Italian Studies

Italian studies is the academic discipline that explores the language, literature, culture, history, and politics of Italy and the Italian-speaking world, from the classical inheritance of ancient Rome and the intellectual achievements of the Renaissance through to the complex realities of contemporary Italy. It is a field of remarkable richness: Italian literature and art have shaped European culture profoundly, and Italy's political history, from the city-states and the Risorgimento to Fascism and the postwar republic, provides a case study in the most fundamental questions of democratic governance and national identity.

At the University of Warwick, this four-year, full-time BA degree develops your Italian language skills to a high level while also giving you the critical and analytical tools to engage with the full range of Italian culture and history. You will study the language itself alongside Italian literature, cinema, culture, and politics, working from the legacy of the classical world through the extraordinary achievements of the medieval and Renaissance periods to multicultural Italy today. The programme is taught by specialists with genuine research expertise, and Warwick's Italian department is known for the quality and breadth of its teaching.

A sandwich year and work placement are available, giving you the opportunity to gain professional experience, which could include time in Italy or in an Italy-related professional context in the UK. The typical entry tariff of 152 points reflects strong academic expectations.

Italian studies graduates go on to careers in education, translation and interpreting, journalism, cultural organisations, diplomacy, international business, publishing, and the arts sector. Many find roles that draw specifically on their Italian language competence and cultural knowledge, while others benefit more broadly from the communication, analytical, and research skills the degree develops. Postgraduate study in Italian studies, translation, or a related humanities or language field is a natural next step for those who wish to develop specialist expertise or pursue academic careers.