English writers since Chaucer have looked to Italy for inspiration. On this joint degree course, you can explore the enduring links between these two cultures. Everyone in our departments, from new lecturers to professors, teaches at every level of the degree: this gives you the benefit of our expertise and makes you part of the conversation about our research. A great deal of your time will be spent in small-group teaching sessions, which we believe is vital for successful study in the Humanities. We’re proud of our small language classes, led by native speakers. Direct access to expert staff for help and feedback ensures you develop your skills to the best of your ability. An integral part of this degree is the opportunity for you to spend up to a year in Italy, studying at a partner institution through the Erasmus+ programme, undertaking a work placement, or working as a British Council language teaching assistant. Throughout your degree you will be thinking about the career choices that will enable you to thrive after graduation: we will help you put in place the skills and experience that you need to launch that career. Our innovative placement scheme gives you the chance to undertake an academic placement in commerce, By the time you graduate, you will be able to write and speak fluently in Italian: an immensely useful skill when there is currently a great shortage of well-qualified linguists in the UK. The experience of studying or working abroad shows employers that you have self-reliance, adaptability and enterprise. In your three years with us, you will develop the skills needed to research a problem, manage documentation, and present results clearly and persuasively: these are important skills in today’s economy.