MA Portuguese and Philosophy
UCAS code: RV55
Duration: 4 years
Delivery: Full-time
School: Literatures, Languages and Cultures
College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
Introducing MA Portuguese and Philosophy
Portuguese is the ninth most widely spoken language in the world. From Brazil to Mozambique, the many countries where it's spoken have fascinatingly rich and varied cultures.
Studying Portuguese and philosophy, which has been at the core of Western intellectual life for at least 2,500 years, helps us understand the world in which we live now, as well as shedding light on the past.
Portuguese
You will receive intensive training in the written and spoken aspects of the Portuguese language. You'll also be introduced to an extraordinary range of literature, film and theatre from Europe, Latin America and Lusophone Africa.
Philosophy
Studying philosophy, you'll explore and analyse how philosophers past and present have understood the world, and the arts of:
argument
critical enquiry
reasoning
clarity of expression
Year abroad
We are unique in Scotland in offering students a full academic year abroad within the four-year honours programme, regardless of whether you spend the year studying or working.
Year 1
Portuguese
You will study Portuguese 1, which caters for both beginners and more advanced students.
As well as language learning, this course will introduce you to Portuguese-speaking literature through a selection of short stories from Mozambique, Angola, Brazil and Portugal.
Philosophy
Year 1 philosophy courses introduce you to key topics in:
the history of philosophy
morality and ethics
the nature of argument
Further courses
You can opt to take Philosophy of Science 1, which looks at the basic assumptions of science, or to choose an option course from a wide range offered by the University of Edinburgh.
These include - but are not limited to - courses in:
business
politics
social policy
informatics
economics
history
classics
archaeology
linguistics
divinity
Year 2
Portuguese
You will continue to develop your spoken and written language with Portuguese Language 2.
You will also study the cultures and the societies of the Portuguese-speaking world through literature, film and the arts.
Philosophy
You will take two courses in philosophy:
Mind, Matter and Language
Knowledge and Reality
Option courses
You can opt to Philosophy of Science this year, or choose Basque or Catalan from a great selection of courses in languages and cultures.
Year 3
Year abroad
If international travel restrictions allow, you’ll spend your third year in a Portuguese-speaking country, turning classroom learning into living engagement with Lusophone culture.
Whether studying or working (for example, as a teaching assistant in a school), our graduates have told us how much the year abroad has benefited their broader life experience and skills, as well as their understanding of the Portuguese language and culture.
During your year abroad, we'll aim to ensure your experience is as beneficial as possible to your final year, as well as to your wider language learning, cultural awareness and skills development.
You'll complete prescribed work in both philosophy and Portuguese, for example taking an e-learning language course which will count as part of your Year 3 mark and prepare you for your final year Portuguese courses.
Alternative arrangements
If international travel is not possible, you will be offered an alternative means of engaging with your subjects, enabling you to meet your learning outcomes and preparing you for your final year.
Year 4
You will study advanced language courses and choose from a range of specialist courses in both Portuguese and philosophy.
You will also complete your dissertation or long essay.
Our facilities
Teaching takes place in and around the University of Edinburgh's Central Area.
The University has excellent computing and audiovisual resources, support services and social spaces, including many in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures and neighbouring School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences.
Our Portuguese Language Centre is supported by Instituto Camões and there's a student-led Philosophy Society.
The Centre for Contemporary Latin American Studies brings together staff and students from a number of different subject areas.
We publish student work in Portuguese and other European languages in our online creative writing magazine, Babble.
Portuguese in Edinburgh city
Edinburgh is a world-leading festival city filled with cinemas, theatres, galleries, libraries and collections.
Portugal has an honorary consulate here, and there's a large community of Portuguese speakers.
Edinburgh's world cinema scene is particularly strong, with Portuguese-language films regularly included in festivals such as Africa in Motion and IberoDocs.
Study abroad
If international travel restrictions allow, you'll spend Year 3 (a minimum of 30 weeks) in a Portuguese-speaking country.
This is your chance to immerse yourself in Lusophone culture, and to develop your broader life experience and skills towards life after university.
How will I learn?
Courses are taught through a combination of:
lectures
seminars
tutorials
computer-assisted learning
How will I be assessed?
You will be assessed by a combination of coursework, including:
presentations
podcasts
posters
exams, including oral exams
Programme details
Find out more about this programme's aims, what you will learn, how you will be assessed and what skills and knowledge you will develop.
To give you an idea of what to expect from 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.
The ninth most widely spoken language in the world, Portuguese is estimated to have around 220 million native speakers (234 million total speakers).
It is an official language in ten countries, including:
Brazil
Mozambique
Angola
Portugal
Guinea-Bissau
East Timor
Equatorial Guinea
Macau
Cape Verde
São Tomé and Príncipe
Portuguese and philosophy graduates have the intellectual strength and flexibility that so many employers prize in high-level humanities graduates.
There is increasing value attached to:
the excellent communication skills that come with language learning
the intercultural and critical awareness provided by international experiences such as the year abroad
Some of our graduates choose career paths both at home and abroad in:
translation
interpreting
teaching
business
Others go on to work within:
the public or third sector, including for international charities or institutions of the European Union (Portuguese is an official working language of the EU)
the creative industries, heritage, tourism and travel
There are also opportunities to continue studying at postgraduate level, with Year 4 in particular developing the research skills you’ll need if you choose this path.
Standard entry requirement
The standard entry requirement is:
- SQA Highers: AAAAA-AAAA (achievement by end of S5 preferred). BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
- A Levels: AAA - ABB.
- IB: 37 points with 666 at HL - 34 points with 655 at HL.
Minimum entry requirement
The minimum entry requirement for widening access applicants is:
- SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
- A Levels: ABB.
- IB: 34 points with 655 at HL.
More information for widening access applicants
Required subjects
The grades used to meet our entry requirements must include:
- SQA: Highers: a language other than English at B. National 5s: English at C.
- A Levels: a language other than English at B. GCSEs: English at C or 4.
- IB: HL: a language other than English at 5. SL: English at 5.
Additional requirements
Language requirement
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.
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.
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 at C
- SQA Standard Grade at 3
- SQA Intermediate 1 at A
- SQA Intermediate 2 at C
- GCSE/IGSCE at C or 4
- Level 2 Certificate Grade C
- IB Standard Level at 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 (including Special Home Edition) 92 or above with 20 in each section. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
- Cambridge English: Advanced or Proficiency overall 176 with 162 in each component.
- 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 degree you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, or Trinity ISE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.
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 Discover Uni data available.
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees for MA Portuguese and Philosophy
Additional costs
If international travel restrictions allow, you will spend Year 3 abroad. Your costs will depend on where you decide to go, and how you spend your time.
Universities 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.
- Enquiry Management Team
- Email: futurestudents@ed.ac.uk
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