Italian BA

Course overview

Our Italian course will give you an in-depth knowledge of both Italy’s language and culture, helping you better understand a leading economy that’s steeped in cultural heritage. We welcome both beginners and advanced learners.

You’ll take core modules to build up your language skills, and receive an introduction to Italian culture and society. Optional modules allow you to explore Italian history and culture, via material such as opera, pop music, film, fashion and advertising.

Other topics covered in optional modules include Dante and the Renaissance, Facisim, the mafia, migration, ethnic and gender identities and language varieties. Your third year will see you travel to Italy itself, letting you further develop your knowledge.

Finally, you’ll take more advanced language and optional modules that cover feminism, food, design and Italian for business. A Final Year Project will allow you to work on a topic of your choice, with one of our expert tutors guiding your efforts.

Our Italian tutors at Leeds are all specialists in their fields and dedicated teachers. You will be supported and receive guidance throughout your degree.

At Leeds, we put emphasis on language learning and understanding today’s Italy in all its regional, social, gender, and ethnic diversity. You will explore Italian culture and society by engaging with authentic material such as books and the visual arts, films and series, photography, social media and websites, advertising, fashion, design, and much more.

By doing so, you will understand how Italy as a nation has been changing and how Italian communities living in Italy and abroad express different cultural, ethnic, regional, social, and gender identities.

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. Our Martin Thomas Translation Labs feature state-of-the-art computing facilities for translation studies as well as Interpreter Training Suites – ideal if you are considering a career in interpreting.

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. They contain many early editions of major Italian authors - Petrarch, Dante, Boccaccio and many others (the Brotherton Collection Incunabula section contains over 100 books printed in Italy). You’ll have access to free classes and workshops so you can learn how to use them.

Course details and modules

There are two routes within the Italian programme: one for beginners, and one for learners with prior knowledge of Italian (typically post AS level or equivalent experience subject to approval).

1. Beginners have their own dedicated intensive language modules in Years One and Two. After Year Two, they go on a Year Abroad, and afterwards come together with all other Italian students in the language and content classes in Year Four.
2. Learners who already have prior knowledge of Italian have their own dedicated Italian language modules in Years One and Two. After Year Two, they go on a Year Abroad, and afterwards come together with all other Italian students in the language and content classes in Year Four.

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. Examples include Medieval and Renaissance Italy, 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 Italian feminism, the history of Italian fashion and design, and specialised uses of Italian for marketing and business purposes. You might have the opportunity to take modules that are entirely taught 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.

Year 1 modules (selection of typical options shown below)

Lower Intermediate Italian (A2) (compulsory for learners with prior knowledge of Italian ) (20 credits) –
This module is aimed at students with a consolidated A2 level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). It will further develop all four skills—speaking, listening, reading and writing—while broadening grammatical, lexical and cultural knowledge. Students will engage in everyday interactions, express opinions with increasing nuance, and understand short authentic materials. Upon completion, students will have strengthened their competence to A2+ and be well prepared to progress towards B1 LEVEL; by the end, some students may begin to demonstrate selected B1 features.

Beginners Italian (A1) of the CEFR) (compulsory for beginners) (20 credits) –
This module enables students with little or no prior knowledge of Italian to develop their language skills up to A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). It focusses on achieving basic skills in all four areas (listening, speaking, reading and writing) and developing confidence and a degree of accuracy in basic communication in a limited range of situations.

LowerPre Intermediate Italian (A2) (compulsory for beginners) (20 credits) –
This module will help you to progress from A1 to A2 according to the CEFR scale in the four skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening) in Italian. On completion of this module, you will be able to understand simple instructions in Italian and respond appropriately in everyday situations. You will develop awareness of the Italian culture and linguistic diversity.

Exploring Italy: Introduction to Italian Culture and Society (compulsory) (20 credits) –
By attending this module, students will enter a journey of discovery of Italian culture and society from the Middle Ages to the contemporary multicultural present day. They will learn to analyse masterpieces of Italian art and literature, as well as popular works. Thanks to a selective overview of key moments and texts, this module will give students a broad understanding of the nation’s socio-historical and cultural dynamics, on the basis of which they will be able to build their independent studies in future years.

Welcome to LCS (10 credits) -
This module is specifically designed to welcome students to the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies and to equip students with key information and skills needed to thrive in their first semester and then beyond throughout their degree.

Art and Literature in Medieval and Renaissance Italy: An Introduction (10 credits) –
The period between 1300 and 1600 in Italy saw cultural changes which led to some of the best-known works of art and literature in Western Europe. As well as exploring the context of late medieval and Renaissance Italy, this module also introduces works by the 'three crowns' of Italian literature - Dante, Petrarch and Boccaccio - and by the celebrated artist Sandro Botticelli.

Italy from Fascism to the Present (10 credits) –
Established as a nation-state only in the nineteenth century, Italy is a young country. This course offers a survey of Italian history from unification onwards, concentrating on the fascist regime (1922-1943) and the establishment of the democratic republic (1946) up until the present day. Students will study Italian life under fascism, the Second World War, and the construction of the postwar Italian democracy. Students will explore themes such as the Mafia, national terrorism, and women’s rights.

Introduction to Audio-Visual Culture (optional module) (20 credits) –
Images, music, videos and objects make up most of the culture we produce and consume. How do we make meaning of them? And how do they achieve cultural significance and value? This module introduces the tools necessary to examine various forms of audio-visual culture, and its dynamics of production and consumption. Students will be exposed to a variety of cultural objects from across the world and from different historical periods.

World Histories (optional module) (20 credits) –
This module introduces students to the complexity and diversity of human perspectives in past cultures and aims to raise critical awareness of the culturally-inflected assumptions we all bring to our study of the past. The precise syllabus will vary from year to year, but will include opportunities to compare the writing of history in ‘Western’ and ‘non-Western’ cultures, and to look at a series of historical questions from diverse cultural, national and/or regional perspectives.

Discourse, Culture and Identity (optional module) (20 credits) –
What is ‘culture’? How do we construct our sense of nationhood and national/individual identity? What impact does globalisation have on the circulation of cultures and peoples? This module will develop your understanding of these issues by focusing on the multiple ways in which languages and discourses about languages shape our ideas about nation, identity, culture and globalisation. You will also enhance your research and communication skills by producing your own digital presentation.

Politics, Culture and Society (optional module) (20 credits) –
What are the key debates that shape the practice of politics internationally? How can theory help us better understand and analyse the practice of politics in the world today? How can awareness of differing cultural and intercultural perspectives help us better understand contemporary international politics? This module will introduce these themes and explore them in relation to a range of contexts drawn from around the world. Because they are shaped by the current research interests of the staff teaching the module, the precise topics covered will vary from year to year. They might typically include: The 1968 events in international context; the global politics of sex and sexuality; Nationalism and Self-Determination; Capitalism and crisis.

Worlds of Literature (optional module) (20 credits) –
Drawing on the wide range of languages and cultures taught in LCS, this module will challenge you to think critically about your perceptions of literature, raise your awareness of intellectual, philosophical, political and ethical questions, and introduce you to some of the concepts and approaches that will help you to negotiate different literary traditions. This introduction to literary analysis is illustrated by a varied selection of texts, including short stories, drama, poetry, and novels.

Intercultural Competence: Theory and Application (optional module) (20 credits) –
The module develops students’ intercultural competence by exploring the role of languages and cultures in business and beyond. It shows how an enhanced awareness of cultural specificities helps individuals and groups to navigate the complexity of society. In particular, students will develop a nuanced appreciation of what cultural diversity entails, how it affects the ways in which we perceive others as well as how we carry out tasks in business.

Year 2 modules (selection of typical options shown below)

Italian Language (compulsory for learners with prior knowledge of Italian) (20 credits) –
This module consolidates and improves basic and more complex grammatical structures used in a variety of contexts. Students will reinforce and further develop their linguistic competence (written and oral) in Italian grammar, vocabulary, style, and specialised uses of Italian. The core textbook and additional materials are linked to level B1/B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Italian Language (compulsory for post beginners) (20 credits) –
This module aims to take students from about A2 level to B1+ level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The core textbook will help students develop a strong foundation in Italian grammar, vocabulary, and idiomatic expressions at that level. Language classes will offer opportunities to communicate effectively in Italian, both in writing and orally, navigating diverse real-world situations. By engaging with authentic materials and real-life scenarios, students will gain a deeper understanding of Italian culture and customs. Furthermore, this module empowers students to take initiative in their language learning through regular use of flipped learning, self-directed study and research.

From Inferno to the World Introduction to Dante's Comedy (20 credits) –
Dante Alighieri stands as one of the most significant and innovative figures of the European Middle Ages. His Divine Comedy, a cornerstone of both Italian and global literature, narrates the journey through the three realms of the Christian afterlife by a character who is, at the same time, both Dante himself and Everyman. This module introduces Dante’s Comedy, allowing students to delve into a pivotal piece of Italian culture, while exploring one of the great works of world literature through translation. The module will combine close reading of passages from the poem (focusing in particular on its initial part, Inferno) looking at Dante’s perspectives on themes such as politics, community, justice, and religion, with an examination of the global dissemination and reception of the Divine Comedy, its lasting significance in world literature, and its continued resonance with contemporary audiences in a secularized world.

Screening Italy: Neorealist cinema to Netflix (20 credits) –
The module will explore how Italy is imagined on screen and the enduring appeal of Italian films and TV series among domestic and global audiences. Throughout the module you will look at a variety of Italian films and TV series.

You will cover different cultural and social contexts, and a range of topics such as Neorealist cinema, the outward-looking cinema from the 1960s, the increasing popularity of Italian TV series, and the production, consumption, and distribution of Italian films and TV series in an era of digital convergence (e.g. on Netflix and digital databases).

Modern Italian Identities Across Cultures (20 credits) –
This module explores how modern Italian identities have changed and have been represented across media and cultures, from the country’s unification to the present. The approach is historical, intranational, and transnational. Students examine how social identities have changed over Italy’s modern history and have travelled across national boundaries, highlighting the relevance of migrations and cultural exchanges. By looking at modern Italian identities in context, the module also emphasises their intersectional dimension, by focusing on the interplay of factors such as nationality, gender, ethnicity/race, class, and religion.

Languages in Action: From Theory to Practice (20 credits) –
This module offers students the chance to support language learners in a variety of settings, including local schools, online platforms, community centres and other community-based initiatives. In doing so, students will promote the joy and value of language learning. Students on the module will receive comprehensive training and guidance from LCS and the Students into Schools Team. The module is an excellent preparation for a PGCE and, although not solely designed for aspiring teachers, it can help students decide on their career path and provide a competitive edge. Please note that module enrolment is contingent on meeting the pre-requisite qualifications and the availability of placements. Please note that acceptance onto the module is not a guarantee that a placement can be found. In certain circumstances beyond LCS’s control, such as staffing changes at partner schools, placements may be withdrawn. In such cases, students will be advised to choose an alternative module.

Black Europe (20 credits) –
This module introduces students to debates surrounding European identity in relation to race. It will examine the presence of Black populations within Europe at various important moments from the classical period to the present day, examining how they have been represented, described and exhibited. It will also analyse the work of black writers, musicians, film makers and activists to understand how they have constructed and negotiated a Black Europe identity. The module has been devised in response to LUU initiative – ‘Why is my curriculum white?’ and its aim is to diversify the curriculum, especially in the field of languages and cultures.

Social Class across Cultures (20 credits) -
In recent debates over identity politics in the West, class is not always recognised as a relevant marker of identity, or is seen in conflict with other markers such as race or gender. This module explores the concept of social class across diverse cultural contexts. Students will investigate both historical and contemporary perspectives on class, considering how it intersects with other social identities and how understandings of class vary across the world, thereby decentring Anglophone debates.

The module is interdisciplinary, with a primary grounding in Cultural Studies. It examines different conceptions, representations, and empirical realities of how social class shapes identities and societies. After an introduction to core concepts, the module is organised around a series of global case studies that show how class operates differently across cultures and how these differences influence lived experiences. Through this work, students develop a nuanced understanding of class as a dynamic and culturally embedded phenomenon.

Year 3 compulsory module

Italian Residence Abroad (120 credits) – The residence abroad will take one of three forms:

• a British Council assistantship
• study at a partner institution
• a work placement in Italy

Year 4 compulsory module

Italian Language (20 credits) –
This module aims to develop students’ language skills to a proficiency level, approaching the communicative competence of a C1-C2 speaker of the Common European Framework of Reference for Language (CEFR). Students will explore the details of Italian language through authentic sources and topics regarding current affairs of the Italian speaking world, while practicing oral and written skills in a range of situations.

All students must take a final year project module:

Final Year Project (40 credits) -
This module provides students with the opportunity to develop extensive research, analytical and communication skills. For this independent project, students research a topic of their choice in substantial depth. While students have a great degree of autonomy in their topic choice, this is subject to staff expertise and availability to ensure students are supported adequately and effectively. Support available to students combines a dedicated training programme of lectures and workshops, a range of online resources as well as formative assignments and regular individual supervision meetings with an academic supervisor. The assessment that students submit will be one of several options from which students can choose and which include a dissertation, a translation research project or a public engagement project.

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

Made in Italy and Italian Creativity (20 credits) –
This module explores how the “Made in Italy” label - originating in post-war material and consumer culture - evolved into a global symbol of Italian creativity, lifestyle, and identity. Students will examine its cultural significance and impact on perceptions of Italy both nationally and internationally, using case studies from culture, language, and media. By engaging with authentic materials in Italian and English, students will develop advanced linguistic skills while gaining critical insights into how Italian creativity - through the idea of “Made in Italy” - is expressed, perceived, and represented today.

Representing the Holocaust: Transgression and the Taboo (20 credits) -
This module addresses the questions: Are there taboos in representing the Holocaust in contemporary culture? How have norms on the representation of the Holocaust developed? How have artists responded to the challenge of representing the Holocaust? The module takes an interdisciplinary approach to novels, visual culture, debates, memorials and films that deal with the subject of the Holocaust, tracing the development of national memory cultures and exploring the current transnational trends in Holocaust representation.

Decolonial Approaches (20 credits) –
This module provides an introduction to decolonial methodologies across the arts and humanities. It will empower students to examines the ideological bases of the assumptions that underpin university- based teaching and research. Students will be introduced to develop through the module a nuanced knowledge of non-Eurocentric epistemologies and research methods to help guide your own learning.

Social Movements across Cultures (20 credits) –
This module introduces students to key concepts and theories of social movements and examines how they emerge, what forms they take, what they seek to achieve, and whether they succeed in driving societal change. It focuses on local manifestations of social movements as they arise across cultures in response to global challenges, and includes the study of anti-colonial, environmental, student, sex- and gender-based, anti-globalisation, and religious movements in Europe, Latin America, East Asia, and the Middle East and North Africa. Comparative in scope, the module explores cross-cultural and cross-regional similarities and differences in social movement organisation and activism.

Minoritised Languages, Dialects and Cultures from Past to Present (20 credits) –
Nation-states have a complex and evolving linguistic situation, in which local, regional or nonstandard language varieties co-exist and increasingly compete with dominant standard forms. This module offers a critical, interdisciplinary introduction to the study of minoritised languages and cultures across global and local contexts. Drawing on perspectives from sociolinguistics, history and socio cultural studies, it explores how language relates to identity, power, inequality and cultural heritage, and invites students to consider the social, political and historical forces that shape the status of minoritised linguistic communities.

Contemporary World Literature (20 credits) -
Contemporary World Literature allows students to study a range of recent novels or short stories translated into English from some of the different languages taught in LCS. It introduces students to the concepts of the global novel and the international literary field, exploring questions of publication, translation, and reception, including reviews, criticism and prizes. Team-taught by weekly seminars over both semesters, the module allows time for in-depth study and discussion of the primary texts (usually three per semester). Students are encouraged to develop their own interests in the different themes covered over the year, including affect, ethics, family, gender, genre, history, identity, love, memory, multilingualism, politics, sexuality, transnationalism, and trauma. The texts studied vary from year to year, embracing both critically and commercially successful works as well as lesser-known ones.

