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School of the Arts

Portuguese

Spoken by over 220 million people, Portuguese is the official language of eight countries across four continents — including Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, Portugal, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Timor-Leste.

Two sports fans wrapped in a Portuguese and a Brazilian flag

Its reach goes far beyond national borders: there are vibrant Portuguese-speaking communities in the United Kingdom, France, Luxembourg, Switzerland, the United States, Canada, and Japan.

Together, these countries form the CPLP (Community of Portuguese Language Countries), whose combined GDP is estimated at around $3 trillion — placing it among the world’s major economic players. If considered as a single unit, the CPLP would rank as the sixth-largest economy globally.

Learning Portuguese opens doors in fields as diverse as the arts, diplomacy, tourism, science, and international trade. It is the eighth most important language for the future, according to the British Council, and ranks among the most widely used on the internet. In the UK alone, around 165,000 Portuguese and 120,000 Brazilians have made their home, contributing actively to education, technology, and the arts.

From Nobel Laureate José Saramago to acclaimed actress Fernanda Torres — nominated for the 2025 Best Actress Oscar — from Brazilian cinema to the streets of Lisbon and Luanda, Portuguese is a global language of extraordinary cultural richness. Whether you're visiting Lisbon, São Paulo or Maputo, working with partners in energy, pharmaceuticals, or tech, or exploring a vibrant, transcontinental literature, Portuguese offers a unique advantage — a bridge between cultures, markets, and histories.

Image licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Brazil license

 

Portuguese modules for 2026/27 are offered at Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced levels.

Only credit-bearing modules are offered in 2026/27, i.e., modules counting towards a student's undergraduate degree programme, where a programme allows students to take a credit-bearing language elective. Extracurricular, non-credit bearing language modules for students, staff or members of the public will not be offered in 2026/27.

Portuguese modules are year-long (over two semesters), they have 88 taught classroom hours and are worth 30 credits. Check your level or take a diagnostic test.

All language modules are taught in-person, on the Mile End campus. 

The modules offered in 2026-27 are listed below. Times and rooms will be added as the information becomes available.

Please note that in some cases there may be changes to days/times or venue prior to the start of teaching. Any changes will be updated on this website.

Introductory Portuguese

Two weekly sessions, over two semesters

  • Module Code: POR4200 (30 credits)
  • For: Complete beginners. Target level: A2.
  • Schedule: 22 weeks (21st September 2026 – 16th April 2027)
  • Hours: 88 classroom hours plus 212 hours independent study
  • Class times: TBC 

Portuguese II Intensive

Two weekly sessions, over two semesters

  • Module Code: POR5200 (30 credits)
  • For: Learners with level A2. Target level: B1.
  • Schedule: 22 weeks (21st September 2026 – 16th April 2027)
  • Hours: 88 classroom hours plus 212 hours independent study
  • Class times: TBC 

Portuguese I

Two weekly sessions, over two semesters

  • Module Code: POR4201 (30 credits)
  • For: Learners with A-level in Portuguese or CEFR level B1. Target level: B1+.
  • Schedule: 22 weeks (21st September 2026 – 16th April 2027)
  • Hours: 88 classroom hours plus 212 hours independent study
  • Class times: TBC 

Portuguese II

Two weekly sessions, over two semesters

  • Module Code: POR5201 (30 credits)
  • For: Learners who have taken POR4201 (Portuguese I) or have an equivalent language level (CEFR level B1+). Target level: B2.
  • Schedule: 22 weeks (21st September 2026 – 16th April 2027)
  • Hours: 88 classroom hours plus 212 hours independent study
  • Class times: TBC 

Portuguese III

Two weekly sessions, over two semesters

  • Module Code: POR6200 (30 credits)
  • For: Learners who have taken POR5201 (Portuguese II) or have an equivalent language level (CEFR level B2). Target level: C1.
  • Schedule: 22 weeks (21st September 2026 – 16th April 2027)
  • Hours: 88 classroom hours plus 212 hours independent study
  • Class times: TBC
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