The Department of Spanish and Portuguese offers undergraduate and graduate teaching in Spanish, Portuguese, and Catalan. It is unique in its commitment to exploring the trans-historical and cross-cultural interrelations between all these language areas and their corresponding cultural formations. The research interests of its academic staff thus span a wide range of areas including Medieval and Golden Age Spanish cultures and their consolidation in dialogue with the diverse cultures and faith systems of Africa and the ‘New World’; the literature, art and cinema of Portugal, Brazil and Lusophone Africa; the literature of modern Spain and its relationship with the Enlightenment, colonialism, and modernity; the cinema of the Ibero-American world from early silent film through to its avant-garde, indigenous, popular and transnational dimensions today; and the culture of Catalonia from its re-birth in the Renaixença, through its resistance to Franquismo in literature and film, to its vibrant contemporary artistic, architectural and cinematographic expressions.

The Department also has one of the largest contingents of Latin American specialists in the United Kingdom, whose interests span the poetry and chronicles of the colonial period; the formation of national cultures in post-Independence Spanish America and Brazil; the experimental literatures of the Spanish American ‘Boom’; and the literature, cinema, and visual art produced in the interlocking contexts of post-dictatorship, mass urbanization, narcotráfico and neo-liberal globalization. The intellectual vitality of the Department is further evidenced by a dynamic research culture of public lectures, departmental seminars, graduate workshops and conferences, all of which add to a close-knit system of graduate supervision and mentoring that encourages both individual and collective endeavour within the department.

In British universities the PhD (Doctorate of Philosophy) is traditionally awarded solely on the basis of a dissertation, a substantial piece of writing which reports original research into a closely defined area of enquiry. The completion of the PhD dissertation is generally expected to take three years, and most funding is based on this assumption. It's also possible to take a part-time route through research degrees, and the expected timeframe would be five years.

During your research, you will have the opportunity to work closely with a Supervisor who is a specialist in your research area. You might reasonably expect to see your Supervisor fortnightly or at least three times per term. In addition to your Supervisor, you will normally also be able to draw on the help and support of other members of the Department with expertise in your field of study

In addition to the specialist supervising provided by the Department, the Faculty of Modern and Medieval Languages runs a programme of professional training for the benefit of all research students. The programme includes seminars and workshops on library resources, giving conference papers, publishing, applications and interviews, and teaching skills. The School of Arts and Humanities runs a central programme covering a range of skills relevant to doctoral students. Doctoral students may also be offered opportunities to do small group teaching for the undergraduate colleges and, in some cases, language teaching for the Faculty.

Feedback

Feedback on progress is provided through regular meetings with the Supervisor.  Termly supervision reports are written and are made available to the student online.  

Assessment

Thesis

There is a normal word limit for the thesis of 80,000 words (including footnotes and appendices but excluding bibliography). The thesis should represent a significant contribution to learning through the discovery of new knowledge or through the connection of previously unrelated facts, or the development of new theory, revision of older views or some combination of these. In writing the thesis you are expected to take account of previously published work on the subject and the thesis should be clearly and accurately written, paying due attention to English style and grammar. Candidates for the PhD in Cambridge are guided by a supervisor, though they will normally also discuss their work with a number of other experts in their field.  Following submission of the thesis, an oral (viva) examination is held.

Other

Annual progress interviews for all PhD students should normally take place between the start of the Easter term and the end of the academic year. The annual interviews constitute a system for the formal monitoring by the Degree Committee of the progress of all students working towards a PhD.

Graduate students are admitted in the first instance for a probationary period during which they are not registered as a candidate for the PhD degree. The first-year interview is the context in which registration as a candidate for the PhD is formally considered. Satisfactory progress is a condition for being registered as a doctoral student and for remaining on the register.

• Magistr (Master's Degree) at Pass level. Diploma Specialista (completed post-1991) with a minimum overall grade of good or 4/5 Bachelor's from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and other prestigious institutions with an overall grade of 4/5 Bologna Bachelor's from other institutions with an overall grade of 5/5, Excellent
• Diploma Specialista (completed post-1991) with a minimum overall grade of Excellent or 5/5 Bachelor's from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and other prestigious institutions with an overall grade of 5/5
• IELTS (Academic) 7.5
• TOEFL Internet Score 110
• £50 application fee
• First Academic Reference
• Second Academic Reference
• Transcript
• Research Proposal. 500-1000 word research proposal
• Sample of Work. A sample of recent research writing of approximately 5,000-10,000 words.  The sample can be either an essay produced during masters-level studies or a section of a dissertation, and must be a single-authored work. 
• Personal Reference

The University of Cambridge offers a comprehensive range of financing options to support students pursuing degree programmes in Spanish Studies. Funding opportunities include scholarships, bursaries, grants, and financial aid designed to assist both domestic and international students in managing the costs associated with their studies. Scholarships specific to Spanish Studies are often awarded based on academic merit, excellence, or financial need. For example, the Cambridge Trust provides a variety of scholarships for international students, which can significantly offset tuition fees and living expenses. Additionally, the Pontificia Comillas University offers joint scholarships in collaboration with Cambridge for students enrolled in certain programmes, including Spanish Studies, fostering academic exchange and financial support.

Students are encouraged to explore government-funded loans and grants available in their home countries, as many nations provide support for higher education abroad. The UK government offers loan schemes for students eligible to study in the UK, which can cover tuition fees and provide maintenance grants or loans to assist with living costs. Cambridge also provides a range of bursaries and hardship funds aimed at students facing financial difficulties, helping ensure that economic barriers do not impede access to high-quality education.

Part-time work opportunities are available on and near campus, enabling students to earn supplementary income during term time, provided they meet visa and work regulation requirements. Furthermore, Cambridge's financial aid office offers personalized advice to help students identify suitable funding sources, complete applications, and manage their budgets effectively during their studies.

In summary, the university’s robust financial support system ensures that students of Spanish Studies can access higher education regardless of their financial background. The combination of scholarships, bursaries, government loans, part-time employment, and advisory services creates a supportive framework that promotes academic achievement and personal development without undue concern over financial constraints.

The University of Cambridge offers a diverse range of degree programmes across numerous disciplines, renowned for their academic rigor and research excellence. Cambridge’s degrees are distinguished by their combination of challenging coursework, research opportunities, and a collaborative academic environment. The programmes often encompass foundational coursework in the first year, followed by specialist modules, projects, and dissertations that allow students to develop deep expertise in their chosen field. The university prides itself on its tutorial system, which provides personalised teaching and intensive academic discussion, fostering critical thinking and independent learning skills. Students are encouraged to engage with cutting-edge research, contributing to their field through innovative projects and collaborations with leading academics. The university's facilities include state-of-the-art laboratories, extensive libraries, and digital resources, supporting high-quality research and study. Cambridge degree programmes are designed to prepare students not only for academic careers but also for leadership roles in industry, public service, and beyond. The university also offers a vibrant student community with numerous clubs, societies, and extracurricular activities, enriching the overall educational experience. International students are welcomed and supported through dedicated services that assist with integration, accommodation, and cultural adaptation. Graduates from Cambridge often benefit from an international recognition of their degree, opening doors to advanced study or employment globally. The university maintains strong ties with industries, institutions, and alumni networks, facilitating internships, research partnerships, and career opportunities. Overall, studying at Cambridge provides a rigorous, supportive, and inspiring environment that fosters academic excellence, personal growth, and lifelong connections.