Italian and Classical Studies BA (Hons)

University of Reading

With BA Italian and Classical Studies, combine the study of modern Italian culture and the Italian language with that of Ancient Rome in this stimulating joint honours degree.

Join our friendly and dynamic Department of Languages and Cultures, which offers the opportunity to study in a lively, multilingual community with staff and students from all over the world. We offer a flexible and supportive approach to learning which allows you to tailor your degree to your interests, including the opportunity to learn other languages.

Through this course you will become confident and highly skilled in written and spoken Italian. You will master the fundamental elements of the language, to the point where you will graduate with a near-native command of it. We’re proud of our small language classes, led by native speakers. Direct access to expert staff for help and feedback ensures you develop your language skills to the best of your ability. 90% of our students agreed that staff are good at explaining things in the Department of Languages and Cultures [1].

You will also gain a broad understanding of the most important features of the culture and history of Italy, from the Middle Ages to today. You will have the opportunity to study with leading academics on topics including Dante, Machiavelli, Michelangelo, fascism, the history of the language, the resistance, Fellini and contemporary culture.

The classical studies element of this course enables you to explore the literature of ancient Greece and Rome. Through the study of translated texts you will consider genres and themes like poetry, tragedy and love in classical literature, and their influence on the modern world. You can broaden your knowledge with optional modules in subjects including art, society, and history, and take advantage of our own unique collection of Greek and Egyptian antiquities. You can also discover Rome through our unique, award-winning digital model of the city. For further information, visit the Department of Classics website.

An integral part of the course is the opportunity for you to spend up to a year in Italy, studying at a partner institution, undertaking a work placement or working as a British Council language teaching assistant. This enables you to immerse yourself in the culture and greatly improve your knowledge of Italian at the same time. The core language module in the second year will prepare you for your time abroad, equipping you with the skills and knowledge required to work and live in a different culture.

We provide accelerated learning in Italian, meaning that you can start from beginner's level if you have not studied the language before, or at intermediate level if you have only learned it up to GCSE or AS level. Regardless of which level you join the course at, all students achieve the same standard of written and spoken Italian by the final year. Please check the entry requirements for more details on entry points.

[1] National Student Survey 2022.