Overview
Boost your career prospects while learning about a new culture
Massey’s Bachelor of Arts (Spanish) will help you stand out in the international job market.
Level
- Undergraduate, NZQF Level 7
Distance learning
- Available
Duration
- 3 year(s) full-time. Available part-time.
International
- Available for international students via distance learning
Other
- Not all courses available in all modes any given year
With more than 400 million speakers, Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. It continues to grow as a popular second language. Spanish is spoken not only in Spain. It’s also spoken in more than 20 countries in Latin America, parts of Africa, and in many regions of the United States.
Relevant in Australasian contexts
The increasingly multicultural nature of society means it is important to learn about new languages and cultures, and how they interact with, and are affected by, your own. The BA (Spanish) produces its own digital study materials, relevant to Australasian students, so you will gain skills that are applicable to your own communities.
Massey is New Zealand’s only university to deliver language programmes completely via distance. Massey’s BA Spanish is available by distance learning to Australian students.
Highly interactive with plenty of opportunities for language practice
Whether you study on campus or by distance, you will learn from supportive, passionate academics. Your lecturers deliver live online tutorials/lectures at various times - evenings, lunch times and weekends - to fit with your busy schedule. You don’t have to learn on your own. Eeveryone can practise speaking Spanish in a shared environment.
Combines culture and language to enhance your learning experience
Language does not exist in isolation, and becomes more powerful when it is learnt in a cultural context. You will use videos, music and literature to examine social, historical and political developments. Through exploring this context, you will also explore your own culture and identity.
Careers and further study
Careers
Trade, tourism and diplomatic relations between New Zealand and the Hispanic world are on an upward trend. By majoring in Spanish your knowledge of Spanish language and culture will prove both valuable and rewarding. A degree majoring in Spanish makes a wide range of career choices possible, including:
- banking
- journalism
- management
- marketing
- teaching
- trade and export
- travel and tourism.
Entry requirements
University admission
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Programme admission
Required
There are no specific entry requirements for the Bachelor of Arts (Social Policy), outside of university admission regulations.
English language requirements
To study this programme you must meet Massey University's English language standards.
Prior learning, credit and exemptions
For information on prior learning, exemptions and transfer of credit or other questions:
- review the Recognition of Prior Learning regulations
- contact us through the Enquire button on this page.
If you do not have the entry requirements
English language and foundation courses
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, we have courses and programmes that may help.
- English Language Proficiency
- Foundation Certificate in Academic English
- Foundation Certificate in Advanced Academic English
- Full Foundation - Certificate in Foundation Studies
Summer School
If you need to do a course before you start your programme, there may be options for you in Summer School.
Courses and planning
Credit summary
360 credits
- Core courses – 75 credits
- Major courses – 135 credits
- Electives from the Schedule – 30 credits
- Other electives – 120 credits
Ensure that overall, you have:
- Not more than 165 credits at 100 level
- At least 75 credits at 300 level
You could replace electives with a second BA major, or some electives with a minor from the Bachelor of Arts, the Bachelor of Business, or the Bachelor of Science.
Note: the Business Psychology major requires 195 credits of major courses.
Courses for this specialisation
Subject courses
| 245101 | Introductory Spanish Language I | 15 |
| 245102 | Introductory Spanish Language II | 15 |
| 245103 | Hispanic Culture and Heritage | 15 |
| 245201 | Intermediate Spanish Language I | 15 |
| 245202 | Intermediate Spanish Language II | 15 |
| 245203 | The Sound of Spanish: Diction, Dialects and Diversity | 15 |
| 245204 | Latin American Voices | 15 |
| 245301 | Advanced Spanish Language | 15 |
| 245302 | Theory and Practice of Spanish Translation | 15 |
| 245303 | Latin American Rhythms and Politics: From Tango to Rock | 15 |
| 245304 | Travellers' Tales: the Invention of Latin America | 15 |
| 245305 | Spanish Conversation on Film | 15 |
Planning your programme
Planning overview
If you study full time, in the first year you’ll take eight 15-credit courses, making a total of 120 credits.
If you wish to study over two semesters, you should aim for 60 credits per semester. You may be able to take some courses at summer school if you wish. Make sure you include courses that are prerequisites for the next level of courses you wish to study.
About this major
A Spanish major consists of 135 credits (nine courses).
Minors
Completing a minor is optional. Minors increase the breadth of your degree. They give you extra knowledge, attributes and capabilities.
A minor must be in a different subject from your major.
A Bachelor of Arts (Spanish) with a minor
You may choose a minor from the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Business or Bachelor of Science. If the minor is from another degree the regulations of that programme will apply.
