A Portuguese degree in central London, the department is exclusively devoted to studying the Lusophone world and offers an unrivalled choice of modules in literature, cultural history and history and the opportunity to gain a high level of linguistic proficiency.
KEY BENEFITS
- Programme taught by world-class lecturers in a friendly environment.
- Wide range of modules is unique in the UK.
- King’s library contains the most complete collection of material on Portugal, Brazil and Portuguese-speaking Africa available in any UK university.
- Central location offers students the opportunity to make use of the library of the Luso-Brazilian Council.
- Opportunity to study abroad for a year offers students the chance to immerse themselves in culture and society and achieve language fluency.
UCAS code
RT57
Programme type
Single honours
Duration
Four years
Location
Strand Campus
Year of entry 2014
Offered by
School of Arts and Humanities
Department of Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies
Closing date
Please refer to the
UCAS website for application deadline dates, or contact the relevant Admissions Office for further advice
Fees & funding
For information on fees and funding for undergraduate programmes at King's go to
http://www.kcl.ac.uk/ug/funding/ CONTACTS
Address
Department of Spanish, Portuguese & Latin-American Studies
King's College London
Strand
London WC2R 2LS
Contact name
Centre for Arts & Sciences Admissions
Email
Tel
020 7848 2350/2374
Fax
020 7848 7200
PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION
The study of Portuguese embraces the language, history and culture of four continents: Europe, America, Africa and Asia, and we are able to offer an unrivalled choice of modules in the literature, cultural history and history of the Lusophone world, together with the opportunity to gain a high level of linguistic proficiency.
The programme lasts four years. The third year abroad will be in a Portuguese-speaking country, usually Portugal or Brazil, where you will carry out assessed coursework contributing towards your degree. Language modules, compulsory for all our Portuguese & Brazilian Studies programmes, cater for all levels from complete beginners to native speakers. If you are a beginner in the language (foundation level), you additionally take an intensive language module in Portugal prior to your second year.
ABOUT THE Department of Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies
CAREERS
Recent graduates have gone on to gain employment in a variety of areas including business and commerce, finance, marketing, accountancy, law, the Civil Service, the media, charitable and non-governmental organisations, while others have remained in higher education to gain a teaching qualification or continue their studies at postgraduate level. Recent graduates have found employment as…. • Events Intern, Mexican Chamber of Commerce • Operations Support Assistant, an environmental consultancy • Political Researcher • Member Services Executive, Streetcar
TEACHING STYLE
Our department is active in all fields of Hispanic and Lusophone language, literature and cultural history from the earliest times to the present day. Our particular strengths are in medieval and early modern studies, modern literature, history and culture, and the modern Spanish and Portuguese languages. You will be studying with staff who are experts in their fields and whose advanced research is reflected in the optional modules available. Some of our lecturing staff also teach across disciplines in the History, European Studies and Comparative Literature programmes.
STRUCTURE OF PROGRAMMES & ASSESSMENT
Our programmes offer students a flexible yet coherent structure within which to explore the richness of the Hispanic and Lusophone worlds. Each year, you will follow a core language module and take options in literature, culture and history, covering a wide range of historical periods. Our programmes enable you to build incrementally upon your knowledge and develop areas of individual interest which form the basis of your final-year modules (which include a dissertation option). Progression from year to year depends upon passing the required number of credits and the compulsory language module.
LOCATION
We are located in the heart of London, within easy access to a wide range of institutes and centres (eg the Instituto Cervantes, Camoes Institute) that promote Hispanic and Lusophone culture including theatre, music, and art. The Maughan Library contains an extensive collection of material on the Hispanic and Lusophone worlds, including several in the Rare Books collection. Within London there are other important complementary collections in the libraries and research institutes of the University of London and the British Library.
SPECIAL NOTES
The year abroad is an obligatory part of our programmes, with a wide range of options to study (eg under the Socrates-Erasmus programme) or, through the British Council English Language Assistant programme, to teach in a variety of institutions in Spain, Portugal and Latin America.
