Read a range of literary texts from across historical periods around the globe. Increase your cultural awareness with studies of Spanish-speaking societies and cultures.
Year of entry: 2026/27
QR34
Y50
3 years full-time
AAB (full entry requirements)
September 2026 (semester dates)
Explore diverse literary texts alongside the languages and cultures of the Spanish-speaking world.
At York, you can choose:
Our English with Spanish degree allows you to explore a geographically and historically broad range of literature. With select options in Spanish literature and opportunities to undertake translation work as part of your dissertation, the degree enables you to bring your developing knowledge of the language and culture of Spanish-speaking countries into dialogue with your literary studies.
We have a distinctive approach to studying languages. From the start, you'll be taught in the language you are learning. Our expert staff, many of whom are first language speakers, will support you to develop your fluency and communication skills rapidly. If you choose a language as a beginner (ab initio), you’ll join post-A level students in your second year. You’ll be amazed how much you can achieve.
in the Complete University Guide (2025)
immersing yourself in the language and culture of that country.
for English, in the QS World University Rankings by subject (2025)
In Year 1, you'll gain a comprehensive overview of literary history and criticism and explore literature from around the world. Combined with the study of Spanish, you'll gain a deep understanding of cultural identities and backgrounds.
In Years 2 and 3, you'll continue to develop your language skills through core modules. You'll also be able to choose from an extensive range of literature option modules. We also offer modules in film and creative writing.
There are opportunities for you to spend time abroad during your course:
There are opportunities to spend time in industry as part of this course.
In your first year, you'll study four core modules in English and two in Spanish.
We’ll introduce you to an exciting range of texts and critical approaches in your first year to lay the foundation for your degree.
In addition to the above you will also need to complete our online Academic Integrity module.
This module covers some of the essential skills and knowledge which will help you to study independently and produce work of a high academic standard which is vital for success at York.
This module will:
In your second year, you'll study one core module and one option in Spanish, plus four from a choice of Intermediate Option Modules and World Literature Modules in English.
These will deepen your understanding of the relationship between literary works and the contexts in which they were produced.
You’ll choose from around fourteen option modules covering ancient and modern literature from around the globe, engaging with questions of language, translation, and cultural difference. Some examples include:
Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.
In your third year, you’ll take one core module and one option module in Spanish, plus two from a choice of Advanced Option Modules in English. The culmination of your studies will be your dissertation. This is an in-depth exploration of a topic of your choice, carried out over the year. You can choose the regular dissertation, or a creative-based project. This could involve creative writing, a translation project, or an external engagement project.
You'll choose from over thirty option modules. Some examples include:
Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.
Every course at York has been designed to provide clear and ambitious learning outcomes. These learning outcomes give you an understanding of what you will be able to do at the end of the course. We develop each course by designing modules that grow your abilities towards the learning outcomes and help you to explain what you can offer to employers. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
These fees are for students starting in the 2025/26 academic year. Undergraduate fees for 2026/27 will be confirmed later in the year.
The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.
For more information about tuition fees, any reduced fees for study abroad and work placement years, scholarships, tuition fee loans, maintenance loans and living costs see undergraduate fees and funding.
Funding opportunities are announced throughout the year. For more information see:
You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.
Just four UK universities are rated Gold for teaching and top ten for research* in the latest national assessment exercises.
* Awarded joint 10th in the Times Higher Education ranking of the Research Excellence Framework 2021.
You’ll study and learn with academics who are active researchers, experts in their field and have a passion for their subjects. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
You’ll work closely with tutors in small-group seminars, supported by lectures, workshops, and opportunities to consult staff on a one-to-one basis in their weekly office hours. You can also attend guest lectures, readings, and workshops by well-known literary figures.
Our language modules are taught in the language of study, and many of our staff are native-speakers of the languages we teach. You'll be supported to communicate and complete your assessments in Spanish. We also emphasise issues in culture and society as part of our teaching. This will help you to develop transcultural awareness that underpins your language skills.
In the UK, full-time students are expected to spend 1,200 hours a year learning. That's about 40 hours of classes and independent study each week during semesters. Everyone learns at a different rate, so the number of hours you spend on independent study will be different to other students on your course.
Thin Ice Press is the Department’s in-house printing studio, whose iron presses chart the evolution of print from 1838-1926. They offer opportunities to experience the relationship between writing and printing practices through publication, practice-led research, teaching, and public workshops.
You'll use the languages e-lab throughout your studies. In this space, you'll have access to a variety of resources. This includes specialist linguistics software and online language-learning materials.
You'll be based in the Department of English and Related Literature. Most of your teaching will take place on Campus West.
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can use the fast and frequent bus service. Take a campus tour.
You'll be assessed in a variety of ways:
This range will help you communicate clearly and confidently on a rich variety of topics to any audience.
You'll learn how to operate in international, transnational and multilingual professional environments. We also have dedicated career staff to support you with advice and guidance, should you need it.
We work with employers to hold regular events designed to inspire you to think about your career beyond your degree. Some of our recent events have focused on translation and language technologies, and the publishing industry.
| Typical offer | |
|---|---|
| A levels | AAB including an A in English Literature (English Language and Literature is also acceptable) |
| Access to Higher Education Diploma | 36 credits at Distinction, including at least 9 credits in Literature-related units, and 9 credits at Merit or higher |
| BTEC National Extended Diploma | DDD with an additional A Level or equivalent qualification in English Literature at grade A |
| European Baccalaureate | 80% overall, with 85% in English Literature |
| International Baccalaureate | 35 points including 6 in English Literature at Higher Level (Higher Level English Language and Literature is also acceptable) |
| T levels | We are currently not accepting T Levels for this course unless an additional A Level (or equivalent qualification) in English Literature has been taken. |
| Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers | Advanced Highers - B in English Literature plus Scottish Highers - BBBB We may also be able to consider three Advanced Highers or a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers, where an applicant does not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone. Please contact us to discuss your qualifications. |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
Meeting the following additional criteria may qualify you for an alternative offer.
| Criteria | Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Widening participation | If you successfully complete one of the following programmes, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to two A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer: Black Access Programme, Next Step York, Realising Opportunities. More about widening participation. |
| Contextual offer | ABC including an A in English Literature (English Language and Literature is also acceptable) |
| EPQ | If you achieve A or higher at EPQ, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer. |
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Minimum requirement | |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component |
| Cambridge CEFR | 176, with a minimum of 169 in each component |
| Oxford ELLT | 7, with a minimum of 6 in each component |
| Oxford Test of English Advanced | 136, with a minimum of 126 in each component |
| Duolingo | Integrated subscores: 120 overall, with a minimum of 105 in each component |
| GCSE/IGCSE/O level English Language (as a first or second language) | Grade C / Grade 4 |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert Academic | B2 with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component |
| Kaplan Test of English Language | 478 Main Flight score with 444 in each component |
| Skills for English | B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component |
| PTE Academic | 61, with a minimum of 55 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87 overall, with a minimum of 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all components |
| Other English language qualifications | We also accept other English Language qualifications, including various school-leaving certificates. |
For more information see our undergraduate English language requirements.
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.
Get in touch if you have any questions
Department of English and Related Literature, Department of Language and Linguistic Science
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