Italian and Philosophy

Program Description:

The Bachelor of Arts in Italian and Philosophy at the University of Kent offers students a unique interdisciplinary educational experience that combines the rich cultural and linguistic traditions of Italy with the analytical and critical skills developed through philosophical study. This double honours degree is designed to cultivate proficiency in the Italian language, enabling students to communicate effectively in both spoken and written form, while also exploring Italy’s extensive cultural, literary, and historical heritage. The philosophy component of the programme encourages students to engage with fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, ethics, and society, fostering rigorous analytical thinking and intellectual versatility.

Throughout the course, students will benefit from a diverse curriculum that includes language modules, literature and culture modules focusing on Italian history, art, and contemporary society, alongside core philosophy modules covering areas such as metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and political philosophy. The programme emphasizes the development of critical thinking, research skills, and intercultural awareness, preparing graduates for careers in international relations, translation, teaching, journalism, or further academic study.

Students will have opportunities for practical language use through immersive activities, group discussions, and potential placements in Italy, which enhance language fluency and cultural understanding. The programme is supported by experienced academic staff who are experts in their fields, providing mentorship and guidance to foster academic success and personal development. The university’s facilities include language laboratories, extensive library resources, and collaborative learning spaces to support a vibrant learning environment.

The Italian and Philosophy programme aims to produce well-rounded graduates equipped with linguistic proficiency, philosophical insight, and intercultural competence, ready to meet the challenges of a globalized world. The curriculum is carefully structured to allow flexibility for students to tailor their studies to particular interests within the fields of language, culture, and philosophy. Upon successful completion, graduates will be capable of engaging critically with complex texts, articulating well-informed arguments, and understanding diverse cultural perspectives, making them valuable candidates in various professional contexts and academic pursuits.

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
Credits Total Kent credits: 360
Duration full-time 48 months Partnership Joint Languages Take an IELTS test

• English

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

Course Content

The course structure below gives a flavour of the modules that will be available to you and provides details of the content of this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation. Most programmes will require you to study a combination of compulsory and optional modules, you may also have the option to take ‘wild’ modules from other programmes offered by the University in order that you may customise your programme and explore other subject areas of interest to you or that may further enhance your employability.

Stage 1

Possible modules may include:

IT312 - History of Italian Cinema:The Legacy of Neo-Realism

IT315 - Writing Italy through the Centuries:An Introduction

PL302 - Introduction to Philosophy: Knowledge and Metaphysics

PL303 - Introduction to Philosophy: Ethics

PL310 - Introduction to Philosopy: Logic and Reasoning

PL315 - Philosophical Reading and Writing (core)

IT301 - Learning Italian - Beginners

IT308 - Learning Italian 3 (Post A Level)

Stage 2

Possible modules may include:

IT508 - Learning Italian 2 (Intermediate)

IT563 - Learning Italian 4 *Advanced)

IT542 - Italian Extended Essay

IT552 - Italian Short Story

IT556 - Catching the Tide: Cultural Renewal in 20th Century Italy

PL620 - Justice, Violence and the State

PL625 - Continental Philosophy: Kant's Critique of Pure Reason

PL628 - Continental Philosophy: Subject, Identity and the Political

PL638 - Schopenhauer and Nietzsche

PL640 - Normative Ethics

PL584 - Knowledge and Metaphysics: Descartes to Kant

PL588 - Metaphysics, Truth and Relativism

PL595 - Metaethics

PL596 - Philosophy of Medicine

PL598 - Greek Philosophy: Plato and Aristotle

PL599 - Wittgenstein

PL601 - Philosophy of Religion

PL602 - Philosophy of Language

PL604 - Advanced Topics in Mind and Langauge

PL605 - Logic

PL606 - Philosophy of Science

PL608 - Paradoxes

PL609 - Philosophy of Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence

PL610 - Aesthetics

PL618 - Political Philosophy

You have the opportunity to select wild modules in this stage

Year abroad

The University of Kent has Erasmus agreements with several universities in Italy.

Possible modules may include:

LA514 - Year Abroad Module

Stage 3

Possible modules may include:

IT506 - Learning Italian 5

IT564 - Istantanea: Photography and Visual Culture in Modern and Contemporary I

IT571 - Learning Italian Through Literature

IT573 - Italian Gangsters: Literary and Cinematic Representations of Crime in T

IT503 - Italian Dissertation

SCL501 - Languages in the Classroom

PL619 - Political Philosophy

PL514 - Knowledge and Metaphysics: Descartes to Kant

PL526 - Aesthetics

PL552 - Metaphysics, Truth and Relativism

PL569 - Metaethics

PL570 - Philosophy of Medicine

PL572 - Greek Philosophy:Plato and Aristotle

PL573 - Wittgenstein

PL575 - Philosophy of Religion

PL576 - Philosophy of Language

PL578 - Advanced Topics in Mind and Language

PL579 - Logic

PL580 - Philosophy of Science

PL582 - Paradoxes

PL583 - Philosophy of Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence

PL641 - Normative Ethics

PL639 - Schopenhauer and Nietzsche

PL629 - Continental Philosophy: Subject , Identity and the Political

PL621 - Justice, Violence and the State

PL624 - Continental Philosophy: Kant's Critique of Pure Reason

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

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: BBB

• 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, including a modern European language other than English 4 at HL or 5 at SL

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.

The Philosophy and Italian programme at the University of Kent offers students a comprehensive and interdisciplinary education that combines the study of philosophical thought with the rich cultural and linguistic traditions of Italy. This degree program is designed to develop critical thinking, analytical skills, and a deep appreciation for both philosophical inquiry and Italian language and culture. Throughout the course, students will engage with a wide range of philosophical subjects, including ethics, metaphysics, epistemology, political philosophy, and the history of philosophy, while simultaneously studying Italian language, literature, history, and cultural studies. The programme aims to produce graduates who are not only proficient in Italian language skills but also capable of critically analyzing complex texts, engaging in philosophical discourse, and understanding Italy's significant contributions to philosophy, arts, and humanities.

Students have the opportunity to participate in various modules tailored to explore Italian literature, philosophy, and cultural history, often incorporating language immersion and cultural experiences. The programme may include options for Erasmus exchanges or study abroad semesters in Italy, fostering intercultural competence and linguistic proficiency. Admission requirements typically include a strong academic record, proficiency in Italian (if prior knowledge is required), and an interest in philosophical questions and critical analysis. The faculty involved in delivering this programme are experts in their respective fields, offering mentorship and support to help students develop their academic and practical skills.

Graduates of this programme can pursue careers in education, research, translation, international relations, cultural management, or continue with postgraduate studies in philosophy, Italian studies, or related disciplines. The programme is designed to equip students with transferable skills such as research, written and oral communication, critical analysis, and cultural awareness. Overall, the Philosophy and Italian degree at the University of Kent provides a well-rounded academic experience that combines language mastery with philosophical inquiry, preparing students for diverse professional and academic pursuits in an increasingly globalized world.