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2023/24
2024/25

BA Italian and Classical Studies

  • UCAS code
    QR83
  • Typical offer
    BBB
  • Year of entry
    2024/25 See 2023/24 entry
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  4 Years

With BA Italian and Classical Studies, combine the study of modern Italian culture and the Italian language with that of Ancient Rome in this stimulating joint honours degree.

Join our friendly and dynamic Department of Languages and Cultures, which offers the opportunity to study in a lively, multilingual community with staff and students from all over the world. We offer a flexible and supportive approach to learning which allows you to tailor your degree to your interests, including the opportunity to learn other languages.

Through this course you will become confident and highly skilled in written and spoken Italian. You will master the fundamental elements of the language, to the point where you will graduate with a near-native command of it. We’re proud of our small language classes, led by native speakers. Direct access to expert staff for help and feedback ensures you develop your language skills to the best of your ability. 90% of our students agreed that staff are good at explaining things in the Department of Languages and Cultures [1].

You will also gain a broad understanding of the most important features of the culture and history of Italy, from the Middle Ages to today. You will have the opportunity to study with leading academics on topics including Dante, Machiavelli, Michelangelo, fascism, the history of the language, the resistance, Fellini and contemporary culture.

The classical studies element of this course enables you to explore the literature of ancient Greece and Rome. Through the study of translated texts you will consider genres and themes like poetry, tragedy and love in classical literature, and their influence on the modern world. You can broaden your knowledge with optional modules in subjects including art, society, and history, and take advantage of our own unique collection of Greek and Egyptian antiquities. You can also discover Rome through our unique, award-winning digital model of the city. For further information, visit the Department of Classics website.

An integral part of the course is the opportunity for you to spend up to a year in Italy, studying at a partner institution, undertaking a work placement or working as a British Council language teaching assistant. This enables you to immerse yourself in the culture and greatly improve your knowledge of Italian at the same time. The core language module in the second year will prepare you for your time abroad, equipping you with the skills and knowledge required to work and live in a different culture.

We provide accelerated learning in Italian, meaning that you can start from beginner's level if you have not studied the language before, or at intermediate level if you have only learned it up to GCSE or AS level. Regardless of which level you join the course at, all students achieve the same standard of written and spoken Italian by the final year. Please check the entry requirements for more details on entry points.

[1] National Student Survey 2022.

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250

New international students: £22,350

*UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes

UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate tuition fees are regulated by the UK government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.

EU student fees

With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.

Year abroad fees

If you spend a full year abroad, you will only pay 15% of your usual tuition fee for that year. For more information, please see our fees and funding pages or contact studyabroad@reading.ac.uk.

Additional costs

Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

Financial support for your studies

You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

Flexible courses (price per 10 credit module)

UK/Republic of Ireland students: £750

International students: £1275

By the time you graduate, you will be able to write and speak fluently in Italian – an immensely useful skill to have given that there is currently a great shortage of well-qualified linguists in the UK. The experience of studying or working abroad also distinguishes you from non-language graduates, providing evidence of self-reliance, adaptability and enterprise. The course also provides you with numerous transferable skills in research, analysis, presenting and group working, which will prove useful in a wide range of careers.

Overall, 93% of graduates from Classics, and 89% of graduates from Languages and Cultures, are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating.[1] Recent modern languages graduates have gone on to careers ranging from translating, teaching and research to financial services, telecommunications, and education. They have worked at EU institutions, in marketing, tourism, the fashion industry, the international art business and regional development.

Recent employers of our graduates include Sony Europe, the British Council, the Civil Service, the Tate Modern, Oxford University Press, BNP Paribas, Dow Jones, Vodafone and PwC, all of whom clearly value the technical and intellectual training of a degree in modern languages.

[1] Based on our analysis of HESA data © HESA 2022, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20; includes first degree Classics responders and all Languages and Cultures responders.