Politics, International Studies and Italian (BA) (Full-Time, 2021 Entry)
This course is closed
for Clearing 2024
This course is closed for Clearing 2022
If you would like to study at Warwick, there are other courses available for 2025 entry.
UCAS Code
M165
Qualification
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Duration
4 years full-time
Start Date
27 September 2021
Department of Study
Department of Politics and International Studies
Location of Study
University of Warwick
This course allows you to examine political issues through a culturally-sensitive lens, while developing and deepening your language skills. Many of our students have not studied Italian previously.
Course overview
This degree studies the political world, with an emphasis on Italian language and culture.
This joint degree is 50:50 between Politics and Modern Languages, with an optional split of 75:25 in the final year. Each year you will take Italian language at the appropriate level. Additionally, in your first year you will take a core module in Italian that serves as a foundation to understanding its history, politics and culture. In later years, you will be able choose from a broad selection of options on Italy’s culture (including political thought), ranging from the Middle Ages to the present. Politics modules include topics such as Introduction to Politics, Political Theory, and more specific modules on issues such as globalisation and terrorism in various parts of the world (see ‘Modules’ tab).
Subjects within each discipline include:
- Italian society and culture
- Political theory
- Comparative politics
- Democratisation
- Italian literature
- International security
- Italian cinema
- International political economy
Lectures and Seminars
Most modules are taught using a combination of weekly lectures and seminars. Lectures give an introduction to a topic to help prepare you for discussions in seminars. In seminars, you can engage in debates and share your views.
Learning support
You will have a personal tutor who you can speak to about any questions you may have. There are also regular feedback sessions and opportunities to speak to module directors and seminar tutors.
Contact hours
There are 8-12 hours of classroom contact available per week. This is also supplemented with group work, one-to-one advice, feedback sessions, and the use of web-based materials.
Class size
- Year 1 seminars: 14 students max
- Year 2 and 3 seminars: 18 students max
- Lecture sizes vary
Modules are usually assessed through a mixture of exams and essays.
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Summative assessments include exams and coursework that go towards your final grade.
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Formative assessments do not contribute marks to your final grade. However, they help you understand key learning points and assessment styles.
We strongly recommend that students take a year abroad, if they are able to. Students may move to a three-year degree if circumstances do not permit them to complete a year abroad. In such cases, there will be further language reinforcement work and students will be encouraged to spend time abroad in other ways, during vacation times.
You will usually spend your year abroad doing one of three things:
- Working as a language assistant teaching English in a primary or secondary school
- Studying full-time at a partner university in Italy
- On a work placement
Most students going to Italy opt for an exchange at a partner university. Some are successful in obtaining a (highly competitive) language assistantship. Most students apply through the British Council's English Language Assistant scheme during the first term of their second year at Warwick.
The year abroad options are flexible so we recommend you check the department's subject pages for more details.
Our culture
Join an innovative, creative and passionate department with a lively and interactive culture. Stretch and challenge yourself with the support of friendly staff and your peers.
Our rankings
- 1st in the UK in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020
- Ranked 5th by the Guardian University Guide 2020
- 91% overall satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2019
- 42nd in the world according to The QS World University
Our people
The department has 60 members of staff, making it one of the largest politics departments in the UK. Students and staff represent over 40 countries, providing a diverse and cosmopolitan atmosphere.
World-leading academics
Staff are part of national and international research centres, advocacy groups and think tanks. Some are also holders of consultancy roles with national governments and international organisations.
General entry requirements
A level:
- AAB, to include a modern or classical language
IB:
- 36, to include 5 at Higher Level in a modern or classical language
BTEC:
- Will be considered as long as essential entry requirements are met
Additional requirements:
You will also need to meet our English Language requirements.
International Students
We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.
Find out more about international entry requirements.
Contextual data and differential offers
Warwick may make differential offers to students in a number of circumstances. These include students participating in the Realising Opportunities programme, or who meet two of the contextual data criteria. Differential offers will be one or two grades below Warwick’s standard offer (to a minimum of BBB).
Warwick International Foundation Programme (IFP)
All students who successfully complete the Warwick IFP and apply to Warwick through UCAS will receive a guaranteed conditional offer for a related undergraduate programme (selected courses only).
Find out more about standard offers and conditions for the IFP.
Taking a gap year
Applications for deferred entry welcomed.
Interviews
We do not typically interview applicants. Offers are made based on your UCAS form which includes predicted and actual grades, your personal statement and school reference.
Core modules provide a detailed understanding and strong foundation in politics. While optional modules allow you to design your degree to specialise in a chosen area.
Core modules
- Introduction to Politics
- World Politics
- Modern Italian Language 1 (at beginners, intermediate or advanced level)
- Representations of Modern Italy or Introduction to Italian Culture
Study or work abroad
You can spend this year studying abroad, or on a work placement. Alternatively you can study the following modules this year, and spend the next year abroad instead.
Core modules
- Political Theory from Hobbes
- Modern Italian Language II
Optional modules in Politics
- Introduction to Qualitative Methods
- Introduction to Social Analytics I
- Introduction to Social Analytics II
- Understanding Social Inequalities
- Politics of International Development
- Politics in the UK
- Politics of the USA
- Theories of International Relations
- Politics of Contemporary China
- States and Markets: An Introduction to International Political Economy
- International Security
- Core Issues in Comparative Politics
- Themes in European Integration
- Capitalism and its Alternatives
- Political Economy and the LiberalDemocratic State
- Introduction to Comparative Public Policy
- 21st Century Challenges and Public Policy Solutions
- Intermediate Social Analytics: Survey Design and Data Collection
- Intermediate Social Analytics: Survey Analysis and Reporting
Optional modules in Italian Studies
- Introducing Dante's Hell
- Modern Italian Culture in Dialogue with Europe
- Italian Cinema: Envisioning the Nation
- Experiments in Narrative: Telling the Past
- Renaissance Rivalries: Power, Magic, and Language
Study or work abroad
If you did not spend your second year abroad, you will spend this year studying abroad, or on a work placement.