Currently, students study one core language module per year and a range of optional modules in literature, history and culture. King's reviews its optional modules on a regular basis, in order to continue to offer innovative and exciting programmes and this list is therefore subject to change. Please check here for updates, or contact the department for further advice.
YEAR 1
Students take a total of 120 credits of which 30 credits are the core language module and the rest optional modules and electives.
YEAR 1 CORE
Portuguese Language (30 credits)
YEAR 1 OPTIONS
(All modules are 15 credits)
Literature, Love and Society in Portugal
Portuguese Identities
Faces of Brazil: Identity and Representation in Fiction and Film
Race Development and Culture in Modern Brazil
Slavery, Society and Nation in Brazilian Literature
Three Revolutions: the Making of Contemporary Portugal
YEAR 2
Students take the core module outlined plus an additional 90 credits from options in the department, or up to 15 credits in electives (not listed).
YEAR 2 CORE
Portuguese Language (30 credits)
YEAR 2 OPTIONS
(All modules are 15 credits unless otherwise stated)
Portuguese Literature Before and After the Revolution
Leaders, Legends and Chivalry in Medieval Portugal
Portuguese Short Fiction in the Twentieth Century
History of the Iberian World (1492-1822)
Introduction to Brazilian Popular Music Studies
Brazilian Poetry And Song I: Modernism Samba and the Estado Novo 1915-1945
Liberal Empire: Nineteenth Century Portugal
Portugal: Modernity, Traditionalism & National Identity
History of Brazil, 1889 to the Present
YEAR 3
Normally spent abroad.
YEAR 4
Students take the core module outlined plus an additional 90 credits from options in the department, or up to 15 credits in electives (not listed).
YEAR 4 CORE
Portuguese Language (30 credits)
YEAR 4 OPTIONS
(All modules are 15 credits unless otherwise stated)
Translation into English
Portuguese Modernism and Fernando Pessoa
Portuguese Romanticism
Inês de Castro: the Construction of a Literary Myth
Voicing Love and Dissent in the Sixteenth Century: Bernardim Ribeiro and Sá de Miranda
Luís de Camões
Lusophone African Literature II: The Postcolonial Experience
History of Nationalism, Anti-Colonialism and Post-Colonialism in Africa: The Lusophone Story
Brazilian Poetry and Song II: 1958 to the Present
Love Dictatorship & Crisis in Contemporary Brazilian Fiction
Greater Portugal: Colonial Culture/ Postcolonial Perspectives
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Australia
Tertiary Entrance Ranking
96+ ATAR, or an OP of band 3 for Queensland . Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
Austria
Reifezeugnis (Matura)
Reifezeugnis with 1. Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
Belgium
Certificat D
Certificat D’Enseignement Secondaire Superieur/Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs with 8/10 or 17/20. Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
Brazil
Brazil
High School Leaving Certificate (Certificado de Ensino Médio) with 8 OR B OR Muito Bom PLUS at least one year of Bacharel/Licenciado at a Brazilian University with a GPA of at least 8.0 OR the King’s College London International Foundation Programme OR 3 A-levels with grades of AAB. Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
Bulgaria
School Leaving Certificate
Diploma za Sredno Obrazovanie with the majority of subject marks of 5.5. Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
Canada
Secondary School Certificate/Diploma
High School Certificate/Diploma with 85% OR Ontario University Preparatory Course with 85% at five grade 12 4U subjects. The sixth subject may be at 4U or 4U/C level. OR the Quebec CEGEP Cote R with an overall R score of 31. Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
Chile
Chile
Licencia de Educación Media with 6 PLUS at least one year of the Licenciatura at a Chilean university with a mark of 5 OR the Kings College London International Foundation Programme OR 3 A-levels with grades of AAB. Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
China
Gao Kao (University Entrance Examination)
University Entrance Examination, plus at least a foundation/Access year or one year of undergraduate study at a Chinese university with at least 80%. Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
Cyprus
Apolytirion
Apolytirion (School Leaving Certificate) with 18 , plus at least an additional foundation/Access year. Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
Czech Republic
Maturita
Maturita with 1. Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
Denmark
Studentereksamen or Hjere Forberedelseseksamen
Studentereksamen or Højere Forberedelseseksamen with 10. Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
Estonia
Gmnaasiumi lputunnistus (Secondary School Leaving Certificate)
