MA Italian and Classics
About this course
MA (Hons) in Italian and Classics, an Italian and Classics degree exploring linguistic and cultural traditions. The programme includes a compulsory academic year spent studying or working in Italy within the four-year degree structure. The first year covers the history and culture of the Greek and Roman worlds, ancient Greek language, Latin language, and business, economics and informatics. The second year introduces ancient history, classical art and archaeology, classical literature in translation, and Cultural Responses to War. The third year involves a period abroad with options to study or work in destinations such as Bologna, Catania, Florence, Milan, Pisa, Rome, Siena, Verona, and Venice. The final year focuses on advanced language development through spoken Italian - discussing, reflecting and presenting on Italian culture, politics and society, essay and creative writing, and Italian-to-English translation of literary and journalistic texts.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: ABB (required: no specific A level subjects required) IB: 34 points with 655 at HL
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 80%: 8 offers from 10 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 84 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 92%
- Learning opportunities: 76%
- Assessment and feedback: 69%
- Academic support: 90%
- Organisation and management: 81%
- Learning resources: 87%
- Student voice: 80%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 100 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 28 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 60%
- Working and studying: 11%
- Further study: 10%
- Unemployed: 7%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Natural and social science professionals: 10%
- Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 90%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 60%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 30%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 50 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 10%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 5%
- East of England: 5%
- London: 45%
- South East: 5%
- South West: 5%
- Wales: 5%
- Scotland: 30%
Who gets in
Based on about 105 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 90%
- Baccalaureate: 1%
- Other HE qualification: 2%
- No formal qualifications: 6%
Modules
- the history and culture of the Greek and Roman worlds
- or, ancient Greek language
- or, Latin language
- business, economics and informatics
- politics, social policy, social anthropology and international relations
- art and architectural history
- history, classics and archaeology
- Celtic and Scottish ethnology
- linguistics and language sciences
- philosophy, divinity and law
- ancient history
- classical art and archaeology
- classical literature in translation
- Cultural Responses to War
- Migration, Exile, Diaspora
- Crime and Detection in Literature
- Gender and Culture
- The Coming-of-Age Narrative
- Introduction to European Cinema
- Dynamics of Language and Power
- Languages Beyond University
- Bologna
- Catania
- Florence
- Milan
- Pisa
- Rome
- Siena
- Verona
- Venice
- study in one or two destinations
- work in one or two destinations
- study in one destination and work in another
- two semesters at a single institution
- one semester at two different institutions (in different destinations)
- arrange to work or volunteer with a private company or charity
- apply to an established placement scheme, such as the British Council’s English Language Assistants programme
- Student Wellbeing Service
- Student Counselling
- Student Disability and Learning Support
- University emergency helpline (available 24 hours a day)
- spoken Italian - discussing, reflecting and presenting on Italian culture, politics and society
- essay and creative writing
- Italian-to-English translation of literary and journalistic texts
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Italian and Classics at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £26,000 after 15 months, £26,000 after 3 years, £32,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £25,000 and £43,000. The £32,000 median after five years is £1,000 less than the UK median for Italian studies.
What do graduates of MA Italian and Classics at University of Edinburgh do next?
81% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MA Italian and Classics at University of Edinburgh?
92% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA Italian and Classics at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 173 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MA Italian and Classics at University of Edinburgh?
80% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 8 offers from 10 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does MA Italian and Classics at University of Edinburgh include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory year abroad.
How many students continue on MA Italian and Classics at University of Edinburgh?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.