Spanish - Research

Overview
Spanish is part of the Modern Languages research cluster, which provides a vibrant environment for both disciplinary and interdisciplinary scholarship. Recognised as a centre of excellence for research into the languages, literatures, histories, linguistics, visual cultures, and cultural identities of Europe and beyond, the cluster is founded on a dynamic and forward-looking research ethos.

Research activity within Spanish covers a wide range of periods, themes and geographical locations, from the literature and culture of early modern Spain and colonial Latin America to post-colonial cinema, enlightenment and post-enlightenment history and literature, modern and contemporary Latin American studies and the visual arts. Our research is situated within an ideological framework which accommodates a balance of traditional and newer areas of investigation. The unit strongly supports an interdisciplinary research ethos and staff are actively involved in several cross- subject research groupings, reading and writing groups. The PhD programme promotes interdisciplinary and cross-regional collaboration in the training and supervision of graduate students.

For more information about the research interests of individual members of staff in Spanish, please see our staff profiles http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/ael/Connect/Staff/#academicarts.

Subject Summary
You will have the opportunity to pursue an original research project working closely with your supervisory team. Staff at Queen’s have wide-ranging research interests and expertise and are able to provide supervision covering a wide range of periods, themes and geographical locations, from the literature and culture of early modern Spain and colonial Latin America to enlightenment and post-enlightenment history and literature, modern and contemporary Latin American studies including literature and the visual arts. We are happy to receive enquiries from prospective PhD students.

Course structure
You will carry out your research under the guidance of your supervisor. You will also have access to a range of training opportunities via the Graduate School and be part of the Modern Languages Core Disciplinary Research Group.

At the end of your first year, usually 9-12 months after registration for full time students and about 18-30 months for part time students, you will undergo Differentiation. This is to ensure that you are progressing and working well with your supervisory team. You are normally asked to submit work to a panel of up two academics and this is followed up with a meeting with the ‘Differentiation Panel’. This acts as excellent preparation for the viva voce examination at the end of the programme. The Panel then make a judgement about your capacity to continue with your study. Sometimes students are advised to revise their research objectives or to consider submitting their work for an MPhil qualification rather than a doctoral qualification.

To complete with a doctoral qualification you will be required to submit a thesis of approx 80,000 words and you will be required to attend a viva voce [oral examination] with an external and internal examiner to defend your thesis.

Graduate
A 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. While a Master’s degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) is not essential, it is desirable and applicants without this qualification will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

How to Apply
Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

A PhD programme runs for 3-4 years full-time or 6-8 years part-time.

Entry Year: 2024/25

Research information

Associated Research
Enlightenment studies
Golden Age poetry and drama
Latin American studies
Nineteenth-century Spanish literature and culture

We also have a strong record in supervising comparative and interdisciplinary theses across the different languages and disciplines represented in the School of Arts, English and Languages and with other Schools in the University.