessment offences policy.
Entry requirements
Applicants should have a second-class honours degree (2:2 or above) in an appropriate subject and will be expected to have language skills in Spanish equivalent to a high A-level or A-level + one year, or C1 (CEFR).
We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.
On your application form, please list all your relevant qualifications and experience, including those you expect to achieve.
Apply now to secure your place. The earlier you apply, the sooner your application can be considered, and you can enrol. You do not need to have completed your current qualification to start your application.
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What are the English language requirements?
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.
If you don't meet the minimum English language requirements, please Global Recruitment at Birkbeck or see our international study skills page for more details about how we can help.
Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.
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What are the visa and funding requirements?
If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.
The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:
- Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
- Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa
International students who require a Student visa should apply to study on our courses full-time as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol to study part-time courses at Birkbeck (with the exception of some modules).
As a Student visa student, you should also apply to study on campus only, as online and flexible options of study (if they are available for your course) may affect the conditions of your visa.
For full information, read our visa information for international students page.
Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country.
Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.
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Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)
If you have studied at university (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits. It may be possible to transfer these from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.
Fees
Graduate Diploma: One year full-time or two years part-time, on campus, starting in October 2026
Academic year 2026-27
Part-time home students: £3,780 per year
Full-time home students: £7,560 per year
Part-time international students: £6,950 per year
Full-time international students: £13,900 per year
Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing their course may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see the Fees Policy.
Discover the financial support available to you to help with your studies at Birkbeck.
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Birkbeck's Lifelong Learning Guarantee
If you've studied at Birkbeck before and successfully completed an award with us, take advantage of our Lifelong Learning Guarantee to gain a reduction on the tuition fee of this course.
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Can I apply for an international scholarship?
We provide a range of scholarships for eligible international students, including our Global Future Scholarship. View Birkbeck's available scholarships.
Birkbeck's campus is located in the historic and vibrant Bloomsbury area of central London - named one of the best places to live in London 2025 by The Times.
Careers and employability
On successfully graduating from this Graduate Diploma in Spanish and Latin American Studies, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including development of:
- intercultural awareness
- enhanced communication skills
- critical thinking
- enhanced multitasking skills.
Graduates can pursue career paths in international organisations or business, and in education, consultancy, media and journalism, marketing and advertising. Possible professions include:
- researcher
- journalist
- teacher
- translator
- academic librarian
- archivist.
We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.
Student support
Birkbeck offers study, learning and wellbeing support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed.
Our Learning Development Service provides a lively programme of free weekly workshops building essential academic skills - from writing and critical thinking to maths and referencing - offering flexible sessions, practical tips, and online resources to boost your skills and confidence.
Our Disability and Mental Health Service can support you if you have disabilities, specific learning differences, mental health conditions or neurodivergence, by providing practical support to help you achieve your academic potential.
Our Counselling Service aims to support you with any emotional and psychological difficulties that are affecting your experience and engagement with your studies at university. It is a free, non-judgemental and confidential service which consists of a consultation process followed by time limited counselling contact.
Find out more about the full range of student services we offer at Birkbeck.
How to apply
You apply directly to Birkbeck for this course, using the online application link.
You will need to prove your identity when you apply. Find out more about how to apply.
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When should I apply?
You are strongly advised to apply now, to ensure there are still places left, and to give you enough time to complete the admissions process, to arrange funding and to enrol.
You don't need to complete your current programme of study before you apply - Birkbeck can offer you a place that is conditional on your results.
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How can I get help with my application?
Get all the information you need about the application, admission and enrolment process at Birkbeck.
Our online personal statement tool will guide you through every step of writing the personal statement part of your application.
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International agents
If you are an international agent applying to Birkbeck on behalf of an international student, please use Birkbeck's agent portal.
Study routes for Spanish and Latin American Studies (Graduate Diploma) (Graduate Diploma)
Please select a study route below to continue your application.
Please note that international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK can only apply for full-time, on campus routes.
Starting in October 2026
Full-time
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One year full-time, on campus starting in October 2026
Apply Now Spanish and Latin American Studies (Graduate Diploma) (Graduate Diploma) One year full-time, on campus starting in October 2026
Part-time
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Two years part-time, on campus starting in October 2026
Apply Now Spanish and Latin American Studies (Graduate Diploma) (Graduate Diploma) Two years part-time, on campus starting in October 2026