2024 entry (view 2023 entry)
BA Comparative Literatures and Cultures and Portuguese (QR42)
Course overview
Typical offer
A-level standard offer: ABB
A-level contextual offer: BBC
See entry requirements for full details and eligibility.
Course duration
4 year(s) full-time
Part-time study is not available for this course
Application method
Full-time: UCAS
Fees
£9,250 per year, home students
£24,500 per year, international students
Fees quoted are for 2023 entry only. Fees for 2024 will be confirmed, subject to government approval, later in 2023.
More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.
Location
Our BA Comparative Literatures and Cultures and Portuguese degree offers an unmatched opportunity to study international cultural production in depth and breadth, while also studying Portuguese, the official language of nine countries around the world. Portuguese is available from beginners' level only.
You will study the literatures and cultures of the world in comparative frameworks that draw on methodologies from textual, cultural, and visual studies, as well as from translation, philosophy, history, social science, and critical theory. Texts will be read in English translation.
This programme encourages attributes highly valued by employers, including intercultural understanding, analytical and critical thinking, clarity and self confidence in communication, an aptitude for collaborative work, and creativity. It will instil the habits of curiosity, openness, rigour, self-reflection and evidence-based thinking, preparing you for careers in a variety of sectors.
All modern languages students have access to our state-of-the-art Multimedia Centre, with a collection of movies, a student cinema suite, an audio recording and video editing studio, a computer and language lab, and study areas. You can access extracurricular activities such as talks by visiting speakers, societies, language cafes, student newspapers, and talent shows.
Course structure
In the first two years you will study core units, such as:
- Comparative Literature: What is it and how can we practise it?
- Introduction to Visual Cultures
- Popular Representation and Institutions of Culture
- Migrations of Culture.
Additionally, you will have a wide choice of optional units based in the culture of a single language or a combination of cultures. Teaching is informed by staff research interests, and you will be taught by experts in their fields.
You will follow a structured language course in Portuguese, as well as explore the rich literature, cinema, history, thought, politics, and visual culture of Portuguese-speaking countries and communities. You will spend your third year abroad in a Portuguese-speaking country, extending your language skills and cultural knowledge. To find out more about studying abroad, visit Global Opportunities.
In your final year you will complete an innovative, supervised, independent project consisting of an extended essay on a topic of your choice and a public-facing element presented to the entire cohort.
Teaching is delivered through lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops, and one-to-one project supervision. Assessments may include presentations, essays, commentaries, exams, collaborative projects, debates, podcasts, video essays, and dissertations.
Full details about the course structure and units for this course can be viewed in the programme catalogue.
Go to programme catalogueEntry requirements
We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Below is a guide to the typical offers for this course.
A-level standard offer
ABB
BTEC
DDM in any Applied General BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma
Find out more about our BTEC entry requirementsInternational Baccalaureate Diploma
32 points overall with 16 at Higher Level
International Baccalaureate Diploma contextual offer
29 points overall with 14 at Higher Level
Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offerEuropean Baccalaureate
77% overall
Scottish Qualifications Authority
Advanced Higher: AB including a modern language, and Standard Higher: AABBB
Access to HE Diploma
Access to HE Diploma in Humanities, Social Sciences, Law or History (or similar titles). The 45 graded Level 3 credits must include 15 credits at Distinction and 30 at Merit or above.
Mature students can contact mature-students@bristol.ac.uk to check the suitability of their Access course.
Welsh Baccalaureate
Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.
Cambridge Pre-U
Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/M2 is B, and M3 is C.
International qualifications
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.
Search international qualificationsApplicants must also meet these requirements
GCSE profile requirements
No specific subjects required.
Further information about GCSE requirements and profile levels.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you need to have one of the following:
- 7.0 overall with 7.0 in writing and 6.5 in all other skills
- GCSE English Language grade B or 6
- An alternative English Language Profile B qualification
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels
More about UK qualifications.
Selection process
- We only use your information in UCAS to assess your application. There are no other selection criteria or processes.
- Full information about our selection processes for this course:
- The admissions statement above relates to 2023 entry. The statement for 2024 entry will be available in summer 2023.
- Regulations and codes of conduct we abide by to create a positive environment for learning and achievement:
