MA Portuguese

One of the most attractive characteristics of this programme is its flexibility. This means that, in the first two (pre-honours) years, you’ll choose other subjects drawn from a broad list of disciplines in addition to your core subject of Portuguese. This may enable you to change the focus of your programme, if you discover that you’d like to take one of these other subjects into your final two (honours) years.

Year 1

You will study Portuguese 1, which caters for both beginners and more advanced students. You will be introduced to Portuguese-speaking literature through a selection of short stories from Mozambique, Angola, Brazil and Portugal.

You’ll also study option courses chosen from a wide range offered by the University of Edinburgh.

Year 2

You will continue to develop your spoken and written language with Portuguese Language 2, and you will study the cultures and the societies of the Portuguese-speaking world, through literature, film and the arts.

As in Year 1, you’ll choose option courses chosen from a wide range offered by the University.

Year 3

You will study or work in Portugal, Brazil or Lusophone Africa.

Year 4

You will study advanced language courses and choose from a range of specialist courses on Portugal, Brazil or Lusophone Africa, covering history, literature, film and culture. You will also complete your dissertation.

Programme structure

Find out more about the compulsory and optional courses in this degree programme.

To give you an idea of what you will study on this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.

Programme structure (2019/20)

Our facilities

Teaching takes place in and around the School of Literatures, Languages & Cultures, in the University's Central Area. We are based in a state-of-the-art building, at 50 George Square, which houses computer microlabs, a language resource centre, and social facilities as well as tutors' offices, lecture theatres, and a film projection room.

Study abroad

During Year 3, you will spend a minimum of 30 weeks on approved work or study placement in the country/countries relevant to the language/s studied.

What are my options for going abroad?

How will I learn?

Courses are taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials and computer-assisted learning.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed by a combination of coursework, including presentations, and exams, including oral exams.

The Spanish and Portuguese languages are both among the ten most widely spoken in the world and are your gateway to a great many countries and cultures, extending beyond Europe to Latin America and parts of Africa.

Some of our graduates choose career paths in translation, interpreting, teaching or business, both at home and abroad. Others go on to work within the public or third sector, including for international charities or institutions of the European Union (both Spanish and Portuguese are official working languages of the EU), or move into the creative industries, tourism and travel.

Employers increasingly value the excellent communication skills that come with language learning, the intercultural and critical awareness provided by international experiences, and imaginative thinking.

Careers where these skills are particularly useful include marketing, politics and policy work, and law. There are also opportunities to continue studying at postgraduate level.

Standard entry requirement

The standard entry requirement is:

• SQA Highers: AAAA - AABB by end of S5. If you haven't achieved this by the end of S5 we may consider your application based on a strong performance in S6. A minimum of BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6. (Revised 21/06/2019 from 'AAAAA - AABB'.)
• A Levels: AAA - ABB. (Revised 21/06/2019 from 'AAA - ABB'.)
• IB: 40 points (grades 766 at HL) - 34 points (grades 655 at HL). (Revised 21/06/2019 from '40 (766 at HL)'.)

Minimum entry requirement

The minimum entry requirement for widening access applicants is:

• SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S6, with a minimum of BBB achieved in one year of S4-S6.
• A Levels: ABB.
• IB: 34 points (grades 655 at HL).

More information for widening access applicants

Required subjects

The grades used to meet our entry requirements must include:

• SQA: Higher: a language other than English at grade B. National 5: English at grade C.
• A Levels: a language other than English at grade B. GCSEs: English at grade C or 4.
• IB: HL: a language other than English at grade 6. SL: English at grade 5.

Additional requirements

Language requirement

Please note that for degrees that have a subject requirement of a language other than English, students may not use their own native language to meet this requirement. In these instances, English or an alternative language other than native will be acceptable.

Find out more about entry requirements

International applicants

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.

Entry requirements by country

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international student and your school qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to the University you may be eligible for admission to this degree programme through our International Foundation Programme.

International Foundation Programme

Mature applicants

We welcome applications from mature students and accept a range of qualifications.

Mature applicant qualifications

You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.

SQA, GCSE and IB

For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:

• SQA National 5 Grade C

• SQA Standard Grade 3

• SQA Intermediate 1 Grade A

• SQA Intermediate 2 Grade C

• GCSE Grade C or 4

• Level 2 Certificate Grade C

• IB Standard Level Grade 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic module overall 6.5 with 5.5 in each component

• TOEFL-iBT 92 or above with 20 in each section

• Cambridge English: Advanced or Proficiency overall 176 with 162 in each component

• PTE Academic: Total 61 with at least 51 in each "Communicative Skills" section

• Trinity ISE: ISE II with a distinction in all four components

We also accept a wider range of international qualifications and tests.

English language qualifications must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, PTE or Trinity ISE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

English language requirements

(Revised 05/06/2019 to provide more accurate/comprehensive information.)

This information is part of a government initiative to enhance the material that higher education institutions provide about their degree programmes.

It is one of many sources of information which will enable you to make an informed decision on what and where to study.

Please note that some programmes do not have Unistats data available.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees for MA Portuguese

Additional costs

For your compulsory residence abroad in Year 3, we give you a wide range of options. Your costs will depend on where you decide to go, and how you spend your time. A placement with an Erasmus work grant, for example, could make this the cheapest year of your programme.

Universities outside the EU may charge you a fee for courses but we will reimburse you for this provided the course has been approved. You will be informed about the cost implications as you plan your year abroad, during Year 2.

Funding

For more information on how much it will cost to study with us and the financial support available see our fees and funding information.

Fees and funding

• College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences Undergraduate Admissions Office
• Web: Contact CAHSS Undergraduate Admissions Office
• International enquiries