Italian and Classics

Italian and classics is a combination with deep historical logic. Italian is the modern inheritor of Latin, and the culture of Italy has been shaped at every stage by its relationship with the classical inheritance of ancient Rome and Greece. The Renaissance, which produced some of the great achievements of Italian literature, art, and political thought, was itself a sustained act of classical recovery, and understanding Italian culture without engaging with that classical background means missing one of its most important dimensions.

Studying the two together creates a layered understanding of Italian civilisation that moves continuously between ancient and modern.

At the University of Warwick, this four-year, full-time BA degree allows you to explore both the classical world and Italian culture from the medieval period to the present. On the Italian side, you will engage with language, literature, history, culture, politics, and film, with the option to study Italian from scratch if you are a beginner. On the classical side, you will encounter the literature, history, philosophy, and material culture of ancient Greece and Rome, engaging with primary texts in translation and understanding them in their historical and cultural context.

A sandwich year and work placement are available, giving you professional experience in a relevant context. The typical entry tariff of 152 points reflects strong academic expectations.

Graduates of Italian and classics work in education, publishing, the cultural sector, heritage organisations, translation, journalism, and a wide range of other professional fields where linguistic, cultural, and analytical skills are valued. Academic careers in Italian studies or classics require postgraduate study, and the degree provides an excellent foundation for doctoral research in either field or at their intersection. The combination of classical depth and modern language competence is also valued in the civil service, cultural diplomacy, and roles in European organisations.