BA Politics and Portuguese

t Manchester, the BA Politics and Portuguese isn’t just about theory – it’s about immersing yourself in real-world experiences that prepare you for global careers. From day one, you’ll combine the study of political systems with deep language and cultural training, gaining practical skills that employers value. You’ll work in small language classes with native speakers, debate in seminars, access specialist digital tools, and spend a transformative year abroad in a Portuguese-speaking country. Alongside this, you’ll have access to one of the UK’s largest university libraries, modern language labs, and research institutes that connect your learning directly to contemporary global challenges.

Here’s how that experiential learning takes shape:

• Year abroad immersion – spend a year in a Portuguese-speaking country (Portugal, Brazil, or Lusophone Africa), either at a partner university or on a work placement, gaining fluency and cultural insight.

• Language laboratories and digital resources – use dedicated multimedia language labs and online platforms for intensive practice in Portuguese.

• Small-group teaching with native speakers – practical language classes that emphasise speaking, listening, translation, and real-world application.

• Political engagement – access the Manchester Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence and the Manchester Institute of Innovation Research, where politics students connect theory to practice.

• Exclusive library collections – the University of Manchester Library, one of the UK’s best-resourced, with specialist collections in politics, international relations, and Lusophone studies.

• Fieldwork and research support – opportunities to design independent projects, with staff guidance and access to extensive databases and digital archives.

• Collaborative projects – seminars and group work mirror real-world teamwork, helping you practice presenting, debating, and problem-solving.

Graduates from this course go into all sorts of exciting areas—media, international organisations, public service, and business. It’s the kind of degree that sets you up for roles like journalist, diplomat, marketing executive, or policy analyst. Because you’ll have both political insight and a second language, you’ll stand out in the job market:

• Career support you can count on
  Manchester’s Careers Service is with you every step of the way—offering CV workshops, mock interviews, and tailored one-to-one guidance. Even after you graduate, you’ll still have access for two more years.

• Strong employment prospects
  Manchester is the second most targeted university by top UK employers (High Fliers 2024). Many graduates from politics and languages here go on to work with the BBC, United Nations, NHS, EY, and even big brands like ASOS.

• Industry and cultural connections
  You’ll benefit from partnerships with organisations like HOME (Manchester’s international arts centre) and the Portuguese Consulate, giving you cultural experiences and networking opportunities that go beyond the classroom.

• A degree that keeps its value
  Politics and Modern Languages at Manchester are consistently ranked among the UK’s best. Your degree is recognised worldwide, backed by the Office for Students, and carries long-term weight in global job markets.

• Life after graduation
  Alumni step into roles across journalism, diplomacy, teaching, law, marketing, and policy. Employers already know the strength of Manchester graduates, so you’ll be entering a trusted network with great opportunities.

Further Academic Progression:
If you’d like to keep studying, this degree opens doors to postgraduate options such as International Relations, Global Policy, Translation and Interpreting, Applied Linguistics, or Law. Many graduates also go on to teacher training or research degrees, in Manchester or abroad.

In short:
This isn’t just a degree in politics and a language—it’s a pathway to an international career. You’ll graduate confident in both critical political thinking and fluent Portuguese, supported by one of the UK’s most targeted universities for graduate employers. It’s a solid launchpad whether you want to step straight into work or carry on to further study.