The Venice Programme: FAQs

Application to The Venice Programme

Please access the slides from the Year 1 Information Session held on 4th February 2025 hereLink opens in a new window

Who can go to Venice?

Any student enrolled on first year V100 History, VM11 History and Politics, VL13 History and Sociology, V1V5 History and Philosophy or VQ32 English and History can apply. Please note the Venice degree is not open to other History joint hons or part time students.

Please note that due to teaching space availability on our Venice campus, and logistical matters relating to field trips, the maximum number of students per cohort will be 48. This number is inclusive of any deferred places due to study abroad or temporary withdrawal.

When is the Venice Term? Is there a limit of how many students can go to Venice? When do I apply?

Applications will open to students in Term 2 of their first year of study. There will be a dedicated Venice information session where you can find out more information and ask any questions you may have. The application system will then open to allow you to apply. You will be notified if you have been successful in getting a place on the Venice degree before module selection for your intermediate year opens (normally end of Term 2).

How do you decide who gets a place on the Venice degrees?

All students who apply will be given equal consideration regardless of their degree programme; we do not reserve more places for V100 History students, for example. Any students presenting significant engagement concerns (very high levels of absence and/or a considerable number of unsubmitted assessments) will not be offered a place on the Venice degree. If there are more applications than places, we then allocate places on a random basis.

Any eligible but unsuccessful applicants will then be offered the opportunity to join a waiting list in case places become available. Further information about the waiting list will be circulated ahead of application.

Can I do both the Year Abroad and the Venice Term?

Yes!

If you are considering applying for a year abroad in your intermediate year being a Venice student does not exclude you from this process. Almost every year we have students who are successful in both Year Abroad and Venice Term applications. Please read the

Year AbroadLink opens in a new window webpages for further information on this process.

Do I need a visa?

Please check this site regularly, as circumstances can change. Please ensure that you have the documentation required.

UK Government advice about travel to ItalyLink opens in a new window

Please pay particular attention to the entry requirementsLink opens in a new window. If you do not hold an EU passport, you can only spend 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen Area. Any days you spend in the Schengen Area before the start of the autumn term count towards the 90-day total. Given the short duration of your study in Italy, you are ineligible for a study visa from the Italian government.

If you have Irish citizenship, please see the advice of the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs about travel to Italy.Link opens in a new window

My circumstances have changed, and I want to leave the Venice degree How does the waiting list work?

Any eligible but unsuccessful applicants will be offered the opportunity to join a waiting list in case places become available. The waiting list is only available to those who completed the Venice application form by the original communicated deadline. We will be sharing more information about how to join the waiting list at the time of application.

Places on the Venice programme may become available if students decide to withdraw from the programme. The waiting list will ensure that any available places can be filled by students who wish to study in Venice.
Please note that the department expects that there might only be a very small number of students withdrawing from the programme, and it is possible that no students will withdraw. Students should therefore understand that a place on the waiting list only gives a very small chance of being able to join the Venice programme.
Places will only become available to students on the waiting list if a current student withdraws from the programme before the end of Term 1 of the intermediate year, which is when Venice accommodation is arranged. This means that any students on the waiting list after the end of Term 1 will not be going to Venice and will continue on their original degree path.
Students on the waiting list must study HI2E9-30 Crossing Boundaries and Breaking Norms in the Medieval World in their intermediate year.

Modules and Degree Structure

Will my degree code and title change?

Yes, if you are successful in getting a place on the Venice degree, the degree title you graduate with will change from the degree title for which you are currently enrolled. Once you have a place to study in Venice and you have successfully progressed through your first year, the History Office will organize and process a course transfer for you. There is no need to do anything yourself. When you start your intermediate year of study, you will be on your new degree pathway.

V100 History → V102 History (Renaissance and Modern History Stream)
VM11 History and Politics → VM13 History And Politics (With A Term In Venice)
VL13 History and Sociology → VL15 History And Sociology (With A Term In Venice)
V1V5 History and Philosophy → V1V7 History And Philosophy (With A Term In Venice)
VQ32 English and History → VQ34 English and History (With A Term In Venice)

Will my course syllabus change?

Yes. Students going to Venice have a slightly different curriculum. There is an additional required core module, HI2E9 Crossing Boundaries and Breaking Norms in the Medieval WorldLink opens in a new window that must be taken in your intermediate year of study before you can progress to the Venice term in the final year.

