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Spanish (MA)
Course Overview
The MA in Spanish is aimed at students and language professionals who wish to consolidate and extend oral and written fluency in Spanish, in addition to developing competency in research methods and, optionally, a deeper knowledge of Spanish and/or Latin American literature. Students will extend their awareness of and sensitivity to a range of intercultural issues and be capable of contributing to professional and economic activities relating to the Spanish-speaking world.
A postgraduate degree is an appropriate means of achieving a very high degree of oral and written fluency in Spanish, in addition to developing competency in research methods and intellectual enquiry. Graduate students achieve greater confidence in the knowledge and skills already acquired from undergraduate study, in addition to becoming articulate members of society, sensitive to cultural issues.
Students will hone their language and translation skills in English and Spanish and, through modules available within Spanish and across other disciplines, be exposed to a range of contemporary critical debates relating to Latin America literature, culture studies, intercultural communication and translation studies.
Applications and Selections
Who Teaches this Course
- Professor B. Richardson
- Dr K. Quinn
- Dr L. Shaughnessy
- Dr L. Kelly
- Dr M. Boland
- Ms B. Sangrador-Vegas
- Ms P. Alderete
Requirements and Assessment
Key Facts
Entry Requirements
Additional Requirements
Duration
1 year, full-time
Next start date
September 2018
A Level Grades ()
Average intake
10
Closing Date
You are advised to apply early, which may result in an early offer; see the offer round dates
Next start date
September 2018
NFQ level
Mode of study
Taught
ECTS weighting
90
Award
CAO
PAC code
GYA41
Course Outline
Within the programme, students may examine literary modules concentrating primarily on Latin American narrative and study work relating to the practice and processes of translation and interpretation. Seminars and translation classes into and out of Spanish take place throughout both semesters. Students subsequently complete a dissertation broadly related to any of the literary, theoretical or social issues broached throughout the year and relevant to the Spanish-speaking world.
The programme includes such modules as:
- Advanced Language Skills I and II in Spanish
- Translation Studies I
- Latin American Literature I and II
- Translation Methodology
- Language and Intercultural Communication
- Research Methods
Modules for 2016-17
Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Glossary of Terms
- Credits
- You must earn a defined number of credits (aka ECTS) to complete each year of your course. You do this by taking all of its required modules as well as the correct number of optional modules to obtain that year's total number of credits.
- Optional
- A module you may choose to study.
- Required
- A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
- Semester
- Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year.
Year 1 (90 Credits)
Required SH507: Dissertation
SH507: Dissertation
Semester 2 | Credits: 30
Assessments
- Department-based Assessment (100%)
Teachers
- MEL OLIVER BOLAND:
Research Profile |
Email
- MARIA DEL PILAR ALDERETE-DIEZ:
Research Profile |
Email
- KATHLEEN QUINN:
Research Profile |
Email
- BILL RICHARDSON:
Research Profile |
Email
- BEGONA SANGRADOR-VEGAS:
Research Profile |
Email
- LORNA SHAUGHNESSY:
Research Profile |
Email
- LORRAINE KELLY:
Research Profile |
Email
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Optional SH505: Translation Studies I
SH505: Translation Studies I
Semester 1 | Credits: 15
Assessments
- Department-based Assessment (100%)
Teachers
- MEL OLIVER BOLAND:
Research Profile |
Email
- BILL RICHARDSON:
Research Profile |
Email
- HANS W SCHMIDT-HANNISA:
Research Profile |
Email
- GERALDINE SMYTH:
Research Profile |
Email
- OWEN HARRINGTON FERNANDEZ:
Research Profile |
Email
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Optional SH530: Latin-American Literature I
SH530: Latin-American Literature I
Semester 1 | Credits: 15
Assessments
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Teachers
- MEL OLIVER BOLAND:
