Asian Studies and Italian

Description

Asia is a fast-growing, large and diverse continent, encompassing many countries, cultures and languages. Combining Asian Studies with Italian enables you to engage with the cultural diversity of Asia alongside a deep understanding of one of Europe’s romantic and historically significant countries.

You develop a solid grounding in Asian Studies through a multidisciplinary approach that draws on modules in the Humanities and Social Sciences. The programme is designed to develop your critical awareness of the interpretive, cultural and political challenges to understanding Asian cultures and civilisations, both historically and today.

Italy is a cornerstone in culture, art and history across Europe, you cannot help but be inspired to learn the language. By learning Italian, you give yourself a tool to explore this cultural richness and to open your eyes to its Roman heritage, the Renaissance, modern architecture, fashion and car design. Italian is spoken not only in its home country, but also by over 15 million people in Switzerland, North America and Australia.

Italian was one of the first language departments created at Kent and we are proud to offer a programme that gives you the opportunity to learn Italian to a high standard and gain real insight into Italian culture, literature and society. The majority of the Italian teaching staff are native speakers and we regularly host Italian exchange students, giving you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the language. This is supplemented by excellent technical facilities, including three satellite TV channels, videos, DVDs and computer-assisted language learning.

The two subject areas in combination therefore provide you with a truly global perspective, gaining insights across cultures and continents.

Independent rankings

Modern languages were ranked 14th for student satisfaction in The Guardian University Guide 2014.

In the National Student Survey 2013, 90% of students in SECL were satisfied with the quality of their course.

Detailed Course Facts

Application deadline January 15 Tuition fee

• GBP 9000 Year (EEA)
• GBP 12450 Year (Non-EEA)

Start date September 2015 Credits (ECTS) 180 ECTS
Duration full-time 48 months Languages Take an IELTS test

• English

Delivery mode On Campus Educational variant Full-time More information Go To The Course Website

Course Content

Currently there is no course structure information available for this programme.

Year abroad

Stage 1

You take one compulsory module introducing you to Asian civilisations. You then choose optional modules covering politics and popular culture in Japan, and the rise of China; you also have the option of learning Japanese or Mandarin. In addition, you take the required modules for your joint honours subject.

Stage 2

You take one compulsory module on themes in the study of Asia. You then choose optional modules covering east Asian social and political systems, world literature, Buddhism and Hindu religious thought. It is possible to continue your Japanese and Mandarin language studies and begin learning Hindi. You also take the required modules for your joint honours subject.

Year abroad

Between Stages 2 and 3, you spend a year abroad in Italy as part of your Italian programme of study. Please see more information on your year abroad in the department of Italian.

Stage 3

Asian Studies module options include postcolonial images of Africa and South Asia, Japan in the world, and modern Chinese Societies. You can opt to continue your language studies. You must also take the required modules for your joint honours subject.

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6.5

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

take an IELTS test.

Requirements

Home/EU students

The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications, typical requirements are listed below, students offering alternative qualifications should contact the Admissions Office for further advice. It is not possible to offer places to all students who meet this typical offer/minimum requirement.

Qualification Typical offer/minimum requirement
A level:

• GCSE

C in a modern European language other than English

• Access to HE Diploma

The University of Kent will not necessarily make conditional offers to all access candidates but will continue to assess them on an individual basis. If an offer is made candidates will be required to obtain/pass the overall Access to Higher Education Diploma and may also be required to obtain a proportion of the total level 3 credits and/or credits in particular subjects at merit grade or above.

• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC National Diploma)

The university will consider applicants holding BTEC National Diploma and Extended National Diploma Qualifications (QCF; NQF;OCR) on a case by case basis please contact us via the enquiries tab for further advice on your individual circumstances.

• International Baccalaureate

34 points overall or 15 at HL

International students

The University receives applications from over 140 different nationalities and consequently will consider applications from prospective students offering a wide range of international qualifications. Our International Development Office will be happy to advise prospective students on entry requirements.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of Kent.

Funding

Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. Our 2015 financial support package includes a £6,000 cash bursary spread over the duration of your course. For Ts&Cs and to find out more, visit our funding page.

General scholarships

Scholarships are available for excellence in academic performance, sport and music and are awarded on merit. For further information on the range of awards available and to make an application see our scholarships website.

The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence

At Kent we recognise, encourage and reward excellence. We have created the Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence, which will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of AAA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications as specified on our funding pages. Please note that details of the scholarship for 2015 entry have not yet been finalised and are subject to change.

The Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies and Italian at the University of Kent offers students a unique interdisciplinary curriculum designed to deepen their understanding of two distinct cultural and linguistic regions: Asia and Italy. This combined honours programme enables students to develop linguistic proficiency, cultural awareness, and scholarly expertise in both areas, preparing them for diverse careers in international relations, diplomacy, translation, academia, business, and cultural exchange. Throughout the course, students engage with a wide range of subjects, including Asian history, politics, literature, and contemporary society, alongside Italian language, art, history, and literature. The programme emphasizes language acquisition and aims to produce graduates who are proficient communicators in both languages, complemented by critical thinking and analytical skills.

Students begin their studies with foundational modules in both Asian languages and Italian, progressing to more advanced language courses and area-specific modules that explore historical contexts, societal issues, and cultural practices. The university employs a mixture of lectures, seminars, language workshops, and independent research projects, ensuring a comprehensive and engaging learning experience. Additionally, students have opportunities for study abroad programmes in Asia and Italy, which enhance language fluency and cultural understanding through immersive experiences. The university's strong connections with institutions in relevant regions provide valuable networking and placement opportunities.

Assessment methods include essays, presentations, language examinations, and research projects, designed to evaluate both language proficiency and subject knowledge. The programme aims to produce graduates with a deep intercultural competence, skilled in cross-cultural communication, and capable of working in multilingual and multicultural environments. The university provides extensive support services, including language labs, library resources, and academic mentoring, to support student success.

Overall, the Asian Studies and Italian programme offers a rigorous and enriching educational experience that combines linguistic mastery with a broad understanding of Asian and Italian cultural and societal issues. It fosters critical engagement with global themes and equips students with the skills necessary for further academic research or professional careers in international fields. Graduates leave the programme with a distinctive CV, fluent language abilities, and a comprehensive understanding of two important global regions, opening doors to a multitude of international opportunities in various sectors.