For centuries Great Britain has had a special relationship with Italy and all things Italian and cultural: contemporary literature, film, Renaissance art and music. Modern Italian cities are steeped in history, with the best of the old combining with the most vibrant of the new. The Italian people are friendly and welcoming, and their culture and traditions are second to none. The traffic of tourism and study flows both ways. It is, therefore, not surprising that Italian language courses are becoming increasingly popular in the UK.
If you already have an undergraduate degree in Italian this will not be news to you - but it may make you wish to deepen your passion for, and knowledge of, this culture by embarking on a postgraduate course in Italian. This will give you further insight into a culture, which leads international fashion, disseminates the best of opera, and is a major influence on contemporary film and art. Italy brings together the heritage of Dante with the flavours and savours of the finest cuisine in Europe.
You might undertake a taught MA course, or a research-based endeavour on a subject of your own choice – historical, cultural or political. Inevitably, this will also raise your linguistic skills to an even higher level. Studying a postgraduate course in Italian (MA, MPhil or PhD) will enhance your employability, whether you are contemplating an academic in teaching or research, or a career in business, the media or finance.
The expertise you will gain will enable you to become a unique ambassador for the richness of the Italian language, the complex history of the country, and the distinctive contribution made by Italy and Italians to European culture. The new MAXXI gallery in Rome and the Venice Biennale, and the annual international film festivals hosted in Italy all demonstrate an interactive European cultural enthusiasm, transmitting and deepening knowledge and pleasure.
Acting as a critical bridge between leisure and postgraduate Italian learning, the Italian Cultural Institute (Istituto Italiano di Cultura) occupies a very special niche. It ranges across the whole gamut of language learning – from absolute beginners to the highest level – C2+. Although not explicitly leading to named/validated postgraduate degrees, the advanced courses have a provenance parallel to the university-based MA in Italian. It is ideal for those who – for whatever reason (structure, cost, professional context) are at postgraduate level, but choose not to study at a university. Entry is by individual assessment. The Institute provides supportive and augmentative classes: in intensive grammar, advanced conversation, and specialist focuses on specific geographic regions, their food and wine, varied cultural traditions, literature, art and music.
The Institute does not eschew examinations completely, encouraging students towards various Certificates of Italian as a Foreign Language, such as those from the Universities of Perugia and Siena. Additionally, the Institute functions as a bridge between initial enthusiasm for Italian, and formal university study. Students can move on to take MA courses, and many of the teachers trained at the Institute, take posts teaching Italian at British universities.
Those who attend and teach at the Institute already have a passion for all things Italian, and their learning experience deepens and widens their understanding and enthusiasm. These qualities are vital for any student wishing to study at postgraduate level. Even if you don’t choose to use your linguistic skills in employment, studying a postgraduate course in Italian is enormous fun and enables to you feel at home in one of the most important and exciting countries in Europe.
