Postgraduate study
Explore your own area of interest and expertise in Italian in a Masters by Research or PhD programme, or choose an interdisciplinary taught masters programme.
What's it like to study Italian here?
Offered at Edinburgh since the late 16th century, Italian was formally added to the University’s curriculum in 1919. Since then, it has developed to cover most areas of Italian cultural studies from the Middle Ages to the present, including literary history and theory, comparative studies, translation, film studies, philology and philosophy.
Join our community and undertake a specialised research project under the guidance of experienced and well-published supervisors. We supervise Masters by Research (MScR) and PhD students.
If you are looking for taught study, our team contribute to a number of interdisciplinary masters programmes such as Intermediality, and Comparative Literature.
As part of our community, you will have lots of opportunities to share ideas, learning and creative work. Activities include a regular seminar series in European Languages and Cultures (with talks by staff, research students and visiting speakers), a student-led mini-series of roundtables and workshops, film screenings, and the publication of the Edinburgh Journal of Gadda Studies.
Collections and resources
The historic capital city of Edinburgh contains exceptional resources for study and research in Italian. Based in the Main University Library, the Centre for Research Collections is unique in the UK, bringing together a collection of more than 400,000 rare books, six kilometres of archives and manuscripts, and the University’s collections of art, historical musical instruments and other objects. Many of our Special Collections are digitised and available online.
From the Italian Cultural Institute to the National Library of Scotland, both of which are within a short walk of our buildings, you’ll find many places to enrich your cultural and academic interest in one of the world’s great civilisations, while enjoying the cinemas, theatres, libraries and galleries of one of its favourite festival cities.
There are fantastic medieval, Renaissance and modern collections in the National Galleries of Scotland, and most of the city centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the Old Town retaining many of its medieval buildings and streets.
What can I study?
MSc by Research in Italian
This Masters programme includes 40 credits of training on research skills, methods and problems, the completion of two research assignments, and the submission of a 15,000 word dissertation under the guidance of an experienced and well-published supervisor.
Our expertise covers most areas of Italian cultural studies from the Middle Ages to the present, including literary history and theory, comparative studies, translation, film studies, philology and philosophy.
Full-time, one year (all students) ꟾ part-time, two years (eligibility criteria apply)
Find out more and apply on the University of Edinburgh Degree Finder
PhD in Italian
Join our community and undertake a specialised research project under the guidance of experienced and well-published supervisors. Our research expertise covers most areas of Italian cultural studies from the Middle Ages to the present, including literary history and theory, comparative studies, translation, film studies, philology and philosophy.
Working with colleagues elsewhere in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures, and across the wider University, we are able to support PhD theses crossing boundaries between disciplines and/or languages.
Full-time, three years (all students) ꟾ part-time, six years (eligibility criteria apply)
Before making a formal application to this PhD on the University of Edinburgh Degree Finder, you are strongly advised to read our guidelines on writing a PhD proposal.
Interdisciplinary taught masters programmes
This cross-disciplinary taught Masters programme compares literary works from different languages and cultures. With expertise spanning the globe, our School can offer you courses in a wide range of literary themes, genres and historical periods, as well as critical theory, translation, and the relationship of the written word to music, painting, film and the other arts. You will also take courses in theories and methods of literary study, and research skills and methods,and write a 60-credit dissertation.
Full-time, one year (all students) ꟾ part-time, two years (eligibility criteria apply)
Find out more and apply on the University of Edinburgh Degree Finder
This highly interdisciplinary taught Masters programme explores the interrelationships between different art forms and their signification. Combining core and optional courses, training in research skills, methods and problems, and a final project consisting of either a dissertation or a practice-based project with reflective essay, you will explore the interactions between media such as literature, film, photography, painting, music and theatre across different periods and cultures.
Full-time, one year (all students) ꟾ part-time, two years (eligibility criteria apply)
Find out more and apply on the University of Edinburgh Degree Finder
Find a taught masters programme in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC)
QS World Rankings by Subject 2021
The University of Edinburgh is ranked 3rd in the UK for Modern Languages.
We are also 3rd in the UK in the broad subject area of Arts & Humanities.
Globally, we place 11th in the world for Arts & Humanities, 13th for Modern Languages.
The Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings are based on research citations and the results of major global surveys of employers and academics.
They are International Ranking Expert Group (IREG) approved.
Entrance requirements, fees, funding and more...
You can find out about entrance requirements, start dates, fees and scholarship opportunities for all our programmes on the University of Edinburgh’s Degree Finder. Degree Finder links straight through to EUCLID, the online system for applying to postgraduate programmes at the University.
Applications to start a taught masters programme in September 2021 are now open.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
Are you currently studying with us?
There’s lots more information on our pages for continuing postgraduate students.
Take me to content for continuing PhD students
Take me to content for continuing masters students (MSc and MScR)