Program Overview

BA Global Studies with Latin American Studies will equip you with a broad range of skills to become an active participant in a crucial time of change. You’ll study some of today’s most pressing issues from the migrant crisis to climate change, and you’ll acquire a global perspective to face contemporary challenges.

This interdisciplinary degree combines the breadth of Global Studies with deep engagement in Latin American history and culture. Latin America is one of the most fascinating and complex areas of the world, home to a rich diversity of indigenous people, as well as some of the world’s fastest growing economies, greatest environmental challenges, and richest cultural traditions. Latin America is an area of study that will surprise you, challenge you and broaden your horizons.

This course differs to BA Global Studies and Latin American Studies in that there is no compulsory language component and it does not include a compulsory year abroad.

A core part of the course are modules from history and politics which explore international relations and global history, alongside Latin American Studies modules. You will study a range of topics, including but not limited to:

• Economic and political history of Latin America
• Indigenous issues in Latin America
• Global technologies
• Migration
• Art and architecture and in social context

Language is fundamental to our thought, our relationships, and our civilisations. As part of this degree, you will add a language to your portfolio, through either learning Spanish from scratch or developing existing skills in Spanish and/or Brazilian Portuguese to a high level, and spending your third year at a university in a Latin American country.

This course differs to BA Global Studies with Latin American Studies in that it includes a compulsory year abroad in a Latin American country and has a compulsory language component.

This is an amazing place to study a degree like this one. Since its foundation, Essex has had a distinctly international character. Our department includes academics specialising in many diverse regions of the world, so you experience the very best of the University’s expertise in global issues.

Placement year

When you arrive at Essex, you can decide whether you would like to combine your course with a placement year. You will be responsible for finding your placement, but with support and guidance provided by both your department and the placements team.

If you complete a year you’ll only pay 20% of your usual tuition fee to Essex for that year.