About us
Around the world, across five continents, 600 million people speak either Spanish or Portuguese; here in Britain, Spanish is the fastest growing foreign language. Thus it is no surprise that within the Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies discipline area at Manchester our teaching and research addresses topics ranging from the literature of Mozambique, to the art of the Cuban revolution and the films of Pedro Almodóvar. Hosting one of the oldest Hispanic Studies departments in the UK, Manchester has always had strong links with the Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking regions, dating from the industrial age when Cuban Enriqueta Rylands founded the John Rylands Library.
Our internationally-recognized research (rated 6* in 2001) and our culture of intellectual curiosity fosters a lively, cosmopolitan atmosphere, supporting students in both pastoral and teaching situations. SPLAS offers students an impressive range of broadly-focused, interdisciplinary programmes. Programmes are available for both students who have a prior knowledge of the language and those whose first contact with Spanish and Portuguese will take place here. Single and joint honour programmes allow students to combine Spanish and or Portuguese with other languages and/or disciplines; within these programmes, students divide their time between language learning and broad study of culture.
SPLAS is recognised as a field-leader in both undergraduate and graduate education; members of staff contribute to the MA in Latin American Cultural Studies and the MA ELC. Additionally, research and postgraduate study on Latin American is coordinated through the Centre for Latin American and Caribbean Studies.
The University's resources in our field are among the best in the country. The John Rylands University Library has Hispanic holdings unequalled in Europe outside the national collections. Besides excellent up-to-date collections of books and periodicals in the field, the Library also houses a world-famous collection of manuscripts and early printed books purchased by Mrs Enriqueta Rylands, the Cuban wife of the Victorian cotton millionaire John Rylands. The modern catalogue is computerized and can be easily consulted, as can those of other British university libraries. We share with the other modern language departments a brand-new, state-of-the-art, Language Centre, with satellite, video, and tape facilities. Manchester has one of the largest student populations in Britain, and a thriving musical, sporting and cultural life. The School houses the Spanish Embassy Educational Resource Centre. La Consejería de Educación with this office seeks to promote Spanish language and culture in northern England. To ensure this aim is accomplished, we work hand-in-hand with teachers of Spanish providing them with teaching and linguistic advice, materials and resources. SPLAS collaborates with well-established Manchester cultural institutions, such as the Cervantes Institute and Cornerhouse, to host a wide-range of events for students and the public both. Every March we contribute to the Viva! Spanish and Latin American Film Festival.