Spanish at Northwestern University

Programme overview

The Spanish major immerses students in Latin American and Iberian literary and intellectual traditions while building fluency. Focus areas include literary and cultural history, Latino studies, Lusophone studies, race and ethnicity and film; many fulfil requirements through study abroad.

Study mode: full-time | Location: Evanston, IL, United States

What you will study

15 units: SPANISH 201 and 200 or 204 (unless placed out), 3 courses from 250/251/260/261, 3 electives, and 7 courses at 300 level including one pre-nineteenth-century, one Latin American and one Spanish course.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Prerequisite for the major: Spanish 121-3, 125-0 or 127-0; an AP score of 4; or placement through the Online Spanish Language Placement Exam.

USD 71,802 a year (2026-27). Undergraduate tuition for 2026-27 (full-time $23,934 per quarter, fall/winter/spring); a single rate for all full-time undergraduate degree programmes; excludes room and board, student health, activity and athletics fees and health insurance. Source

Undergraduate terms run fall, winter and spring (quarter system); first-year applicants apply through Early Decision, Regular Decision or QuestBridge.

First-year deadlines for 2026-27: QuestBridge October 1, 2026; Early Decision November 1, 2026 (decisions December 2026); Regular Decision January 4, 2027 (decisions March 2027). Transfer: Early Decision March 1, 2027; Regular Decision April 1, 2027 (priority deadline for Bienen transfer applicants January 4, 2027).

Apply through the Common Application or Apply Coalition with Scoir (QuestBridge for QuestBridge applicants). The nonrefundable application fee is $75 or a fee waiver. Northwestern is test-optional and does not require SAT or ACT scores.

Graduate applications for 2026-27 open September 15, 2026; deadlines vary by programme. The Graduate School application fee is $95 and nonrefundable, paid by credit or debit card.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.northwestern.edu/apply/

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