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University of Reading

Whiteknights , Reading Berkshire ,United Kingdom

BA English Literature and Italian

English writers since Chaucer have looked to Italy for inspiration. On this BA English Literature and Italian joint degree course, you can explore the enduring links between these two cultures.
We provide accelerated learning in Italian, meaning that you can start from beginner's level if you have not studied the language before, or at intermediate level if you have only learnt it up to GCSE or AS level. Regardless of your language skills when you joint, you will soon master the fundamental elements of the language and will graduate with a near-native command of it. Please check the course's entry requirements for more details on entry points.
As well as modules in Italian language, you can take first year modules in medieval and twentieth-century Italian history and culture. In English Literature, you will study the different ways that literary texts respond to their cultural context (Genre and Context); the development of poetry in English over time and across the globe (Poetry in English); and the ways that literary texts accrue new meanings in the process of interpretation (Research and Criticism).
In your second year, you will have a wide choice of modules that range from Italian Cinema to Fictions of Italy. In English Literature, you can study everything from Renaissance lyric poetry to contemporary novels and Communications at Work. At this stage, you will be able to shape your degree to your interests much more, and this process continues in your final year of study, where your module choices are more diverse and specialised.For your final year, you can do archive work on Studying Manuscripts, or look at the politics of literature in Class Matters. With Italian, you can choose from a range of modules on Italian history, cinema, linguistics and culture, including options on Dante, Machiavelli, or Renaissance theatre.
Everyone in our departments, from new lecturers to professors, teaches at every level of the degree: this gives you the benefit of our expertise and makes you part of the conversation about our research. A great deal of your time will be spent in small-group teaching sessions, which we believe is vital for successful study in the Humanities. We’re proud of our small language classes, led by native speakers. Direct access to expert staff for help and feedback ensures you develop your skills to the best of your ability.
An integral part of this degree is the opportunity for you to spend up to a year in Italy, studying at a partner institution, undertaking a work placement, or working as a British Council language teaching assistant. This enables you to directly immerse yourself in the culture and greatly improve your knowledge of Italian at the same time. Core modules in the second year will prepare you for your time abroad, equipping you with the skills and knowledge required to live, work, and study in a different culture.

Intakes

  • Sep

Application Processing Time in Days: 20

Minimum English Language Requirements

English Level Description IELTS (1.0 -9.0) TOEFL IBT (0-120) TOEFL CBT (0-300) PTE (10-90)
Expert 9 120 297-300 86-90
Very Good 8.5 115-119 280-293 83-86
Very Good 8 110-114 270-280 79-83
Good 7.5 102-109 253-267 73-79
Good 7 94-101 240-253 65-73
Competent 6.5 79-93 213-233 58-65
Competent 6 60-78 170-210 50-58
Modest 5.5 46-59 133-210 43-50
Modest 5 35-45 107-133 36-43
Limited 4 32-34 97-103 30-36
Extremely Limited < 4 < 31 < 93 < 30

Job Opportunity Potential

Get ready for your future- it's never too early to start thinking about what you might do next. No matter what year of study you are in we have Careers Consultants and plenty of resources to help you, as well as opportunities all year round to boost your CV.

Careers and placements

Careers can support you in person and online to ensure you explore your options, grow your experience and develop skills to enable you to compete for success in the graduate labour market, or whatever path you chose after graduation. Find out more about how careers can support you in our RISE UP leaflet.

  • We also organise an extensive programme of career development workshops and on campus recruitment events providing something for everyone:
  • Make MyJobsOnline your first stop for jobs, events and advice appointments
  • Gain an insight into potential career areas and Industries by starting your careers research
  • Top tips on getting into various jobs, usually from the recruiters themselves
  • Access to practice psychometric tests and exercises typically found at graduate assessment centres
  • An understanding of the Skills and competencies employers look for in the recruitment process
  • The ability to sell yourself successfully online and in person
  • How to make your job applications stand out and secure you an interview
  • Careers fairs for both corporate and not-for-profit career paths

PSW Opportunity

2 years PSW

Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria

International Foundation Programme
Higher Secondary School certificate with scores lower than entry requirements.
International Foundation Programme - September Start
For students starting the International Foundation Programme in September, depending on your intended degree programme, we require the following IELTS levels
Intended Degree Programme
IELTS
Science / Life Science programmes except MSci Speech and Language Therapy
5.0
(no skill below 4.5)
All degrees in Henley Business School 
LLB Law;
Economics degrees
Politics degrees
5.5
Arts and Humanities courses
International English Language Testing System IELTS (Academic) 7
Test of English as a Foreign Language (internet-based version) TOEFL (iBT) 100
The Pearson Test of English Academic PTE (Academic) 69 overall with min. 59 in each component
Henley Business School, Social Sciences, Science and Life Sciences, and School of Law courses
International English Language Testing System IELTS (Academic) 6.5
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English/Cambridge English: Proficiency Cambridge CPE/C2 Proficiency C/176
The Pearson Test of English Academic PTE (Academic) 69 overall with min. 59 in each component/69 overall with min. 64 in each component.
(no skill below 4.5)
Arts and Humanities degrees (BA History, Philosophy, Classics)
6.0
(no skill below 5.0)
 MSci Speech & Language Therapy
6.5
(no skill below 5.5)