English and Spanish, BA, University of Leeds

Course content

A Joint Honours degree allows you to study the same core topics as students on each Single Honours course, but you'll take fewer options and discovery modules so you can fit in both subjects.

In your first year, you'll study core language modules consolidating your speaking, writing, reading and listening skills in Spanish as well as the different elements of poetry, prose and drama in English. You'll also have the chance to study a Cornerstone module on world literature, which helps you make connections between your two subjects, and an introduction to the history and culture of Spain and Hispanic America.

You'll build on this knowledge in the following year, where you'll focus on a couple of literary periods in depth and choose from a range of optional modules, covering everything from medieval Scandinavian literature to the digital humanities. In Spanish, a combination of core language classes and optional modules will prepare you for your year abroad, where you'll immerse yourself in a Spanish-speaking culture and refine your language skills.

When you return to Leeds in your final year, you'll have an even greater amount of choice. Advanced language classes will hone your spoken and written Spanish and you'll select optional modules from an impressive array, from James Joyce to children's literature via Latin American architecture, the African diaspora and Spanish-English translation. You'll also apply the critical and research skills you've gained to an independently researched dissertation or research project on a topic of your choice.

Course structure

These are typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

Year 1

You'll choose from a wide range of optional modules while maintaining a balance across your subjects. Follow the links to the Programme Catalogue for more examples of optional modules and the full course structure.

Compulsory modules

• Entry requirements, fees and applying

  Entry requirements

  A-level: AAB including A in English and A in Spanish, excluding General Studies or Critical Thinking.

  • Career opportunities

    A degree in English and Spanish is a passport to a wide range of careers. You'll be able to communicate fluently in a major world language, as well as an awareness and appreciation of the cultures in which it is spoken.

    That can put you in a great position to work abroad or pursue language-specific career paths such as translation or interpreting, and our graduates regularly go into these fields or pursue further training in these areas.

    However, this degree will also equip you with a range of valuable transferable skills which are valuable to employers in the UK and worldwide. You'll be an analytical thinker which good research skills, who can work in a team or independently and communicate your ideas clearly. Spending a year abroad demonstrates that you're adaptable and self-reliant, and you'll also have the organisational skills that come with juggling two subjects.

    As a result, graduates have gone into careers in the creative industries, education, business and finance, law, journalism, publishing and the charity sector among others.

    Careers support

    We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That's one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

    Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

    The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.

  • Study abroad and work placements

    Read more about Residence Abroad in Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies

    You'll spend your third year in Spain or another Spanish-speaking country, immersing yourself in local culture and cultivating your language skills.

    We have partnerships with a number of universities in Spain and Latin America where you could study, or you could undertake a work placement. You could even work as a language assistant in a school under the British Council's programme.

    Whatever you choose to do, you'll gain a new insight into a Spanish-speaking society as well as valuable experience of adapting to another culture. If you choose to work during your time there, you'll also return with work experience to increase your appeal to employers. For many of our students, it's the real highlight of their course.

    Read more about Residence Abroad in Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies