English Literature and Spanish BA (Hons) - 2026/7

Awarding body

University of Surrey

Teaching institute

University of Surrey

Framework

FHEQ Level 6

Final award and programme/pathway title

BA (Hons) English Literature and Spanish

Subsidiary award(s)

Award Title
DipHE English Literature and Spanish
CertHE English Literature and Spanish
Ord English Literature and Spanish

Modes of study

Route code Credits and ECTS Credits
Full-time UPG13002 360 credits and 180 ECTS credits
Full-time with PTY UPG13025 480 credits and 240 ECTS credits

QAA Subject benchmark statement (if applicable)

English

Other internal and / or external reference points

N/A

Faculty and Department / School

Faculty of Arts, Business and Social Sciences - Literature & Languages

Programme Leader

LAZZARI Gabriele (Lit & Langs)

Date of production/revision of spec

15/05/2026

Educational aims of the programme

  • This programme is designed to: develop a high standard of written and oral competence in Spanish, using it as a means of understanding, expression and communication
  • develop a range of subject-specific and transferable skills that centre upon independent critical and creative thinking, and to provide practical support in the development of employability skills
  • develop reading, analysis and writing of complex literary texts and discourses in relation to their historical, social, political, cultural, geographical and global contexts
  • develop resourcefulness in research and writing skills, assist personal and professional development, and foster rigor, resilience and confidence, preparing students to fulfil their potential in todays world
  • enable students to develop intercultural awareness and understanding of historical and contemporary exchange between English, particularly its literary tradition, and Spanish language and culture
  • enable students to offer prospective employers a range of skills derived from their studies and from working and/or studying in the countries where Spanish is used
  • ensure wide reading across the Anglophone canon as well as non-Western and marginalised traditions, with the possibility of in-depth study of contemporary literatures and cultures, creative writing, and the interface between global literatures and other related media
  • impart an enthusiasm for, and understanding of, the subject that informs future choices, including careers, further study and lifelong learning
  • provide students with a thorough knowledge of the history, culture and political and social institutions in societies in which Spanish is used, and enable them to access primary and secondary sources in Spanish

Programme learning outcomes

Attributes Developed Awards Ref.
Students who successfully complete this programme will show: knowledge of the use of Spanish as a medium for understanding; expression and communication, including acquisition of a wide-ranging vocabulary KC DipHE, Ord, BA (Hons)
explicit knowledge of the linguistic structures, grammar and stylistic registers of Spanish and the ability to use linguists' tools, such as grammars, dictionaries and glossaries KC CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BA (Hons)
reading, analysis and writing of literary texts and associated critical and theoretical discourses KC Ord, BA (Hons)
ability to comprehend the complex nature of literary language and genre, and how they are affected by social and cultural norms from a global and culturally sensitive perspective and the ability to demonstrate independent thought and judgement, to synthesise information, and to formulate creative and critical proposals KT Ord, BA (Hons)
ability to use a wide range of digital and online tools for the study, research, and production of critical and creative knowledge CPT CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BA (Hons)
ability to practice independent and critical thinking, to collaborate productively with peers, and to communicate professionally in a variety of modes¿written, verbal, and digital CT DipHE, Ord, BA (Hons)
ability to apply an understanding of social, cultural, historical and geographical contexts for the production of literary texts KC CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BA (Hons)
ability to demonstrate resourcefulness by managing time effectively and by developing projects to inform own and/or others learning CPT CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BA (Hons)
ability to establish connections between theoretical and textual materials (familiar and unfamiliar), and to develop original interpretations of themand the ability to analyse the role of authorship and textual production within contemporary publishing CT DipHE, Ord, BA (Hons)
ability to integrate critical information and use it to access and work with resources for creative and critical outcomes and the ability to use effective bibliographical skills and to conduct research independently and rigorously, in both digital and physical spaces PT DipHE, Ord, BA (Hons)

Attributes Developed

C - Cognitive/analytical

K - Subject knowledge

T - Transferable skills

P - Professional/Practical skills

Programme structure

Full-time

This Bachelor's Degree (Honours) programme is studied full-time over three academic years, consisting of 360 credits (120 credits at FHEQ levels 4, 5 and 6). All modules are semester based and worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Bachelor's Degree (Ordinary) (300 credits)
- Diploma of Higher Education (240 credits)
- Certificate of Higher Education (120 credits)

Students who have not had the opportunity to take a language up to A level can apply for the ab initio pathway. This is available only to students with proven language learning aptitude (such as another language at A level), and will involve very intensive language learning modules in the first year, enabling students to reach approximately A level standard and join the rest of the cohort for all modules in the second year.

Full-time with PTY

This Bachelor's Degree (Honours) programme is studied full-time over four academic years, consisting of 480 credits (120 credits at FHEQ levels 4, 5, 6 and the optional professional training year). All modules are semester based and worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Bachelor's Degree (Ordinary) (300 credits)
- Diploma of Higher Education (240 credits)
- Certificate of Higher Education (120 credits)

Students who have not had the opportunity to take a language up to A level can apply for the ab initio pathway. This is available only to students with proven language learning aptitude (such as another language at A level), and will involve very intensive language learning modules in the first year, enabling students to reach approximately A level standard and join the rest of the cohort for all modules in the second year.

Programme Adjustments (if applicable)

N/A

Modules

Year 1 - FHEQ Level 4

Module code Module title Status Credits Semester
LAN1001 SKILLS FOR LANGUAGE SPECIALISTS Compulsory 15 1
SPA1050 SPAIN: INTRODUCTION TO ITS HISTORY, CULTURE AND SOCIETY Compulsory 15 2
SPA1056 SPANISH FOR ACADEMIC STUDY Compulsory 15 1
SPA1057 SPANISH FOR THE PROFESSIONAL WORLD Compulsory 15 2
LAN1007 AB INITIO LANGUAGE I: FOUNDATIONS Compulsory 30 1
LAN1008 AB INITIO LANGUAGE II: DEVELOPING SKILLS Compulsory 15 2
ELI1043 LITERARY HISTORIES Compulsory 30 Year-long
ELI1042 THINKING LIKE A CRITIC Compulsory 30 Year-long

Module Selection for Year 1 - FHEQ Level 4

English Literature and Spanish - ab initio pathway
In the first year of the degree, it is compulsory for students on the ab initio pathway to take the three ab initio modules:
In semester 1, the compulsory 30 credit module LAN1007 (Ab Initio Language I: Foundations) will be taken alongside the two compulsory English Literature modules for the year, ELI1043 (Literary Histories) and ELI1042 (Thinking Like a Critic).
In semester 2, the compulsory LAN1008 (Ab Initio Language II: Developing Skills) will be taken alongside the 2nd semester of the two compulsory English Literature modules, ELI1043 (Literary Histories) and ELI1042 (Thinking Like a Critic). In addition, students on the ab initio pathway will take SPA1050 (Contemporary Spain I) as a compulsory module.

English Literature and Spanish - Post A-level pathway
For students with an A-level qualification in the language in question they follow the Post A-level pathway.
In semester 1 for these students, LAN1001 (Skills for Language Specialists) & SPA1056 (Spanish For Academic Study) are the two compulsory Language modules, taken alongside two compulsory English Literature modules for the year, ELI1043 (Literary Histories) and ELI1042 (Thinking Like a Critic).
In semester 2, SPA1057 (Spanish for the Professional World) and SPA1050 (Spain: An Introduction to its History, Culture and Society) are the two compulsory Language modules, taken alongside the 2nd semester of the two compulsory English Literature modules, ELI1043 (Literary Histories) and ELI1042 (Thinking Like a Critic)

* There is no distinction between ab initio and Post A-level pathways after the first year of the Programme.

