Spanish and Classics

Many of the basic concepts underlying Western society were expressed for the first time in ancient Greek or Latin. Together with Spanish, they are the languages of many highly influential literary and cultural works.

Studying Spanish and Classics helps us understand the contemporary world, as well as shedding light on the past. Our flexible joint honours programme enables you to learn at least two languages in their cultural context or to combine studying Spanish with a non-language pathway through ancient worlds.

Spanish

Spanish is the official language in 20 countries and is widely spoken in four more territories, including the United States.

Studying Spanish at the University of Edinburgh, you will be immersed in an extraordinary range of literature, film, poetry and theatre from around the world, explored in its historical context.

On joining us, complete beginners take our Spanish 1A course; students with substantially more experience of learning the language typically take Spanish 1B.

Intensive language training, including a year abroad, gives you the opportunity to develop advanced spoken and written skills in Spanish while gaining the broad cultural education valued by graduate employers.

Classics

You can opt to take a Latin, Greek or non-language pathway through Classics. You will explore the scholarship and literature of the classical world that gave rise to Western society.

Why Edinburgh

As a world-leading historic, festival and capital city, Edinburgh is a fantastic place to study a modern language in its cultural context and alongside Classics.

Classical languages have been taught at the University since its foundation in 1583. Spanish has been taught here since the early part of the 20th century, celebrating its centenary in 2019.

Studying over four years enables you to choose courses, including from other disciplines, that match your own interests, expertise and employability needs. You can opt to take electives in other schools, or broaden your linguistic portfolio with an additional language, such as Portuguese, Basque, Catalan or Italian.

We are unique in Scotland in offering students a full academic year abroad within the four-year honours programme, regardless of whether you spend the year studying or working.