Italian
UCAS code R300
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Duration
- 4 years
- Start date and application deadlines
-
- Start date
About this course
The Italian language carries an unparalleled cultural capital. Whilst according to UNESCO over 60% of the world’s art treasures are found in Italy, around the world the long history of Italian migration underlies food, arts, sport, fashion, tourism and heritage industries in millions of local enterprises and ventures. Italian culture is truly global and testifies to the human passion for learning and making art, beauty and history.
Introduction
Italian at Liverpool has a distinctive approach to help you become highly proficient in Italian and critically understand its history and culture: one that develops the ability of students to engage confidently with Italian language, history and culture inside and outside Italy, in the Italian peninsula as well as in the context in which students live and study.
By learning about history, sociolinguistics, film and literature through the lens of Italian, our students develop a crucial set of linguistic and cultural skills to navigate the transcultural processes of the of the world in which they live.
In close association with staff’s research expertise and interests, modules explore Italian language – including translation and interpreting – linguistics, cultural history, cinema, contemporary fiction, popular culture, post-colonial and transcultural studies. Extracurricular activities include film screenings and social activities as well as an annual Italian themed public event, the Lucrezia Zaina Bequest Lecture, which brings to Liverpool inspiring contemporary figures associated with Italian culture from around the world.
The Italian subject group at Liverpool consists predominantly of tutors and language assistants with Italian as their first language. We continue to work on the expansion of both academic and business links with Italy to assist during the Year Abroad.
What you'll learn
- The ability to communicate appropriately, fluently and accurately in a number of personal and professional contexts in Italian
- Linguistic principles required to analyse the Italian language
- Detailed study of literary and other cultural texts and contexts to develop a broad knowledge and critical understanding of the cultures, communities and societies in which Italian is spoken
- The ability to contextualise a broad range of materials in written and spoken Italian
- Analytic engagement with texts
- Oral and written presentation skills in both your native language and Italian
Course content
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
Year one
In year one you will study appropriate language modules as well as foundational modules which serve as a broad introduction to the literary, cultural, film, linguistic and historical modules offered in the subsequent years of the degree. You will also take a ‘Language awareness’ module in the first year which is designed to support your language learning by sensitising you to issues in language and linguistics, and a ‘Texts and context’ module which develops your research skills through a portfolio of tasks structured around a chosen text or film.
Students take 30 credits of required modules and 15 credits of optional modules in each semester.
Student must take EITHER ITAL112 and ITAL134 OR ITAL105 and ITAL106. Students with A Level Italian or equivalent should normally take ITAL105 and ITAL106. Students with no previous experience of learning Italian, or with qualifications below A Level should normally take ITAL112 and ITAL134.
Language modules must be taken in pairs.
Students may study an additional language as part of their optional modules if they wish.
Modules
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Year two
During your second year, you will take language and cultural modules which have a strong emphasis on the history, literature and film of Italy, complemented by departmental modules which offer thematic approaches to cities, graphic novels and film adaptations among other subjects.
Students take 45 credits of optional modules in Semester 1.
Students take ITAL215 and 30 credits of optional modules in Semester 2.
Italian language modules should continue from those taken in Year 1 (i.e. students who took ITAL112 and ITAL134 should take ITAL256 and ITAL278; students who took ITAL105 and ITAL106 should take ITAL207 and ITAL208).
MODL200 is subject to a suitable placement being sourced.
Up to 15 credits of optional modules may be taken from cognate subjects elsewhere in the School of Histories, Languages and Cultures with prior permission from the Subject Lead.
Modules
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| INTERMEDIATE ITALIAN 5+6 (ITAL256) | 15 |
| ADVANCED ITALIAN 7 (ITAL207) | 15 |
| ADVANCED ITALIAN 7+8 (ITAL278) | 15 |
| ADVANCED ITALIAN 8 (ITAL208) | 15 |
| EXTENDED PROJECT IN MODERN LANGUAGES (MODL250) | 15 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Year Abroad (Year three)
You will spend one year in an Italian-speaking country as a language assistant in a school, as a student at a partner university, or on a work placement. If you combine Major Italian with a minor in another language, you will split the year abroad between an Italian-speaking country and another country.
Assessment during your year abroad
You will complete assessment tasks appropriate to your year abroad placement, either producing one or more pieces of work in Italian or completing modules at your host university.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Year four
Your fourth year brings together your interests from your second year of study, complements the activities from your Year Abroad, and includes a compulsory dissertation.
Students take 30 credits of required modules and 30 credits of optional modules in Semester 1, and 45 credits of mandatory modules and 15 credits of optional modules in Semester 2.
MODL307 is a ‘year-long’ module and represents 15 credits in each semester.
Up to 15 credits of optional modules may be taken from cognate subjects elsewhere in the School of Histories, Languages and Cultures with prior permission from the Subject Lead.
Modules
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| PROFICIENT ITALIAN 11 (ITAL311) | 15 |
| PROFICIENT ITALIAN 12 (ITAL312) | 15 |
| THE SOCIOLINGUISTICS OF CONTEMPORARY ITALY (ITAL320) | 15 |
| DISSERTATION (MODL307) | 30 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Combined degree
Choosing this subject as a combined degree
If you split your degree between Italian and another subject area, you will study an Italian language module, at beginners’ or advanced level, and a cultural module per semester, alongside two other modules in your other subject.