A Spanish minor (for students who are studying a different degree)
If you are not studying towards a BA (Spanish) and wish to complete a minor in Spanish see the BA regulations for requirements.
Fees and scholarships
Fees and finance
Fees, student loans and free fees scheme
Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.
There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.
Already know which courses you're going to choose?
If you already know which courses you are going to take, you can use our fees calculator to get an estimate of your fees.
Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme
You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.
The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme and your eligibility on the Fees Free website. To use the site's eligibility checking tool, you will need your National Student Number.
Current and returning Massey students will find their National Student Number on their student homepage.
- Student loans (StudyLink)
- Fees Free
- Student homepage login
A good fit if you:
- want to learn a new language
- have Spanish-related personal or professional interests
- enjoy the cultures of Latin America and Spain.
Meet our students
“
Teachers were very available and so encouraging. The four years at Massey equipped me well to become a language teacher.
” Christine Feuillade
“
In my last semester I did an exchange and studied in Alicante on the Mediterranean coast in Spain. It was an amazing opportunity.
” Deborah Thompson
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.
Regulations
Review this important information before you apply for this programme. This gives you full details of the rules and regulations about what you need to study and what you must achieve in order to graduate with this qualification. That includes structure, courses and requirements. These regulations should be read in conjunction with all other Statutes and Regulations of the University including the below.
Undergraduate programmes
Applying and enrolling
Applying for the programme
Check you are ready
If you are ready to apply, have a look at our application checklist. It will help you get prepared with what you need. Please also check the entry requirements carefully before you apply.
Choose your programme and click on Apply now
You will apply for the programme using the Apply now button on this page. You’ll also choose your specialisation (major, subject or endorsement) if applicable.
Some programmes have additional requirements such as the submission of a portfolio or CV. Click on Apply now and you will be able to submit those documents as part of the application process.
Receive and accept an Admission Offer of Place
You will receive an Admission Offer of Place when you have been accepted into the programme. You need to accept this before you can enrol in your courses. International students also need to pay their fees at this point.
Enrolling in courses
You’ll then get access to your own student homepage (also known as the student portal). This is where you can enrol in courses. Any updates on your application or enrolments will also be on your student homepage. Make sure you check this regularly.
When you choose courses, ensure you check for any requirements that apply including:
- prerequisites (courses you have to do before the one you are enrolling in)
- corequisites (courses you have to do at the same time as the one you are enrolling in)
- restrictions (courses that you cannot enrol in if you are completing or have completed another identified similar course)
- location – for instance some distance-based courses still have an on-campus element, so double check that the way the course is taught is suitable for your situation.
Each of our courses has its own webpage where you can find this information. You can use our course search to find course pages.
More information on courses is in the ‘Courses for this programme’ section on this page.
You can find information on application due dates and semester dates on the key dates page.
We look forward to welcoming you to Massey!
If you have any questions, contact us through the Enquire button on this page.
What are courses and credits?
What are courses and credits?
Each Massey programme is made up of courses (in some tertiary institutions they are called ‘papers’).
You will have some compulsory courses and some you can choose from.
Each course is worth a certain amount of credits (often 15 credits, but this does vary). You must gain a set number of credits to be able to graduate from this programme.
There may also be some rules about which courses you need to pass to progress to the next year, or stage, of your study (known as progression). There are also courses you must pass to graduate with a specialisation.
- See the ‘Courses for this programme’ section for the list of courses.
- Courses search
Understanding course numbers
The first three digits of our course numbers show you which subject the course is about.
The second three digits show you the level and course ID number. For instance:
- sub-degree courses are '0' (i.e. xxx.0xx)
- undergraduate study begins at 100-level, (i.e. xxx.1xx)
- as you progress through 200- and 300-level courses this number changes to 2 and 3 respectively. The higher the number that starts the second three digits, the higher the level of study
| 1 | 6 | 2 | . | 3 | 0 | 1 | |
| Subject area | Level | Course ID number | |||||
About electives
Electives are courses that are not compulsory. Certain guidelines are usually provided on courses you may take. Elective courses contribute to the programme, but not to your major or specialisation.
Workload and time management
Use this tool to help determine how much time you will need each week to complete your studies.
Returning students
For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.
In some cases the programme or specialisation you enrolled in may no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these programmes go to the Massey University Calendar.
Please contact us through the Enquire button on this page if you have any questions.
Scholarships and awards
Scholarships related to this programme
There are a number of scholarships available for new and current students. They could relate to your situation, achievement or interest.