Do I need fluent Italian to apply to the MA Italian Language and Culture?

You need at least CEFR B2 in Italian, evidenced by your transcript, a language certificate or a short interview. The MA Italian Language and Culture takes students from B2 to C2 over the year, but the literary criticism modules assume comfortable reading in Italian from the start.

Can the MA Italian Language and Culture dissertation be written in Italian?

Yes. The dissertation can be written in English or Italian — your choice, agreed with your supervisor. Many heritage speakers and Italy-based students write in Italian; UK-based students often write in English with substantial Italian sources.

Is the MA Italian Language and Culture good preparation for a PhD?

Yes. The MA Italian Language and Culture is structured around the research-readiness standards UK and Italian doctoral programmes expect — advanced methodology, viva preparation and substantial primary-source work in Italian.

Can the MA Italian Language and Culture be taken part-time?

Yes. The MA can be taken over 24 months part-time. Online and distance routes are available; admissions can advise on the best mode for your circumstances, particularly if you are based in Italy or working in a heritage cultural body.

Does the MA Italian Language and Culture cover translation?

Yes. Advanced translation theory and practice runs across the year — literary, journalistic, institutional and audiovisual translation. Several graduates each year continue into professional translation work, sometimes alongside additional translation-specific qualifications.

MA Italian Language and Culture in London | LSJHML | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The MA Italian Language and Culture at the London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages (LSJHML) is a one-year UK Master's degree for graduates working at advanced level in Italian language, literature and contemporary Italian society. You will take advanced literary criticism in Italian, advanced translation theory, and a dissertation written in English or Italian on a literary, linguistic or area-studies topic.

This is a research-informed MA for graduates with strong Italian who want depth across literature, language and the contemporary cultural and political life of Italy and the Italian-speaking world. By the end you can produce postgraduate-quality work in either language and step into doctoral study or specialist Italian-language roles.

Key Features

One-year UK Master's degree in Italian — twelve months full-time, twenty-four months part-time.
Advanced literary criticism in Italian — early modern to contemporary.
Advanced translation theory and practice — literary, journalistic and institutional.
Contemporary Italy module — politics, society, media and cultural debate.
Dissertation of 12,000–15,000 words in English or Italian.
September and January intakes with scholarship review on every application.

What You Will Learn

The MA Italian Language and Culture is structured around the working life of a postgraduate Italianist — read advanced material in Italian, translate at professional standard, write to publishable level in either language. You finish at CEFR C2 in Italian (where you weren't already) and able to run an independent research project.

Advanced Italian — reading, writing, speaking, listening at CEFR C2 level.
Advanced Italian literary criticism — early modern, modern and contemporary.
Italian cinema and culture — Neorealism, contemporary auteurs, popular cultural debate.
Italian sociolinguistics — regional varieties, the role of dialects, Italian diaspora.
Translation theory and practice — literary, journalistic, institutional and audiovisual.
Contemporary Italy — politics, society, media, EU-era cultural debate.
Research methods — comparative literary method, translation studies methods.
Dissertation craft — methodology, citation discipline, viva preparation.

Who This MA Is For

Italian or Italian-and-other-modern-language graduates targeting doctoral study or specialist roles.
Working Italian teachers and translators wanting an advanced research credential.
Heritage speakers of Italian seeking a formal Master's credential.
International graduates with strong Italian and humanities or social-science backgrounds.

Career Pathways

MA Italian Language and Culture graduates move into translation, academic teaching (with further qualifications), international cultural relations, journalism and policy roles linked to Italy and the Italian-speaking world. Typical first or next roles include:

Italian Translator (literary, commercial, institutional)
Italian Lecturer (after PhD — UK or international higher education)
Italian Teacher (after PGCE — secondary or further education)
Cultural Programme Coordinator (Italian cultural institute, gallery)
International Editorial Researcher (Italian coverage in UK media)
Diplomatic or Cultural Attaché Office (UK or Italian government bodies)

The MA serves as a research-readiness stepping stone for doctoral study in Italian studies, translation or comparative literature.

Entry Requirements

A UK 2:2 honours degree (or international equivalent) in Italian or a related subject with strong Italian, OR a 2:2 in any subject with two years of relevant professional experience requiring Italian.
IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) for non-native English speakers.
Personal statement (max 1 page) outlining your motivation, Italian experience and intended specialism.
Two academic or professional references.
Italian proficiency at CEFR B2 minimum, evidenced by transcript or interview.

Why Study at LSJHML

The London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages is a specialist higher-education provider based in central London. Our programmes are designed in dialogue with working professionals — journalists, translators, civil servants, academics, broadcasters, editors, publishers and policy researchers — so what you learn in seminar on Monday is what your future employer is using on Tuesday. We deliberately keep cohorts small, give every student named tutor support, and treat employability as a structural part of every programme rather than an optional add-on.

London is the work — politics, courts, capital markets, theatre, broadcasting, publishing, public service, the global press. Your studies are taught in the same square mile where the stories you read about happen. Whether you join us on-campus, online or by distance learning, the city is your classroom and our industry network is your launchpad.