Italian

Information for applicants and offer holders for our degree programmes in Italian. Benvenutə!  

I’m delighted that you are interested in studying with us and very much hope that you will join our community.  

Italian has been taught at the University since 1919 and been part of our tradition for many years, as far back as the 18th century.  

Today, the University ranks 3rd in the UK for Modern Languages in the QS World Rankings by Subject 2025, and offers Italian as a single honours degree or jointly with one of 11 other humanities subjects.  

We hope that the information we’ve provided will help you choose the right university and degree for you.  

Professor Alex Thomson, Head of School  

Degree programmes and structures

Need a refresher on the details of the degree programme you've applied for? Our Degree Finder provides more information about your programme, such as:

  • what you will study
  • where you will study
  • career opportunities
  • fees, costs and funding 

Italian degree programmes: 2025 entry

 

A Degree Programme Table (DPT) provides comprehensive information about the structure of a degree programme, including both compulsory and optional courses. The detailed programme content for 2025/26 is available below. 

 

Italian degree structures 2025/26

Why study Italian at Edinburgh?

As one of Europe's most creative and diverse civilisations, Italy has a fascinating and influential history. It is a founding member of the European Union and has the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites of any nation.   

Study with us, and you will get the opportunity to develop advanced competency in Italian, gaining the spoken and written skills to use the language daily in social and professional settings. No previous knowledge of Italian is needed; our Year 1 courses are streamed according to how much of the language you already know.  

Over the course of your studies, you will also explore some of the most famous and influential works of literature, art and cinema, from the Middle Ages to the present day.  

From the University's Italian Society to the Italian Cultural Institute, you will find many places in Edinburgh to develop your interest in Italian culture. Twinned with Florence, Edinburgh is a world-leading festival city filled with cinemas, theatres, galleries, libraries and collections.  

Studying a language in context demonstrates that you are a good communicator and someone who is open to other cultures and new ideas; what employers value as Intercultural Competence. Our Italian graduates have gone on to careers in the private, public, not-for-profit, and for-benefit sectors around the world.  

Undergraduate degrees in Italian

On all of our undergraduate degree programmes, you will:  

  • Study over four years, giving you choice, flexibility and the chance to develop skills in all aspects of the humanities. Love languages? Why not pick up another language while you’re here; we offer one of the widest range of languages of any UK university. 
  • Study abroad in Year 3. You will spend time in Italy, gaining a lived experience of Italian culture. If you’re taking Italian with another language as a joint degree, you’ll study elsewhere too. 
  • Learn at the heart of Scotland's capital city. When you are on campus, you’ll spend most of your time in the University of Edinburgh's Central Area; in class, in the library, or in one of our many social and support spaces.  
  • Get a chance to join societies related to what you’re studying. There are more than 300 to choose from, including the Italian Society. We also have a creative writing magazine for European languages, giving you the opportunity to write, edit and publish in Italian. 
  • Delve into fantastic libraries and collections, such as the National Library of Scotland and National Galleries of Scotland, which house notable collections by Italian writers and artists.  

Have you applied for a joint honours degree? Don't forget to look at the information for each of your subjects. 

Not sure which School looks after the other subject of your degree? Check our School list for information on the subjects they manage. 

College of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences: Schools and subjects 


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