Italian A, BA, University of Leeds

Course content

This course will introduce you to Italian at an advanced level and is aimed at those with A-level Italian or equivalent. A placement test is available if you're not sure whether this is right for you. If you haven't studied the language before, you may want to apply for our beginner-level course, BA Italian B.

You'll build on your Italian language skills through core modules in your first two years, while selecting modules introducing you to different elements of Italian civilisation, from Medieval and Renaissance Italy to contemporary Italian literature, cinema, culture and history. As advanced-level students, you'll also be able to choose from a range of more general options, covering topics such as approaches to audio-visual culture and world histories that go beyond the boundaries of Italian.

Through all of these modules you'll enhance your language skills and cultural awareness to prepare you for your third year, which is spent working or studying in Italy.

When you return to Leeds for your final year, you'll study advanced language modules to refine your skills, while exploring more topics that interest you, such as contemporary literature, the history of the Italian language, Italian cinema, or fashion, design, and specialised uses of Italian for marketing and business purposes. This will help you to develop critical and analytical skills while conducting independent research - skills that you can showcase when you complete an undergraduate dissertation.

Course structure

These are typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Entry requirements, fees and applying

  Entry requirements

  A-level: ABB including B in Italian.

  • Career opportunities

    A degree in Italian will provide you not only with linguistic fluency, but will also equip you with skills of argument, analysis and effective communication. Employers will particularly value your confidence in different social environments, demonstrated by your year abroad. You'll also acquire a number of transferable skills, such as teamwork, presentation, written and oral communication, research and critical thinking.

    Graduates have plenty of career options as a result, and they have gone on to work both in the UK and abroad in a variety of sectors. These include retail, education, IT, marketing and administration, management, international banking, business development and law.

    Others pursue more traditional careers for language graduates, such as translating, interpreting and teaching, or may move onto postgraduate studies in a variety of areas, ranging from marketing and management to translation and more academic subjects.

    Careers support

    We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That's one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

    Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

    The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.

  • Study abroad and work placements

    You'll spend your third year in Italy, immersing yourself in local culture and cultivating your language skills.

    We have partnerships with a number of Italian universities where you could study, or you could undertake a work placement. You could even work as a language assistant in an Italian school under the British Council's programme.

    Whatever you choose to do, you'll gain a new insight into Italian society as well as valuable experience of adapting to another culture. If you choose to work during your time there, you'll also return with work experience to increase your appeal to employers. For many of our students, it's the real highlight of their course.

  • Related courses

    French and Italian A BA
    History of Art and Italian A BA
    Italian B BA