Italian

BA (Hons) (NFQ Level 8) OR BSc (Hons) NFQ Level 8)

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Curricular information is subject to change.

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Why is this course for me?

Take up Italian and you will open up excellent career opportunities in many areas of business and society. Italian is an exciting language to study – you will have the option to spend a year studying in Italy, one of the world’s most beautiful and fascinating countries. At UCD you will be immersed in Italian culture, from Dante to contemporary Italian writers.

Italian accepts both beginners and non-beginners. Indeed, most of our students are beginners, so if you are thinking of stretching yourself with a new language you’ll be in good company! We strongly encourage our students to spend a year abroad as part of their degree. Studying abroad is a valuable experience, which enables you to perfect your language skills and immerse yourself in a different culture. Alternatively, if you wish to study more than one language, with a year abroad consider DN541 Modern Languages.

Course Pathways
What Will I Study

First Year

You will study core language modules alongside a range of options in culture, history, literature and translation. Examples of modules include:

  • Italian language 1A (beginners)
  • Italian language 1B OR 1B (non-beginners)
  • Making Italy

Second & Final Years

You will deepen your understanding of Italian with in-depth modules, including:

  • Italian Language 2a
  • Italian Language 2b
  • Italian Short Stories
  • Reading Italian Literature
  • Italian Cinema & Society
  • Italian Language 3a
  • Italian Language 3b
  • Politics and Morals in Renaissance Italy
  • Italian Literary Adaptations
  • 20th Century Italian Women Writers
  • Italian History 1815-1945
  • The Story of Italian 2: Modern Age and Today

You will have the opportunity to study abroad for your third year. Language modules are taught in small groups, and literature and culture modules are taught through both lectures and tutorials.

Assessment is through a combination of continuous assessment and end-of trimester exams.

For detailed information on subject content click here.

How Will I Study
Study Italian
Studying Italian (BSc Social Sciences) as a minor with one of the following:
Sociology Politics & International Relations
International Study Opportunities

We recommend that after second year, you complete an Erasmus year at an Italian university to achieve the level of proficiency required by employers and for graduate studies. We have links with Bologna, Cagliari, Macerata, Milan, Rome, Trento and Urbino.

Upon completion of your fourth year, you will then be awarded a BA Arts International. Places may be limited and preference will be given to those with higher results.

Career & Graduate Study Opportunities

Studying Italian opens the door to many careers, including:

  • Careers in organisations including the EU, UN and NGOs
  • Multinationals
  • The Diplomatic Service
  • Communications & Marketing
  • Hospitality & entertainment industries
  • Teaching, publishing & journalism
  • Translation and interpreting

Studying Italian opens the door to graduate studies in UCD or other international universities. Our graduate courses include the MA in Modern Languages, MA in Applied Languages, MA in Applied Linguistics and MLitt in Italian. We also offer supervision for doctoral research in a range of specialised areas.

Other Entry Routes
Testimonial

“Although I was already fluent in Italian, I believed that a greater grasp of grammar would benefit me. It has also grown and strengthened my language and communication skills in English too. Learning a language impacts your understanding of languages in general, making it a transferable skill. It has really inspired me and I really understand the close connection between language and culture now. My Erasmus year in Sardinia really solidified this and encouraged me to pay close attention to different dialects of Italian spoken in different regions. I enjoy studying Italian mostly because of its association with good food and art however my favourite part of learning Italian is studying Italian texts in the original language.”

Francesca Young, Student

Contact Information

UCD School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics
Newman,
Belfield,
Dublin 4

Tel: +353 1 716 8302
Email: slcl@ucd.ie

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