MA Italian
About this course
MA (Hons) in Italian, an Italian degree centred on language tuition within the context of Italian culture and society. Students complete a compulsory year abroad in Italy through study or work placements in locations such as Bologna, Florence, Rome, and Venice. The curriculum includes advanced language study alongside optional choices in humanities and social sciences. The first year covers foundational breadth through subjects including linguistics and language sciences, philosophy, divinity and law, and art and architectural history. The second year introduces thematic study with modules such as Cultural Responses to War, Crime and Detection in Literature, and Introduction to European Cinema. The third year consists of a full academic year abroad spent studying or working across destinations including Milan, Pisa, Siena, Verona, and Catania. The final year focuses on advanced proficiency 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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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 15 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 95%
- No formal qualifications: 5%
Modules
- linguistics and language sciences
- 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 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 £3,500 more than the UK median for Italian studies.
Are students happy with the teaching on MA Italian 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 at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 167 UCAS points.
Does MA Italian 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 at University of Edinburgh?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.