Year 2 - FHEQ Level 5

Module code Module title Status Credits Semester
ELI2018 CONTEMPORARY STORYTELLING Optional 15 2
ELI2035 ELEMENTS OF NARRATIVE Optional 15 1
ELA2012 INTRODUCTION TO TEFL Optional 15 1
ELI2031 ROMANTIC LITERATURE: 1789-1830 Optional 15 2
LIN2005 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLINGUISTICS Optional 15 2
SPA2028 SPANISH AMERICA: AN INTRODUCTION TO ITS HISTORY, CULTURE AND SOCIETY Compulsory 15 2
ELI2048 CONTEMPORARY POSTCOLONIAL FICTIONS AND CULTURES Compulsory 15 2
ELI2046 NINETEENTH-CENTURY LITERATURE AND CULTURE Optional 15 1
LAN2004 TEACHING LANGUAGES AND LITERATURE Optional 15 2
SPA2029 TRANSLATION ENGLISH-SPANISH I Optional 15 2
SPA2030 SPANISH FOR RESEARCH PROJECTS Compulsory 15 1
TRA2056 TRANSLATION SPANISH-ENGLISH I Optional 15 1
ELI2045 GENDER AND SEXUALITY IN CONTEMPORARY TEXTS AND CULTURES Compulsory 15 1
ELI2038 SCIENCE FICTION Optional 15 2
ELI2050 WRITING THE VICTORIANS: NEO-VICTORIANISM IN CONTEMPORARY CULTURE Optional 15 2
ELI2049 WRITING POETRY: COMPOSITION AND CRAFT Optional 15 1
ELI2051 UNDERSTANDING POPULAR CULTURE: FROM DICKENS TO DISNEY Optional 15 1
SOC2108 COMMUNICATION IN SOCIETY Optional 15 2
ELI2058 LIFE WRITING Optional 15 2
ELI2061 MEDIEVAL LITERATURE: MONSTERS, MYSTICS AND DEMONS Optional 15 1
ELI2060 SOCIAL JUSTICE ACROSS COMMUNITIES, CULTURES AND DISCIPLINES Optional 15 1
ELI2059 THE GOTHIC IMAGINATION, 1800S - PRESENT Optional 15 1
ELI2032 MODERNISM Optional 15 1
MUS2065 MUSIC IN CONTEMPORARY CULTURE: APPRECIATING MUSIC TODAY Optional 15 2
MAN2225 IDEA LAB Optional 15 1

Module Selection for Year 2 - FHEQ Level 5

Students choose four of the listed optional modules (two in English and two in Languages).

As part of your optional module selection, you are able to choose up to 15 credits from our range of interdisciplinary modules (subject to availability). For more information please refer to the website (https://www.surrey.ac.uk/personalising-your-degree-university-surrey)

Year 3 - FHEQ Level 6

Module code Module title Status Credits Semester
ELI3033 DISSERTATION Compulsory 45 Year-long
ELI3034 CREATIVE WRITING SUBMISSION Compulsory 45 Year-long
LAN3003 LONG DISSERTATION Compulsory 30 Year-long
ELI3048 CHILDREN'S LITERATURE Optional 15 2
ELI3061 QUEER ECOLOGIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL LITERATURE Optional 15 1
ELI3059 WRITING GAMING Optional 15 2
ELI3056 MEDIEVAL WOMEN'S WRITING Optional 15 2
ELI3066 MOBILITIES OF NATION AND EMPIRE: VICTORIAN LITERATURE 1850-1890 Optional 15 1
SPA3023 TRANSLATION ENGLISH-SPANISH II Optional 15 1
SPA3024 ADVANCED SPANISH LANGUAGE SKILLS Optional 15 1
TRA3039 TRANSLATION SPANISH-ENGLISH II Optional 15 2
MFC3034 SCREENWRITING Optional 15 2
LAN3004 SHORT DISSERTATION (OPTIONAL) Optional 15 2
LAN3004 SHORT DISSERTATION (OPTIONAL) Optional 15 1
ELI3063 CONTEMPORARY SHAKESPEARE Optional 15 1
ELI3069 UNDERSTANDING POPULAR CULTURE: FROM DICKENS TO DISNEY Optional 15 1
ELI3078 SOCIAL JUSTICE ACROSS COMMUNITIES, CULTURES AND DISCIPLINES Optional 15 1
ELI3079 MAGIC, MYSTICISM, AND MODERNITY Optional 15 2
ELI3077 SIGNIFICANT OTHERS:: VICTORIAN CREATIVE PARTNERSHIPS Optional 15 1
ELI3080 THE 21ST CENTURY WRITER: FICTION AND RESPONSIBILITY Optional 15 2
ELI3043 BEAT WRITING Optional 15 1
ELI3039 LANGUAGE DIVERSITY Optional 15 1
ELI3064 RULE BREAKERS, UPSTARTS & GENRE RAPSCALLIONS: GENRE WRITING FROM COMMERCIAL TO SUBVERSIVE Optional 15 2
ELI3067 BUILDING STORIES- METHODS AND MATERIALS OF CONTEMPORARY WRITING Optional 15 1
SOC3092 QUEER STUDIES NOW Optional 15 2
ELI3081 READING AND REIMAGINING MEDIEVAL ROMANCE Optional 15 1
TRA3040 INTRODUCTION TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR TRANSLATORS AND INTERPRETERS Optional 15 1
SPA3025 THE ARTS IN THE SPANISH-SPEAKING WORLD Optional 15 2
TRA3041 AUDIOVISUAL TRANSLATION Optional 15 1

Module Selection for Year 3 - FHEQ Level 6

It is compulsory for students on the Programme to do one of the Dissertation options available in their final year. Students should choose between:
English Literature (ELI3033 - English Literature Dissertation) OR Creative Writing (ELI3034 - Creative Writing Submission) OR Languages (LAN3003 - Long Dissertation + advanced language skills module) options.

As part of your optional module selection, you are able to choose up to 15 credits from our range of interdisciplinary modules (subject to availability). For more information please refer to the website (https://www.surrey.ac.uk/personalising-your-degree-university-surrey)

Year 1 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 4

Module code Module title Status Credits Semester
LAN1001 SKILLS FOR LANGUAGE SPECIALISTS Compulsory 15 1
SPA1050 SPAIN: INTRODUCTION TO ITS HISTORY, CULTURE AND SOCIETY Compulsory 15 2
SPA1056 SPANISH FOR ACADEMIC STUDY Compulsory 15 1
SPA1057 SPANISH FOR THE PROFESSIONAL WORLD Compulsory 15 2
LAN1007 AB INITIO LANGUAGE I: FOUNDATIONS Compulsory 30 1
LAN1008 AB INITIO LANGUAGE II: DEVELOPING SKILLS Compulsory 15 2
ELI1043 LITERARY HISTORIES Compulsory 30 Year-long
ELI1042 THINKING LIKE A CRITIC Compulsory 30 Year-long

Module Selection for Year 1 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 4

English Literature and Spanish - ab initio pathway
In the first year of the degree, it is compulsory for students on the ab initio pathway to take the three ab initio modules:
In semester 1, the compulsory 30 credit module LAN1007 (Ab Initio Language I: Foundations) will be taken alongside the two compulsory English Literature modules for the year, ELI1043 (Literary Histories) and ELI1042 (Thinking Like a Critic).
In semester 2, the compulsory LAN1008 (Ab Initio Language II: Developing Skills) will be taken alongside the 2nd semester of the two compulsory English Literature modules, ELI1043 (Literary Histories) and ELI1042 (Thinking Like a Critic). In addition, students on the ab initio pathway will take SPA1050 (Contemporary Spain I) as a compulsory module.

