Hispanic Studies (Master's Degree Subject)Making Spanish Your Profession
With over 500 million speakers, Spanish is number two in the world, so studying Spanish opens up many professional opportunities, whether in tourism, schools, research, the media, or internationally active businesses and organizations. In the master’s degree subject, students extend their disciplinary knowledge in Hispanic linguistics (varieties, language use, synchronic and diachronic analysis, development of Spanish in the whole Hispanophone world) and Hispanic literary studies (Spanish and Hispano-American literature in its cultural, social, historical, and political contexts). Along with Spanish, the Hispanic Studies in Basel also takes up the other Romance languages from the Iberian peninsula and the literatures written in them (Catalan, Portuguese, Galician), with an emphasis on the cultural, social, historical, political, and geographical contexts of those literatures and languages.
Focal areas of teaching and research
Teaching and research in Hispanic Studies in Basel offers a broad general education in Hispanic languages and cultures, while also giving students opportunities to choose their individual themes and issues. In addition, students in the master’s degree subject can take part in the research team's projects, publications, and conferences.
Research and teaching in Hispanic linguistics at the University of Basel focuses on a wide range of topics: historical and contemporary contacts between Spanish and other languages; Spanish as a world language; Spanish in Africa; diaspora languages (especially Judeo-Spanish); system and variation; language and media; language and migration; linguistic attitudes; language politics; and language ideologies.
Research and teaching in Hispanic literature at the University of Basel also focuses on a wide range of topics: Iberian literature (with a special emphasis on the Renaissance and Humanism); cultures of dissent and exile (especially the literatures and cultures of the conversos and the Sephardim); cultural analysis; and the interaction of literature, media, and other arts, as well as contemporary Hispano-American literature (and theater in particular).
The courses in the master’s degree program are primarily taught in Spanish, and examinations are also held in Spanish.
Short profile
| Degree | MA in Hispanic Studies |
| Type | Subject |
| Start date | February, September |
| Credit points | 120 |
| Study structure | The Master's degree is the second degree after the Bachelor's degree and comprises a total of 120 credit points (CP). In addition to Hispanic Studies, students choose a second, independent subject in the Master's program. Both are studied for 35 CP each. The subject in which the Master's thesis (30 CP) is written becomes a major, the other a minor. In addition, there is the free elective area (20 CP). One credit point (CP) ECTS corresponds to approximately 30 hours of work. |
| Subject combination | A subject from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences or a non-faculty subject can be considered as a second Master's subject. Students can choose it according to their interests and professional goals. The free elective area consists of freely selectable courses that can be used to deepen knowledge of the subjects, to gain insight into other subjects offered by the University of Basel or to acquire language skills. |
| Language of instruction | Spanish |
| Subject area | Ibero-Romance Linguistics and Literary Studies |
Master’s admission requirements
Admission to master’s programs is regulated by the university student regulations and the stipulations of the individual degree program descriptions. More details of the general master’s admission requirements are provided here.
For students to be admitted with no additional requirements, they must hold a bachelor’s degree worth 180 CP from a higher education institution recognized by the University of Basel.
Subject-related requirements are defined in the admission requirements (section 3) of the study program for the relevant subject. The guidelines may also contain further useful information that is key to successful studies.
Registration dates
Students must register for their bachelor’s or master’s degree program within a specified timeframe – even in cases of delayed registration.
Information events
The University of Basel organizes regular information events for bachelor’s and master’s programs. Details can be found on the events page of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Some subject areas also offer their own separate information or welcome events. Please consult the page for the relevant subject area for event dates and locations.
Deadlines and dates for the Master's studies
See also factsheets under Documents & Factsheets.
Master's thesis
Fall semester 2024
Fall semester 2026
Master's examinations for students of the subject and degree program
Master's degree
All data subject to subsequent changes.
Career opportunities
The degree course in Hispanic Studies offers a broad academic and specialist education and imparts a wide range of skills that open up a wide range of career prospects. Career opportunities for Hispanists are available at universities, grammar schools, vocational schools or language schools as well as in the media, publishing houses, libraries, international organizations, tourism and the private sector, especially in internationally active or strongly export-oriented companies.
The Master's degree also entitles students to a doctorate in Ibero-Romance Linguistics or Ibero-Romance Literature.
Teaching diploma
Graduates who are interested in the teaching profession can study for a teaching diploma for the lower secondary level (Sekundarstufe I) or upper secondary level (Sekundarstufe II). For details and teaching diploma regulations, please consult the relevant school for teacher education (such as the FHNW School of Education) or the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education.
Student advisory service
Teaching commission
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