Italian and English Literature

Combine language learning with literary study on this flexible joint honours programme. As one of Europe's most creative and diverse civilisations, Italy has a fascinating and influential cultural history.

This programme aims to develop your critical, analytic, linguistic and creative skills by engaging with a broad range of texts in both English and Italian, and a variety of approaches to reading.

In Years 1 and 2, as well as your core subjects, you will choose option courses from a wide range of disciplines. At honours level, you will choose courses that match your own expertise, employability needs or interests in specific topics, periods or literary genres.

You will spend Year 3 in Italy. At Edinburgh, 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

Intensive language training, including a year in Italy, gives you the opportunity to develop advanced speaking, writing, reading and translating skills in Italian.

No previous knowledge of Italian is needed. Study with us, and you will learn the language in the context of some of the most famous and influential works of Italian literature, art and cinema.

English Literature

Based in the first UNESCO World City of Literature, you will study in the oldest department of English Literature in the UK, one of the longest-established in the world.

You will gain the essential skills needed for the critical close reading of poetry, drama and prose and explore the cultural contexts of writing in English from the late Middle Ages to the present.

Why Edinburgh

As a world-leading festival city, Edinburgh is a fantastic place to study a language in its cultural context and alongside literature. 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. The city's resources for studying literatures, languages and cultures are exceptional.

Studying over four years gives you the blend of specialist skills and intercultural awareness needed for a range of careers. Combining literature with a language shows an openness to ideas and perspectives other than your own, an essential attribute in many careers and a global marketplace.

How long it takes to complete this degree programme

This programme is studied over 4 years. 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 from a range of subjects and disciplines. 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 studying abroad, gaining lived experience of Italian culture. Year 4 will be tailored to your interests in specific topics or approaches to Italian and English Literature.

Programme benefits

• Learn in the heart of a UNESCO World City of Literature where Italian has been taught for over a century.

• Study over four years, including one abroad.

• Become fluent in a language.

• Try out different subjects in your first two years.

• Delve into fantastic libraries and collections.

• Try your hand at creative writing and publishing.