You MUST familiarise yourself with the syllabus requirementsLink opens in a new window for the course for which you are enrolled. In submitting an application to study in Venice, you will confirm that you have read and understood the changes to your syllabus in moving to the Venice degree. So please ensure you know the requirements and module availability for your chosen degree pathway.

Module availability for all History modules changes from year to year depending on staff availability and workload etc.

Will I still be able to take optional modules?

Yes. However, optionality is reduced.

In your intermediate year, you have an additional core module (HI2E9 Crossing Boundaries and Breaking Norms in the Medieval WorldLink opens in a new window) which reduces the number of optional modules you can choose.
In the final year, you will study one of the two optional modules taught by the Venice tutors. Currently these are HI3J3 Arts and Society in Early Modern EuropeLink opens in a new window and . These modules are taught in Terms 1 and Term 2.
In addition, there is a limited number of optional modules available in Term 2 of the final year.
Single Hons students take one additional optional module. You choose this from the two or three optional modules which are offered to Single Hons History students returning from Venice. History final year modules are all 30 CATS and most are taught in Terms 1 and 2. As you will not be at Warwick in Term 1, we offer two or three compressed 30 CATS modules in Term 2; you will receive the same teaching and contact hours but in a condensed timeframe. Given the limited number of History Single Hons students returning from Venice, only two or three optional modules are available to you in Term 2. As with all modules, these modules vary from year to year given staff availability.
For Joint Hons students, you will normally return to Warwick and take modules in the non-History subject of your degree. As you will be in Venice in Term 1there may be fewer optional modules available to you in Term 2 than are available to students who do not study in Venice. When looking at the syllabus for your degree, please note that these optional modules vary from year to year given staff availability. Core module requirements will not change without consultation with students.

Wellbeing

What support for my wellbeing will be available when I am in Venice?

A range of support is available, and this will be outlined (together with ways to keep well) by Wellbeing Support Services in an online briefing in the June before you go to Venice.

Whilst you are in Venice, you can still access support from Wellbeing Support Services. This support includes online brief consultations, online wellbeing appointments, online and email counselling, online disability appointments, and online mental health mentoring sessions. You can find information about these on the WSS website.

The History tutors in Venice also act as personal tutors, and though they are not counsellors, they have supported many students with wellbeing issues. Even if they are not your personal tutor, you are welcome to discuss your wellbeing with them if you wish.

I have reasonable adjustments. What support will be available to me in Venice? What happens if I fall ill when I am in Venice?

Before you go to Venice, you will be given details of first aid points, chemists, and hospitals, together with emergency numbers.

While you study in Venice, you are covered by the University’s insurance policy. There will be an online briefing about this in June before you go to Venice. In addition, if you do not already have a Global Health Insurance Card, we encourage you to apply for one. You can do so here. You need the standard GHIC, NOT the student GHIC.

If it is a medical emergency and you incur medical expenses (eg. a prescription), you pay at the chemist or hospital (should you be sent there), you should keep all receipts and documents given to you by doctors/chemist, etc. and then contact the University’s insurance services to submit a claim: insuranceservices@warwick.ac.uk

What about safety in Venice?

The main islands of Venice are relatively safe, though there are pickpockets, particularly in the main tourist areas and on the water buses. In June, before you go to Venice, the Warwick Community Safety Team will provide an online briefing. This will include details of emergency numbers.

If you are a victim of theft, you need to make a statement (denuncia) at either the main police station (Questura) near Piazzale Roma or the police station (Commissariato) at Fondamenta San Lorenzo, near Piazza San Marco. You will need this statement when you make an insurance claim.

Finance

How much is the cost of living in Venice?

The cost of living (including flats and food) is comparable to that in Leamington or Coventry.

Venice is relatively small and you should be able to walk most of the time. This will allow you to engage with the city which is the reason you are there. Some of you may wish to use the water buses (vaporetti), you can find details (in English) on the ACTVLink opens in a new window website. You can also download an AVM app and pay for tickets for water buses (navigation) there.

Apart from the water bus tickets for the first site visit, all entrance fees and transport costs for site visits are paid for by the History Department.

Are there extra costs if I study in Venice?

You will pay for your flights to Venice and your accommodation there. The cost of living (including flats and food) is comparable to that in Leamington or Coventry.

While you study in Venice, you are covered by the University’s insurance policy. There will be an online briefing about this in June before you go to Venice. ,In addition, if you do not already have a Global Health Insurance Card, we encourage you to apply for one. You can do so here. You need the standard GHIC card GHIC not the student GHIC.

