Portuguese Studies and Modern Languages

Description

BA Portuguese Studies and Modern Languages allows you to add a new, less Our BA Portuguese Studies and Modern Languages allows you to study two or three languages, with two modules in Portuguese taken each year, which must be studied to mastery level. Additionally, the year abroad must be spent in a country where Portuguese is spoken.

The Portuguese-speaking world covers nine countries and extends across four continents. Brazil is the only country in Latin America where Portuguese is spoken. But there is more! Brazil is the most populous country in Latin America and it is Latin America's strongest economy. Brazil's economy is always ranked among the ten biggest in the world. It is the second largest economy in the Americas after the United States, and the second largest economy in the developing world after China.

Outside Latin America, Brazil has shown growing political influence and global cultural pull which makes it an authentic global player. In Africa, Angola and Mozambique register some of the highest growth rates in the world. In Europe, Portuguese is an official language of the EU and Portugal holds the Presidency of the European Commission. Britain is a major trade partner of Brazil and a great number of business links exist between both countries. This is the hidden, less-well known side of the wealth of opportunities created by learning Portuguese.

These facts make the study of Portuguese professionally relevant across a wide range of careers - in the cultural industries, in education, commerce and politics. Do you want to add a new, less common but global language to your course? Would you like to develop your Portuguese to a professional level? Do you have a good knowledge of Spanish and would you like to offer a less mainstream combination of languages? In other words, would you like to give your CV and an edge in the job market? Our course prepares you like no other to make the most of those opportunities. Portuguese at Essex can be learned from scratch or you can start at post- A-level. Of particular interest might be the Spanish to Portuguese Conversion module for those with A-level or equivalent knowledge of Spanish. This special ab-initio module will enable you to reach post A- level in Portuguese within a year.

Our four-year course involves three years spent on our Colchester Campus and a year abroad, which can be spent in Brazil or Portugal. You can also choose to spend the year abroad at a university, to work as a language assistant with the British Council in Portugal or to do an internship, depending on your career aspirations. We are unique in having a triple focus on developing language proficiency, cultural awareness and professional skills (not only translation skills, but also web and publishing skills, and film production and video-editing skills, such as subtitling and voiceover). Our focus on high-level and relevant skills helps you acquire a wide range of employability skills which will enhance your career prospects.

Detailed Course Facts

• GBP 9000 Year (EEA)
• GBP 11950 Year (Non-EEA)

• English

Course Content

The special characteristics of our course are flexibility and choice. In your first, second and final years you take two compulsory modules and two optional language modules. You spend your third year abroad. There is a great deal of choice for these optional modules due to the extensive range of modules offered by our departments.
With a small number of exceptions, if you successfully complete the first year of your BA, then you are qualified to enter the second year of that course and a range of other courses: for example, if you take economics, politics, philosophy and sociology, then you have a choice of at least nine possible single or joint honours courses at the end of your first year. This means you can change your course, providing you have taken the appropriate pre-requisites and places are available.
We operate a credit framework for our awards, which is based on principles widely used across the UK university sector. Each module has a credit rating attached and our standard three-year course consists of 360 credits (120 credits in your first year, and 240 credits across your second and final years).
Please note that module information on our course finder provides a guide to course content and may be subject to review on an annual basis.

Year 1

Advanced Portuguese;
Portuguese Professional and Multimedia Skills; and
two language options

Year 2

Proficiency Level Portuguese;
Portuguese Cinema and Culture; and
two language options

Year 3

Year abroad

Year 4

Mastery Level Portuguese;
Portuguese Translation, Interpreting and Subtitling Skills; and
two language options

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

• A-levels: ABB-BBB
• GCSE English: C
• IB: 32-30 points (we consider IB certificates at the Higher Level on a case-by-case basis)
• Achievement of the Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 6 level three credits at distinction and the remainder at merit (or above) or achievement of the Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 45 level three credits at merit (or above).
• If French or Portuguese is taken as the major language, A-level French or Portuguese/Spanish (or equivalent) is required. German, Italian and Spanish can be studied as the major language either from scratch, via our intensive route, or via our post A-level route. All languages can be studied from scratch as the minor language.
• If you are interested in studying a language for which you consider yourself to be a native speaker, please contact our Undergraduate Admissions Office.

English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall with minimum 5.5 in each component (or equivalent). Different requirements apply for second year entry.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of Essex.

Funding

For up-to-date information on funding opportunities at Essex, please visit: www.essex.ac.uk/studentfinance.

The University of Essex offers a comprehensive and dynamic degree program in Modern Languages with a particular focus on Portuguese Studies. This program is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of Portuguese language, literature, and culture, while also offering opportunities to develop advanced language skills. Students enrolled in this program can expect to engage in a diverse curriculum that combines language training with cultural, historical, and literary studies, enabling them to gain a well-rounded perspective on the Lusophone world.

The program typically includes modules in Portuguese language acquisition at various levels, from beginner to advanced, ensuring that students develop fluency and proficiency. Alongside language studies, students explore Portuguese and Latin American literature, history, and societal issues through a range of modules that emphasize critical analysis and interpretation. The curriculum is carefully structured to promote intercultural understanding and to prepare students for careers that require strong language skills and cultural competence.

Students also have the opportunity to participate in work placements, exchange programs, and immersive experiences that enhance their practical language abilities and cultural awareness. These opportunities are designed to give students real-world application of their skills, which is highly valued by employers in fields such as diplomacy, international business, journalism, and education.

The program is delivered by experienced academic staff who are experts in their fields, and it fosters an inclusive and research-informed learning environment. Students are encouraged to engage in independent research and to develop their critical thinking skills. The program culminates in a dissertation or major project, allowing students to specialize in an area of their interest within Portuguese Studies.

Overall, the Modern Languages with Portuguese Studies program at the University of Essex aims to produce graduates who are fluent in Portuguese, culturally aware, and equipped with transferable skills such as communication, analytical thinking, and intercultural competence. The program prepares students for further academic study or entry into professional careers that require strong language abilities and cross-cultural knowledge, and it supports their development as global citizens.