Italian and English BA
The Italian and English BA is for you if you want to explore Italian and English to degree level, with the course divided equally between both languages. You will have the chance to combine study of the Italian language and cultures alongside study of English literature and critical theory.
Leicester is one of the top ten places in the UK to study Modern Languages (The Guardian University Guide 2021) and we rank high for student satisfaction in the annual National Student Survey.
You can study Italian at either Beginners or Advanced level. If you have already taken an A-level in Italian you would start at Advanced level. If you have an A-level in another foreign language then you can begin studying Italian at Beginners level.
As part of the course, you will study abroad for a year, where you can live as a student, at one of several universities in Italy, or work as a teaching assistant with tutors on hand to help throughout the year. Alternatively, you can take up an approved work placement in an Italian-speaking country.
In addition, at the end of your first year, you will attend one of our fully funded special summer schools so that you can immerse yourself in the language and culture that you are studying.
Throughout the course you will develop your written skills in Italian through the production of small pieces of creative writing and a range of other activities, including online language learning and the use of materials taken from Italian TV and radio. Spoken Italian is taught in small groups, mostly by native speakers.
Developing your foreign language skills gives you a powerful advantage in business and opens up a wide and exciting range of careers. You will be able to immerse yourself in a rich culture of learning-led experience in a supportive and tailored learning environment, and you will be supported by our team of personal tutors to help you make the best of your time here.
Here at the University of Leicester we offer a rich and diverse learning experience, with great facilities, knowledgeable staff who are experts in their fields, and a unique chance to study abroad and build your international communication skills.
Careers and employability
We organise annual employability workshops to help you realise your career ambitions and consider what progress you should be making towards employment at each stage of your degree.
Our annual Careers Week includes seminars exploring diverse career paths. Speakers have come from European embassies and the EU.
In most cases your Year Abroad can include a year-long teaching assistantship or you could spend one or two semesters on a work placement approved by the University.
Our annual Careers Week includes seminars exploring diverse career paths. Speakers have come from European embassies and the EU.
Graduate destinations
Graduates from our Modern Languages degrees have gone on to work for a wide range of employers including:
- Amazon Emirates
- Airlines Ford Credit
- Europe Ministerio de Educación
- Cultura y Deporte (Spain)
- Resilient PLC
- STA International
- Sweet Cherry Publishing

My name is Kavisha Prince Anthony, and I always had a dream of studying abroad. Thankfully, that dream came to life since I applied to the Study Advisor. I was able to receive my visa within four days. I also had some visa refusals in the past; I had about six UK visa refusals in the past, but thankfully, it was not an issue since the Study Advisor was able to make things work this time. I highly recommend Study Advisor for your dreams of going abroad, whether it be the UK or any other European country there is.