Undergraduate study | Italian

Study Italian at Edinburgh and learn the language in the context of Italian culture, including some of the most famous and influential works of literature, art and cinema.

Why study Italian in Edinburgh? 

  • Study over four years, giving you the choice and flexibility to try out different things.
  • Go abroad for the first of your honours years - Year 3.
  • Build up to fluency in the Italian language, and specialise in different aspects of Italian studies as you move through your degree.
  • Learn in an historic capital city where we have taught Italian for over a century.
  • Delve into fantastic libraries, collections and galleries at the University and in the city.
  • Join societies, attend events, and gain the skills and confidence for life after university. 

I really love studying Italian at the University of Edinburgh. The faculty are always so friendly and welcoming. I always feel I am being supported and that tutors will go out of their way to make sure you feel sure and happy about your studies. The literature side of the course is fascinating. It’s amazing learning more about Italian culture and I particularly enjoyed studying feminist literature.

Isabelle, Year 4, French and Italian MA (Hons)

Single and joint honours degree programmes

If you would like to take an undergraduate MA Hons degree programme in Italian, you can:

  • take a single honours degree in Italian
  • take any of the following joint honours degree programmes...
Italian and SpanishFrench and Italian
Italian and LinguisticsItalian and English Language
Italian and English LiteratureItalian and Politics
Italian and History of ArtItalian and History
Italian and ClassicsItalian and Philosophy
International Business with Italian* 

* Please note that this degree combination does not have the same structure as all the others, though it is still a four-year degree with a study abroad element.

To study on any of our undergraduate programmes, you must apply through UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service.

The UCAS site will show you if any of our Italian degree progammes remain open for application for September 2026 entry.

If you have applied to start studying Italian with us in September 2026, and would like a reminder of what our programmes involve and where they might take you, check out Degree Finder for 2026 entry.

Keen to get a head start for 2027?

There’s lots of information about our undergraduate French programmes on the University of Edinburgh Degree Finder.

For example, you can find out about:

  • the courses you will take each year
  • how you will be taught and assessed
  • the support we offer
  • entrance requirements
  • English language requirements
  • fees and funding opportunities
  • student societies and living in Edinburgh

For programmes starting in September 2027, choose 2027 entry.

Information correct as of May 2026
See full student Terms & Conditions

Skills and experience

Studying a language to degree level demonstrates that you are a good communicator, and someone open to other cultures and new ideas - what employers value as intercultural competence.

Beyond the language skills you will develop on this programme, you will gain a nuanced understanding of other cultures and societies.

Graduating with a four-year Master of Arts degree from the University of Edinburgh also shows intellectual maturity, resilience, and flexibility.

The skills you will be able to demonstrate to employers when you graduate include the ability to:

  • understand, analyse and articulate complex issues and concepts
  • manage your time to meet deadlines on different types of projects
  • work independently and as part of a group

Opportunities across sectors

Our programmes are an excellent primer for a range of careers, especially those that place a premium on thinking that is both disciplined and imaginative.

Within the private, public, not-for-profit, and for-benefit sectors, previous graduates have gone on to work in:

  • business, finance, commerce and tech
  • communications, marketing, advertising and public relations
  • education, outreach, advocacy and training
  • journalism, broadcasting and media
  • leisure, tourism and travel
  • politics, policy work, diplomacy, civil service and law
  • publishing, culture, heritage and the arts
  • research, development, consultancy and venture acceleration
  • translating and interpreting

Local and global opportunities

With increasing migration in response to changing global dynamics, there is demand for our graduates in Scotland, the UK and abroad.

Wherever you are based in the world, the ability to communicate in another language, and to understand the cultures to which it opens doors, will make you stand out.

If you are keen to work abroad, it’s good to know that Italy is a cultural and scientific powerhouse; an advanced economy with the ninth-largest nominal GDP in the world. 

The country is a founding member of the European Union and a member of numerous international institutions, including the UN, NATO, and the Council of Europe. It has the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites of any nation.

Further study

The enhanced research skills you will develop on an Italian programme, particularly in your honours years, are a valuable asset if you wish to continue studying at postgraduate level. 

At the University of Edinburgh, we typically offer a Masters by Research degree in Italian and taught masters programmes in: 

  • Comparative Literature
  • Intermediality

To understand a language properly you have to be aware of the cultural context: the same goes for art. My degree gave me the skills to independently investigate any culture of my choice and to be able to critically assess what is being communicated through both art and language.

Maddie Robinson, Italian to English translator and Italian teacher Maddie graduated with an MA (Hons) degree in Italian and History of Art in 2017

QS World Rankings by Subject 2026

The University of Edinburgh is ranked 3rd in the UK for Modern Languages.

We are ranked fourth in the UK in the broader subject area of the Arts & Humanities. 

Globally, we’re in the World Top 15: Modern Languages (12) and Arts and Humanities (9).

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.

Graphic of a person with a phone and the words #3 in the UK World Top 15

Get to know us better

Thinking of joining us? Explore what it's like to study and live in Edinburgh. 

Join us for an Open Day or Online Information Session

Talk to a current student

Other ways to learn Italian at Edinburgh

If you're not on one of our degree programmes, you can still learn Italian with us!

Many undergraduate degrees at Edinburgh enable you to try different subjects in your first two years. If you are studying on one of these degrees, you can take Italian as an option course - sometimes known as an 'elective course' or 'outside subject'. 

There are Year 1 courses for complete beginners and students with different levels of prior experience. All of them feed into Year 2 courses if you like Italian and want to progress further.

Discover a world of languages graphic

Italian is also available as part of the University's free Open Languages offer of 20 credit courses taken over one semester. Again, you can start at various levels.

Through the Centre for Open Learning, you can also opt to pay to take Italian as a short Lifelong Learning course. These courses typically run three times a year for 10 weeks in the evening. 

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