Italian Studies: UCL-Venice Double Degree BA
Ca' Foscari, University of Venice, Italy for years 1 and 2; London (Bloomsbury) for years 3 and 4
Italian Studies: UCL-Venice Double Degree BA (2025)
The unique UCL-Venice Double Degree in Italian Studies integrates two different learning experiences, teaching methods, and modes of assessment, spanning two different countries and cultures. This challenging programme, taught between London and Venice, represents a dynamic model for the teaching of language and literature in higher education. As the first two years of this programme are taught in Italy, prior knowledge of Italian is essential.
Study mode
Duration
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
Programme starts
September 2024Application deadline
31 Jan 2024UCAS course code
Entry requirements
- Grades
- ABB
- Subjects
- Italian required.
- GCSEs
- English Language at grade B or 6 and Mathematics at grade C or 5.
Contextual offer information
- Grades
- BBC more about contextual offers
- Subjects
- Italian required at grade B.
- GCSEs
- English Language at grade B or 6 and Mathematics at grade C or 5.
- Points
- 34
- Subjects
- A total of 16 points in three higher level subjects including Italian, with no higher level score below 5.
Contextual offer
- Points
- 30 more about contextual offers
- Subjects
- A total of 15 points in three higher level subjects including Italian, with no higher level score below 5.
UK applicants qualifications
For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:
Equivalent qualification
Pass in Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 30 credits at Distinction, 12 credits at Merit and 3 credits at Pass in the Level 3 units. Please note, where subject specific requirements are stipulated at A level we may review your Access to HE syllabus to ensure you meet the subject specific requirements prior to a final decision being communicated.
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
D3,M1,M1 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects, including Italian.
A,B,B at Advanced Highers (or A,B at Advanced Higher and B,B,B at Higher), including Italian at Advanced Higher
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
Successful completion of the WBQ Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate plus 2 GCE A levels at grades ABB, to include A level Italian.
International applications
Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.
Access and widening participation
UCL is committed to widening access to higher education. If you are eligible for Access UCL you do not need to do anything in addition to the standard UCAS application. Your application will be automatically flagged when we receive it.Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates
The Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPC) prepare international students for a UCL undergraduate degree who don’t have the qualifications to enter directly. These intensive one-year foundation courses are taught on our central London campus.
Typical UPC students will be high achievers in a 12-year school system which does not meet the standard required for direct entry to UCL.
For more information see: ucl.ac.uk/upc.
English language requirements
The English language level for this programme is: Level 4
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Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.
A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.
Course overview
In your first two years you will be a fully enrolled University of Venice student. While studying at Ca' Foscari, you will take compulsory modules in Italian literature, linguistics and history. You will also be able to choose from a range of optional modules, allowing you to develop areas of personal interest. The majority of teaching will be in Italian.
During the last two years at UCL, you will have the opportunity to consolidate your learning by choosing from a vast range of modules available from the Italian Department and across the School of European Languages, Culture and Society (SELCS). These modules may focus on literature, history, linguistics and film.
Your final dissertation will be supervised by both UCL and Ca' Foscari. You will have the benefit of resources available to students at both universities.
You will be fully supported and supervised during your studies in Venice and London by a Director of Studies and through a tutor system. This structure is there to help you choose a coherent curriculum and enable you to get the most out of both locations.
What this course will give you
You will gain an enhanced linguistic competence and the ability to mediate between different cultural contexts. These are qualities that are sought after by global employers. Click here for more information about the Ca' Foscari University of Venice.
Venice, one of the most important cities of the medieval world, offers unparalleled cultural experiences in the form of history, art, architecture, and literature.
Exceptional resources for Italian studies are available in the UCL Library, including five special collections on Italian studies. UCL also hosts a substantial video library of Italian films. The Warburg Institute Library is within short walking distance of the Italian department.
The department regularly welcomes distinguished visitors, including academics, critics, and writers. These visitors conduct seminars and workshops and otherwise contribute to the academic environment. You will be able to make the most of a partnership with FilmItalia.
Teaching and learning
In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
Upon successful completion of 360 credits, you will be awarded a BA (Hons) in Italian Studies: UCL-Venice Double Degree.
