Italian and English Language

As one of Europe's most creative and diverse civilisations, Italy has a fascinating and influential history.

This flexible joint honours programme gives you the opportunity to study Italian in its cultural context while exploring how the English language has changed over time.

Combining the linguistic and cultural study of languages demonstrates that you are a good communicator, a resilient problem solver, and someone open to other cultures and new ideas.

Lots of our graduates started as complete beginners in Italian, leaving with a broad cultural education and specialist knowledge valued by employers.

Studying over four years enables you to choose courses that match your own interests, expertise and employability needs. We are unique in Scotland in offering students a full academic year abroad within the four-year honours programme, regardless of whether you spend the year studying or working.

Italian

Study Italian with us, and you will learn the language in the context of some of the most famous and influential works of literature, art and cinema.

No previous knowledge of Italian is needed. Intensive language tuition, including a year spent studying or working in Italy, will develop your ability to read, write and speak the language to a high standard with advanced translation skills.

Italian has been taught here since 1919, and has been part of our tradition for many years, as far back as the 18th century. From our own Italian Society to the Italian Cultural Institute, you will find many places in Edinburgh to develop your interest in Italian culture.

English Language

Using techniques from modern linguistics, you will analyse the structure of written and spoken English and explore how the language has changed in the course of its history.

As well as the study of change in English, we have a strong tradition of investigating variations of the language, including:

• Scots

• distinct dialects of English

• international variations

You will study modern-day English and Scots and identify the similarities and differences between English and other languages.

How long it takes to complete this degree programme

This programme is studied over 4 years, including a year abroad. This enables us to build choice and flexibility into your studies, giving you time to explore options, find what you like and build your skills.

Your first two years will be your pre-honours years. They will give you a good grounding in your subjects. In addition to studying core courses, you will broaden your education and skill set by choosing option courses. This may enable you to change the focus of your programme.

Your final two years will be your honours years. You will spend Year 3 abroad, gaining a lived experience of Italian culture. Year 4 will be tailored to your interests in specific topics or approaches to Italian and English Language.

Programme benefits

• Learn in an historic capital city where Italian has been taught for over a century.

• Study over four years, including one abroad.

• Become fluent in a language.

• Try out different subjects in your first two years.

• Delve into fantastic libraries and collections.

• Try your hand at creative writing and publishing.