Where you can study
International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
Specialise in Portuguese for your Diploma in Arts at Massey
With Massey’s Diploma in Arts (Portuguese) you’ll gain general knowledge and understanding of the Portuguese language and Brazilian culture.
Brazilian Portuguese has a slightly different grammatical structure to European Portuguese, but is similar enough that speakers of Brazilian Portuguese would understand and be understood by speakers of European Portuguese.
You don’t need any knowledge of Portuguese to enrol. You’ll progressively develop communication skills in oral and written Portuguese, from introductory to advanced level. You’ll gain an understanding and appreciation of Brazilian culture and heritage.
You’ll also learn to apply your knowledge to analyse, communicate ideas and solve basic problems in diverse contexts. This will make you highly employable in a range of careers.
Discover one of the biggest countries in the world
Brazil is by far the largest country by area and by population in Latin America. Brazil is a significant player on the world stage. It is the fifth most populous nation and the ninth largest economy in the world (and the largest in Latin America).
Brazil’s politics, history and culture are important facets of any focus on Latin America. You’ll learn significant aspects of modern Brazilian history, literature, art and culture.
Study to suit you
All courses are delivered online in distance mode, so you can fit study around your lifestyle. The course includes practical exercises to develop your listening and speaking skills. These skills are essential to the development of language competency.
A Diploma in Arts in Portuguese is a good fit if you:
- are good with languages and keen to learn a new one like Portuguese
- want a career involving travel
- are interested in different people and cultures.
Planning information
Full-time study comprises eight 15-credit courses for a total of 120 credits in one year. We recommend you aim for 60 credits per semester.
If you have little or no prior knowledge of Brazilian Portuguese you should enrol in 292101 Introductory Portuguese Language I
If you are a Portuguese language speaker please contact the qualification coordinator prior to enrolling in language courses.
If you later proceed to the Bachelor of Arts degree, all of the courses in your Diploma of Arts can be transferred to the Bachelor of Arts.
If you have questions, contact us through the Get advice button on this page.
Official regulations
To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.
You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees, Undergraduate Diplomas, Undergraduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas and Graduate Certificates.
Returning students
For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.
In some cases the qualification or specialisation you enrolled in may be no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.
Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.
Courses you can enrol in
Course planning key
- Prerequisites
- Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
- Corequisites
- Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
- Restrictions
- Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.
Subject courses
Course code: 292101 Introductory Portuguese Language I 15 credits
An introduction to basic communication skills in spoken and written Portuguese. Aspects of contemporary Brazilian culture and society are also studied.
View full course detailsCourse code: 292102 Introductory Portuguese Language 2 15 credits
An extension of basic communication skills in spoken and written Portuguese. Aspects of contemporary Brazilian culture and society are also studied.
View full course detailsCourse code: 292201 Intermediate Portuguese Language I 15 credits
Intermediate level written and oral comprehension and communication skills in Portuguese, providing a broad linguistic base for the study of Brazilian culture, literature and civilisation.
View full course detailsCourse code: 292202 Intermediate Portuguese Language 2 15 credits
An extension of intermediate skills in reading, free composition, listening comprehension and oral communication to illustrate aspects of contemporary Brazilian culture and society.
View full course detailsCourse code: 292301 Advanced Portuguese Language 15 credits
Advanced level skills in reading, free composition, listening comprehension and oral communication in Portuguese, illustrating aspects of contemporary Brazilian culture and society.
View full course detailsCourse code: 292305 Brazilian Culture and Heritage 15 credits
Significant aspects of modern Brazilian history, literature, art and culture. This course is taught in Portuguese.
View full course detailsEntry requirements
Admission to Massey
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Specific requirements
There are no specific entry requirements for this qualification, outside of university admission regulations.
English language requirements
To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.
English language skills
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.
Can't meet the entry requirements?
If you need to do a course before you start your qualification, there may be options for you in Summer School.
Fees and scholarships
Fees, student loans and free fees scheme
Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.
There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.
- Get an estimate of the tuition fees for your qualification
- View a list of non-tuition fees that may be payable
Already know which courses you're going to choose?
You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.
Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme
You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.
The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme and your eligibility on the Fees Free website. To use the site's eligibility checking tool, you will need your National Student Number.
Current and returning Massey students can find their National Student Number in the student portal.
- Student loans (StudyLink)
- Fees Free
- Student portal
Fees disclaimer
This information is for estimation purposes only. Actual fees payable will be finalised on confirmation of enrolment. Unless otherwise stated, all fees shown are quoted in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax, if any. Before relying on any information on these pages you should also read the University's Disclaimer Notice.
Careers and job opportunities
Knowledge of Portuguese language and culture will prove both valuable and rewarding. Opportunities to live and work in Brazil are growing, as the country’s economy booms. Learning the language will give you an edge in the job market, as few English-speakers also speak Brazilian Portuguese.
Studying Portuguese gives you a wide range of career choices, such as:
- diplomacy
- international business
- teaching
- travel and tourism
- immigration and customs
- foreign affairs
- journalism
- trade and export.
Related study options
Useful planning information
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions. Learn more on careers.govt.nz