Latin American Studies PhD
We are one of the longest established and most broadly-based centres for the study of Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies in the UK. Research at Liverpool is characterised by wide-ranging interests in the national and global dimensions of Latin American Studies, with a particular emphasis on social science, historical and cultural studies research.
Why study with us?
4th
in sector overall for research classified as 'world leading (4*) or 'internationally excellent' (3*) in latest Research Excellence Framework (2021)
19/62
in the Guardian League Table for Modern Languages and Linguistics for 2018.
100%
of research environment classified 'world leading' (4*) or 'internationally excellent' (3*) in the latest Research Excellence Framework (2021)
Overview
We are one of the longest established and most broadly-based centres for the study of Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies in the UK. Research at Liverpool is characterised by wide-ranging interests in the national and global dimensions of Latin American Studies, with a particular emphasis on social science, historical and cultural studies research.
Research activity in Latin American Studies covers a broad geographic area in and is at the forefront of developments in literary, historical, cultural studies, and the social sciences and we are the home to major journals, including the Bulletin of Hispanic Studies, the Bulletin of Contemporary Hispanic Studies, and Modern Languages Open. Our research emphasizes our understanding of ‘Latin American studies’ in the broadest sense, as relating to the multiple geographical and linguistic contexts that make up the Hispanic and Lusophone worlds.
We also work closely with local and regional cultural organizations such as FACT, the National Museums Liverpool, the Tate Gallery and the Bluecoat leading to public events on Latin American digital art, Brazilian popular culture, and Latin American film and literature.
Our research students benefit from interdisciplinary and cross-institutional supervision tailored to their research interests. Latin American Studies at Liverpool is part of the Language-Based Area Studies pathway of the ESRC North West Doctoral Training Centre, which also involves the University of Manchester and Lancaster University. This means that students can access the resources, facilities, modules and expertise of three top UK universities. ESRC funding is available for 1+3 (MA and PhD) and +3 (PhD) research for projects with a social science focus in Latin American Studies. Prospective applicants with a humanities focus can apply through the modern languages pathway of the AHRC North West Consortium Doctoral Training Partnership.
A regional research centre, North West Americas Studies Network (NWASN), fosters a robust research environment based on expertise in the Department. This Liverpool-based multidisciplinary network brings together experts in Latin American and North American studies to support research in the field, exchange ideas, and to provide opportunities for collaborations amongst the members.
Liverpool hosted the annual conference of the Society for Latin American Studies in April 2016 and is home to the 'Bulletin of Latin American Research' and the 'Bulletin of Hispanic Studies'.
Research themes
Our research themes are:
- Latin American Cinemas
- Brazilian Popular Culture and Performance
- Latin American Literature and Culture
- Latin American Popular Culture and Memory
- Digital Cultures in Latin America
- Latin American Political History; Social Movements and Identity; Memory and Human Rights
- Violence and its Traumatic Aftermaths in Literature, Film, and Digital Cultures.
Previous PhD topics include:
- Youth mobilization and empowerment in El Salvador
- Transitional justice in Guatemala
- Citizenship in Rio de Janeiro’s favelas
- Natural resource extraction and rural resistance in Peru
- Sexual politics and social movements in Brazil
- Indigenous movements in Bolivia
- Participatory democracy in Venezuela
- Local content and online practices in a Brazilian favela
- Gender, sport and development in Nicaragua.
Facilities
The University of Liverpool has excellent research facilities within the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences. For postgraduate researchers, these include designated shared office space and access to a vast repository of sociolinguistic journals (including e-journal), through the Sydney Jones Library.
As a postgraduate researcher at the University of Liverpool, you will become part of the Liverpool Doctoral College. The LDC supports all postgraduate researchers across the University to thrive in their doctoral programme with our dedicated team of esteemed supervisors, professional services staff, and student peers, ensuring that our students succeed in their studies.
Study options and fees
The fees below reflect one year of study during the 2024/25 academic year
| PhD | Duration | UK students | International Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full time | 2-4 years | £4,786 |
|
| Part time | 4-6 years | £2,393 |
|
The fees stated in the table above exclude potential research support fees also known as ‘bench fees’. You will be notified of any fee which may apply in your offer letter.
* Please note that if you are undertaking a PhD within the Faculty of Science and Engineering the fee you pay, Band A or Band B, will reflect the nature of your research project. Some research projects incur a higher fee than others e.g. if you are required to undertake laboratory work. You will be informed of the fee for your programme in your offer letter.
^ Self-funded, full-time international students studying a PhD programme classified as Band A will receive a £2,000 reduction in their fees for the first year only.
Entry requirements
Applications are welcomed from both full-time and part-time students. For research degrees, we would normally expect applicants to have a BA or BSc degree of 2:1 standard (and also an MA) in a subject relevant to the proposed field of research.
English language requirements
| IELTS Academic requirement - SELT and non-SELT | Overall 6.5 no band below 6.0 |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT requirement | Minimum 88 overall with L 19 W 19 R 19 and S 20 |
| C1 Advanced CAE requirement | Overall 176 with no less than 169 in any paper |
| PTE Academic requirement | 61 with minimum scores of 59 in each component |
| Trinity College London, Integrated Skills in English (ISE II) | ISE II with an overall pass with merit in components |
| Cambridge IGCSE as a First Language | Grade C |
| Cambridge IGCSE as a Second Language | Grade B |
| Cambridge English Level 3 Certificate in ESOL International (Proficiency) | Overall 176 with 169 in components |
| Cambridge English Level 3 Certificate in ESOL International (Advanced) | Overall 176 with 169 in components |
| Cambridge English Level 2 Certificate in ESOL International (Advanced) | Overall 176 with 169 in components |
How to apply
Research degree applications can be made online. You'll also need to ensure that you have funding to cover all fees.
Applications are open all year round.
More about applying for research degrees
Before you apply, we recommend that you identify a supervisor and develop a research proposal
Find a supervisor
View supervisors in this area
Need help finding a supervisor? Contact us
- Postgraduate Support team
- Email: HLC-PGR@liverpool.ac.uk
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