Portuguese MLitt
Pursue research you are passionate about. This Portuguese MLitt combines taught and research elements, allowing you to explore in depth a specific area of Portuguese studies such as linguistics, Latin American culture and politics, the Spanish novel, or Latin American film.
You are currently viewing course information for entry year:
Start date(s):
- September 2026
Overview
By joining our Portuguese MLitt you will benefit from expert supervision covering a diverse range of disciplines. This course allows you to combine your interests and our expertise to achieve your research objectives.
The Portuguese MLitt allows you to master advanced research skills through taught and research elements of the programme. These valuable skills can lead to a future PhD or a career in academia and related professions.
We offer expert supervision in the following research areas of Portuguese studies:
- Portuguese cultural history and popular culture (Dr Beleza)
- Historical and contemporary discourses of race and identity in Portugal and Latin America (Dr Beleza, Prof Hentschke)
- Luso-Afro-Brazilian literature and film (Dr Beleza)
- History of education in 19th and 20th century Latin America (Prof Hentschke)
- Youth cultures and social movements, music and politics (Dr Beleza)
- 20th and 21st century Portuguese and Latin American literature (Dr Beleza)
- Political, social, and intellectual history of Latin America in the 19th and 20th centuries, especially Brazil and the Southern Cone (Prof Hentschke)
- Environmental humanities (Dr Beleza, Dr Fehimović)
Find out more about our Modern Languages research staff
Important information
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Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2025-26.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
What you'll learn
Taught modules are designed to extend your subject knowledge and research skills beyond undergraduate-level. These skills feed directly into the work that you will complete as part of the independent research element of this programme.
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
Compulsory Modules | Credits |
---|---|
Modern Languages MLitt Research Assignments | 80 |
Modern Languages MLitt Dissertation | 80 |
Optional Modules | Credits |
---|---|
Information Skills | 10 |
Qualitative Methodology in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences | 20 |
The Making and Unmaking of Knowledge | 10 |
How you'll learn
This Portuguese MLitt course is delivered by the the School of Modern Languages (SML), with the possibility of joint supervision with other schools. SML is located in the heart of Newcastle University's city-centre campus. Attendance is flexible and agreed between you and your supervisors depending on the requirements of the research project.
Study consists mainly of tutorials and independent learning supported by research training. Supervisors will advise applicants on how to develop their research proposals, help them identify gaps in the subject knowledge and research skills, and work in dialogue with them to develop their project.
The MLitt includes a formal research training component where you develop research skills and methodologies (20 credits).
Full-time students are expected to undertake 40 hours of work per week with an annual holiday entitlement of 35 days (including statutory and bank holidays). Part-time study requires a commitment of at least 20 hours per week.
Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:
- Dissertation
- Essay
- Dissertation – a longer piece of academic writing that allows you to explore a subject of your choosing in depth and over a longer period of time.
- Essay – written work that explores a single question, posed in response to taught elements of the MLitt.
As part of the Portuguese MLitt, you will complete a portfolio of essays (80 credits). These will be chosen in consultation with your supervisors according to your interests and experience. You will then undertake a dissertation of 16,000–18,000 words consisting of a sustained piece of original research (80 credits).
Your supervisor will be an expert in your chosen field. You will also receive support from an experienced research supervisor. This is well suited as preparation for PhD research.
Our mission is to help you:
- stay healthy, positive and feeling well
- overcome any challenges you may face during your degree – academic or personal
- get the most out of your postgraduate research experience
- carry out admin and activities essential to progressing through your degree
- understand postgraduate research processes, standards and rules
We can offer you tailored wellbeing support, courses and activities.
You can also access a broad range of workshops covering:
- research and professional skills
- careers support
- wellbeing
- health and safety
- public engagement
- academic development
Your development
Further opportunities
You will be encouraged to form connections with other postgraduate students and academics working in Portuguese Studies in the UK and Ireland.
Your future
Further study
This course is an ideal route a route into PhD level study.
Careers
Specific career pathways will depend on your area of study. This programme will provide you with essential transferable skills: independence and initiative, resilience, planning and time management, as well as developing your research, presentation and communication skills to a high level.
Our Careers Service
Our Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers.
Quality and ranking
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Facilities
You'll have access to a dedicated quiet study space, as well as use of a common room with kitchen facilities.
The School also houses the Language Resource Centre. It has an extensive range of language learning facilities and resources, including:
- language learning software and resources for 100+ languages
- access to 15,000+ feature films and documentaries via the World TV & Film streaming platform
- access to 25 satellite television channels from around the world
- opportunities for language practice, cultural exchange and peer assisted learning
Fees and funding
Tuition fees for 2026 entry (per year)
Home fees for research degree students
As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.
Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.
EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support. You may be eligible for a scholarship worth 25% off the international fee. Search our funding database.
If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.
Scholarships
We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information.
What you're paying for
Tuition fees include the costs of:
- matriculation
- registration
- tuition (or supervision)
- library access
- examination
- re-examination
- graduation
Find out more about:
If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.
You can check this in the How to apply section.
If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.
For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.
Search for funding
Find funding available for your course
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2026 entry.
Qualifications from outside the UK
English Language requirements
Admissions policy
This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.
University Admissions Policy and related policies and procedures
Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course
How to apply
Using the application portal
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You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.
If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.
Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.
Apply Online
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Questions about this course?
If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:
School of Modern Languages
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 5867
Email: modlang.pgadmin@ncl.ac.uk
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