ÌÇÐÄVlog

Latin America is one of the most densely 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 as an area of study that will surprise you, challenge you, and broaden your horizons.

Our course gives you the opportunity to study the unique combination of Latin America and human rights, and you will spend your third year studying abroad at a partner institution. Based within our , you also have a broad mix of humanities and social science topics to choose from, including modules covering history, sociology, literature, film, philosophy, and art history.

You also 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.

At ÌÇÐÄVlog we are actively engaged in debates about the meaning of justice in the UK and beyond. Our Human Rights Centre is a recognised international leader. Through our work with the United Nations, governments, human rights organisations and corporations all over the world, we bring a global outlook to our teaching.

At ÌÇÐÄVlog we specialise in business law, public law, criminal justice, health law, law and technology, socio-legal studies and human rights law. We are Top 20 in the UK for research excellence (REF 2014, mainstream universities, THE 2014), and we are ranked among the top 200 departments in the QS World University Rankings by Subject (2020).

Study abroad

Your education extends beyond the University's Colchester Campus. You spend your third year bring together language experts, lecturers and researchers with expertise across the arts, humanities and social sciences. As well as being one of the UK's leading universities for social science, ÌÇÐÄVlog academics are world leaders in human rights and pioneers in the literature and arts of the Americas.

Our scholars are recognised internationally for the quality of their research, much of which is carried out in the field and in collaboration with colleagues from Latin America.

Our researchers are currently exploring artistic engagements with the indigenous in modern and contemporary Latin American art, issues of gender and indigeneity in Latin America, Caribbean literatures, and combat games and martial arts in the ‘Black Atlantic', among other areas.

Our internationally diverse community of and Human Rights staff and students gives us a breadth of cross-cultural perspectives and insights into law and justice around the world.

This community, combined with opportunities to study abroad during your time with us, ensures you graduate with a genuine worldview and a network of international contacts.

Members of our work closely with our alumni and extensive practitioner network to ensure that our research is focused on priority issues that are of direct relevance to beneficiaries such as victims of human rights violations, governments, NGOs, and international organisations such as the UN.

Specialist facilities

• Our (ESCALA) is the largest of its kind in Europe, and regularly offers paid training opportunities to students
• Our houses one of the best collections on Latin American Studies in Europe, with 85,000 books and pamphlets and a dedicated Latin American Studies librarian
• Our collection of books on Latin American Art is the de facto national collection on this topic

• Work on key human rights projects at our Human Rights Clinic
• Network at our student-run , , and , which provides legal advice to the Commonwealth Students' Association (CSA)
• Volunteer at the ÌÇÐÄVlog Law Clinic where you can work alongside practicing solicitors to offer legal advice to clients
• Join our , which can improve your skills of argumentation, oral presentation and research

Your future

As a student in Latin American Studies, your year abroad can develop your confidence, independence, maturity and other invaluable life skills. Fluency in the Spanish or Portuguese language can open up exciting career paths around the world. An understanding of human rights in a global context will also be invaluable for a wide range of employers.

This provides excellent preparation for areas which might include international development organisations, banking, branches of the Civil Service, journalism, tourism and non-governmental agencies, arts administration, translation and interpreting, as well as various other professions.

Our recent graduates have gone on to work for a wide range of organisations including:

• The Foreign and Commonwealth Office
• The BBC
• Human rights organisations
• Development NGOs
• International law firms

We also work with the university's to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities. Take a look at our dedicated careers pages for Interdisciplinary Studies and Human Rights.

UK entry requirements

• A-levels: BBB - BBC or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A-levels.
• BTEC: DDM - DMM or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels. The acceptability of BTECs is dependent on subject studied and optional units taken - email ugquery@essex.ac.uk for advice.
• Combined qualifications on the UCAS tariff: 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A levels or equivalent. Tariff point offers may be made if you are taking a qualification, or mixture of qualifications, from the list on our undergraduate application information page.
• IB: 30 - 29 points or three Higher Level certificates with 555-554.
• IB Career-related Programme: We consider combinations of IB Diploma Programme courses with BTECs or other qualifications. Advice on acceptability can be provided, email Undergraduate Admissions.
• QAA-approved Access to HE Diploma: 6 level 3 credits at Distinction and 39 level 3 credits at Merit, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided, email Undergraduate Admissions.
• T-levels: We consider T-levels on a case-by-case basis, depending on subject studied. The offer for most courses is Distinction overall. Depending on the course applied for there may be additional requirements, which may include a specific grade in the Core.

Contextual Offers:

We are committed to ensuring that all students with the merit and potential to benefit from an ÌÇÐÄVlog education are supported to do so. If you are a home fee paying student residing in the UK you may be eligible for a Contextual Offer of up to two A-level grades, or equivalent, below our standard conditional offer.
Factors we consider:

• Applicants from underrepresented groups
• Applicants progressing from ÌÇÐÄVlog Schools Membership schools/colleges
• Applicants who attend a compulsory admissions interview
• Applicants who attend an Offer Holder Day at our Colchester or Southend campus

Our contextual offers policy outlines additional circumstances and eligibility criteria.

For further information about what a contextual offer may look like for your specific qualification profile, email ugquery@essex.ac.uk.

If you haven't got the grades you hoped for, have a non-traditional academic background, are a mature student, or have any questions about eligibility for your course, more information can be found on our undergraduate application information page or get in touch with our Undergraduate Admissions Team.

English language requirements

English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall, or specified score in another equivalent test that we accept.

Details of English language requirements, including component scores, and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found

If we accept the English component of an international qualification it will be included in the academic levels listed above for the relevant countries.

English language shelf-life

If you require a Student visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.

Pre-sessional English courses

If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.

Pending English language qualifications

You don’t need to achieve the required level before making your application, but it will be one of the conditions of your offer.

If you cannot find the qualification that you have achieved or are pending, then please email ugquery@essex.ac.uk .

Requirements for second and final year entry

Different requirements apply for second and final year entry, and specified component grades are also required for applicants who require a visa to study in the UK. Details of English language requirements, including UK Visas and Immigration minimum component scores, and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found

Additional Notes

If you’re an international student, but do not meet the English language or academic requirements for direct admission to this degree, you could prepare and gain entry through a pathway course. Find out more about opportunities available to you at the Year 2 Year Away Final Year