Arabic and Portuguese BA (Hons)
University of Manchester
Student rating
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( 4.1) View reviews

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Different course options
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Qualification

Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

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Location

Main Site

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Study mode

Full Time

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Start date

SEP-25

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Duration

4 Years

Course info

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Qualification

Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

Location

Main Site

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

4 Years

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Subjects

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Iberian Languages
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African & Middle Eastern Studies
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Exam type

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A level
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Scottish Higher
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Scottish Advanced Higher
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Access to HE Diploma
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Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
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Extended Project
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International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
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OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma
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OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate
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OCR Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
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Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
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Course info

BA Arabic and Portuguese is a four-year degree with a year of study abroad divided between a Middle Eastern country and Portuguese-speaking country.The course combines compulsory language elements on both sides, delivered by native-speaker staff and with the possibility of pathways in business language, translation and interpreting.Alongside this, you will study the culture, politics, history, literature, popular culture, linguistics and religion of the areas in question.**Arabic**- You have ...Read more

BA Arabic and Portuguese is a four-year degree with a year of study abroad divided between a Middle Eastern country and Portuguese-speaking country.The course combines compulsory language elements on both sides, delivered by native-speaker staff and with the possibility of pathways in business language, translation and interpreting.Alongside this, you will study the culture, politics, history, literature, popular culture, linguistics and religion of the areas in question.


Arabic

- You have the opportunity to achieve near-native proficiency in modern Arabic while studying the language within its cultural and historical context.- You will also look more widely at Arab culture and literature from the medieval period to the present day, and be introduced to social and cultural trends in the Arab Middle East and beyond.- The range of culture units offered across all years of the programme combine the study of the history, politics, literary, and visual culture of the Arab world and are taught by a range of specialists within these fields.- The course is carefully structured so you can measure your progress step by step. Learning modern Arabic also opens the door to the vast literature of classical Arabic, including religious and secular texts, and provides a perfect platform from which to learn one or more of the colloquial dialects.


Portuguese

- You will study both European and Brazilian Portuguese. - You will also explore a range of options in areas such as contemporary culture, colonialism, literature and cinema from Brazil, Portugal, Mozambique and Angola. - You will be taught by both Portuguese and Brazilian language teachers with specific training and, as a result, both your written and your oral work will be enhanced by constant exposure to accurate, idiomatic, and documented language. - Cultural content courses are led by academic staff with broad expertise and who publish widely in their field - You will benefit from outstanding resources, including world-leading collections on Lusophone Africa within the library, and access to hundreds of films and texts on Portugal and Brazil. - You will also benefit from us working closely with the Centre for Latin American and Caribbean Studies and we maintain strong links with the Instituto Cervantes located here in Manchester.

Key stats

Iberian Languages
WUSCA ranking:
WUSCA student ranking
These are the 2024 rankings, based on ratings given by past and current students.
63/101
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
19th
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
22nd
What students say
A
Astrid
06 Feb 23

I love my course, especially Portuguese as the teaching is very hands on and you can tell that the languages department as a whole cares a lot about their students. I also think..Read more

R
Rosie
06 Feb 23

Manchester is an amazing city to live and study in- the Uni has incredible lecturers who are passionate about what they do and have very high standards of teaching. However, I had..Read more

Modules

Modules (Year 1)
Modules (Year 2)
Modules (Year 3)
Modules (Year 4)
IDP Connect

Entry requirements

Exam type

A level

A level:

ABB Grades / Points required

Scottish Higher:

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Scottish Advanced Higher:

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Access to HE Diploma:

D:30,M:15 Grades / Points required

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal:

D3,M2,M2 Grades / Points required

Extended Project:

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme:

34 Grades / Points required

OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma:

DM Grades / Points required

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate:

D Grades / Points required

OCR Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma:

MM Grades / Points required

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016):

DM Grades / Points required

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016):

D Grades / Points required

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016):

DDM Grades / Points required

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016):

M Grades / Points required

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015):

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

ABB with an A-level in the relevant Modern European Language (Portuguese).Typical Contextual Offer: BBB with an A-level in the target Modern European Language (Portuguese) for applicants who meet our contextual offer criteria. For further information and to check eligibility visit our Contextual Offers page.Applicants who have been in local authority care for more than three months or have refugee status may be eligible for an offer two grades below the standard requirements.