Modules
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.
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The first two years are studied at Ca' Foscari and follow their degree structure. This will consist of 70% compulsory modules and 30% selected optional modules. You will gain expertise in the productive and receptive skills of the Italian language as well as gaining a more developed understanding of the literature, cinema, politics, linguistics, history, culture and society of the countries where Italian is spoken.
The final two years are taught at UCL and will include language and cultural modules. Teaching is delivered in lecture and seminars. Final dissertations are overseen by both UCL and Venice.
Over the four years, you will deepen your knowledge of the Italian language while also developing valuable skills in cultural literacy and critical thinking.
Compulsory modules
Compulsory modules
Your learning
The first two years are studied at Ca' Foscari and follow their degree structure. This will consist of 70% compulsory modules and 30% selected optional modules. Teaching is conducted via classroom teaching and in workshops — there is also the opportunity for internships.
The final two years are taught at UCL and will include language and cultural modules. Teaching is delivered in lectures and seminars.
Final dissertations are overseen by both UCL and Venice.
During terms one and two, approximately 35% of a student's time is spent in lectures, seminars or tutorials and the remainder in independent study. There is minimal teaching during term three, which focuses on examinations and assessment.
Assessment
You will be examined through continuous assessment, take-home essays, presentations and oral and unseen examinations. For some modules, you may choose between an extended essay and a formal examination. The final dissertation is optional; and if selected, it is written in English.
Accessibility
Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing team.
The foundation of your career
Our graduates find employment in numerous areas, including teaching, media, journalism and other arts-related fields as well as in the commercial and industrial sectors. Some students may continue studying Italian at graduate level by way of taught MA programmes and research leading to an MPhil and PhD.
Employability
There are many career opportunities for UCL's modern language graduates. We seek to embed within our teaching the acquisition of transferable skills such as leadership, team work and communication skills as well as linguistic and cultural knowledge.
Fees and funding
Fees for this course
| Fee description | Full-time |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees (2024/25) | £9,250 |
| Tuition fees (2024/25) | £28,100 |
The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2024/25 academic year. The UK fees shown are for the first year of the programme at UCL only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase. The Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2024/25 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.
Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website.
Additional costs
The department strives to keep additional costs low. Books and journal articles are usually available via the UCL library (hard copies or via e-journal subscriptions).
In addition, please note that if you study abroad during your programme at UCL, this is likely to incur additional costs. Studying abroad may cost between £200–£1,000 per month depending on where you choose to study. The cost of studying abroad can be difficult to predict as it will depend on your priorities and choices. There is more information available on the UCL Study Abroad website.
A guide including rough estimates for these and other living expenses is included on the UCL Fees and funding pages. If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc., please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).
Funding your studies
Various funding options are available, including student loans, scholarships and bursaries. UK students whose household income falls below a certain level may also be eligible for a non-repayable bursary or for certain scholarships. Please see the Fees and funding pages for more details.
Scholarships
The Scholarships and Funding website lists scholarships and funding schemes available to UCL students. These may be open to all students, or restricted to specific nationalities, regions or academic department.
Next steps
Your application
We seek to select candidates who, in addition to academic achievement, have the motivation and passion for language learning, for inter-cultural inquiry, and who have a deep commitment to developing and finessing their language proficiency to an advanced level.
How to apply
Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however, applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.
Selection
For further information on UCL's selection process see: How we assess your application.
Our admissions process aims to assess your linguistic abilities and attainments as well as cultural awareness and intellectual potential. There may be an interview as part of the selection process. We may also interview candidates by telephone in order to establish a level of language ability.
There is the possibility of interviews for students who know Italian but have no formal qualifications in order to verify that their competences are sufficient to enrol on this degree.
If your application demonstrates that your academic ability and motivation make you well suited to our degree and you receive an offer, then we will invite you to a Post Offer Open Day where you can experience the sort of teaching we offer as well as life in the department.
Got questions? Get in touch
UCL is regulated by the Office for Students. Ca' Foscari is regulated by the Ministry for Education, University and Research.