Portuguese

This is an exciting time for Portuguese in Ireland as it is a NEW degree subject introduced last year at UCD! We warmly welcome both Portuguese heritage speakers and those with absolutely no Portuguese at all. Studying Portuguese can help set you apart from the masses studying other popular languages and makes a powerful combination with other Languages, Linguistics, History, Drama and Film Studies, Music, Global and European Studies, Education among many others.

Learning Portuguese will help you connect with rich and diverse cultures.

Portuguese is a global language, spoken across four continents by more than 250 million people. Studying Portuguese offers valuable career opportunities in many areas of business and society both in Ireland and abroad. During your degree at UCD, you will delve into the language and the cultural diversity of the Portuguese-speaking world. You will also enhance your critical thinking, intercultural understanding and communication skills.

Our students are strongly encouraged to spend a year abroad at a host university in Portugal or a Portuguese-speaking country as part of their degree. This experience will enable you to perfect your language skills and to broaden your horizons. We welcome both absolute beginners and non-beginners.

You will study core language modules alongside a range of option modules which focus on Portuguese-language culture, history, literature and film across our threeyear or four-year BA and BHum degree programmes. If you wish to study more than one language, with a built-in year abroad, you might choose Portuguese as part of the DN541 Modern Languages (BAIML) degree.

Sample modules include:

First Year

Portuguese Language modules (1a and 1b) • Film and Fiction in the Portuguesespeaking World • Global Portuguese cultures & societies

Second Year

Portuguese Language modules (2a and 2b) • Migration and Displacement in Portuguese- Language Cinema • The Postcolonial Portuguese World • Reading Portuguese Texts • Portuguese Today

Third Year

Portuguese Language modules (3a and 3b • Global Challenges in the Portuguese-speaking world • Female perspectives in Contemporary Portuguese Literature and Film • Modernist Brazilian Literature • Social Issues in Portuguese and Brazilian films

The third year abroad for students of Portuguese may be spent at one of our partner institutions in Portugal, such as the University of Porto, University of Lisbon or the University of Coimbra (the latter is one of the oldest universities in the world), or further afield, such as Brazil.

The communicational and intercultural skills, coupled with critical awareness and cultural sensitivity which are fostered through studying Portuguese, open a wide range of career opportunities, including: Roles in international organisations such as the EU, UN and NGO´s; International Business; Diplomatic Service; Translating and Interpreting; Humanities research; Teaching; Journalism and Digital Media; Tourism; Cultural Production and Arts Management

Studying Portuguese as part of a BA, BAIML and BHum degree may lead to further study of Portuguese on the UCD MA in Modern Languages or Portuguese may be studied at any level (beginners through advanced) as part of the new UCD MA in Languages and Image Studies.

• Level 5/6 QQI-FET
• Open Learning Entry Route
• Mature Entry Route
• DARE Entry Route
• HEAR Entry Route
• University Access

By joining the UCD College of Arts and Humanities you will be part of a vibrant community of students and faculty who are committed to creating a more sustainable, just and equitable future. Our courses are designed to equip students with the best education in their chosen arts and humanities subjects. Our research and teaching and learning connect with many of the SDGs, most notably:

• SDG 4: Quality Education -Promotes inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all.

• SDG 5: Gender Equality - Advances gender equality by addressing social norms, histories, and cultural practices that contribute to gender disparities.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities - Encourages understanding and action against social, economic, and political inequalities.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities - Enhances cultural understanding and heritage preservation, fostering sustainable communities.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions - Promotes peace, justice, and strong institutions through critical inquiry into human rights, ethics, and governance.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals - Encourages global partnerships and collaboration by fostering international understanding and dialogue.

Our programmes equip students with critical thinking, empathy, and cultural awareness, essential for addressing complex global challenges.