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Latin American Studies: History, Politics and Society MA

London, Bloomsbury

Interested in learning more about current issues and debates in Latin American studies? This master’s gives you direct access to the latest research and newest ideas in this field. Become familiar with the diverse societies of the region and the forces that have shaped them, drawing on insights from Latin American history, politics, anthropology, environmental issues, economics, cultural studies, and more. The ideal kicking off point for a career in research, journalism, teaching, policy or implementation.  

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£16,000
£8,000
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£33,000
£16,500
Duration
1 academic year
2 academic years
Programme starts
September 2025
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 27 Jun 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 29 Aug 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

To be confirmed

The English language level for this programme is: To be confirmed

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

For this programme, please contact our UCL Graduate Admissions team.

About this degree

On this programme you will develop the ability to understand and critically assess the issues currently facing societies and policy makers in Latin America and their historical background. You will study a broad range of issues, including:

  • Human rights and democratic consolidation
  • Economic development and social change
  • The region’s relations with the United States and the wider world.
  • Climate change and environmental issues.  
  • The historical and contemporary character of the region’s intersecting inequalities.
  • Societal issues such as the war against drugs and criminal cartels.

Who this course is for

This programme is suitable for students who wish to develop their understanding of Latin American Studies for further research or a career in this field.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

The UCL Institute of the Americas offers the largest teaching portfolio for the study of Canada, the Caribbean, Latin America and the United States in the UK. Being multidisciplinary, you will be taught by experts on social sciences and modern history all under one roof.

Students benefit from:

  • Teaching by world-leading scholars at the cutting edge of research that was ranked 1st in Area Studies and Impact in the REF 2021.
  • Invitation to the Institute’s various Seminar Series which regularly feature experts from Latin America and the Caribbean, or who work on the region.
  • The Institute’s close relationships with research, business, non-governmental and cultural organisations in the Americas, including a large network of universities. 
  • Access to a broad range of resources relevant to the study of Latin America across UCL.
Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

Upon completing this degree, you will have skills well suited for jobs in sectors such as:

  • Policy and governments.
  • NGOs (Non-Governmental Organisations). 
  • Business and financial services.
  • Media and journalism.
  • Academia and education.

“Studying at the Institute of Americas was a crucial stepping stone in my career, and I certainly would not be where I am today without the support and guidance from the wonderful faculty at UCL.”

Joonsoo Yi, alumnus 2016-2017.

Employability

Graduates have acquired transferable skills attractive to employers in a wide range of businesses and sectors:

  • Theoretical and critical analysis.
  • Writing and communication skills. 
  • Time management.
  • IT skills

You will also learn to solve problems and issues and to build positive working relationships.

Networking

The institute runs seminar series and events with invited speakers from academia, government, and NGOs. They also host career talks with returning alumni from different organisations and professions.

Our central London location gives students access to networking activities and events across the capital. You will be able to attend events in the high commissions and embassies of the region in London.

Finally, UCL student union societies can further develop your interests and experiences. You may wish to consider joining:

  • The Mexican Society.
  • Women and Politics Society.
  • African Caribbean Society.
  • Diplomacy Society.
  • Government and Politics Society.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of seminars, lectures, presentations, research skills training, and independent reading and research.

There is a range of assessments including essays, oral presentations and the dissertation.

Contact time takes various forms:

  • Lectures.
  • Seminars.
  • Project/Dissertation supervision.
  • Fieldwork.
  • Assessment feedback sessions.

The credit value of the module indicates the total learning hours you will spend to achieve its learning outcomes. One credit is often equated to 10 hours of notional learning, which includes all contact time, self-directed study, and assessment.

For full-time students, typical contact hours are around 7- 8-hours of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials per teaching week per module. Outside of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials, full-time students typically study the equivalent of a full-time job, using their remaining time for self-directed study and completing coursework assignments.

In term three and the summer period students will be completing their own dissertation research, keeping regular contact with their dissertation supervisors.

Modules

The structure of this programme offers you maximum flexibility in structuring your study of Latin America.

In terms one and two, you will take a module in research methods for the social sciences that includes sessions on research design, qualitative and quantitative methods, and fieldwork ethics and preparation. You will also select five modules of further substantive-subject options from a broader range of Latin American focussed modules. During term two, you will also prepare your research project proposal, giving continuity to activities in your research skills module.

In term three, you will fully develop your research dissertation in consultation with a specifically designated dissertation supervisor. Many of our Master's students undertake fieldwork in order to carry out research for their dissertation projects.

Part-time students will split the taught modules between year 1 and year 2. The research methods module is usually taken in year 1, the dissertation is taken in year 2.

All part-time students must complete a minimum of 60 credits in their first year. These include any core modules that need to be taken in year 1.

Compulsory modules




Optional modules












Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Fieldwork

Many of our Master’s students undertake fieldwork in order to carry out research for their dissertation projects.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: US Studies MSc

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Join us for an opportunity to meet the programme leads and ask any questions you have about programme content, career prospects and life and study at Institute of Americas and at UCL.

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Latin American Studies MA

—

Join us for an opportunity to meet the programme leads and ask any questions you have about programme content, career prospects and life and study at the Institute of Americas and at UCL.

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Latin American Studies MA

—

Join us for an opportunity to meet the programme leads and ask any questions you have about programme content, career prospects and life and study at the Institute of Americas and at UCL.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £16,000 £8,000
Tuition fees (2025/26) £33,000 £16,500

Additional costs

Fee deposit information to be confirmed.

There may be travel costs associated with fieldwork and it is the student's responsibility to cover these expenses. The institute may be able to offer some funds towards the costs of the fieldwork. These funds are awarded on a competitive basis on the criteria of academic performance to date, the quality of the research proposal and the importance of fieldwork for completing the research.

UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

For more information about the funding opportunities available in the Department please see https://www.ucl.ac.uk/americas/study/funding/graduate-taught-funding.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Next steps

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to elaborate on your reasons for applying to this programme and how your interests match what the programme will deliver.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Latin American Studies at graduate level 
  • why you want to study Latin American Studies at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to this programme
  • how your academic background meets the demands of this challenging programme 
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree

Please note that some funding schemes have an earlier application deadline; please view the Funding section for further details.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2025-2026

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Institute of the Americas
Institute of the Americas

ia-programmes@ucl.ac.uk

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