Venice is relatively small and you should be able to walk most of the time. This will allow you to engage with the city, which is the reason you are there. Some of you may wish to use the water buses (vaporetti), you can find details in English on the ACTV website. You can also download an AVM app and pay for tickets for water buses (navigation) there.

The History Department pays for all entrance fees and transport costs for site visits, except for the water bus tickets for the first site visit.

Is financial support available for students who study in Venice?

Venice Degree Timeline and Progression

Can you show me the timeline for the Venice Degree?

UG first year:

- Term 1 – Year 1 students enrol and attend all welcome and induction sessions.

- Term 2 Week 5 - The Venice team (Jonathan Davies, Luca Mola and the Venice administrator Chiara Croff) will host an information session. The “Introduction to Venice” session is aimed at first-year students interested in finding out more about the Venice degrees and how to apply. This meeting is an information session aimed at helping students decide whether to choose the Venice route and asking the Venice team any questions they may have.

- After this meeting, the Venice application form will open to first year students. This will be the only opportunity for students to switch to the Venice degree. The form will remain open until Monday of week 9.

- The History Office will then review applicants' attendance levels, exclude any major causes for concern, and allocate places randomly. Students are offered places and given a deadline to accept their place. Unsuccessful but eligible applicants will offered a place on the waiting list.

- All applicants will be informed of their application outcome prior to the module selection form opening, so they can complete it correctly.

- At the end of term 2, (normally weeks 9 & 10) the History module selection will open for students to submit their module preferences for their intermediate year study. For the Venice degree students must take the additional core module ‘Crossing Boundaries and Breaking Norms in the Medieval World’ (HI2E9) in their intermediate year. Please see the Syllabi information in the student handbook. https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/arts/history/students/undergraduate/course-syllabusLink opens in a new window

- Students on the Venice waiting list should also choose Crossing Boundaries.
- At the end of term 3 (normally week 10) students will receive their History module allocations.

- Summer vacation - progressing Venice degree students will be course transferred onto the Venice degree path by the History Office, with the exception of English and History students who must be processed by the English Department. Students do not need to initiate this transfer themselves.

- If a student does not proceed into the intermediate year following the summer exam boards but instead has reassessments in September (further first attempts/capped resits/deferrals), their course transfer will not happen until after the September exam boards/the first year has been passed and an exam board has approved the student proceed to the next year of study.

UG Intermediate year:

- Term 1 – Year 2 students enrol and attend all welcome and induction sessions.

- End of Term 1 – Venice waiting list closes, no further places will be offered.

- Term 2 Week 5 - The Venice team (Jonathan Davies, Luca Mola and the Venice administrator Chiara Croff) will host an information session and meetings for students, set up by the UG Coordinator. The “Venice Key Information – Study, Travel and Accommodation” session is aimed at intermediate year students who will head to Venice in their final year. This meeting is about the practicalities of the Venice term; accommodation whilst in Venice, accommodation for terms 2 and 3 when students return to Warwick, travelling to and from Venice, what to expect in terms of teaching during the Venice term. There will also be a chance to meet with the Venice administrator to discuss accommodation options whilst in Venice.

- At the end of term 2, (dates TBC – normally week 9 & 10) module selection will open for students to submit their History module preferences for their final year of study. Venice degree students must fill in the module selection form using their Venice course code.

- If a student wishes to withdraw from the Venice degree at this point they must discuss it with both the Venice staff and the year director before submitting a course transfer request via eVision. If all agree to a course transfer back onto a non-Venice degree, the student must fill in the module selection form under the non-Venice course code. Please see the Syllabi information in the student handbook. https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/arts/history/students/undergraduate/course-syllabusLink opens in a new window

- In June, there will be a meeting for all History and History of Art students who will be going to Venice the following autumn. This meeting will be with Venice staff and Careers, Finance, Security, and Wellbeing representatives.

- At the end of term 3 (dates TBC – normally week 10) students will receive their History module allocations. This will include mandatory module allocations for the venice term, and preferences for terms 2 and 3.

- Summer vacation (dates TBC) - Intermediate year students will receive their results. Students who have passed the intermediate year and progressed to the final year can proceed to the Venice term.

- If a student does not proceed into the final year in the summer exam boards but instead has any assessments in September (further first attempts/capped resits/deferrals), their confirmation of proceeding to the Venice term will not happen until after the September exam boards/the intermediate year has been passed and an exam board has approved the student proceed to the next year of study.

- If a student still does not proceed to the final year at the September exam boards and needs to do further assessment without residence to pass the intermediate year, the student will not be permitted to proceed to Venice until after these assessments have been passed and approved by the next exam board.

