To study Italian at Royal Holloway is to discover one of the world’s richest and most influential cultures in a small department with a breadth of interdisciplinary expertise. At Royal Holloway, you will be part of an inspiring and friendly community that boasts one of the best library collections in the field nationally.
Our prestigious courses are taught by a team of supportive and passionate lecturers, and cover all aspects of Italian culture and society from a truly interdisciplinary and global perspective. As a student of Italian, beginner or advanced, you learn about Italy’s place as the cradle of European culture and about literary figures such as Dante, as well the artistic and scientific trends of the Renaissance.
You also have the chance to focus on modern and contemporary Italy’s key contributions to literature, film, the visual arts, fashion and design, and get to know a multicultural nation that is a major player in contemporary international affairs.
Why Study Italian at Royal Holloway?
Degree combinations
You can study Italian as a beginner or as an advanced learner, as part of BA Modern Languages or as an element of Comparative Literature and Culture (CLC), or Liberal Arts. Italian can also be studied as part of a Joint Honours course alongside subjects including CLC, Drama, English, History, History of Art and Visual Culture, Music, and Management, and Politics and International Relations. We also offer Italian as a minor subject with Law or Music.
Course units
Our language courses are tailored for both complete beginner and post A-level students. We also offer cutting-edge modules which cover the most significant areas in Italian Studies, including Roman heritage, Dante, Michelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci, as well as modern authors such as Italo Calvino and Umberto Eco, filmmakers such as Federico Fellini and Paolo Sorrentino, and fashion icons such Dolce and Gabbana.
Find out more about our courses
Your year abroad: work, study, teach
When our students return from their time abroad in Italy, they typically say it was one of the best experiences of their life. Whether you decide to study or work, the year abroad will not only help you achieve an impressive degree of fluency, you will also have developed many personal and professional skills.
We are partnered with some of the most prestigious Italian universities and have a database of top Italian employers. And you could also choose to apply for a British Council Teaching Assistantship and teach English as a foreign language in an Italian school.
