(BA) Bachelor of Arts
Latin American Studies (Including Placement Year)
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Philosophical, Historical, and Interdisciplinary Studies (School of)
Colchester Campus
Honours Degree
Full-time
BA T721
08/05/2024
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
- A-levels: BBB - BBC or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A-levels.
- BTEC: DDM - DMM or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels. The acceptability of BTECs is dependent on subject studied and optional units taken - email ugquery@essex.ac.uk for advice.
- Combined qualifications on the UCAS tariff: 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A levels or equivalent. Tariff point offers may be made if you are taking a qualification, or mixture of qualifications, from the list on our undergraduate application information page.
- IB: 30 - 29 points or three Higher Level certificates with 555-554.
- IB Career-related Programme: We consider combinations of IB Diploma Programme courses with BTECs or other qualifications. Advice on acceptability can be provided, email Undergraduate Admissions.
- QAA-approved Access to HE Diploma: 6 level 3 credits at Distinction and 39 level 3 credits at Merit, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided, email Undergraduate Admissions.
- T-levels: We consider T-levels on a case-by-case basis, depending on subject studied. The offer for most courses is Distinction overall. Depending on the course applied for there may be additional requirements, which may include a specific grade in the Core.
Contextual Offers:
We are committed to ensuring that all students with the merit and potential to benefit from an Essex education are supported to do so. For October 2024 entry, if you are a home fee paying student residing in the UK you may be eligible for a Contextual Offer of up to two A-level grades, or equivalent, below our standard conditional offer.
Factors we consider:
- Applicants from underrepresented groups
- Applicants progressing from University of Essex Schools Membership schools/colleges
- Applicants who attend a compulsory admissions interview
- Applicants who attend an Offer Holder Day at our Colchester or Southend campus
Our contextual offers policy outlines additional circumstances and eligibility criteria.
For further information about what a contextual offer may look like for your specific qualification profile, email ugquery@essex.ac.uk.
If you haven't got the grades you hoped for, have a non-traditional academic background, are a mature student, or have any questions about eligibility for your course, more information can be found on our undergraduate application information page. or get in touch with our Undergraduate Admissions Team.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall, or specified score in another equivalent test that we accept.
Details of English language requirements, including component scores, and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here
If we accept the English component of an international qualification it will be included in the academic levels listed above for the relevant countries.
English language shelf-life
Most English language qualifications have a validity period of 5 years. The validity period of Pearson Test of English, TOEFL and CBSE or CISCE English is 2 years.
If you require a Student visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.
Pre-sessional English courses
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Pending English language qualifications
You don’t need to achieve the required level before making your application, but it will be one of the conditions of your offer.
If you cannot find the qualification that you have achieved or are pending, then please email ugquery@essex.ac.uk
.
Requirements for second and final year entry
Different requirements apply for second and final year entry, and specified component grades are also required for applicants who require a visa to study in the UK. Details of English language requirements, including UK Visas and Immigration minimum component scores, and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here
Additional Notes
If you’re an international student, but do not meet the English language or academic requirements for direct admission to this degree, you could prepare and gain entry through a pathway course. Find out more about opportunities available to you at the University of Essex International College
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
None
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
None
External examiners
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
To provide students with an interdisciplinary programme of study of Latin American history, culture, society and politics.
To develop students' analytical, problem-solving and transferable skills.
To develop the intercultural skills necessary for students to live and work confidently in different cultures through a programme of study undertaken in Latin America.
To enable students to achieve Proficiency level or Mastery level Spanish or Portuguese.
To provide opportunities for students to acquire research and critical skills.
To provide students with a foundation for further study or work on and in Latin America.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: Students will be able to demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the key historical , cultural and social processes of Latin America.
A2: Students will be able to demonstrate a working knowledge of Spanish or Portuguese language at Proficiency or Mastery level in written and spoken registers relevant to both 'real life' situations and to the formal study of language.
A3: Students will be able to demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the intellectual and cultural origins and development of contemporary society.
A101: To provide the opportunity to apply academic learning outcomes in a work-related context
A102: To develop essential work-based skills throughout the placement.
Learning methods
A1-A3
Is acquired through core course lectures and classes in Year 1, through Latin American option modules in Years 2 and 4, and through the Year Abroad.
Students are expected to undertake independent research through directed reading to consolidate and develop what they have learned in class.
A2.
Is acquired through specialist language teaching in Years 1,2, 3 (Year Abroad) as well as in Year 4 (for Mastery level).
A4 and A5 are acquired throughout the placement.
Assessment methods
Assessment is through examinations and continuous coursework.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Students will be able to identify accurately, and across a range of disciplines, issues related to Latin America of an intellectual and academic interest that require researching
B2: Students will be able to apply a wide range of relevant primary and secondary written, oral or visual sources, where appropriate in their original language.
B3: Students will be able to reason critically, identify, analyse and solve problems, using appropriate methodologies and theories.
B4: Students will be able to demonstrate and exercise independence of mind and thought.
Learning methods
Skills B1. - B4.
Are obtained and developed through lectures, interactive classes and seminars in group discussion and through coursework.
All skills are developed by independent reading undertaken by students under the direction of lecturers and class teachers.
Intellectual and cognitive skills are further developed through written and oral feedback on coursework.
Students acquire and apply all these skills in researching and writing their capstone project.
Assessment methods
All skills are assessed through the capstone project and in continuous coursework.
B2. - B4.
Are also assessed by examinations.
C: Practical skills
C1: Students will be able to identify, select and synthesise information from paper and electronic sources.
C2: Students will be able to communicate with high level proficiency in Spanish or Portuguese in a wide range of contexts.
C3: Students will be able to present written materials using appropriate language and referencing
C4: Students will be able to work independently, write and think under pressure, meet deadlines, manage their own time and workload and demonstrate initiative.
Learning methods
C1-C4 are acquired through lectures and classes
Assessment methods
C1-C4 are assessed through examinations, coursework and assignments
D: Key skills
D1: Both orally and in writing students will be able to demonstrate Spanish or Portuguese language proficiency in relation to a range of academic and social contexts. They will be able to present knowledge or conduct an argument in a clear, coherent and relevant manner and work independently in a Latin American context
D2: Student will use relevant information technology to research and present written work.
D4: Students will be able to identify a research problem and apply relevant research and methodologies to resolve it.
D6: Students will be able to reflect on their own learning, to seek and make use of feedback, to recognise when further knowledge is required and to undertake the necessary research
D7: Ability to demonstrate an understanding of work roles through a placement.
Learning methods
D1 is acquired through language course material and the Year Abroad.
D1. D4. and D6. are learnt through participatory classwork in core modules.
D2, D4 and D6 are learnt through writing coursework essays and assignments and consequent feedback, both written and oral.
D4 and D6. are learnt in CS241 Doing Research for a BA Dissertation and through the dissertation.
Students are encouraged to use electronic resources and to participate in group work to the benefit of the group as a whole, to listen effectively and provide critical feedback in an appropriate manner.
Assessment methods
All skills except working independently in a Latin American culture are assessed either through coursework or the dissertation.
Working independently in a Latin American culture is assessed by the Year Abroad assessment as a whole.
D4 Is part of the assessment process in CS241 Doing Research for a BA Dissertation.
D1, D4 and D6 are also assessed through examinations.