UCAS code R300
The Italian language carries an unparalleled cultural capital. Whilst according to UNESCO over 60% of the world’s art treasures are found in Italy, around the world the long history of Italian migration underlies food, arts, sport, fashion, tourism and heritage industries in millions of local enterprises and ventures. Italian culture is truly global and testifies to the human passion for learning and making art, beauty and history.
Italian at Liverpool has a distinctive approach to help you become proficient in Italian and develop your ability to engage confidently with Italian language, history and culture, including the contexts in which you live and study.
By learning about history, sociolinguistics, film and literature through the lens of Italian, our students develop a crucial set of linguistic and cultural skills to navigate the transcultural processes of the world in which they live.
In close association with staff’s research expertise and interests, modules explore Italian language – including translation, subtitling, and interpreting – linguistics, cultural history, cinema, contemporary fiction, popular culture, and post-colonial and transcultural studies.
Extracurricular activities include film screenings and social activities, as well as an annual Italian-themed public event, the Lucrezia Zaina Bequest Lecture, which brings to Liverpool inspiring contemporary figures associated with Italian culture from around the world.
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
Student must take either ITAL100B or ITAL100U.
Students with A level Italian or equivalent should normally take ITAL100U. Students with no previous experience of learning Italian, or with qualifications below A level, should normally take ITAL100B.
For guidance on registering for the appropriate language level, please contact the relevant Subject Lead.
In addition, students take 30 credits of required modules and 15 credits of optional modules in each semester.
FILM108 is also offered as an optional module in year two semester one, but if students take FILM108 as optional module in year one semester one, they cannot retake the same module in year two.
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| INTRODUCTION TO LANGUAGES AND CULTURES (MODL150) | 15 |
| LANGUAGE AWARENESS: LINGUISTICS FOR LANGUAGE LEARNERS (MODL105) | 15 |
| INTRODUCTION TO ITALIAN STUDIES (ITAL150) | 15 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change. This course has been updated for 2027 entry as part of a review of all our programmes. This review has considered refining study pathways, strengthening links with employers, integrating generative AI, developing students’ research skills, and enhancing alignment with our research strengths. Please note, as at all times, the University reserves the right to make reasonable changes, including to content, entry requirements, or fees, or to discontinue programmes. Applicants will be informed of any significant change.
Language modules should continue from those taken in year one (i.e. students who took ITAL100B should take ITAL200I; students who took ITAL100U should take ITAL200A).
In addition:
Students take 45 credits of optional modules in semester one.
Students take MODL250 and 30 credits of optional modules in semester two.
MODL200 is a placement module for which you can register directly. You will be contacted in due course with details of a placement.
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| EXTENDED PROJECT IN MODERN LANGUAGES (MODL250) | 15 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change. This course has been updated for 2027 entry as part of a review of all our programmes. This review has considered refining study pathways, strengthening links with employers, integrating generative AI, developing students’ research skills, and enhancing alignment with our research strengths. Please note, as at all times, the University reserves the right to make reasonable changes, including to content, entry requirements, or fees, or to discontinue programmes. Applicants will be informed of any significant change.
This is a required Year Abroad, during which students can opt for one of three pathways, which have different forms of assessment.
The Year Abroad carries 120 credits (at Level 5) and counts for 10% of the final degree classification.
Students should spend a minimum of seven months in an Italian-speaking country, and can also choose to split this between two different pathways. Where students are unable to complete the minimum term abroad due to exceptional travel or international restrictions, an alternative Year Abroad programme will be put in place which meets the same learning outcomes.
Students who are unable to meet the minimum term abroad for personal reasons should discuss this directly with the Director of Year Abroad. If learning outcomes cannot be met, students will need to transfer onto a three-year programme of Modern Language Studies.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change. This course has been updated for 2027 entry as part of a review of all our programmes. This review has considered refining study pathways, strengthening links with employers, integrating generative AI, developing students’ research skills, and enhancing alignment with our research strengths. Please note, as at all times, the University reserves the right to make reasonable changes, including to content, entry requirements, or fees, or to discontinue programmes. Applicants will be informed of any significant change.
Students take 30 credits of required modules and 30 credits of optional modules in semester one, and 45 credits of required/mandatory modules and 15 credits of optional modules in semester two.
