Spanish and International Communication with Foundation

Spanish is one of the world's great languages, spoken natively by hundreds of millions of people across Europe, Latin America and beyond, and understanding how to communicate across cultural and linguistic boundaries is increasingly central to professional and public life. International communication as a discipline examines how language, media, culture and identity interact when people from different backgrounds engage with one another, making this combination a coherent and genuinely contemporary pairing.

At the University of Westminster this programme includes a foundation year before the full honours degree, providing a preparatory stage for students who want to build academic skills and subject knowledge before progressing to advanced study. Following the foundation year, you will develop your Spanish to a high level of proficiency across written, spoken and cultural registers, while also exploring the theories and practices of international communication, including media studies, intercultural relations, translation and global media systems. The programme includes a sandwich year, a year abroad and embedded work placement opportunities, making it one of the more practice-oriented language degrees available.

The year abroad is likely to be spent in a Spanish-speaking country, which is the most direct way to consolidate language learning and develop cultural competence.

You will build skills in translation and interpreting, intercultural analysis, research and critical writing. The sandwich year and placements give you direct professional experience that many employers value as much as academic achievement, and working in an international environment develops the kind of adaptability that is hard to acquire any other way.

Graduates pursue careers in translation and interpreting, international journalism, public relations, NGO and diplomatic work, international business development, marketing, broadcasting and media production. Teaching, community and voluntary work with Spanish-speaking communities, and roles in cultural organisations are also common. Postgraduate study in translation, international communication, Hispanic studies or related fields is a natural progression for those who want to deepen their expertise.