Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies (Hispanic Studies) MScR at the University of Edinburgh University of Edinburgh in United Kingdom

University of Edinburgh MScR in Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies (Hispanic Studies)

This postgraduate research master's programme is designed for students who want to complete an independent research project in Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American studies. It can serve as preparation for a PhD or as a stand-alone qualification for careers requiring advanced research, language, analytical and critical-thinking skills.

Students complete research-methods training, two 6,000-word research assignments and a 15,000-word dissertation supervised by an experienced researcher. Research interests span Spanish linguistics, Spanish language teaching, modern Spanish narrative, Latin American poetry and narrative, women's and gender studies, Indigenous and Afro-descendant filmmaking, memory and post-memory studies, Caribbean and diaspora studies, visual culture, Lusophone African literatures and Portuguese contemporary culture. The programme also supports work across literary studies, film and visual culture, language and society, and broader modern languages and linguistics.

Full-time study takes one year, while part-time study takes two years and is available only to applicants who do not require a Student visa. Both routes start in September 2027, with the programme listed at the University of Edinburgh's School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.

Applicants normally need near-native competence in the relevant language or languages and a UK 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent, in a related subject. The application requires a personal statement, research proposal, approximately 3,000 words of written work, academic certificates and transcripts, certified translations where necessary, two references and evidence of English proficiency. Accepted English qualifications include IELTS Academic, TOEFL-iBT, C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency, Oxford ELLT and Oxford Test of English Advanced, subject to the stated scores and validity periods.

The application deadline is 30 June 2027 for the 13 September 2027 start. There is no application fee. Prospective students should review SPLAS staff profiles, publications, research centres and projects before applying. The programme advises applicants to contact Departmental Postgraduate Research Director Sam Coombes for advice about supervisory fit. Funding is competitive and not automatic, although eligible applicants may explore the Muriel Smith Award, John Orr Award, Edinburgh graduate tuition discount and other scholarships.