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Studies & Degrees in Hispanic Philology

Hispanic philology is the academic study of the Spanish language and of the literature written in it. It combines linguistics (how Spanish works and how it has changed over time) with literary history and criticism, covering both Spain and Spanish-speaking America. The Universidad de Salamanca sums up the aim of its bachelor's degree as training professionals with a broad command of the Spanish language and of literature written in Spanish, together with wide knowledge of the history and culture of the Spanish-speaking countries.

Students learn the structure of Spanish at every level, from phonology and vocabulary to syntax, semantics and discourse, both in its present state and through its history. They read Spanish and Spanish American literature from its origins to the present, practise textual analysis and academic writing, and study theory of literature and general linguistics. A second modern language is part of the curriculum: at the Universidad de Granada, for example, first-year students choose an initial language from a list that includes Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Portuguese.

Qualifications and levels

In Spain the subject is taught as an official bachelor's degree (grado) of 240 ECTS credits over four years, as set by Royal Decree 822/2021. The name varies by university:

  • Grado en Filología Hispánica at, among others, the Universidad de Salamanca, the Universidad de Sevilla, the Universidad de Granada and the Universidad de Jaén
  • Grado en Estudios Hispánicos at the Universidad de Alcalá
  • Grado en Lengua y Literatura Españolas at the Universidad de Murcia

The Universidad de Navarra no longer admits new students to its Grado en Filología Hispánica and directs applicants to a newer Grado en Lengua y Literatura Españolas. Whatever the name, check the curriculum: the content is largely the same.

At Salamanca all the philology degrees share a large common core in the first two years, so students can lean towards language, literature or culture. Some universities offer international double degrees; the Universidad de Jaén pairs its degree with a French licence from the Université Bretagne Sud.

After the bachelor's degree come official master's degrees of 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits. Common choices are a master's in teaching Spanish as a foreign language, in Spanish and Spanish American literature, in linguistic research or in digital humanities, followed by a doctorate for those who want an academic career.

In Latin America the equivalent is usually a licenciatura. The Licenciatura en Letras Hispánicas of the Universidad de Guadalajara in Mexico requires 422 of the university's own credits, social service and a professional placement, and applicants sit the university's academic aptitude test.

Admission and language

These degrees are taught in Spanish and assume a very good command of it. Salamanca recommends the humanities and social sciences branch of the Spanish Bachillerato and good reading habits. Published intake figures give an idea of scale: the Universidad de Sevilla offered 150 first-year places in 2025-26 and received 102 first-choice applications, and the Universidad de Murcia offers 80 places and the Universidad de Alcalá 50. Some universities require a foreign-language certificate before graduation; in Seville it is CEFR level B1. The Universidad de Sevilla lists a public price of €12.62 per credit; public fees are set by each region, so check the current figure with the university.

Where to study

SpainExchange lists 24 active schools for Hispanic philology: 22 in Spain, one in Mexico and one in Colombia. Most are public universities with a faculty of arts, in cities such as Salamanca, Granada, Seville, Murcia, Zaragoza, Valladolid, Alcalá de Henares, Cádiz, Jaén and La Laguna. Outside Spain the list includes the Universidad de Guadalajara in Mexico and the Universidad de Antioquia in Medellín, Colombia. The list also contains a few study abroad providers in Spain that arrange Spanish language and culture courses rather than full degrees.

Careers

Teaching is the best-known route. To teach Spanish language and literature in Spanish secondary schools, graduates need an official one-year teaching master's degree of 60 credits in addition to the bachelor's degree. Other routes named by the universities are:

  • Teaching Spanish as a foreign language, in Spain or abroad, including language assistant posts at foreign schools and universities
  • Publishing, editing and proofreading
  • Language advice, cultural management and work in the media
  • Public administration posts that require a university degree
  • Research and university teaching, after a doctorate
  • Language technologies and computational linguistics, which the Universidad de Alcalá names as an emerging field

Frequently asked questions

Is Hispanic philology the same as Spanish studies?

Largely, yes. Spanish universities use several names for the same field: Filología Hispánica, Estudios Hispánicos and Lengua y Literatura Españolas. All are four-year bachelor's degrees of 240 ECTS credits centred on the Spanish language and its literatures.

Can I study Hispanic philology if Spanish is not my first language?

Yes, but classes, reading and exams are in Spanish, so a high level is needed from the first day. Ask the university which language certificate it accepts for admission.

Can I become a Spanish teacher with this degree?

For Spanish secondary schools the degree is not enough on its own: an official teaching master's degree of 60 credits is also required. Teaching Spanish as a foreign language in private schools has no single legal requirement, and many graduates take a specialised master's degree for it.

How long does the degree take?

Four years (240 ECTS credits) in Spain. A master's degree adds one to two years.