Italian Studies Language Culture and History

Italian Studies: Language, Culture, and History at University College London offers an in-depth exploration of Italy’s rich cultural heritage, language, and historical development. This interdisciplinary programme provides students with a comprehensive understanding of Italian society, from its ancient roots to its modern-day manifestations. Throughout the course, students will develop advanced language skills in Italian, enabling them to communicate effectively in both spoken and written forms. The curriculum emphasizes the cultural complexity of Italy, encompassing literature, art, cinema, philosophy, and social history, thereby fostering a nuanced appreciation of Italian contributions to world civilization.

Students will engage with a wide range of texts and artifacts that reflect Italy's diverse cultural landscape. The programme combines language instruction with detailed studies of Italian history, from the Roman Empire through the Renaissance to contemporary times, highlighting the country's evolving identity and influence across Europe and beyond. Through lectures, seminars, and research projects, students will critically analyze Italian cultural productions and their historical contexts, gaining insight into themes such as identity, nationalism, linguistic variation, and cultural exchange.

The programme encourages active participation and critical thinking, preparing students for careers in academia, diplomacy, international business, journalism, or cultural management. Students will also benefit from UCL’s strong connections with Italian cultural institutions and opportunities for study abroad in Italy, which enhance experiential learning and linguistic proficiency. The degree aims to cultivate not only language competence and historical knowledge but also intercultural awareness and analytical skills.

Graduates of this programme will have a solid foundation in Italian language, history, and culture, equipping them with the tools to engage effectively in global contexts where Italy's history and culture are influential. This interdisciplinary approach fosters a broad skill set, including research, communication, and cultural analysis, which are highly valued in diverse professional fields. With its combination of linguistic mastery and cultural depth, the Italian Studies: Language, Culture, and History programme at UCL offers a uniquely enriching educational experience that prepares students for a dynamic and interconnected world.

The programme introduces students to texts from a variety of periods in Italian history and places them within a historical and philosophical framework. Students develop subject-specific, professional skills necessary for the pursuit of their chosen options, including sourcing material, field-work techniques, bibliographic skills and linguistic skills.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. The programme offers two pathways: taught and research.

Taught: one core module (30 credits), three optional modules (90 credits), dissertation (60 credits). Research: one core module (30 credits), two optional modules (60 credits), dissertation (90 credits).

A Postgraduate Diploma, one core module (30 credits), three optional modules (90 credits) full-time nine months or part-time two years, is offered.

A Postgraduate Certificate, one core module (30 credits), one optional module (30 credits) full-time three months, part-time six months, is offered.

Core module

• Language, Culture and History. This core module permits research into two areas of major contemporary interest; for example, topics explored during the current year include the following:
• Trauma
• Memory
• Visual Culture
• Queer(y)ing Sexuality

Optional modules

Students take a choice of optional modules on topics such as the following:

• Medieval and Renaissance Italian
• Renaissance Texts: Resources and Research Techniques
• Dante: Divina Commedia
• Genre in Italian Cinema
• Italy: A Difficult Modernity
• Advanced Translation from and into Italian
• Contemporary Italian Cultures

Dissertation/report

All students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of 12,000 words (taught pathway) or 18,000 words (research pathway).

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of seminars, tutorials, seminar-presentations, film screenings, and visits to research libraries including the British Library, the Warburg Institute, Institute of Historical Research and Senate House. Students are assessed by a variety of methods: unseen examinations, long essays, course work and the dissertation.

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Applicants must demonstrate proven competence in the Italian language, including good reading knowledge and aural comprehension. Applicants whose first degree is not in Italian, or whose first language is not Italian will normally be required to pass a test of their knowledge of the language before they can be admitted.

Funding from the Arts & Humanities Research council (AHRC) may be possible with this degree.

Scholarships relevant to this department are displayed below.

Jean Orr Scholarship

Value:

£7,000 (1 year)

Eligibility:

UK, EU, Overseas students

Criteria:

Based on academic merit

The Italian Studies: Language, Culture, and History programme at University College London offers an in-depth exploration of Italy’s rich cultural and historical heritage, alongside its language development and contemporary societal issues. This interdisciplinary programme is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of Italy’s complex history, vibrant cultural practices, and linguistic diversity. Students will engage with a broad range of topics, including Italian literature, art, cinema, philosophy, and music, gaining critical insights into Italy’s influence on European and global history.

The programme emphasizes language proficiency, with courses in Italian language at various levels, enabling students to develop advanced communication skills. Furthermore, students will examine key aspects of Italian society, including regional identities, migration patterns, and social change, supported by historical contexts. The curriculum includes mandatory modules dedicated to Italian history from ancient times to modern periods, offering a chronological framework for understanding Italy’s development through different eras.

Students can benefit from a variety of learning methods, including lectures, seminars, tutorials, and practical language workshops. The programme also encourages cultural immersion through film screenings, visits to museums, and opportunities to participate in language exchange programs. Interdisciplinary in nature, it fosters critical thinking and analytical skills applicable to careers in academia, arts, journalism, diplomacy, and international relations.

The programme duration is typically three years for an undergraduate degree, with options for joint honours or specializations in specific areas such as Italian literature or history. Graduates will have gained a high level of linguistic competence combined with a broad understanding of Italy’s cultural and historical landscape, preparing them for professional paths in international organizations, cultural institutions, or further academic research.

UCL’s strong emphasis on research-led teaching and its vibrant academic community ensure students receive a high-quality education grounded in current scholarly debates. The programme also benefits from the university’s strategic location in London, facilitating engagement with Italian cultural events and network-building with institutions and organizations dedicated to Italian studies. Overall, this programme aims to equip students with both language skills and cultural awareness, nurturing globally-minded individuals capable of contributing thoughtfully to cross-cultural dialogue and international understanding.