Italian

Italy

Italy possesses one of the major literary, historical and legal traditions in Western Europe.

Italy has also played a unique role in the development of fine art, cinema, architecture and music. From Roman times the Italian contribution to world culture has been enormous and is obvious to anyone who steps foot in the country, however briefly. But Italy is not just a country of singular cultural importance. It is a major political partner in the European Union; it is a leading force in fields such as engineering and architecture. It is the home of the design and fashion industries.

Scholarships are available for study in Italian for suitably qualified applicants. Read more about Cardiff University Scholarships.

Italian language study

Italian at Cardiff can be taken at beginners or advanced level.

First and foremost, studying for a degree in Italian involves dedicating yourself to learning the language. At Cardiff, we place great emphasis on strengthening reading, writing, oral and aural skills, which are vital communication skills. But what makes learning Italian at Cardiff University different is the methodology we implement in the teaching of the language.

This is an innovative methodology by which you will be taught exclusively through the medium of Italian from your very first lesson, even at beginners level. You will not have specific classes for grammar, conversation, translation etc. Instead, in each class you will learn (or revise if you are advanced) a new piece of grammar and spend the rest of the time trying to implement what you learn in small group conversations, with the support of the teacher and Italian exchange students. This makes for a more authentic experience.

The methodology is so effective that by the end of your first year even complete beginners should be perfectly able to survive in Italy. By the end of your second year you will be able to communicate accurately and effectively in Italian in both formal and informal situations. During Year Two you will also practice translation in a very innovative way. You will be given a translation brief, from which you will need to understand the real needs of your ‘client’ and meet them by choosing and developing the most appropriate translation strategy. Thus, even if you had started studying Italian at Cardiff from scratch, after only two years you would be very well prepared to go on your year abroad in Italy and really make the most of it.

It’s important to remember that studying languages is not just about the language itself. It involves examining many aspects of a country and its culture, its social structures and institutions, politics, history, literature and cinema. Through the study of such areas we are able to gain a better understanding of Italian culture and of how Italy has evolved over the centuries, becoming what it is today.

Scholarships are available for study in Italian for suitably qualified applicants. Read more about Cardiff University funding & fees.

The following degrees are available:

• Italian (Single Honours)
• Ancient History and Italian
• Archaeology and Italian
• English Language and Italian
• French and Italian
• German and Italian
• History and Italian
• Italian and Economics
• Italian and English Literature
• Italian and Japanese
• Italian and Music
• Italian and Philosophy
• Italian and Politics
• Italian and Spanish
• Religious Studies and Italian
• Welsh and Italian

Italian literature & film

In studying Italian you are learning one of the most musical languages spoken in Western Europe. Moreover, you will be gaining an insight into Italian society, literature and thought. You will be entering another civilisation, encountering one of the most influential cultures of Medieval and Renaissance Europe. If you learn Italian, you shall be able to read the major works of Italian literature, such as the Divina Commedia by Dante Alighieri. Or, if you prefer, you shall be able to enjoy the latest Italian films in the original language. Gradually you will understand the great contribution that Italian culture has given to Europe in general, and to Great Britain in particular.

Italian beyond your studies

If you study Italian, your career prospects will be enhanced, as the number of jobs for which knowledge of Italian is needed is on the increase. Opportunities exist not only in teaching, museum work and the fine arts, but also in banking, insurance, marketing, publishing, the media, the civil service, all branches of tourism and the higher echelons of the administrative and secretarial fields. There has been a recent upsurge in career opportunities for graduates in Italian in the legal sector and especially in the commercial and institutional links within the European Union. Graduates in Italian are now more at a premium than ever.

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