Italian involves the study of a key European language and its culture. As well as possessing a uniquely rich literary and artistic heritage, modern Italy is also a dynamic and innovative commercial and industrial power.

Programme structure

Year 1

The course you study in first year depends on how much Italian you have studied before. If you have an SQA Higher or A-level in Italian (grade A or B), you can opt for the Level-1 Language and culture course. This will build on your knowledge of Italian and reinforce your awareness of linguistic structures, both spoken and written. On the cultural side, you will study a number of key genres (eg narrative, film, poetry, drama) and study texts and films in Italian.

If you are a beginner or near-beginner in the language, provided that you have some previous successful language learning experience, you can take the Level-1 Beginners course, which will provide an intensive foundation in reading, writing and speaking Italian. If you perform well on this course, you can progress to second year and beyond.

You will also study two other subjects of your choice in year 1: see Degrees in Arts, Science and Social Sciences.

Year 2

The first-year Language and culture course leads to Italian 2, which extends and develops your linguistic skills and builds your knowledge of Italian culture through the study of further texts and other cultural forms. Students progressing from the first-year Beginners course normally study additional Level-1 cultural materials alongside the second-year course.

You will also study two other subjects in year 2: see Degrees in Arts, Science and Social Sciences.

Year 3

It is essential that you spend your third year abroad to gain admittance to Honours. If you are taking Italian as a Joint Honours subject with another language, you may opt to spend your third year either in an Italian-speaking country or in a country where the other language is spoken. If you choose to do the latter, you will spend the spring term of your fourth year in an Italian-speaking country.

Years 4 and 5

If you successfully complete the Italian courses in first and second years, you may progress to Honours. In the Honours class we maintain a balance between language work and other areas of study such as literature and other areas of culture. You can choose options within the courses available to reflect your own particular interests.

Special features

Our international links

Career prospects

Academic entry requirements
for entry in 2014

MA

Highers: AAAA or AAABB (including English and a humanities subject or a language (including Gaelic) at grades A/B or B/A) in first sitting = unconditional offer.

Applicants who achieved AAAB or AABBB (including English and a humanities subject or a language (including Gaelic) at grades A/B or B/A) at their first sitting WILL receive an offer from the University. This offer may be conditional (on second sitting results) or unconditional, depending on how many applications are received from students who have attained these grades.

Additional offers, either conditional or unconditional, MAY be made to applicants who achieved AABB or ABBB at their first sitting. A decision re these applications will be made in March 2014 once all applications have been reviewed.

A-levels: AAB.

IB: A minimum of 34 points is required to be considered for an offer. Actual offers will specify subjects and grades to be attained at Higher Level.

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training):

• overall score 6.5
• no sub-test less than 6.0
• or equivalent scores in another recognised qualification (see below)
   

Common equivalent English language qualifications:

• ibTOEFL: 92; no sub-test less than 20
• CAE (Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English): B minimum
• CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English): C minimum
• PTE Academic (Person Test of English, Academic test): 60; no sub-test less than 59

Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the Language Centre Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:

• Language Centre, University of Glasgow
• BALEAP guide to accredited courses 

FAQs

Visa requirements and proof of English language level

It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.

For further information about English language, please contact the Language Centre.

Tuition fees

How and when you pay tuition fees depends on where you’re from: see Tuition fees for details. If you’re from outside the EU, please see International students for more information.

Scholarships

We offer a wide range of scholarships to our undergraduates, including both home/EU and international students. The University is committed to supporting students and rewarding academic excellence. That’s why we’ve invested more than £1m in additional scholarship funding over the last year.
 
For a full list of scholarships including eligibility criteria and how to apply, please see:

• Scholarships