Italian

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 cinema to history of the language to contemporary Italian writers.

Italian culture is one of the richest and most influential in the world, and you will embark on a cultural journey from the Middle Ages, to Renaissance, to modern and contemporary Italy.

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 will 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.

Click here to Download Course Pathways document.

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 (non‑beginners) • Dante’s Inferno; Introduction to Italian Linguistics

Second and Final Year

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 & Morals in Renaissance Italy • Italian Literary Adaptations • 20th Century Italian Women Writers • Italian History 1815-1945 • The Story of Italian 2: Modern Age & 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, in-class tests, mid-trimester written assignments, video presentations, and end-of-trimester exams.

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, Pisa, 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.

The communication skills, critical awareness, cultural sensitivity and intellectual flexibility fostered through studying Italian open up a wide range of careers, including: • Multinational organisations such as the EU, UN and NGOs • Multinational Companies • The Diplomatic Service • Communications and Marketing • Hospitality and Entertainment • 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.

• Level 5/6 QQI-FET
• Open Learning Entry Route
• Mature Entry Route
• DARE Entry Route
• HEAR Entry Route
• University Access

UCD School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics
p. +353 1 76 8302
e. slcl@ucd.ie

By joining the UCD College of Arts and Humanities you will be part of a vibrant community of students and faculty who are committed to creating a more sustainable, just and equitable future. Our courses are designed to equip students with the best education in their chosen arts and humanities subjects. Our research and teaching and learning connect with many of the SDGs, most notably:

• SDG 4: Quality Education -Promotes inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all.

• SDG 5: Gender Equality - Advances gender equality by addressing social norms, histories, and cultural practices that contribute to gender disparities.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities - Encourages understanding and action against social, economic, and political inequalities.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities - Enhances cultural understanding and heritage preservation, fostering sustainable communities.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions - Promotes peace, justice, and strong institutions through critical inquiry into human rights, ethics, and governance.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals - Encourages global partnerships and collaboration by fostering international understanding and dialogue.

Our programmes equip students with critical thinking, empathy, and cultural awareness, essential for addressing complex global challenges.