Arabic and Portuguese BA
Year of entry 2023
- UCAS code
- RT56
- Start date
- September 2023
- Delivery type
- On campus
- Duration
- 4 years full time
- Work placement
- Optional
- Study abroad
- Mandatory
- Typical A-level offer
- ABB
- Typical Access to Leeds offer
- BBC at A Level and pass Access to Leeds
Full entry requirements - Contact
- lcsadmissions@leeds.ac.uk
Course overview
On this course, you’ll study Arabic and Portuguese from beginner level, spend some time learning abroad, and build your understanding of diverse cultures across the world.
You’ll gain a firm grounding in both languages whilst studying topics that suit your interests, such as Islamic thought, film and literature in the Portuguese-speaking world, national identity and the African diaspora. You'll also develop an insight into the history, politics and cultures of the Middle East, North Africa and Latin American countries.
During your second year, you’ll spend some time studying both in an Arabic-speaking country and a Portuguese-speaking country, providing invaluable opportunities to practise your language skills and experience each region first-hand.
You'll also develop a range of transferable skills which are highly regarded by employers including critical thinking, enhanced communication, analytical and cultural awareness skills. Becoming fluent in both languages, as well as gaining international experience, opens up excellent global career opportunities for you when you graduate.
Specialist facilities
With a variety of specialist facilities and four libraries on campus, you’ll find plenty of space for study, group work and research.
The Brotherton Library is home to a wide variety of manuscripts, archive and early printed material in its Special Collections – valuable assets for your independent research.
The Language Centre includes digital language labs, audio/video practice booths and Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL). The Language Zone offers excellent learning material in more than 50 languages, including online resources and advice.
The Language Exchange and the Language Groups programme provide opportunities to practise with other learners and native speakers; you can also volunteer to help other learners and enhance your CV at the same time.
The Electronic Resource Information Centre offers specialised computing facilities for translation studies and Interpreter Training Suites – ideal if you are considering a career in interpreting.
The Camões Institute is the cultural institute of the Portuguese government and is located on campus.
Course details
Year 1
In your first year, you’ll study core modules that develop your language skills in both Arabic and Portuguese whilst also gaining an introduction to contextual studies of the Middle East and Portuguese-speaking regions including historical, cultural, religious and political topics.
Year 2
You'll spend some of your second year in an Arabic-speaking country, with a further period in a Lusophone (Portuguese-speaking) country. You’ll strengthen your skills in both languages and develop your understanding of cultural and social aspects of the Arab and Lusophone world.
Year 3
You’ll return to Leeds in your third year and enhance your core skills in both languages; you’ll also have opportunities to specialise further in the topics that interest you through optional modules.
Year 4
Your final year will involve working on a research project which could be a dissertation, translation or podcast. You'll also have the flexibility to choose from a range of language and cultural modules to deepen your knowledge. The international outlook and knowledge you develop, alongside advanced language skills, will allow you to consider career options in a range of fields when you graduate.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.
Year 1 compulsory modules
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Beginning Arabic 1 | 20 |
| Beginning Arabic 2 | 20 |
| Studying the Middle East: Culture, History, Politics and Religion | 20 |
| Introduction to Brazil, Portugal and Portuguese Speaking Africa | 20 |
| Portuguese Language for Beginners 1A | 20 |
| Portuguese Language for Beginners 1B | 20 |
Year 1 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| The Historical Development of Spain and Hispanic America | 20 |
| Introduction to the Cultural Production of Spain and Spanish-America | 20 |
Year 2 compulsory modules
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Year Abroad | 120 |
Year 3 compulsory modules
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Advanced Arabic Grammar and Translation | 20 |
| Essential Skills in Practical Arabic | 20 |
| Portuguese Language Skills | 20 |
Year 3 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Arab Media, Politics and Society | 15 |
| Modern Middle Eastern History | 15 |
| Linguists into Schools | 20 |
| Black Europe | 20 |
| Film and Literature in the Portuguese-speaking World | 20 |
| Culture and Society in the Portuguese-Speaking World | 20 |
Year 4 compulsory modules
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Advanced Skills in Arabic Language | 20 |
| Advanced Portuguese Language | 20 |
Year 4 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Final Year Project: Dissertation | 40 |
| Material Cultures and Cultures of Consumption | 20 |
| Adventures of the Imagination: Crime and the Fantastic Across Continents | 20 |
| Decolonial Approaches | 20 |
| Social Movements across Cultures | 20 |
| Minoritised Languages, Dialects and Cultures from Past to Present | 20 |
| Linguists into Schools | 20 |
| Urban Realities and Representations in the Portuguese Speaking World | 20 |
Discovery modules
Throughout your degree you will benefit from a range of opportunities to expand your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.