If you spent your second year abroad, you will then follow the syllabus below for your third year.
Core modules
- Political Theory from Hobbes
- Modern Italian Language II
Optional modules in Politics
- Introduction to Qualitative Methods
- Introduction to Social Analytics I
- Introduction to Social Analytics II
- Understanding Social Inequalities
- Politics of International Development
- Politics in the UK
- Politics of the USA
- Theories of International Relations
- Politics of Contemporary China
- States and Markets: An Introduction to International Political Economy
- International Security
- Core Issues in Comparative Politics
- Themes in European Integration
- Capitalism and its Alternatives
- Political Economy and the LiberalDemocratic State
- Introduction to Comparative Public Policy
- 21st Century Challenges and Public Policy Solutions
- Intermediate Social Analytics: Survey Design and Data Collection
- Intermediate Social Analytics: Survey Analysis and Reporting
Optional modules in Italian Studies
- Introducing Dante's Hell
- Modern Italian Culture in Dialogue with Europe
- Italian Cinema: Envisioning the Nation
- Experiments in Narrative: Telling the Past
- Renaissance Rivalries: Power, Magic, and Language
Core modules
- Issues in Political Theory
- Modern Italian Language III
Optional modules in Politics
- Introduction to Qualitative Methods
- Introduction to Social Analytics I
- Introduction to Social Analytics II
- Understanding Social Inequalities
- Gender and Development
- Governing Britain Since 1918
- European Union Policy-Making
- Politics of Globalisation
- United States Foreign Policy
- Britain and the War on Terror
- Critical Security Studies
- Vigilant State: The Politics of Intelligence
- East Asian Transformations: A Political Economy Perspective
- State, Power, Freedom: European Political Theory
- The Political Economy of Money
- International Relations of the Americas
- Latin America: Democratisation and Development
- War in the 21st Century
- Quantitative Dissertation
Optional modules in Italian Studies
- Introducing Dante's Hell
- Modern Italian Culture in Dialogue with Europe
- Italian Cinema: Envisioning the Nation
- Experiments in Narrative: Telling the Past
- Renaissance Rivalries: Power, Magic, and Language
Tuition fees
Find out more about fees and funding.
Additional course costs
There may be costs associated with other items or services such as academic texts, course notes, and trips associated with your course. Students who choose to complete a work placement or study abroad will pay reduced tuition fees for their third year.
Warwick Undergraduate Global Excellence Scholarship 2021
We believe there should be no barrier to talent. That's why we are committed to offering a scholarship that makes it easier for gifted, ambitious international learners to pursue their academic interests at one of the UK's most prestigious universities. This new scheme will offer international fee-paying students 250 tuition fee discounts ranging from full fees to awards of £13,000 to £2,000 for the full duration of your Undergraduate degree course.
Find out more about the Warwick Undergraduate Global Excellence Scholarship 2021
Your career
We have a dedicated careers consultant who can support you with your career choices. We offer one-to-one appointments and workshops to help you find a career path, internship or work placement.
Where a Politics degree can take you:
- Charity and campaigning
- Government and politics (national and regional)
- Public affairs
- Education
- Banking and finance
- Media
- Public relations
- IT
- Journalism
- Recruitment
- Hospitality
- Advertising
Our graduates have gone on to work for employers such as:
- Houses of Parliament
- Cancer Research UK
- Her Majesty’s Civil Service
- United Nations
- Lloyds Banking Group
- Citizens Advice
"The modules I studied stood me in good stead for the future."
"All the modules I studied were relevant and have stood me in good stead for the future. I secured a paid internship in my second and third summer which helped me realise my passion for working in policy. I now work as an Environment Strategy Manager."
Jennifer Sibley
Environment Strategy Manager
"I can trace the management skills I have now back to my course."
"During my second year, I did a summer intern with a law firm in the US which was great exposure. In my last year, I thrived doing the communications work I was exposed to as Coordinator of One World Week and decided to centre my career in that area. I can trace the management skills I have now to the skills that I learnt through my course."
Ingrid Helsingen Warner
Managing Director, Leidar Norway
Q&A with Sophie
Watch Sophie answer questions about what it's like studying Politics at Warwick.
- What is the teaching like?
- Which modules did you enjoy the most?
- What extra-curricular opportunities are there?
- What career path are you following?
- What advice would you give prospective students?
"The main reason why I chose Warwick was that it offered a perfect symbiosis of academic challenge, with lectures delivered by some of the leading academics, and innovative ways of learning secured by the freedom to choose from a wide suite of optional modules to cater for a myriad of interests."
"My favourite part about the course was that I was able to develop and mature my opinions by backing them up with philosophical arguments, as well as gaining a detailed insight into another culture by spending a year in France. The versatility of my degree, and very employable skills which it fostered allowed for me to apply for a wide range of jobs in leading professions like law, banking and teaching."
Pawel
Current student
About the information on this page
This information is applicable for 2021 entry. Given the interval between the publication of courses and enrolment, some of the information may change. It is important to check our website before you apply. Please read our terms and conditions to find out more.