Classics/Italian

Classics and Italian is a rich combination of two traditions that are, in many ways, deeply intertwined. Classics involves the study of the literature, history, art and material culture of ancient Greece and Rome, the civilisations that have shaped European thought, law, philosophy and aesthetics more profoundly than any others. Italian, meanwhile, opens access to a living language with more than 60 million native speakers, as well as to one of the great European literary traditions, from Dante and Petrarch through to the twentieth century, and to a culture whose influence on art, music, architecture and cuisine is felt worldwide.

The two subjects speak to each other in illuminating ways: Italian literature grew directly from the Latin tradition, and studying both deepens your understanding of each.

At the University of Glasgow, this five-year full-time programme includes a sandwich year and a work placement. Study of Latin and ancient Greek is possible at any level, meaning the programme accommodates both those who come with prior language knowledge and those approaching classical languages for the first time. You will develop analytical skills in close reading, historical interpretation and cultural analysis alongside high-level proficiency in Italian.

The typical entry tariff is 152 UCAS points.

Graduates from Classics and Italian programmes go on to careers in education, publishing, journalism, diplomacy, cultural heritage, museums, law, the civil service and international business. The combination of historical depth and modern language proficiency is valued by employers who need both analytical rigour and the ability to operate across cultural and linguistic boundaries. Many graduates pursue postgraduate study in classical studies, Italian literature, medieval and Renaissance studies or modern languages, and a number go on to academic careers.

Translation, language teaching and international roles in the arts sector are also common graduate destinations.