Gümnaasiumi lõputunnistus with majority marks of 5, and an attestation of success in the state entry examinations (Riigieksamitunnistus). Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
Finland
Ylioppilastutkinto/Studentexamen (National Matriculation)
Ylioppilastutkinto with 6. Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
France
Baccalaureat (including the option internationale baccalaureat)
The Baccalaureat with 13. Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
Germany
Abitur
Abitur with 1.5 overall. Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
Ghana
School Leaving Certificate
the West African Senior School Certificate (WASSC/WASSCE) PLUS 3 international Cambridge-board A levels at AAB. Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
Greece
Apolytirion
Apolyterion with 18. Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
Hong Kong
Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)
Three elective subjects at minimum Levels 5, 5, 5 (Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian) plus Level 4 in each of the four core subjects.
Hungary
Erettsegi
Erettsegi with 5. Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
India
School Leaving Certificate
School Leaving Certificate with 85% overall OR School Leaving Certificate with 75% with at least a foundation/Access year or year of undergraduate study at an Indian university. Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
Iran
School Leaving Certificate
Pre-University Certificate (Peeshdaneshgahe) OR the National Entrance Exam (Kunkar) with 16 OR 3 Cambridge International A levels at AAB. Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
Ireland
Irish Leaving Certificate (Higher level unless otherwise stated)
A1 A1 A1 A2 B1 B1. Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
Italy
Esame di Stato
Esame di Stato with 90. Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
Japan
School Leaving Certificate
Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate (Kotogakko Sotsugyo Shomeisho) PLUS 3 Cambridge Board International A-levels at AAB OR an Associate degree or Diploma from a Junior College (Jun-Gakushi) with a GPA of 3.3 or B+ or 4 OR a foundation year. Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
Latvia
Atestats par visparejo videjo izglitibu (Certificate of General Secondary Education)
Atestats par visparejo videjo izglitibu with 8, plus at least a foundation/Access year or one year of undergraduate study at a Latvian university. Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
Lithuania
Brandos Atestatas (Maturity Certificate)
Brandos Atestatas with 90 plus at least a foundation/Access year or one year of undergraduate study at a Lithuanian university. Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
Luxembourg
Diplome de Fin D
Diplome de Fin D’Etudes Secondaires with Tres Bien. Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
Malta
Matriculation Certificate - Advanced level
Matriculation Certificate with AAB. Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
Mexico
Mexico
The Bachillerato with a mark of 8 PLUS the King’s College London International Foundation Programme OR at least one year of the Licenciado study with an overall average mark of at least 8/10 OR A-levels with grades of AAB. Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
Moldova
School Leaving Certificate
Diploma de Bacalaureat with 9. Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
Netherlands
Diploma Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO)
VWO with 7.5. Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
New Zealand
National Certificate of Educational Achievement Level 3 (NCEA)
the NCEA level 3 with E in the majority of standards/modules in four subjects. Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
Nigeria
School Leaving Certificate
The Senior School Certificate (SSC/SSCE) OR the West African Senior School Certificate (WASSC/WASSCE) PLUS 3 Cambridge International A levels at AAB. Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
Norway
Vitnemal-videregaende opplaering (Upper Secondary Leaving Certificate)
Vitnemal-videregaende opplaering grade 5. Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
Pakistan
High School Certificate (HSSC)
High School Certificate with A with History plus at least a foundation/Access year or one year of undergraduate study at a Pakistani university. Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
Poland
Matura
Matura with 80% in extended level subjects. Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
Portugal
Diploma de Ensino Secundário
Diploma de Ensino Secundário with 18 . Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
Romania
School Leaving Certificate
Diploma de Bacalaureat with 8. Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
Russia
Attest o (Polnom) Srednem Obrazovanii (Certificate of Secondary Education)