MODL311 is a pre-requisite for MODL312. Students will need to achieve a mark of 60% or above in MODL311 in order to progress to MODL312.
MODL307 is a ‘year-long’ module and represents 15 credits in each semester.
A distinction in spoken Italian will be awarded for students who achieve 75% or above in the oral examination for ITAL300P.
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| PROFICIENT ITALIAN (ITAL300P) | 30 |
| THE SOCIOLINGUISTICS OF CONTEMPORARY ITALY (ITAL320) | 15 |
| DISSERTATION (MODL307) | 30 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change. This course has been updated for 2027 entry as part of a review of all our programmes. This review has considered refining study pathways, strengthening links with employers, integrating generative AI, developing students’ research skills, and enhancing alignment with our research strengths. Please note, as at all times, the University reserves the right to make reasonable changes, including to content, entry requirements, or fees, or to discontinue programmes. Applicants will be informed of any significant change.
If you split your degree between Italian and another subject area, you will study an Italian language module, at beginners’ or advanced level, and a cultural module per semester, alongside two other modules in your other subject.
If you combine Italian with a non-language subject, you will spend the year abroad in a Italian speaking country as an assistant in a school, as a student at a university or on a work placement. If you combine Italian with another language, you will split the year abroad between the two countries.
You will be taught through a mixture of lectures, seminars, tutorials and small-group language classes, where a supportive learning environment prevails and regular feedback is provided on assessed work. Language teaching develops productive, receptive and mediation skills, including speaking, writing, listening, reading, translation, subtitling and interpreting, with conversation classes and presentations playing an important role. Tuition takes place in small groups, allowing academic staff to support students in achieving their full potential.
Students are expected to make regular use of the Language Lounge and a wide range of digital learning resources. We encourage students to become independent learners and researchers through research-connected teaching, dedicated academic skills support, and structured online activities. The programme also includes a Year Abroad, which enhances language proficiency, intercultural awareness, independence and employability skills. Students are supported throughout their studies by Academic Advisors, Language Advisors and library-based study skills provision.
Performance throughout the programme is carefully monitored through a combination of formative and summative assessment. Language modules use a variety of assessment methods, including written and oral examinations, presentations, translations, reading and listening tasks, essays and other practical exercises. Students are assessed on their ability to understand and communicate effectively in Italian, as well as on their knowledge of how the language functions in different contexts.
Other modules use a mix of essays, presentations and source analyses, alongside a range of authentic assessment tasks designed to develop research, digital and employability skills. These may include public-facing writing, podcasts, videos, mapping exercises, group projects and critical engagement with AI-generated material. Students also complete an independent capstone project in the final year. Feedback is provided throughout the programme to help students reflect on their progress and improve future performance.
Assessment takes place throughout the degree, with the Year Abroad contributing to the final degree classification through study, work-based or reflective assignments appropriate to the pathway undertaken. As regards the final degree result, the second year’s work counts for 20%, the Year Abroad counts for 10%, and the final year’s work counts for 70%.
At Liverpool, we take a distinctive approach to education through the Liverpool Learning Framework. This means teaching that is engaging, inclusive and designed to help you succeed during your studies and beyond.
You’ll develop specialist subject knowledge alongside the skills employers value most, including:
Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:
We also embed key priorities across our curriculum, including AI literacy, employability, and sustainability, helping you prepare for the future and make a positive impact in the world.
We’re committed to creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment where every student can thrive.
Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.
University of Liverpool students can choose from an exciting range of study placements at partner universities worldwide.
Broaden your world by spending an additional year of study at a partner university abroad following your second year of study.
Every student at The University of Liverpool can study a language as part of, or alongside their degree. You can choose:
With a combined degree, you can study two subjects as part of the same degree programme.
Teaching is delivered by the Department of Languages, Cultures and Film, who bring together experts in a wide range of disciplines. A cutting edge research programme and award-winning teaching provide great opportunities to study all aspects of language and culture within a global context.
From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:
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Studying Italian goes beyond preparing students for a specific career, as the skills learned offer many possibilities. The Higher Education Statistics Agency consistently records high employment levels for language graduates, and the employability of graduates in Italian is excellent.
We are justifiably proud of our excellent record on graduate employment. Our graduates go on to careers in all sectors worldwide. These include: