About this program
Italian MA Hons
As an MA (Hons) student of Italian, you will develop language and communication skills to a high level of proficiency. You will also have the opportunity to engage with a number of specialist topics in Italian literature, culture, history, politics and film.
Italian is available to both beginners and non-beginners. All students are introduced to a wide spectrum of cultural and literary genres, from medieval texts and poetry to 21st-century Italian novels, films and more.
Language is taught at all levels in small groups, allowing teaching staff to pay close attention to your progress. The Department’s innovative and distinctive teaching approach includes mixed skills and integrated classes, extensive use of contemporary audio-visual materials, and regular structured contact with native speakers. Students of Italian gain comprehensive transferable skills relevant to a wide range of careers. At Honours levels, you are also introduced to professional skills such as translation and interpreting.
During your third year, you have the opportunity to study abroad in Italy at one of the University’s partner institutions. The MA in Italian is also available as a five-year course with an integrated year abroad. The integrated year abroad is an opportunity for students to spend a year working in Italy between second year and third year.
Admission requirements
These grades are the overall standards required to consider you for entry. Find out more about Standard, Minimum and Gateway entry requirements using academic entry explained and see which entry requirements you need to look at using the entry requirements indicator.
- SQA Highers
- GCE A-Levels
- IB points
International applicants
If English is not your first language you will need an overall IELTS score of 7.0, with a minimum score of 6.5 in each component (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking), or an equivalent English language qualification.
For more information about admission requirements, please visit the university website.
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Learn moreProgram content
First Year
Two different types of modules are offered in first year: introductory Italian modules for beginners in Italian, and more advanced language and literature courses for those with more experience in Italian.
Students who are beginners in Italian are required to take the following compulsory modules in their first year:
- Introduction to Italian Language
- Italian Language (Elementary)
Students who have an SQA Higher or a GCE A-level in Italian are required to take the following compulsory modules in first year:
- Italian Language Intermediate 1 and 2
- Italian Geographies
- Italian Histories
Second Year
Second year modules are the same for all students regardless of any prior knowledge of Italian. Students are required to take the following compulsory modules in their second year:
- Second Level Italian
- Second Level Italian (Advanced)
Honours
If you take Italian in your third and fourth years, in addition to the compulsory language modules you will choose from a variety of advanced options which incorporate literary, historical and cultural studies into language learning. Modules at Honours level include topics such as:
- Authority and Subversion in the Renaissance Italy
- Black Italians
- Dante Alighieri
- Fascism and Film
- Foreign Bodies: Migration and Contemporary Italian Culture
- Italian Detective Fiction.
Scholarships & funding
Several scholarship options are available. Please check the university website for more information.
Program delivery
When not attending lectures, tutorials and practical language classes, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve:
- developing language skills
- working on individual and group projects
- undertaking research in the library
- preparing coursework assignments and presentations
- preparing for examinations.
Tuition
Career paths
Modern languages graduates have an extremely good record of employment after graduating, not only in all sectors that require advanced language skills but also in professional environments that demand good communication and analytical skills.
Employers value language graduates because they demonstrate excellent communication, interpersonal and intercultural skills.
Many graduates go on to:
- specialise in translation and interpreting services, in language teaching or other sector-specific careers
- join international institutions and enterprises, working in international development departments, human resources, administration, media and communication jobs
- start a career in the banking and financial sector
- join the civil service, particularly in positions within the Foreign Office
- continue to study at postgraduate level.
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About this institute
University of St Andrews
The University of St Andrews is Scotland’s first University. As a 600 year-old institution, we are known across the globe for our world leading quality and depth of research. For six centuries some of the world’s brightest and most promising...
Why study at University of St Andrews
Studying in St Andrews is a unique and rewarding experience that will take your skills and knowledge to the next level.
Students at St Andrews have access to some of the world’s best professors and lecturers and a degree from the University of St Andrews is sought after by employers around the world.
In addition to award-winning teaching and research, the University of St Andrews has an array of facilities which result in high levels of student satisfaction and a world class reputation.
Contact info
University of St Andrews
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