Italian and Linguistics

As one of Europe's most creative and diverse civilisations, Italy has a fascinating and influential history.

This flexible programme gives you the opportunity to learn Italian while developing your social scientific understanding of language. No prior experience of Italian is necessary, and lots of our graduates started as complete beginners.

Italian and Linguistics make an excellent joint honours choice by combining the study of:

• a modern language in its cultural context

• the expression and creation of meaning

Linguistics courses of particular relevance to language students cover:

• the speech sounds of the world's languages

• variation in the languages of the world

• the structure and history of world languages

Studying over four years enables you to choose courses that match your own interests, expertise and employability needs. Additionally, we are unique in Scotland in offering students a full academic year abroad within the four-year honours programme, regardless of whether you spend the year studying or working.

Italian

On this programme, you will learn the language in the context of Italian culture. Courses cover some of the most famous and influential works of literature, art and cinema.

No previous knowledge of Italian is needed. Intensive language tuition, including a year spent studying or working in Italy, will develop your ability to read, write and speak the language to a high standard with advanced translation skills.

Italian has been taught here since 1919, and has been part of our tradition for many years, as far back as the 18th century. From our own Italian Society to the Italian Cultural Institute, you will find many places in Edinburgh to develop your interest in Italian culture.

Linguistics

Linguistics examines how language works, describing how sounds, words, sentences and conversations combine to express and create meaning.

You will also study:

• the uses of language in everyday life

• the ways in which language varies across society and evolves over time

• how language is mastered by children

As you progress through the programme, you will have the opportunity to formulate and test scientific hypotheses about linguistic phenomena using specialist linguistics and phonetics equipment.

How long it takes to complete this degree programme

This programme is studied over 4 years, including a year abroad. This enables us to build choice and flexibility into your studies, giving you time to explore options, find what you like and build your skills.

Your first two years will be your pre-honours years. They will give you a good grounding in your subjects. In addition to studying core courses, you will broaden your education and skill set by choosing option courses. This may enable you to change the focus of your programme.

Your final two years will be your honours years. You will spend Year 3 abroad, gaining a lived experience of Italian culture. Year 4 will be tailored to your interests in specific topics or approaches to Italian and Linguistics.

Programme benefits

• Learn in an historic capital city where Italian has been taught for over a century.

• Study over four years, including one abroad.

• Become fluent in a language.

• Combine practical language learning with language science.

• Try out different subjects in your first two years.

• Delve into fantastic libraries and collections.