Italian BA

Course overview

This four-year Italian degree is designed to meet the needs of beginners as well as more advanced learners.

You’ll become proficient in Italian and gain an in-depth knowledge of the history and culture of this vibrant country through a range of core and optional modules. You’ll even spend a year in Italy to consolidate your language skills and experience Italian culture first-hand.

Core modules will build your language skills and introduce you to a variety of subjects including Italian history, literature, culture, politics and society.

Throughout your degree you’ll choose from optional modules, ranging from Renaissance art and Dante, Italian cinema, contemporary literature, the varieties of language used in Italy today, material culture, Italian for business and much more.

Our tutors are specialists in their fields. They’ll guide you in the exploration of different topics and in the pursuit of your own interests as you progress.

Specialist facilities

Our Language Zone gives you access to free learning resources, including space for personal study, language learning software, and video, audio, books and magazines. You'll also have access to our translation computer labs equipped with specialist software and our interpreter training booths to explore different career options.

With four libraries on campus, you’ll find space for study, group work and research. The world class Brotherton Library holds a wide variety of manuscript, archive and early printed material in its Special Collections – valuable assets for your independent research. You’ll have access to free classes and workshops so you can learn how to use them.

Course details

You’ll develop reading, writing, speaking and listening skills in Italian in your first two years, while selecting modules introducing you to different elements of Italian civilisation, from Medieval and Renaissance Italy to contemporary Italian literature, cinema, culture and history. Through these modules you’ll develop language skills and cultural awareness that will really come to life when you study or work in Italy for your third year.

When you return to Leeds for your fourth year, you’ll study advanced language modules to refine your skills, while exploring more topics that interest you. This might include contemporary Italian literature, the history of Italian fashion and design, and specialised uses of Italian for marketing and business purposes. Some of these modules might be taught entirely in Italian.

You’ll develop critical and analytical skills while conducting independent research – skills that you can showcase when you complete your Final Year Project.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Italian BA in the course catalogue

Year 1 compulsory modules

Year 1 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

Students who have no previous knowledge of Italian are required to study the following modules:

Students who have prior knowledge of Italian are required to study the following modules:

Optional modules:

Year 2 compulsory modules

Year 2 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

Year 3 compulsory modules

Year 4 compulsory modules

Year 4 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

Discovery modules

Throughout your degree you will benefit from a range of opportunities to expand your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.

This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.

Learning and teaching

You’ll benefit from different learning and teaching styles, including lectures, seminars and tutorials, or occasionally workshops.

Independent study will be important throughout your course, since it allows you to develop your research skills and think critically about what you read. The University Library runs training programmes to help you make the most of our library resources.

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

We use various types of assessment. Exams and essays are a significant part of this, but in some modules you may also be assessed on components such as group work, business reports, translations or oral presentations. We offer support in these areas as well – for example, we run extra classes on skills such as public speaking, structuring essays and exam technique that you’ll be able to attend throughout your time at Leeds.

Entry requirements

A-level: ABB

Other course specific tests:

Where an applicant is taking the EPQ in a relevant subject this might be considered alongside other Level 3 qualifications and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. If you are taking A Levels, this would be BBB at A Level and grade A in the EPQ.

Alternative qualification

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is an alternative admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and alternative admissions.

Typical Access to Leeds offer: BBC at A Level and pass Access to Leeds.

International

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. Contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for more information.

International Foundation Year

International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.

English language requirements

IELTS 7.0 overall, with no less than 6.5 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

Fees

UK: £9,250 (per year)

International: £22,250 (per year)

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2023/24 and 2024/25
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students are set by the UK Government and will remain capped at £9,250 for 2023/24 and 2024/25. The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation only as a consequence of future changes in Government legislation and as permitted by law.

Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2023/24 and 2024/25
Tuition fees for international students for 2023/24 and 2024/25 are available on individual course pages.

Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

Applying

Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.

Read our guidance about applying.

International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2024

This course is taught by

School of Languages, Cultures and Societies

Contact us

School of Languages, Cultures and Societies Undergraduate Admissions

Email: artsadmissions@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Career opportunities

A degree in Italian will provide you with linguistic fluency and equip you with skills of argument, analysis and effective communication.

Employers will particularly value your confidence in different social environments, demonstrated by your year abroad. You’ll acquire a number of transferable skills, such as teamwork, presentation, written and oral communication, research and critical thinking.

Our graduates have plenty of career options as a result, and they’ve gone on to work both in the UK and abroad in a variety of sectors. These include retail, education, IT, marketing and administration, management, international banking, finance, translation business development and law.

Others have studied for a postgraduate qualification in translating or interpreting to pursue language-based careers or continued to study Italian language or culture to Masters level, either for a PhD and career in academia or to further their knowledge.

We are committed to helping you achieve your career ambitions. The School of Languages, Cultures and Societies careers and employability support includes promoting internships, providing opportunities to work for the School and employer-led workshops and events.

Careers support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support.

Study abroad and work placements

Residence abroad

You’ll study in Leeds for two years before spending your third year in Italy, immersing yourself in local culture and cultivating your language skills.

You can either study abroad or take a work placement year.

Whatever you choose to do, you’ll gain new insight into Italian society as well as valuable experience of adapting to another culture. For many of our students, it’s the real highlight of their course.

Study abroad

We have partnerships with a number of Italian universities where you could study alongside Italian students.

Work placement

You could undertake a work placement with a company in an Italian speaking country or work as a language assistant in an Italian school under the British Council’s programme.

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