Learning and teaching

You’ll benefit from different teaching methods that will suit your learning style including lectures, seminars, tutorials, and workshops. Most of your teaching will be delivered in small-group seminars and you’ll get to know your tutors who will support you throughout your degree. You will become familiar with innovative digital technologies which make learning and teaching more interactive.

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. All assessment components mirror the diversity of resources used in teaching, employing different textual and media inputs. Coursework makes the most of your assessments: alongside language portfolios and essays you will be assessed on components such as group projects, reports, oral presentations, sequence analysis, and podcast.

We offer support in these areas as well – for example, we run extra classes on skills such as public speaking, structuring essays and podcasting that you’ll be able to attend throughout your time at Leeds.

Entry requirements

A-level: ABB

Where the post-A level language route is taken, a B grade in Italian is required. Where the beginner language route is taken, previous experience in Italian is not required.

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 a contextual 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.

If you live in a neighbourhood where there is low participation in higher education, we may be able to give priority to your application.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and contextual admissions.

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

Alternative Entry Scheme for Mature Students

If you are a mature applicant (over 21) and you don’t have the required A Levels or GCSE English and maths qualifications, you can complete our Alternative Entry Scheme (subject to meeting the eligibility criteria for the scheme). As part of this, you may be asked to take tests in English and maths and to write an essay.

Contact the Lifelong Learning Centre for more information. lifelonglearning@leeds.ac.uk

Arts and Humanities with Foundation Year

This course is designed for students whose backgrounds mean they are less likely to attend university (also known as widening participation backgrounds) and who do not currently meet admissions criteria for direct entry to a degree.

The course will give you the opportunity to be taught by academic staff and provides intensive support to enable your development of academic skills and knowledge. On successful completion of your foundation year, you will progress to your chosen degree course. Find out more about the Arts and Humanities with Foundation Year

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 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 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: £10,050

International: To be confirmed

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.

Additional cost information

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 on our living costs and budgeting page.

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.

Scholarships are also available to help fund your degree. Find out more and check your eligibility below:

• Scholarships for International students
• Scholarships for UK students
• Your subject area may also offer scholarships

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 Admissions Policy 2026

This course is taught by

School of Languages, Cultures and Societies

Contact us

School of Languages, Cultures and Societies Undergraduate Admissions

Email: lcsug@leeds.ac.uk

Career opportunities

Italian graduates have gone on to work in business and finance, marketing, management, publishing, journalism, tourism, law, cultural institutions, curatorship, the civil service and education. Others have pursued language-based careers such as translating or interpreting, or pursued postgraduate training in these fields.

Careers support

As a student with us, you will be guided in your career choices and prepared for life after your degree in a variety of ways. Workshops and events are organised for you by the School throughout the year and focus on networking, understanding the value of your language skills, hearing from alumni about their career experiences and hosting graduate recruiters who want to hire you.

We’ll also keep you informed of work/voluntary placements for your time abroad and of any other part-time and volunteering opportunities that you can fit around your studies.

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.

This high-level knowledge provides access to many careers, but you’ll also acquire a range of transferable skills that are highly desirable to employers. You’ll be a clear communicator with strong presentation skills, as well as being a critical thinker who draws your own conclusions from the information available to you. Your residence abroad will demonstrate that you are independent and adaptable, while you’ll have skills in teamwork, research and time management.

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.

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 opportunities

You’ll spend your third year in Italy, immersing yourself in local culture and perfecting your language skills. 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.

One of Leeds’ strong points is the variety and quantity of partnerships we have with Italian universities, where you could study alongside Italian and international students. These include the universities of Milan, Bologna, Torino, Genova, Padova, Parma, Bergamo, Siena, Ferrara, Verona, and Perugia.

Work placement opportunities

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

Examples of previous work placements undertaken by Leeds students include:

• Globally Speaking (Rome) - Teaching English
• British Institutes Brescia -Teaching English
• Cantine Ermes S.C.A – marketing role in a wine company