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Research in Italian Studies (MA) (2022 Entry)

About this taught graduate course

Course overview

Are you keen to specialise in the academic study of your chosen language and culture, and do you have the motivation to develop an individual research path, leading potentially to PhD study? This course combines taught modules with language-specific research and offers an advanced preparation for doctoral research.

You will work with the support of leading researchers, drawing on expertise in critical theory, research skills and key research themes. You will benefit from an introduction to critical theories and perspectives across the European and North American intellectual traditions, as well as developing your research specialism in Italian Studies.


Skills from this degree

  • Advanced research and information synthesis skill
  • Advanced report-writing and written communication skills
  • Oral communication skills
  • IT skills

General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

2:i undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a related subject.


English language requirements

You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window. This course requires the following:

  • Band B
  • IELTS overall score of 7.0, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.

International qualifications

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

For more information, please visit the international entry requirements pageLink opens in a new window.


Additional requirements

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

Core modules

Critical Theory in Modern Languages

Discover new theoretical approaches and methods in the Critical Theory in Modern Languages core module.

Advanced Study Option

Tailor your own bespoke programme of study in consultation with one of our expert tutors.

Learn about our research expertise and recent projects on the School of Modern Languages website.

Research Skills in Modern Languages

Develop your research skills with a core module introducing you to using electronic resources, creating bibliographies, writing a literature review, writing a PhD proposal and applying for funding, selecting a Dissertation topic and giving oral presentations of your work.

Dissertation


Optional modules

Optional modules can vary from year to year. Example optional modules may include:

  • Shapes of Knowledge in Early Modern Italy
  • Emigrants, Migrants, Immigrants
  • The Lure of Italy
  • Trans/national Cultures
  • Multilingualism and Global Cultures
  • The Practice of Literary Translation

Read more about the optional modules offered on the School of Modern Languages website.

Teaching

Researchers across the four languages (French, German, Italian, and Spanish) collaborate to teach the core critical modules, and we encourage interdisciplinary teaching or supervision within and outside Modern Languages through optional taught modules, Advanced Study Options, and your dissertation.

Advanced Study Options enable you to pursue individual research pathways with the guidance of a tutor or tutors before undertaking your dissertation.


Class sizes

Seminar teaching is typically in groups of 1 and 10 students, though groups may be larger in Research Skills, a module shared with other MA programmes within the School.

Individual supervision is provided for the dissertation.


Typical contact hours

The course will involve 35 hours of work per week, typically comprising 2 hours of seminar teaching, 2 hours of one-to-one tutorial teaching (or 2 further hours of seminar teaching, depending on the optional modules chosen), up to 1 hour of tutoring and 30 hours of independent study over Terms One and Two.

In Term Three, which is focused on the Dissertation, you will typically have a weekly average of one hour of one-to-one supervision and 34 hours of independent study.

All our PG students can do an additional language for free at the Language Centre, subject to availability.


Assessment

  1. A taught core module on cultural and critical theory, typically taken in the first term, and assessed by a 5,000 word essay.
  2. Two optional modules or supervised study programmes (Advanced Study Options), topic dependent on the interests of the candidate, each assessed by a5,000 word essay.
  3. A 20,000-word dissertation.
  4. A skills programme (assessed by two short bibliographical exercises), which typically includes:
  • Library induction/electronic resources in Italian Studies and general research skills
  • Giving oral presentations and using PowerPoint; writing a literature review; choosing a topic and writing a dissertation
  • Writing a PhD proposal
  • Applying for funding

Reading lists

Most departments have reading lists available through Warwick Library. If you would like to view reading lists for the current cohort of students you can visit our Warwick Library web page.


Your timetable

Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, compulsory and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your compulsory modules will be registered for you and you will be able to choose your optional modules when you join us.

Your career

Graduates from these courses have pursued roles such as: authors, writers and translators; legal professionals and marketing associate professionals.

Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant offering impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:

  • Careers in the Public Sector
  • Warwick careers fairs throughout the year
  • Completing effective CVs and Application Forms for students from the School of Modern Languages
  • Languages Alumni Evening

Modern Languages and Cultures at Warwick

The School of Modern Languages and Cultures is a close-knit community with an excellent reputation for innovative teaching and world-leading research. The School comprises five major sections – French, German, Italian, Hispanic Studies (all broadly conceived) and Translation and Transcultural Studies – and a Language Centre offering linguistic training in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.

Get to know us a bit better by exploring our department websiteLink opens in a new window


Our Postgraduate Taught courses


Our Postgraduate Research courses

Tuition fees

Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.

Taught course fees  Research course fees


Fee Status Guidance

The University carries out an initial fee status assessment based on information provided in the application and according to the guidance published by UKCISA. Students are classified as either Home or Overseas Fee status and this can determine the tuition fee and eligibility of certain scholarships and financial support.

If you receive an offer, your fee status will be stated with the tuition fee information, however we are awaiting guidance from the UK government regarding fee status for EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals and their family members living in the UK for academic year 2021/22 onwards. We are not able to confirm the fee status for these students until the relevant eligibility criteria have been confirmed. Once we have received further information from the UK government, we will provide you with an update on your fee status and let you know if any additional information is required. If you believe your fee status has been incorrectly classified you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire (follow the instructions in your offer) and provide the required documentation for this to be reassessed.

The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) provides guidance to UK universities on fees status criteria, you can find the latest guidance on the impact of Brexit on fees and student support on the UKCISA website.


Additional course costs

Please contact your academic department for information about department specific costs, which should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below, such as:

  • Core text books
  • Printer credits
  • Dissertation binding
  • Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Scholarships and bursaries

Scholarships and financial support

Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.

Living costs

Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.

Find out how to apply to us, ask your questions, and find out more.

Taught course applications

Here is our checklist on how to apply for taught postgraduate courses at Warwick.

Research course applications

Here is our checklist on how to apply for research postgraduate degrees at the University of Warwick.

After you’ve applied

Find out how we process your application.

Applicant Portal

Track your application and update your details.

Admissions statement

See Warwick’s postgraduate admissions policy.

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Our hosted events run throughout the year, with a mixture of virtual and in-person sessions. These events are a great way to learn more about our courses and departments, chat to current students and staff, and find out more information about accommodation, careers, and how to apply.

Postgraduate Fairs

Throughout the year we attend exhibitions and fairs online and in-person around the UK. These events give you the chance to explore our range of postgraduate courses, and find out what it’s like studying at Warwick. You’ll also be able to speak directly with our student recruitment team, who will be able to help answer your questions.

Live chats

Join a live chat with our staff and students, who are here to answer your questions and help you learn more about postgraduate life at Warwick. You can join our general drop-in sessions or talk to your prospective department and student services.

Warwick Talk and Tours

A Warwick talk and tour lasts around two hours and consists of an overview presentation from one of our Recruitment Officers covering the key features, facilities and activities that make Warwick a leading institution. The talk is followed by a campus tour which is the perfect way to view campus, with a current student guiding you around the key areas on campus.