MA Italian and English Literature
About this course
MA (Hons) in Italian and English Literature, an English Literature and Italian degree focused on language learning alongside literary study. Students spend the third year abroad in Italy, studying or working across options such as Bologna, Florence, Rome and Venice. No prior knowledge of Italian is required for entry. The first year covers poetry, drama, prose alongside linguistics and English language. The second year introduces modules including Cultural Responses to War, Migration, Exile, Diaspora and Crime and Detection in Literature. The third year involves a period abroad spent studying at a single institution, completing two semesters, or working through established schemes. The fourth year advances linguistic competence 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: English Literature or combined English at B) IB: 34 points with 655 at HL
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 81%: 13 offers from 16 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 18 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 94%
- Learning opportunities: 74%
- Assessment and feedback: 83%
- Academic support: 100%
- Organisation and management: 83%
- Learning resources: 94%
- Student voice: 83%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 225 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 5%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 6%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 2%
- London: 38%
- South East: 9%
- South West: 3%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 28%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 100%
Modules
- poetry
- drama
- prose
- linguistics and English 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
- philosophy, divinity and law
- 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 English Literature at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £28,000 after 3 years, £36,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £28,000 and £48,500. The £36,500 median after five years is £8,500 more than the UK median for Literature in English.
Are students happy with the teaching on MA Italian and English Literature at University of Edinburgh?
94% 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 English Literature at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 153 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MA Italian and English Literature at University of Edinburgh?
81% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 13 offers from 16 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does MA Italian and English Literature 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 English Literature at University of Edinburgh?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.