MA Italian and Linguistics

Year 1

You will study the foundations of the Italian language, both written and spoken. You will also take courses on Italian history, literature and cinema.

You will also take two semester-long courses, which introduce you to the principles of theoretical linguistics. You will study the way we learn language, the regional and social variations of language in general, and of the English language in particular, and methods of communication.

In addition, you will choose from a wide range of option courses outside your primary subjects.

Year 2

You will develop your mastery of the Italian language, in preparation for the year abroad. The Italian literature, history and culture that you will study spans from the Middle Ages to contemporary Italy.

You will also take a course looking at linguistic theory and choose between a course on the variation observed in the languages of the world or one on the structure and history of the major European languages.

As in Year 1, you will have a choice from a wide range of option courses outside your primary subjects.

Year 3

You will spend Year 3 studying or working in Italy and will complete prescribed work in both aspects of your programme: Linguistics and Italian.

Year 4

You will develop advanced language skills in spoken and written Italian and choose from a wide range of specialist courses in both Italian and Linguistics. You will also complete your dissertation or long essay.

Programme structure

Find out more about the compulsory and optional courses in this degree programme.

To give you an idea of what you will study on this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.

Programme structure (2019/20)

Our facilities

Teaching takes place in and around the School of Literatures, Languages & Cultures, located within the University's Central Area.

We are based in a state-of-the-art building, at 50 George Square, which houses computer microlabs, a language resource centre, and social facilities as well as tutors' offices, lecture theatres, and a film projection room.

Study abroad

During Year 3, you will spend a minimum of 30 weeks on approved work or study placement in the country/countries relevant to the language/s studied.

What are my options for going abroad?

How will I learn?

Courses are taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials and computer-assisted learning. You will also complete a research project or dissertation in Italian in Year 4.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed by a combination of exams and coursework, which may include a Year 4 dissertation.

Programme details

Find out more about this programme's aims, what you will learn, how you will be assessed and what skills and knowledge you will develop.

To give you an idea of what to expect from this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.

Programme details (2019/20)

Studying a language to degree level, especially when you spend a year abroad as part of your studies, gives you a set of skills and life experiences highly prized by employers. As a graduate of Italian and Linguistics, you will have a remarkable range of career options available to you.

With its long and rich history, including the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites of any nation, Italy continues to thrive as a cultural and scientific powerhouse of the Mediterranean. It is a founding member of the European Union, a member of numerous international institutions including the UN, NATO, and the Council of Europe, and is an advanced economy with the eighth largest nominal GDP in the world.

Our previous graduates have gone into careers as varied as publishing, banking, journalism, teaching, interpretation, and IT. Some are working for international aid organisations or within the European Commission, the diplomatic service and the United Nations. Others have entered the travel, tourism, arts, cultural and heritage sectors.

There are also opportunities to continue studying, with Year 4 in particular developing the research skills you’ll need if you choose this path. There are many graduate-level programmes available, particularly in the UK, US and of course Italy itself.

Standard entry requirement

The standard entry requirement is:

• SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S5. If you haven’t achieved this by the end of S5 we may consider your application based on a strong performance in S6. A minimum of BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
• A Levels: ABB.
• IB: 34 points (grades 655 at HL).

Minimum entry requirement

The minimum entry requirement for widening access applicants is:

• SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S6, with a minimum of BBB achieved in one year of S4-S6.
• A Levels: ABB.
• IB: 34 points (grades 655 at HL).

More information for widening access applicants

Required subjects

The grades used to meet our entry requirements must include:

• SQA: no specific Higher subjects required. National 5: a language other than English at grade B and English at grade C.
• A Levels: no specific A Level subjects required. GCSEs: a language other than English at grade B or 6 and English at grade C or 4.
• IB: HL: no specific subjects required. SL: a language other than English at grade 5 and English at grade 5.

Additional requirements

Language requirement

Please note that for degrees that have a subject requirement of a language other than English, students may not use their own native language to meet this requirement. In these instances, English or an alternative language other than native will be acceptable.

Find out more about entry requirements

International applicants

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.

Entry requirements by country

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international student and your school qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to the University you may be eligible for admission to this degree programme through our International Foundation Programme.

International Foundation Programme

Mature applicants

We welcome applications from mature students and accept a range of qualifications.

Mature applicant qualifications

You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.

SQA, GCSE and IB

For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:

• SQA National 5 Grade C

• SQA Standard Grade 3

• SQA Intermediate 1 Grade A

• SQA Intermediate 2 Grade C

• GCSE Grade C or 4

• Level 2 Certificate Grade C

• IB Standard Level Grade 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic module overall 6.5 with 5.5 in each component

• TOEFL-iBT 92 or above with 20 in each section

• Cambridge English: Advanced or Proficiency overall 176 with 162 in each component

• PTE Academic: Total 61 with at least 51 in each "Communicative Skills" section

• Trinity ISE: ISE II with a distinction in all four components

We also accept a wider range of international qualifications and tests.

English language qualifications must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, PTE or Trinity ISE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

English language requirements

(Revised 05/06/2019 to provide more accurate/comprehensive information.)

This information is part of a government initiative to enhance the material that higher education institutions provide about their degree programmes.

It is one of many sources of information which will enable you to make an informed decision on what and where to study.

Please note that some programmes do not have Unistats data available.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees for MA Italian and Linguistics

Additional costs

For your compulsory residence abroad in Year 3, we give you a wide range of options. Your costs will depend on where you decide to go, and how you spend your time. A placement with an Erasmus work grant, for example, could make this the cheapest year of your programme.

Universities outside the EU may charge you a fee for courses but we will reimburse you for this provided the course has been approved. You will be informed about the cost implications as you plan your year abroad, during Year 2.

Funding

For more information on how much it will cost to study with us and the financial support available see our fees and funding information.

Fees and funding

• College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences Undergraduate Admissions Office
• Email: CAHSS.UGAdmissions@ed.ac.uk
• Phone: +44 (0)131 650 3565
• Web: Italian website
• International enquiries