How far are your views on politics, history, film, and popular culture constrained by the country you live in? We offer you the chance to expand that outlook by immersing you in all aspects of some of the world's most prominent Hispanic and Lusophone cultures.

You will study up to three of the languages offered at Essex: French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese, completing at least one language to a minimum of Proficiency level. Mandarin Chinese can be studied for one year. Over three years you will gain practical skills in the use of these languages as well as developing a thorough understanding of several of our planet's most vibrant societies. We also house the internationally important collection of Latin American art, ESCALA.

Beginning with a broad survey of the area and its history in your first year, from pre-Conquest times to the present day, our course gives you a substantial degree of freedom. This allows you to focus on the topics and areas which inspire you the most, such as:

Contemporary Latin American art, culture and society

The economic and political history of Latin America

Indigenous issues in Latin America

Caribbean literature

We also offer a month-long summer course with fees paid for by us if you start a language from scratch via the intensive route.

We are 1st in UK for research impact in modern languages and linguistics (Grade Point Average, Research Excellence Framework 2021).

If you want a global outlook, are interested in human communication, and want to study for a degree with real-world practical value in a world-class department, welcome to Essex.

Your future

Companies and organisations in the UK and abroad are struggling to find university graduates who are fluent in at least one other language, apart from English.

Being an Essex modern languages graduate places you in a very advantageous position. You will be able to speak and write fluently, or to a very competent standard, in up to two languages.

Our graduates go on to become teachers, translators, administrators and journalists amongst other jobs. The language skills they acquire enable them to work in diverse fields including banking, entertainment, media, education and tourism, as well as for a host of UK and international companies.

For example, one of our recent graduates is now a newspaper editor in Spain, while another teaches modern languages in Southampton.