Hispanic Studies

Master of Arts (MA)



Meet Gabriela Martinez Loyola, MA candidate in Hispanic Studies

“The professors in Hispanic Studies are extremely welcoming and helpful.”

Where’s your favourite place on campus to work?
I really enjoy working in the office the department provides to their graduate students since it’s always quiet and I can get a lot of work done.

Describe your research.
My research deals with analyzing the perceptions of Cuban, Mexican and Peninsular Spanish varieties by native, heritage and second language learners of Spanish. In this manner, I will be able to determine whether there is a predominant stigma, prestige and overall attitudes that may be attached to a given accent.

What one thing would you like people to know about you?
I am always willing to help.

What is it about your grad program that enables you to thrive and be successful?
I would say that there are two main things about my grad program that enable me to thrive and be successful. The first is that I am extremely passionate about the content I learn in my classes and the research I am doing. I love what I am learning and am always seeking to continue learning, so this is a strong motivator for me. The second thing would be my professors. Each and every professor I have had the pleasure of working with so far inspires me to be the best version of myself.

What do you do in your spare time?
In my spare time I like to bake, watch movies (mainly Marvel), organize, or spend way too much time on TikTok!

What’s the best advice you could give to someone considering applying to your graduate program?
Apply! A few years ago, I would have never thought that I would be where I am today (I thought I was going to med school). My main piece of advice would be to step out of your comfort zone and expect the unexpected – that’s where I was able to find my source of happiness.

Program Websites


Program Contact

Sylvia Kontra (skontra@uwo.ca)
Graduate Affairs Assistant

Department of Modern Languages and Literatures

Western University
University College 2210
London, Ontario N6A 3K7

t. 519-661-2111 ext. 85846
f. 519-661-4093

Welcome to the Graduate Program in Hispanic Studies at Western!

Please note that for the academic year beginning Fall 2020, the Graduate Program in Hispanic Studies will not be accepting students in the PhD Linguistics Stream.

A Master's degree in Hispanic Studies delivers a world-class, interdisciplinary academic experience. But it's more than just a program - it's a rich experience filled with language, culture, extra-curricular activities, research, teaching, and community engagement so you graduate with the skills you need to find a rewarding career in a multicultural world.

This program distinguishes itself from others because of our innovative approaches to Hispanic Studies. In our Literature and Culture programs we focus on connections in time, geography and medium. Our strengths lie in Transatlantic studies, Visual arts, text and music, Digital Humanities and their place in Hispanic Culture. The Linguistic stream focuses on an experimental approach to language acquisition, language loss, heritage speakers and language change due to contact.

Among other opportunities offered in our programs, students may be able to participate in the ground breaking research that takes place in the CulturePlex, the Digital Humanities lab which is unique in Canada.

Program Length

  • 3 Terms

Program Design

  • Full-time study
  • Project-based and thesis-based

Funding Information

Applicants are encouraged to apply for the following scholarships (if eligible):

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fee schedules (per term) are posted on the Office of the Registrar's website at http://www.registrar.uwo.ca/student_finances/fees_refunds/fee_schedules.html

Graduate Student Affordability Calculator

Use this helpful tool to estimate how much money you will need to pay for your tuition, fees, housing, food, and other necessities for a 12-month (three term) academic year.

Admission Requirements

  • Honours B.A. degree.
  • A minimum of 78% overall average in the last two full-time years of the undergraduate degree.
  • Sample of previous academic work (written work, ie: previous essay).
  • CV
  • Statement of Interest (Letter of Intent). This statement is typically between 300-1000 words. The letter should address your specific area of academic interest (the research topic you want to work on and with whom), how your past education and other experiences have prepared you to be successful in our graduate program, what you hope to achieve in our graduate program, and why our program is the best place for you to pursue your interests.

English Language Proficiency

*Exit Requirement: Applicants whose first language is not English must furnish evidence of their proficiency in the use of the English language:

Application Deadline

  • February 1 - Acceptance notification at the beginning of March

Fields of Research

  • Linguistics
  • Literature and Culture