Italian and Religious Studies

Programme Description:

The BA in Italian and Religious Studies at the University of Kent offers students an exceptional opportunity to explore the rich cultural, historical, and religious dimensions of Italy alongside a comprehensive study of religious traditions, beliefs, and practices across the world. This interdisciplinary programme is designed to develop a deep understanding of Italy’s literary heritage, artistic achievements, and societal developments, as well as providing insights into diverse religious phenomena and their influence on global cultures. Students will engage with a broad curriculum that combines language proficiency in Italian with critical analyses of religious texts, philosophies, and institutions.

Throughout the course, students will have the chance to enhance their linguistic skills through immersive language classes, enabling effective communication and cultural understanding. Concurrently, they will study key themes such as Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, and other major world religions, alongside contemporary issues related to religion and society. The programme encourages critical thinking through a variety of analytical and research methods, fostering skills necessary for careers in academia, journalism, cultural management, diplomacy, or further postgraduate study.

Students will also benefit from the university’s strong links with cultural organizations and opportunities for study abroad in Italy, allowing for firsthand experience of Italian culture and religious traditions. The programme is suitable for students with interests in history, arts, culture, religious studies, and languages. Graduates will emerge with a unique combination of linguistic competence, cultural awareness, and a nuanced understanding of religious diversity, empowering them to operate effectively in a globalized world. The BA Italian and Religious Studies prepares students not only for diverse career paths but also for lifelong engagement with the complex relationships between language, culture, and faith.

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 Languages Take an IELTS test

• English

Delivery mode On Campus Educational variant 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

TH331 - Introduction to Hinduism & Buddhism

TH334 - Religion and Sex

TH340 - Gods of the Desert: Judaism and Islam

TH341 - What is Religion?

TH342 - Religion in the Contemporary World

TH345 - From: Eden To The End of The World: An Introduction to The Bible

TH346 - Introduction to Asian Traditions

IT301 - Learning Italian - Beginners

IT308 - Learning Italian 3 (Post A Level)

You have the opportunity to select wild modules in this stage

Stage 2

Possible modules may include:

IT563 - Learning Italian 4 *Advanced)

IT508 - Learning Italian 2 (Intermediate)

IT542 - Italian Extended Essay

IT552 - Italian Short Story

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

TH570 - I:Religion and Film

TH571 - I:Death of God ? :Christianity and the Modern World

TH608 - Sociology of Religion

TH591 - History and Literature in Early Christianity:Luke-Acts

TH594 - Christianity and Ethics

TH598 - Issues in Religious Studies

TH601 - Hindu Religious Thought

TH606 - William James: Philosopher, Psychologist and Scholar of Religion

TH618 - Continental Philosophy of Religion

Year abroad

You normally spend the year abroad at one of our exchange universities in Italy – Bologna, Parma, Pavia or Salerno. Alternatively, you can opt to work as an English language assistant in an Italian school. A paid internship programme is available.

Possible modules may include:

LA514 - Year Abroad Module

Stage 3

Possible modules may include:

IT506 - Learning Italian 5

IT571 - Learning Italian Through Literature

IT572 - Italian Landscapes of Poetry: Nature, Eroticism and Poetics

IT548 - Italian Cinema and Literature

IT531 - Women Writers of the Twentieth Century

IT503 - Italian Dissertation

TH530 - History and Literature in Early Christianity:Luke-Acts

TH607 - William James: Philosopher, Psychologist and Scholar of Religion

TH617 - Continental Philosophy of Religion

TH574 - H:Religion and Film

TH575 - H:Death of God ? :Christianity and the Modern World

TH577 - Christianity and Ethics

TH515 - Theology and Religious Studies Dissertation

TH553 - Issues in Religious Studies

TH555 - Hindu Religious Thought

TH558 - Sociology of Religion

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: ABB

• 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 16 at HL, including a modern European language other than English 4 at HL or 5 at SL and World Religions 5 at SL (where taken)

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 University of Kent offers a comprehensive program in Religious Studies that explores the diverse beliefs, practices, and historical developments of religions around the world. This programme aims to provide students with a deep understanding of the religious phenomena that shape societies and cultures, fostering critical thinking and analytical skills. The curriculum covers various aspects of religious traditions, including their origins, texts, rituals, and ethical systems, as well as contemporary issues related to religion in society. Students have the opportunity to study major world religions such as Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism, alongside less widely known faiths and new religious movements. The programme also emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of religious studies, incorporating perspectives from history, anthropology, philosophy, and sociology. Through a combination of lectures, seminars, and research projects, students develop their ability to interpret religious texts and practices critically and sensitively. The programme prepares graduates for careers in areas such as education, community work, cultural analysis, and interfaith dialogue. It also provides a solid foundation for further academic study at postgraduate level. The University of Kent prides itself on its vibrant academic community and its commitment to fostering understanding and dialogue between different cultural and religious groups. Students are encouraged to engage with real-world issues, participate in conferences, and undertake fieldwork and placements that enhance their practical experience. Overall, the Religious Studies degree at the University of Kent is designed to equip students with a nuanced understanding of religion's role in past and present societies and to develop their ability to think critically about complex religious issues in a global context.