- Students who have received a place on a year abroad and wish to accept this option before heading to Venice in their final year will receive a course transfer onto the Year abroad and Venice course code during the summer after their intermediate year. It is essential these students keep in touch with the department throughout their year abroad for any Venice updates as they will not return to study at Warwick between their year abroad and Venice term.

- All students heading to Venice in October should have completed the code of conduct form.Link opens in a new window

- All students heading to Venice should also complete a Photography & Video Consent formLink opens in a new window

- All students heading to Venice must complete the Arrival Information formLink opens in a new window prior to arrival.

UG final year

- For students studying in Venice in Term 1 (from 2025/26):
- Term 1 – students arrive and study in Venice.

- Term 2 – students return to Warwick for term 2 modules.

- Term 3/Summer – Students complete assessments and graduate
- For students studying in Venice in Term 2 (from 2026/27):
- Term 1 - students study in Warwick.
- Term 2 - students arrive and study in Venice.
- Term 3 - students return to Warwick to complete assessments and graduate.

What happens if I need to take September assessments or do not progress to the next year of study?

UG First Year:

After the first year results have been released, students who have passed and progressed to the intermediate year will be transferred to the Venice degree paths.

If a student does not proceed into the intermediate year in the summer exam boards but instead has any assessments in September (further first attempts/capped resits/deferrals) in order to pass the first year, their course transfer will not happen until after the September exam boards/the first year has been passed and an exam board has approved the student proceed to the next year of study.

UG Intermediate year:

Students who have passed the intermediate year and progressed to the final year can proceed to the Venice term.

If a student does not proceed into the final year in the summer exam boards but instead has any assessments in September (further first attempts/capped resits/deferrals) in order to pass the intermediate year, their confirmation of proceeding to the Venice term will not happen until after the September exam boards/the intermediate year has been passed and an exam board has approved the student proceed to the next year of study.
If a student still does not proceed to the final year at the September exam boards and needs to do further assessment without residence to pass the intermediate year, the student will not be permitted to proceed to Venice until after these intermediate year assessments have been passed and approved by the next exam board.

In Venice

Which staff work on the Venice Degree? What will I study in Venice?

All students take the module HI3G9 Venice in the Renaissance. This is taught entirely in Venice during Term 1 of your final year. You also study one of the optional modules taught by the Venice tutors. Currently, these are HI3J3 Arts and Society in Early Modern Europe and HI3T4 From Fireplace to Cyberspace: The Folklore of Europe from Prehistory to the Present. These two modules are both taught in Terms 1 and 2 of your final year.

Where will we study? What access to libraries will I have in Venice?

All of the key reading and much of the further reading for your modules is available online. Warwick has its own library in Venice which focuses on Venetian history and history of art, particularly works in English. At the start of your term in Venice, you will be given a tour of the University of Venice Ca’ Foscari’s library (BAUM) which you are welcome to use. Information about libraries in Venice can be on the Readings and Libraries website.

What careers advice will be available to me whilst I am in Venice?

You have a designated Senior Careers Consultant, Millie Tissut, who has extensive experience working with History students. She is familiar with the range of employment opportunities open to students of your discipline and can advise you on the relevant application processes.

In June before you go to Venice, Millie will give an online briefing about careers.

Millie can be contacted by email (careers@warwick.ac.uk). You may also make an appointment to see her through MyAdvantage.

Whilst you are in Venice, online support is available to you. This support includes one-to-one careers appointments with Millie or other careers consultants, CV and application review with job search advisers, and workshops on a range of topics from making applications to employer-led sessions.

After the Venice Term

How does accommodation in my final year work?

In Term 2 of your intermediate year there will be a meeting at Warwick to discuss your accommodation in Venice. This meeting is attended by Chiara Croff, Warwick’s administrator in Venice. You will then meet in groups or individually with Chiara to discuss your requirements. Chiara will then begin to find accommodation for you. Over several decades, we have built up a network of landlords and agents in Venice. Please note that this is not University accommodation and the contract is between you and your landlord. If you wish, you can arrange your own accommodation in Venice without Chiara’s assistance. However, this is at your own risk. You should ensure that it is safe and that it is on the main islands of Venice and not on the mainland.
- In Term 2 of your second year, you will be offered the opportunity to apply for University accommodation for Terms 2 and 3 of your final year. The accommodation office will be in touch about this at the time. You are also welcome to make your own arrangements.