BA Irish and Portuguese at Queen's University Belfast

Programme overview

This joint honours degree provides intensive tuition in Irish and Portuguese, with modules on Irish culture and society and on the literary, historical, social, cultural and linguistic aspects of Portuguese-speaking countries. The four-year degree includes about 8 months working or studying in a Portuguese-speaking country after Stage 2.

Department: School of Arts, English and Languages | Duration: 4 years full-time (includes a period abroad) | Intake: September 2027 (Academic Year 2027/28) | Study mode: full-time | Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Year 1 core modules: Portuguese 1 and Gaeilge 1 (40 credits each), with Celtic Mythology and Introduction to Lusophone Studies (20 credits each) as options. Students complete 4 hours of Irish language per week and attend a 3-week Gaeltacht residential in Rannafast, Donegal at the end of Stages 1 and 2. On the year abroad students can teach, study, complete a work placement or volunteer in Portugal or Latin America, with training for living and working abroad.

Career pathways

Former students hold senior positions in most Irish-language sectors, and the School maintains links with media production companies, the translation sector and language promotion agencies. Final-year work placements are optional, and graduates may proceed to the MRes, MA in Arts Management or MA in Translation.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

A-level: ABB including A-level Irish. A maximum of one BTEC/OCR Single Award or AQA Extended Certificate is accepted (Distinction* equated to A, Distinction to B). Irish Leaving Certificate: H3H3H3H3H3H3/H2H3H3H3H3 including Higher Level H3 in Irish. Portuguese is normally offered as a beginners' programme to students with demonstrable linguistic ability; applicants with prior engagement with the language and/or A-level Portuguese at minimum grade B will be considered. Graduate entry: minimum 2:2 Honours degree provided subject requirements are met. Access courses, BTEC Extended Diplomas, HNCs and HNDs can be considered if Irish subject requirements are met. GCSE English Language grade C/4 required. No interview normally. International applicants: IELTS 6.5 with minimum 5.5 in each component or equivalent.

Domestic applicants: GBP 4,985 a year (2026/27). NI/ROI residency, full-time undergraduate tuition; 2026/27 rate Source

International applicants: GBP 24,600 a year (2026/27). International and EU Other rate Source

Intake: September 2027

Duration: 4 years full-time (includes a period abroad)

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