Italian and Spanish

Italian and Spanish with a year abroad at York is a degree that develops genuine high-level proficiency in both languages through a distinctive teaching approach: you are taught in the language you are learning, with a focus on society, politics, and culture, guided by supportive staff many of whom are native speakers. Italian is offered from beginner level, and you will be amazed at how you progress from knowing nothing to engaging with Italian literature, culture, and contemporary life at an advanced level. Spanish is also taught with depth, combining linguistic instruction with engagement with the rich and diverse cultures of the Spanish-speaking world from Spain to Latin America.

At the University of York, this four-year full-time programme builds toward a year abroad spent in Italy or another Spanish-speaking country, which is the centrepiece of the degree, transforming your linguistic fluency and cultural immersion in ways that no classroom can replicate. A sandwich year in industry and a work placement are also part of the programme, giving you direct professional experience using your languages in a professional context. York's approach to language teaching produces graduates with real communicative confidence alongside cultural and critical depth in both traditions.

With a typical entry tariff of 152 UCAS points, this is a competitive programme at a well-regarded university. Graduates pursue careers in translation and interpreting, international business, education and language teaching, journalism, broadcasting, diplomacy and the foreign office, cultural heritage, publishing, and any field where multilingual competence and cross-cultural intelligence are genuine professional assets. The combination of Italian and Spanish is particularly valuable in careers bridging the European and Latin American worlds.

Many graduates continue to postgraduate study in languages, translation, Italian or Hispanic studies.