This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.
Learning and teaching
Our tutors are experts in their fields whose teaching is informed by their own cutting-edge research. We use a range of teaching methods to help you benefit from their expertise, including lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshops. Independent study is also central to this degree, since it allows you to develop your skills in research and analysis. You’ll be able to apply your skills and knowledge in a final year research project on a topic of your own choice.
As well as being taught by our expert academics, you may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus. We are committed to an innovative and inclusive approach to teaching, which draws on a variety of activities, including flipped learning, group presentations, and bespoke digital resources to prepare you for your seminar discussions.
On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
We use a wide range of assessments including essays, exams, presentations, podcasts, literature reviews and reflective logs. We offer support in these areas as well. For example, we run extra classes on skills such as public speaking, structuring essays and exam techniques which you can attend throughout your time at Leeds. Assessments are designed to deliver the transferable skills needed for the world of work; task-based activities are designed to evidence critical thinking, demonstrate initiative, and show knowledge of a range of relevant subjects and sources.
Entry requirements
A-level: ABB
Other course specific tests:
Alternative qualification
Access to HE Diploma
BTEC
BTEC: DDM.
Other BTEC qualifications are also considered. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information.
Cambridge Pre-U
M1, M1, M2
International Baccalaureate
34 points overall including 16 at Higher Level
Irish Leaving Certificate (higher Level)
H2, H2, H2, H3, H3, H3
Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers
Welsh Baccalaureate
Other Qualifications
European Baccalaureate: 75%.
Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.
Alternative entry
We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.
Access to Leeds is an alternative admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.
Find out more about Access to Leeds and alternative admissions.
Typical Access to Leeds offer: BBC at A Level and pass Access to Leeds.
International
We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. Contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for more information.
International Foundation Year
International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.
English language requirements
IELTS 7.0 overall, with no less than 6.5 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
Fees
UK: £9,250 (per year)
International: £22,250 (per year)
Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2022/23
For UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2022/23 the fee will be £9,250. The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation and as permitted by law. Fees for UK undergraduate students are decided by the government and may vary if policy changes.
Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2023/24
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students for 2023/24 have been agreed by the UK Government and will remain at the current fee level of £9,250. The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation and as permitted by law. Fees for UK undergraduate students are decided by the government and may vary if policy changes.
Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2023/24
Tuition fees for international students for 2023/24 should be available on individual course pages from September 2022.
Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.
Read more about paying fees and charges.
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs.
Scholarships and financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.
Applying
Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.
Read our guidance about applying.
International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2023
This course is taught by
School of Languages, Cultures and Societies
Contact us
School of Languages, Cultures and Societies Undergraduate Admissions
Email: lcsadmissions@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:
Career opportunities
In this degree, you’ll become proficient in two major world languages, and experience studying and living abroad. You’ll develop a range of skills across disciplines that employers are actively looking for.
You’ll have strong research skills, and you’ll be able to analyse complex information from multiple sources before drawing your own conclusions. You’ll be able to communicate your views clearly, and have an understanding of cultural diversity, allowing you to work effectively with people whose backgrounds differ from yours.
Your knowledge and experience will open up a broad range of career choices and opportunities to connect with people across major world regions. Our graduates have pursued careers in diverse fields such as translation and interpreting, education, journalism, business, law and civil and diplomatic services.
Postgraduate study in languages at Leeds or elsewhere provides an opportunity to continue to learn and prepare for a PhD and a career in academia.
Careers support
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.
Study abroad and work placements
Residence abroad
During your time abroad, you’ll have the chance to practise and develop your language skills as well as immersing yourself in the culture. You’ll spend some of your year abroad in an Arabic-speaking country. This is followed by a period of time in a Portuguese-speaking country.
Read more about the Arabic residence abroad
Read more about the Portuguese residence abroad