If you combine Italian with a non-language subject, you will spend the year abroad in a Italian speaking country as an assistant in a school, as a student at a university or on a work placement. If you combine Italian with another language, you will split the year abroad between the two countries.
Teaching and assessment
How you'll learn
You will be taught in a mixture of formal lectures, seminars and small group tutorials where a friendly environment prevails and great attention is paid to giving feedback on assessed work.
In language classes, we make every effort to ensure that we have a small number of students compared to competitor institutions, which means that academic staff are able to support students to achieve their full potential. All language modules involve continuous assessment such as oral presentations, listening tests and grammar tests as well as exams. Tuition takes place in small groups with first-language speakers playing a prominent part and includes a range of skills such as listening, writing, speaking, interpreting and translation.
Students are also expected to make regular use of our fully-refurbished Language Lounge to enhance their own study. We encourage our students to become independent learners, and support them through our dedicated library resources in the Sydney Jones Library which is open 24-hour in term time. We also make extensive use of our virtual learning environment VITAL where students can complete structured tasks outside the classroom.
How you're assessed
Performance throughout the year is carefully monitored and used to supplement examinations. For language, such a programme of continuous assessment involves evaluating performance in a variety of written and oral exercises. Other modules have a mix of essay and exam assessment. Our aim is always to assess by methods of evaluation appropriate to the skills being developed and to allow students to gain credit for good work done during the year.
Exams take place at two points in the academic year: at the end of semester one in January and at the end of the session in May, so that the workload is evenly distributed. As regards the final degree result, for language programmes, the second year’s work counts for 20%, the work done during the year abroad (foreign exams or extended essay or portfolio) counts for another 10%, and the final year’s work counts for 70%.
Liverpool Hallmarks
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
The Liverpool Curriculum framework sets out our distinctive approach to education. Our teaching staff support our students to develop academic knowledge, skills, and understanding alongside our graduate attributes:
- Digital fluency
- Confidence
- Global citizenship
Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:
- Research-connected teaching
- Active learning
- Authentic assessment
All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.
Entry requirements
The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| A levels |
BBC |
| BTEC Level 3 national extended diploma |
DDM. |
| BTEC combinations |
BTEC National Diploma DM plus B at A level; BTEC National Extended Certificate M plus BB at A level. |
| Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced |
C in the Welsh Baccalaureate, plus BB at A level. |
| Access |
Pass relevant Access to HE Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits with 27 at Distinction and 18 at Merit. |
Course options
Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.
Global opportunities
University of Liverpool students can choose from an exciting range of study placements at partner universities worldwide.
Year abroad
Broaden your world by spending an additional year of study at a partner university abroad following your second year of study.
- Choose from up-to 26 countries
- Experience another way of life
- Inspire your future career or studies
- Improved prospects of earning a 2:1 or First
- More likely to earn higher salary
- More likely to be employed after graduating
Where can I spend a year abroad on this course?
- Australia
- Canada
- Hong Kong
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- South Korea
- USA
Language study
Every student at The University of Liverpool can study a language as part of, or alongside their degree. You can choose:
- A dedicated languages degree
- A language as a joint or major/minor degree
- Language modules (selected degrees)
- Language classes alongside your studies
Combine this subject
With a combined degree, you can study two subjects as part of the same degree programme.
- Choose from 30 subjects and over 300 combinations
- Choose joint or major minor subjects
- Adjust the weight of your subjects at the end of your first year
- Same number of credits as single honours students
- Same classes as single honours students
- Appeal to a wide range of employers
Your experience
Teaching is delivered by the Department of Languages, Cultures and Film, who bring together experts in a wide range of disciplines. A cutting edge research programme and award-winning teaching provide great opportunities to study all aspects of language and culture within a global context.
Explore where you'll study
A day in the life of Modern Languages student Charlotte
Virtual tour
Supporting your learning
From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:
- Careers and employability support, including help with career planning, understanding the job market and strengthening your networking skills
- A dedicated student services team can help you get assistance with your studies, help with health and wellbeing, and access to financial advice
- Confidential counselling and support to help students with personal problems affecting their studies and general wellbeing
- Support for students with differing needs from the Disability advice and guidance team. They can identify and recommend appropriate support provisions for you.
Chat with our students
Want to find out more about student life?
Chat with our student ambassadors and ask any questions you have.
Languages at Liverpool – Will you become a citizen of the world?
Engage with topical historical, cultural and topical debates.
Careers and employability
Studying Italian goes beyond preparing students for a specific career, as the skills learned offer many possibilities. The Higher Education Statistics Agency consistently records high employment levels for language graduates, and the employability of graduates in Italian is excellent.
We are justifiably proud of our excellent record on graduate employment. Our graduates go on to careers in all sectors worldwide. These include:
- Media
- Industry and commerce
- Finance
- Local and central government
- Translation
- Interpreting
- Teaching in schools and universities.