BA Italian and Classical Studies

Overview

With BA Italian and Classical Studies, combine the study of modern Italian culture and the Italian language with that of Ancient Rome in this stimulating joint honours degree.

Join our friendly and dynamic Department of Languages and Cultures, which offers the opportunity to study in a lively, multilingual community with staff and students from all over the world. We offer a flexible and supportive approach to learning which allows you to tailor your degree to your interests, including the opportunity to learn other languages.

Through this course you will become confident and highly skilled in written and spoken Italian. You will master the fundamental elements of the language, to the point where you will graduate with a near-native command of it. We’re proud of our small language classes, led by native speakers. Direct access to expert staff for help and feedback ensures you develop your language skills to the best of your ability. 89% of our students agreed that staff are good at explaining things in the Department of Languages and Cultures [1].

You will also gain a broad understanding of the most important features of the culture and history of Italy, from the Middle Ages to today. You will have the opportunity to study with leading academics on topics including Dante, Machiavelli, Michelangelo, fascism, the history of the language, the resistance, Fellini and contemporary culture.

The classical studies element of this course enables you to explore the literature of ancient Greece and Rome. Through the study of translated texts you will consider genres and themes like poetry, tragedy and love in classical literature, and their influence on the modern world. You can broaden your knowledge with optional modules in subjects including art, society, and history, and take advantage of our own unique collection of Greek and Egyptian antiquities. You can also discover Rome through our unique, award-winning digital model of the city. For further information, visit the Department of Classics website.

An integral part of the course is the opportunity for you to spend up to a year in Italy, studying at a partner institution, undertaking a work placement or working as a British Council language teaching assistant. This enables you to immerse yourself in the culture and greatly improve your knowledge of Italian at the same time. The core language module in the second year will prepare you for your time abroad, equipping you with the skills and knowledge required to work and live in a different culture.

We provide accelerated learning in Italian, meaning that you can start from beginner’s level if you have not studied the language before, or at intermediate level if you have only learned it up to GCSE or AS level. Regardless of which level you join the course at, all students achieve the same standard of written and spoken Italian by the final year. Please check the entry requirements for more details on entry points.

Entry requirements

Typical offer

BBB

Beginner’s Italian: No previous language qualifications are required.

Intermediate Italian: GCSE Italian at grade A (7) or AS level Italian at grade B.

Advanced Italian: A level Italian at grade B.

International Baccalaureate

30 points overall

Extended Project Qualification

In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) provides to students for University study, we can now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer.

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDM

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250

New international students: £20,300

By the time you graduate, you will be able to write and speak fluently in Italian – an immensely useful skill to have given that there is currently a great shortage of well-qualified linguists in the UK. The experience of studying or working abroad also distinguishes you from non-language graduates, providing evidence of self-reliance, adaptability and enterprise. The course also provides you with numerous transferable skills in research, analysis, presenting and group working, which will prove useful in a wide range of careers.

Recent modern languages graduates have gone on to careers ranging from translating, teaching and research to financial services, telecommunications, and education. They have worked at EU institutions, in marketing, tourism, the fashion industry, the international art business and regional development. Recent employers of our graduates include Sony Europe, the British Council, the Civil Service, the Tate Modern, Oxford University Press, BNP Paribas, Dow Jones, Vodafone and PwC, all of whom clearly value the technical and intellectual training of a degree in modern languages. In the Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019-20, overall, 88% of graduates from Languages and Cultures are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation

deadlines

We process applications all year round but recommend applying as early as possible to ensure you can have a place in your chosen degree. Please be aware that to ensure there is enough time to complete all administrative procedures, and VISA requirements, applications may need to be submitted no later than a month (or longer) before the start of the courses.