Department of Italian

Explore the Italian language and cultures in all their variety and range, experiencing them at first-hand through study abroad while developing high-level language, communication and intercultural skills.

Why Study Italian At Warwick?

Warwick’s Italian Department is one of the largest and most highly rated in the UK.

The Department is recognised internationally for the quality of its teaching and research. It was ranked third nationally in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise, with 60% of its research publications assessed as ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’.

Our research culture is distinctive for its breadth and chronological span, ranging from Dante to 21st century migrant and Italophone writing. This range of interests is reflected in the breadth of options offered to students, which you can study in a wide range of degree combinations, creating a balance to suit you.

You will be studying the Italian language to a high level while developing your communication and research skills, as well as your knowledge of Italian culture, from its origins to the present day.

We welcome students from all backgrounds and levels, from absolute beginners to advanced Italian speakers.

Warren James

Student Profile: Warren James,
4th year, Italian Studies with French

'Studying at Warwick has given me the perfect university experience. Living with such a diverse group of people generated a tremendous sense of community, recognising that despite coming from different backgrounds, we all shared the same motivations. I soon began to appreciate just how much pride Warwick takes in its multicultural reputation. Having the opportunity to meet and converse with people from across the globe has enhanced my university experience both academically and personally.

A compulsory requirement of Italian degrees is to participate in a year abroad. I spent this year in Genoa, studying at the university. I can honestly say that this was the best possible way to hone my language skills, as well as being one of the best years of my life'.

Most students of Italian at Warwick spend their second year in Italy. This offers them the distinct advantage of becoming highly proficient in the language before being assessed in their third and fourth year.

At Warwick, you will become part of a thriving bi-lingual and bi-cultural community of students and staff, including a large number of Italian native speakers. We have an intake of 35–40 degree students each year, joined by around 40 Erasmus visiting students from more than 20 Italian universities.

    How Will I Be Taught?

    You will be taught by experts in each area of study, through lectures, seminars and language classes. Language is taught in all years and is at the core of every degree course. You will also select optional modules from a range including topics in Italian literature, cinema, contemporary society and politics, and also language teaching methodology. In your final year, you have the opportunity to write a dissertation on an individually-selected topic under the supervision of a subject specialist. You can study Italian as Single or Joint honours, combining Italian with another language or with other subjects. Degrees in Italian ‘and’ another subject have a 50/50 balance between the two components, while degrees in Italian ‘with’ mean that approximately 75% of your work will be in Italian.

    How Will I Be Assessed?

    Methods include a combination of assessed essays and written exams. Language modules have an element of continuous assessment and tests in spoken Italian, translation and essay writing.

    What Opportunities Are There To Study Abroad?

    All students of Italian spend one year abroad. For most this will mean studying at an Italian university during their second year and the Department offers placements at a large number of partner institutions under the Erasmus scheme. As part of the year students attend a funded residential course in Venice, where they meet teaching staff from the Department for seminars, workshops and individual tutorials at Warwick’s own Italian base, the Palazzo Pesaro Papafava www2.warwick.ac.uk/international/world/venice.

    What Careers Can A Warwick Degree In Italian Lead To?

    Graduates in Italian embark on a wide range of careers in the UK and abroad. Recent graduates have gone into law, accountancy, the financial sector, public sector, translating/interpreting, teaching, publishing and media, arts and events management, travel and tourism. Some have continued to postgraduate studies.