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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 (2026/27)
£16,800
£8,400
Overseas tuition fees (2026/27)
£35,400
£17,700
Duration
1 academic year
2 academic years
Programme starts
September 2026
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 26 Jun 2026
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 28 Aug 2026
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

Normally an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. A basic reading competence in Spanish, French or Portuguese is useful but not essential.

The English language level for this course is: Level 4

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.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

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.

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 will 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
  • fieldwork (optional)
  • dissertation/project supervision
  • assessment feedback sessions
  • student meetings with tutors and lecturers.

For full-time students, typical contact hours are around 7- 8 hours of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials per teaching week. In addition, a full-time students typically use their remaining time for self-directed study and completing coursework assignments (approximately 27 hours).

In Term 3 and the summer period, students will be completing their own dissertation research and 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 1 and 2, 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 2, you will also prepare your research project proposal, giving continuity to activities in your research skills module.

In Term 3, 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



Latin American Economics




State and Society in Latin America: Ethnographic Perspectives

The Latin American City: Social Problems and Social Change in Urban Space



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

The department will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities, including those with long-term health conditions, neurodivergence, learning differences and mental health conditions. This list is not exhaustive. If you're unsure of your eligibility for reasonable adjustments at UCL, please contact Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

Reasonable adjustments are implemented on a case-by-case basis. With the student's consent, reasonable adjustments are considered by UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services, and where required, in collaboration with the respective department.

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information about support available can be obtained from UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

For more information about the department and accessibility arrangements for your course, please contact the department.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2026/27) £16,800 £8,400
Tuition fees (2026/27) £35,400 £17,700

Additional costs

For full-time and part-time offer holders with a fee status classification of UK, a fee deposit will be charged at 2.5% of the first year fee.

For full-time and part-time offer holders with a fee status classification of Overseas, a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

Further information can be found in the Tuition fee deposits section on this page: Tuition fees.

Students can choose to do fieldwork-based projects in the UK or in the Americas for their dissertation. This may entail conducting archival and/or library-based research, and/or carrying out interviews and/or participant observation. The choice to take a fieldwork-based approach is optional and can entail additional costs, including travel, accommodation and living costs, which students must cover themselves. These costs can vary greatly, depending on the location and duration of fieldwork. The institute has limited funds available to students to help towards the costs of 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. 

For in-person teaching, 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 £119.90. This price was published by TfL in 2025. 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

Miller Bursary

Deadline: 31 August 2026
Value: £6,750 bursary towards tuition fees (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: UK

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 courses (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: 2026-2027

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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