Attest o (Polnom) Srednem Obshchem Obrazovanii with an average of 4.5 , plus at least a foundation/Access year or one year of undergraduate study at a Russian university. Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
Saudi Arabia
School Leaving Certificate
College of Technology Diploma OR Higher Technical Institute Diploma OR Junior Health College Diploma OR Undergraduate Diploma with 85% OR 3 Cambridge International A levels at AAB. Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
Singapore
Singapore A Level
AAB in three content-based H2 subjects. Knowledge and Inquiry is not considered as part of the offer.Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
Slovakia
Vysvedcenie Maturitnej Skuska/Maturita
Maturita with 2 overall. Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
Slovenia
Maturitetno Spricevalo (Secondary School Leaving Certificate)
Maturitetno Spricevalo with 5. Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
South Africa
South African Senior Certificate/National Senior Certificate with Matriculation endorsement
The National Senior Certificate with Matriculation endorsement with AAABB. Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
Spain
Titulo de Bachiller
Titulo de Bachiller with 8 overall. Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
Sweden
Fullständigt Slutbetyg (School Leaving Certificate)
Fullstandigt Slutbeytg with MVG. Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
Switzerland
Federal Maturity Certificate
Federal Maturity Certificate with an overall mark of 5. Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
Turkey
Lise Diplomasi (High School Diploma)
Lise Diplomasi with an overall mark of 4 with at least a foundation/Access year or one year of undergraduate study at a Turkish university. Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
United Kingdom
A levels
AAB
Compulsory subjects
Preferred subjects at A-level: History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
12 unit A level in vocational subjects
Considered on an individual basis
General Studies and Critical Thinking - College policy
Please note that AS/A level General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted by King's as one of your A or AS levels. However, if offered the grade achieved may be taken into account when considering whether or not to accept a candidate who has just fallen short of the conditions of their offer
Access to HE Diploma
Access to Humanities (or similar) Diploma with 33 Level 3 credits from units awarded at Distinction, with the remaining credits at Merit. Supplementary information and achievement e.g marks for certain credits/subjects may be required depending on course content. Preferred subjects are History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
Cambridge Pre-U
3 Pre-U Principal Subjects with grades of D3 D3 M2 (preferred subjects History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian)
Scottish Highers & Advanced Highers
AAABB at Higher and AB at Advanced Higher. Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
International Baccalaureate
35 points and HL 665. Preferred subjects at HL: History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
European Baccalaureate
80% overall. Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
USA
Advanced Placement Tests and/or SAT/ACT (SAT/ACT acceptable only where stipulated)
Three AP subjects with 554 Or SAT with a total score of 1800 with at least 600 in each section or the ACT with a score of 27 plus 2 SAT-S with a score of 600 in each. Preferred subjects : History, French, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Aptitude testing
No test required
If you are interested in coming to King’s, you should apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) and apply online via the UCAS website (click on 'apply'). If you are applying through a school or college, you will need to obtain a 'buzzword' from the centre you are applying through. Alternatively, you can apply as an individual, independent of a school or college. Please see the UCAS website for instructions. The UCAS institution code name for King’s is KCL, and the institution code is K60.
There are a few programmes which require direct application to King's, this will be stated above
Most applicants are considered between November and March. We are looking for students with a strong interest in language, who are keen to improve their skills further, and who have a love of reading and a lively interest in Hispanic and/or Lusophone-speaking countries. For Hispanic Studies programmes, we are looking for a good command of Spanish however for our Portuguese & Brazilian studies programmes, previous knowledge of Portuguese is not necessary but we look for an indication of linguistic ability.
Successful applicants for all degree programmes, whether single or joint honours, will be invited to an open day. We welcome applications from overseas students and those with significant life experience.