Italian and Spanish

This flexible joint honours programme gives you the opportunity to study two complementary European languages in their global cultural contexts.

Beyond Italy, Spain and other parts of Mediterranean Europe, the programme is also your gateway to the history and literatures of Latin America and the Caribbean.

No previous knowledge of Italian or Spanish is needed. Through intensive language study, including a year abroad, you will have the opportunity to acquire advanced spoken and written skills in both languages.

You will learn how to discern different varieties and registers of Spanish and Italian, and can opt to broaden your linguistic portfolio with Portuguese, Catalan or Basque.

In addition to your language classes, you will be immersed in an extraordinary range of literature, film, art and theatre from around the world, explored in its historical context.

Why Edinburgh

As a world-leading festival and capital city, Edinburgh is a fantastic place to study languages in their cultural context. Both Italian and Spanish have been taught here since 1919, and have been part of our tradition for many years, as far back as the 18th century.

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.

Studying over four years enables you to choose courses that match your own interests, expertise and employability needs. It gives you the blend of specialist skills and intercultural awareness valued in a range of careers around the globe.

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, dividing your time between Italy and a country in which Spanish is spoken. Year 4 will be tailored to your interests in specific topics or approaches to Italian and Spanish.

Programme benefits

• Learn in an historic capital city and cultural hub with international festivals.

• Study over four years, including one abroad.

• Become fluent in two languages.

• Try out different subjects in your first two years.

• Delve into fantastic libraries and collections.

• Try your hand at creative writing and publishing.