Italian and English Language, MA (Hons)

Italy stands as one of Europe's most innovative and multifaceted civilizations, boasting a rich and impactful history. This adaptable joint honours programme allows students to explore Italian language and culture alongside the evolution of the English language. By integrating linguistic and cultural studies, participants demonstrate strong communication skills, resilience in problem-solving, and openness to diverse perspectives. Many graduates begin with no prior Italian knowledge, yet emerge with a comprehensive cultural education and specialized expertise highly sought by employers.In studying Italian, students engage with iconic works of literature, art, and cinema, supported by intensive tuition and a year abroad in Italy to achieve advanced proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and translation. The English Language component examines its over 1,000-year history through texts and recordings, covering theoretical linguistics, language acquisition, regional variations, and communication methods. Students may also explore Scots language and courses relevant to Italian studies, such as phonetics and global language diversity.At the University of Edinburgh, opportunities abound through the Italian Society and Cultural Institute to deepen cultural interests. With Italian studies dating back to 1919 and roots in the 18th century, the four-year programme offers flexibility to select interdisciplinary courses tailored to personal and career goals, including a full year abroad—unique in Scotland—for study or work.