English Literature and Spanish - Post A-level pathway
For students with an A-level qualification in the language in question they follow the Post A-level pathway.
In semester 1 for these students, LAN1001 (Skills for Language Specialists) & SPA1056 (Spanish For Academic Study) are the two compulsory Language modules, taken alongside two compulsory English Literature modules for the year, ELI1043 (Literary Histories) and ELI1042 (Thinking Like a Critic).
In semester 2, SPA1057 (Spanish for the Professional World) and SPA1050 (Spain: An Introduction to its History, Culture and Society) are the two compulsory Language modules, taken alongside the 2nd semester of the two compulsory English Literature modules, ELI1043 (Literary Histories) and ELI1042 (Thinking Like a Critic)

* There is no distinction between ab initio and Post A-level pathways after the first year of the Programme.

Year 2 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 5

Module code Module title Status Credits Semester
ELI2018 CONTEMPORARY STORYTELLING Optional 15 2
ELI2035 ELEMENTS OF NARRATIVE Optional 15 1
ELA2012 INTRODUCTION TO TEFL Optional 15 1
ELI2031 ROMANTIC LITERATURE: 1789-1830 Optional 15 2
LIN2005 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLINGUISTICS Optional 15 2
SPA2028 SPANISH AMERICA: AN INTRODUCTION TO ITS HISTORY, CULTURE AND SOCIETY Compulsory 15 2
ELI2048 CONTEMPORARY POSTCOLONIAL FICTIONS AND CULTURES Compulsory 15 2
ELI2046 NINETEENTH-CENTURY LITERATURE AND CULTURE Optional 15 1
LAN2004 TEACHING LANGUAGES AND LITERATURE Optional 15 2
SPA2029 TRANSLATION ENGLISH-SPANISH I Optional 15 2
SPA2030 SPANISH FOR RESEARCH PROJECTS Compulsory 15 1
TRA2056 TRANSLATION SPANISH-ENGLISH I Optional 15 1
ELI2045 GENDER AND SEXUALITY IN CONTEMPORARY TEXTS AND CULTURES Compulsory 15 1
ELI2038 SCIENCE FICTION Optional 15 2
ELI2050 WRITING THE VICTORIANS: NEO-VICTORIANISM IN CONTEMPORARY CULTURE Optional 15 2
ELI2049 WRITING POETRY: COMPOSITION AND CRAFT Optional 15 1
ELI2051 UNDERSTANDING POPULAR CULTURE: FROM DICKENS TO DISNEY Optional 15 1
SOC2108 COMMUNICATION IN SOCIETY Optional 15 2
ELI2058 LIFE WRITING Optional 15 2
ELI2061 MEDIEVAL LITERATURE: MONSTERS, MYSTICS AND DEMONS Optional 15 1
ELI2060 SOCIAL JUSTICE ACROSS COMMUNITIES, CULTURES AND DISCIPLINES Optional 15 1
ELI2059 THE GOTHIC IMAGINATION, 1800S - PRESENT Optional 15 1
ELI2032 MODERNISM Optional 15 1
MUS2065 MUSIC IN CONTEMPORARY CULTURE: APPRECIATING MUSIC TODAY Optional 15 2
MAN2225 IDEA LAB Optional 15 1

Module Selection for Year 2 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 5

Students choose four of the listed optional modules (two in English and two in Languages).

As part of your optional module selection, you are able to choose up to 15 credits from our range of interdisciplinary modules (subject to availability). For more information please refer to the website (https://www.surrey.ac.uk/personalising-your-degree-university-surrey)