We normally require grades AABBC/AAAAB in Scottish Highers plus one advanced higher in the target Modern language at Grade B.In addition, we accept Scottish Advanced Highers are Highers in one of the following combinations:Three Advanced Highers at grades BBB (to include the target modern language)orTwo Advanced Highers at grades BB (to include the target modern language), plus two additional Highers at grades BB.We also need a minimum Language achievement of Grade B at SCQF National 5.English Language and Mathematics not taken at Higher/Advanced Higher must have been achieved at SCQF level 5 (minimum National 5 grade C / Intermediate 2 grade C / Standard Grade Credit level grade 3).If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the Academic School(s) to which you plan to apply.

We normally require grades AABBC/AAAAB in Scottish Highers plus one advanced higher in the target Modern language at Grade B.In addition, we accept Scottish Advanced Highers are Highers in one of the following combinations:Three Advanced Highers at grades BBB (to include the target modern language)orTwo Advanced Highers at grades BB (to include the target modern language), plus two additional Highers at grades BB.We also need a minimum Language achievement of Grade B at SCQF National 5.English Language and Mathematics not taken at Higher/Advanced Higher must have been achieved at SCQF level 5 (minimum National 5 grade C / Intermediate 2 grade C / Standard Grade Credit level grade 3).If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the Academic School(s) to which you plan to apply.

We require a QAA-recognised Access to HE Diploma (a minimum of 60 credits overall with at least 45 at Level 3), with merit or distinction in a subject area relevant to the chosen course.The specific course requirements are a minimum of 30 credits with a Distinction grade, plus 15 credits with a Merit grade, all in a Humanities-related subject. Where possible, 15 of the Distinction credits should be in the pre-requisite subject required for A-levels.Applicants to Languages programmes are also required to have a minimum of GCSE grade B/6 in a modern language or in English Language.

We consider applicants offering Pre-U Principal Subjects, or a mix of Pre-U and A Level subjects, provided a minimum of three distinct subjects overall is taken.Candidates taking Pre-U principal subjects in conjunction with A levels are expected to achieve a combination of D3, M2, M2 in the Pre-U and ABB at A level in three distinct subjects.If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the Academic School(s) you plan to apply to.

The University recognises the benefits of the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and the opportunities it provides for applicants to develop independent study and research skills. Although the Extended Project will not be included in the conditions of your offer, we strongly encourage you to provide information about the EPQ in your personal statement and at interview. A number of our academic Schools may also choose to take your performance in the EPQ into account should places be available in August for applicants who narrowly miss the entry grades for their chosen course.

34 points overall. 6,5,5 in Higher Level subjects including the target Modern European language (French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian)

We consider the Technical Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Diploma with grades Distinction, Merit, plus an A Level at grade A in the target Modern European Language (French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian) .

We consider the Technical Extended Certificate for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Extended Certificate with grade Distinction, plus two A Levels at grades BB, one of which must be in the target Modern European Language (French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian).

We consider the Technical Foundation Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Foundation Diploma with grades Merit, Merit, plus two A Levels at Grade BB, including one in the target Modern European Language (French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian).

We consider the National Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to this course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Diploma with grades Distinction, Merit, plus one A-level at Grade A in the target Modern European Language (French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian).

We consider the National Extended Certificate for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to this course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Extended Certificate with a Distinction grade, PLUS two A-levels at Grades BB (one of these A-levels must be in the target Modern European Language (French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian).

We consider the National Extended Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to this course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Extended Diploma with grades Distinction, Distinction, Merit, plus one A-level at Grade A in the target Modern European Language (French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian).

We consider the National Foundation Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to this course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Foundation Diploma with a Merit grade, plus two A-levels at Grade A (including the target Modern European Language (French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian).

The University welcomes and recognises the value of the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma/Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate and usually requires two A Levels or equivalent to be included within this.The minimum grade required will normally be the same as the lowest grade listed in the A Level entry requirements.If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the academic School(s) you plan to apply to.

Latest reviews

Latest Portuguese Language reviews

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A
Astrid
06 Feb 23
Spanish and Portuguese BA (Hons)
I love my course, especially Portuguese as the teaching is very hands on and you can tell that the languages department as a whole cares a lot about their students. I also think...
Read more
R
Rosie
06 Feb 23
Spanish and Portuguese BA (Hons)
Manchester is an amazing city to live and study in- the Uni has incredible lecturers who are passionate about what they do and have very high standards of teaching. However, I had...
Read more
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University of Manchester
University Recruitment And Adm Oxford Road Manchester M13 9PL United Kingdom
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