Portuguese at UCC allows you to study the language and culture of Portugal and of the Portuguese-speaking world (Lusofonia) through literature, art, theatre, film, music, history and media.

Students are absolute beginners when they begin their studies and BA International Students will have the option to spend Year 3 at a university in Portugal (Coimbra).

As well as studying the language, the course also involves the study of the culture of Portugal and of the Portuguese speaking world (Lusofonia) through literature, art, theatre, film, music, history and media.

Group sizes in the modules are small to facilitate interactive teaching/ learning and student participation/involvement 

Year 1 Modules:

PU1101 Portuguese Beginners Language (10 credits);

PU1102 Introduction to Portuguese Studies (5 credits);

Year 2 Modules:

Portuguese Language; Portuguese Studies; Cultural Identity in the Lusophone (Portuguese Speaking) World

Year 3*/4 Modules:

Advanced Portuguese Language; Contemporary Brazilian Culture; Portuguese Modernism and Fernando Pessoa

*BA International students spend third year studying in an approved foreign university in a country of the student's major language or subject. They will return to complete their final year in UCC in year 4.

See the College Calendar for additional information on the Programme and the Book of Modules for further information on modules.

Portuguese is offered as an area of study in the first year of several degree programmes.  Please refer to CK101, CK108 and CK110 for detailed entry requirements.

Portuguese is offered as an area of study in first year of several degree programmes. You can get more information on the application process and procedures by referring to CK101, CK108 and CK110 .

Expected lecture/reading hours: In the language classes, contact hours will vary depending on proficiency levels. Beginners have more hours of tuition, up to four hours a week, but additional hours may be required for reading, laboratory, etc. Cultural studies modules are one hour weekly, but students are expected to carry out independent work.

Written exams will take place before Christmas and in May.  Not all modules will have formal examinations.  Many modules use other types of assessment including written and oral examinations, in-class tests and journals for language modules. Essays, group projects and presentations are the predominant forms of assessment in cultural studies modules. 

Our teaching staff are internationally recognised experts in their field and language classes are imparted by a native speaker.