Year 3 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 6

Module code Module title Status Credits Semester
ELI3033 DISSERTATION Compulsory 45 Year-long
ELI3034 CREATIVE WRITING SUBMISSION Compulsory 45 Year-long
LAN3003 LONG DISSERTATION Compulsory 30 Year-long
ELI3048 CHILDREN'S LITERATURE Optional 15 2
ELI3061 QUEER ECOLOGIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL LITERATURE Optional 15 1
ELI3059 WRITING GAMING Optional 15 2
ELI3056 MEDIEVAL WOMEN'S WRITING Optional 15 2
ELI3066 MOBILITIES OF NATION AND EMPIRE: VICTORIAN LITERATURE 1850-1890 Optional 15 1
SPA3023 TRANSLATION ENGLISH-SPANISH II Optional 15 1
SPA3024 ADVANCED SPANISH LANGUAGE SKILLS Optional 15 1
TRA3039 TRANSLATION SPANISH-ENGLISH II Optional 15 2
MFC3034 SCREENWRITING Optional 15 2
LAN3004 SHORT DISSERTATION (OPTIONAL) Optional 15 2
LAN3004 SHORT DISSERTATION (OPTIONAL) Optional 15 1
ELI3063 CONTEMPORARY SHAKESPEARE Optional 15 1
ELI3069 UNDERSTANDING POPULAR CULTURE: FROM DICKENS TO DISNEY Optional 15 1
ELI3078 SOCIAL JUSTICE ACROSS COMMUNITIES, CULTURES AND DISCIPLINES Optional 15 1
ELI3079 MAGIC, MYSTICISM, AND MODERNITY Optional 15 2
ELI3077 SIGNIFICANT OTHERS:: VICTORIAN CREATIVE PARTNERSHIPS Optional 15 1
ELI3080 THE 21ST CENTURY WRITER: FICTION AND RESPONSIBILITY Optional 15 2
ELI3043 BEAT WRITING Optional 15 1
ELI3039 LANGUAGE DIVERSITY Optional 15 1
ELI3064 RULE BREAKERS, UPSTARTS & GENRE RAPSCALLIONS: GENRE WRITING FROM COMMERCIAL TO SUBVERSIVE Optional 15 2
ELI3067 BUILDING STORIES- METHODS AND MATERIALS OF CONTEMPORARY WRITING Optional 15 1
SOC3092 QUEER STUDIES NOW Optional 15 2
ELI3081 READING AND REIMAGINING MEDIEVAL ROMANCE Optional 15 1
TRA3040 INTRODUCTION TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR TRANSLATORS AND INTERPRETERS Optional 15 1
SPA3025 THE ARTS IN THE SPANISH-SPEAKING WORLD Optional 15 2

Module Selection for Year 3 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 6

It is compulsory for students on the Programme to do one of the Dissertation options available in their final year. Students should choose between:
English Literature (ELI3033 - English Literature Dissertation) OR Creative Writing (ELI3034 - Creative Writing Submission) OR Languages (LAN3003 - Long Dissertation + advanced language skills module) options.

As part of your optional module selection, you are able to choose up to 15 credits from our range of interdisciplinary modules (subject to availability). For more information please refer to the website (https://www.surrey.ac.uk/personalising-your-degree-university-surrey)

Professional Training Year (PTY) -

Module code Module title Status Credits Semester
ELIP013 PROFESSIONAL TRAINING YEAR MODULE (FULL-YEAR WORK) Core 120 Year-long
ELIP014 PROFESSIONAL TRAINING YEAR MODULE (WORK-STUDY 50/50) Core 120 Year-long
ELIP015 PROFESSIONAL TRAINING YEAR MODULE (FULL-YEAR STUDY) Core 120 Year-long
TRA3041 AUDIOVISUAL TRANSLATION Optional 15 1

Module Selection for Professional Training Year (PTY) -

Students must choose one of the above three modules.

Opportunities for placements / work related learning / collaborative activity

Associate Tutor(s) / Guest Speakers / Visiting Academics N
Professional Training Year (PTY) N
Placement(s) (study or work that are not part of PTY) N
Clinical Placement(s) (that are not part of the PTY scheme) N
Study exchange (Level 5) N
Dual degree N

Quality assurance

The Regulations and Codes of Practice for taught programmes can be found at:

https://www.surrey.ac.uk/quality-enhancement-standards

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2026/7 academic year.