Research Profile |
Email
- KATHLEEN QUINN:
Research Profile |
Email
- BILL RICHARDSON:
Research Profile |
Email
- LORNA SHAUGHNESSY:
Research Profile |
Email
- LORRAINE KELLY:
Research Profile |
Email
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Optional SH554: Language & Intercultural Communication (Spanish)
SH554: Language & Intercultural Communication (Spanish)
Semester 1 | Credits: 15
Assessments
- Department-based Assessment (100%)
Teachers
- ÁINE RYAN:
Research Profile |
Email
- GERALDINE SMYTH:
Research Profile |
Email
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Optional SH562: Advanced Language Skills I (Spanish)
SH562: Advanced Language Skills I (Spanish)
Semester 1 | Credits: 10
Assessments
- Department-based Assessment (100%)
Teachers
- MEL OLIVER BOLAND:
Research Profile |
Email
- MARIA DEL PILAR ALDERETE-DIEZ:
Research Profile |
Email
- BEGONA SANGRADOR-VEGAS:
Research Profile |
Email
- LORNA SHAUGHNESSY:
Research Profile |
Email
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Optional SH556: Research Methods for Spanish Students
SH556: Research Methods for Spanish Students
Semester 1 | Credits: 10
Assessments
- Department-based Assessment (100%)
Teachers
- MEL OLIVER BOLAND:
Research Profile |
Email
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Optional SH531: Latin-American Literature II
SH531: Latin-American Literature II
Semester 2 | Credits: 15
Assessments
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Teachers
- MEL OLIVER BOLAND:
Research Profile |
Email
- BILL RICHARDSON:
Research Profile |
Email
- LORNA SHAUGHNESSY:
Research Profile |
Email
- LORRAINE KELLY:
Research Profile |
Email
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Optional SH563: Advanced Language Skills II (Spanish)
SH563: Advanced Language Skills II (Spanish)
Semester 2 | Credits: 10
Assessments
- Department-based Assessment (100%)
Teachers
- MEL OLIVER BOLAND:
Research Profile |
Email
- MARIA DEL PILAR ALDERETE-DIEZ:
Research Profile |
Email
- KATHLEEN QUINN:
Research Profile |
Email
- BEGONA SANGRADOR-VEGAS:
Research Profile |
Email
- RUBÉN PEINADO ABARRIO:
Research Profile |
Email
- JENNIFER WOOD:
Research Profile |
Email
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Optional SH571: Translation Methodology (Spanish)
SH571: Translation Methodology (Spanish)
Semester 2 | Credits: 10
Assessments
- Department-based Assessment (100%)
Teachers
- MEL OLIVER BOLAND:
Research Profile |
Email
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Optional SH570: Consecutive Interpreting (Spanish)
SH570: Consecutive Interpreting (Spanish)
Semester 2 | Credits: 10
Assessments
- Department-based Assessment (100%)
Teachers
- MEL OLIVER BOLAND:
Research Profile |
Email
- MARIA DEL PILAR ALDERETE-DIEZ:
Research Profile |
Email
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Why Choose This Course?
Career Opportunities
Who’s Suited to This Course
Learning Outcomes
Work Placement
Study Abroad
Related Student Organisations
Course Fees
Fees: EU
Fees: Tuition
Fees: Student levy
Fees: Non EU
Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant—please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €2,000 towards your tuition. You will be liable for the remainder of the total fee. An F5 grant is where SUSI will pay TUITION up to a maximum of €6,270. SUSI will not cover the student levy of €224.
Postgraduate fee breakdown = tuition (EU or NON EU) + student levy as outlined above.
Find out More
What Our Students Say

Ceire Broderick |
I am really enjoying the MA in Spanish: it has a great variety of modules, including literature, translation and interpreting. We expand on the knowledge we already have and complete regular, formative assignments designed to improve our investigative skills, fine-tune our critical analysis of topics, and help us prepare for our dissertation. All the staff work hard to support us. We learn practical skills that will serve us in the workplace and I would definitely recommend it.

Elena Vaughan |
Undertaking an MA in Spanish can be a rewarding if challenging experience. The emphasis placed on independent research and learning means the student learns many transferable skills invaluable in the workplace as well as gaining an in-depth knowledge of the subject matter.