Politics, International Studies and Italian BA
AAB at A level, Italian; graduates earn a median £31,500 three years on.
Typical A level offer
AAB
Italian · 87% of entrants came with A levels · 98% stay on after year 1 · Warwick course page, Discover Uni
Year 13 · applying
What do you need to get in?
AABtypical A level offer; aab to include italian. aab to include grade b at a-level or grade 7/a at gcse in a modern or classical language.
Typical offer — the grades most applicants are asked for. A contextual offer can be lower for applicants from under-represented backgrounds; none is published for this course.
Warwick course page, read 19 September 2026 · Discover Uni entry profile
- 1Italian
- 2B at A-Level or grade 7/A at GCSE in a modern or classical language
Who actually got in: 87% with A levels, 13% with the IB. 14% arrived with 208 or more UCAS tariff points — roughly A*A*A or better. Based on 450 entrants.
UCAS tariff points — a points scale for grades: A* = 56, A = 48, so A*A*A = 160. Entrants’ totals include extra subjects.
Other qualifications4
| Qualification | Typical offer | Required subjects |
|---|---|---|
| IB | 34 points34 to include 5 in Higher Level Italian. 34 to include 5 at Higher Level or grade 7/A at GCSE in a modern or classical language. | 5 in Higher Level Italian |
| BTEC | —Will be considered as long as essential entry requirements are met. | — |
| Advanced Highers | ABAB in two Advanced Highers including Italian where a minimum of AAB has been achieved in three additional Highers subjects AA in two Advanced Highers including Italian where ABB/BBB has been achieved | Italian where ABB/BBB has been achieved in three additional Highers subjects; a modern or classical language where ABB/BBB has been achieved in three additional Highers subjects |
| Access | 45 Credits at Level 3, including Distinction in 33 Level 3 credits and Merit in We will consider applicants returning to study who are presenting a QAA-recognised Access to Higher Education Diploma on a case-by-case basis. Typically, we require 45 Credits at Level 3, including Di | — |
Years 1–4
What do you study?
3compulsory modules in year 1, 3 optional
Compulsory modules this year: social & cultural skills 49% · language & communication 25% · arts & humanities 15% · transversal skills 10%.
Module — one course unit, usually a term or a year long; “core” means everyone takes it. One UK credit is about ten hours of study; a full year is 120 credits.
Warwick course page · optional modules vary by year
Year 1 · 3 core, 3 optional · 90 credits ≈ 900 hours
- Introducing Italy: Local and Global Perspectives
What you learn (11)
- identify key historical processes shaping the italian language
- outline major events in the formation of the italian nation
- recognise diversity among local and global italian identities
- critically evaluate primary and secondary texts on italian culture
- describe a range of cultural artefacts related to italy
- analyse how cultural artefacts express italian identity
- conduct research using appropriate academic methods
- analyse sources to support an argument
- produce clear written work in academic style
- use italian language with increased proficiency
- explain italy's cultural role within a global context
- Introduction to Politics
What you learn (8)
- identify major theoretical perspectives in political science
- critically discuss key debates within political science
- describe foundational concepts of political theory, processes and institutions
- explain patterns of political change over time
- construct a well-structured academic essay
- analyse and critique arguments in written work
- apply independent study techniques to manage learning
- communicate ideas effectively in academic contexts
- World Politics
What you learn (5)
- outline the history of world politics since 1945
- explain core concepts used to study world politics
- identify contemporary scholarly literature on world politics issues
- analyse ideas about world politics critically in written form
- analyse ideas about world politics critically in oral discussion
3 optional modules
- Italian for Beginners
What you learn (9)
- produce written texts in Italian on familiar topics
- read and comprehend written texts in Italian
- translate short texts between italian and english
- distinguish between different varieties and registers of italian
- apply core italian grammatical structures in different contexts
- adapt language use to different registers of communication
- interpret spoken italian on a range of topics
- communicate orally in italian on a range of topics
- discuss intercultural differences between italian and english-speaking contexts
- Modern Italian Language I (Advanced)
What you learn (13)
- apply fundamental grammar rules in Italian
- produce written texts in different genres and registers
- interpret spoken Italian accurately and idiomatically
- produce accurate and idiomatic spoken Italian
- predict likely sources of misunderstanding in oral communication
- read Italian texts accurately
- predict comprehension difficulties arising from syntax, lexis and grammar
- translate texts into Italian to build syntactic and lexical accuracy
- explain challenges of translating into English regarding syntax, register and idiom
- apply translation strategies when rendering texts into English
- describe key aspects of contemporary Italian society and culture
- proofread written work systematically for accuracy
- develop independent strategies for language learning
- Italian Intermediate Accelerated
What you learn (8)
- apply intermediate-level Italian grammar structures accurately in context
- identify the main ideas in complex Italian texts on concrete and abstract topics
- describe specific details within complex Italian texts
- converse fluently and spontaneously in Italian on a range of topics
- justify and maintain personal viewpoints during Italian conversation
- produce clear and detailed written texts in Italian on varied subjects
- explain personal opinions on current issues in written Italian
- evaluate personal strengths and weaknesses to improve language learning strategies
Year 2 · 2 core, 23 optional · 30 credits ≈ 300 hours
- Topics in Political Theory
What you learn (7)
- analyse complex arguments from contemporary political theory texts
- interpret diverse scholarly perspectives within political theory literature
- formulate a reasoned personal judgement on a political theory issue
- compare opposing arguments and perspectives on a political issue
- construct an original argument about core political values
- defend a political argument against sceptical objections
- apply insights from other disciplines to support a political argument
- Foundations of Political Theory
What you learn (5)
- explain how political theory addresses freedom, equality and human nature
- interpret key texts by major political thinkers
- critically evaluate arguments of major political thinkers
- analyse complex ideas in political theory
- construct and defend a written argument on political theory
23 optional modules
- Modern Italian Language II
What you learn (8)
- comprehend spoken Italian across diverse everyday topics
- communicate orally in Italian on a range of subjects
- identify variations in Italian language use across regions and contexts
- distinguish formal and informal registers in Italian
- translate texts between English and Italian with commentary
- explain translation choices to show awareness of linguistic differences
- apply advanced Italian grammatical structures accurately in context
- use appropriate registers when communicating in Italian
- Modern Italian Language III
What you learn (10)
- comprehend advanced spoken Italian in varied contexts
- produce fluent spoken Italian on complex topics
- analyse features of contemporary Italian society and culture
- evaluate intercultural issues linked to Italian culture
- apply systematic proof-reading techniques to Italian texts
- manage independent strategies for learning Italian
- apply advanced Italian grammatical structures accurately
- explain features of advanced written Italian expression
- interpret complex Italian texts across diverse document types
- analyse translation challenges between Italian and English
- Italian Cinema II: Individual Perspectives
What you learn (11)
- identify key themes and formal features of the period's films
- identify key practitioners of italian post-war cinema
- explain core concepts of film criticism and theory
- analyse films in terms of formal, technical and narrative features
- identify movements and directors in italian post-war cinema
- relate italian cinema history to broader social and cultural context
- produce written analyses of italian films or related topics
- present oral discussions on italian cinema topics
- apply advanced italian aural comprehension skills
- recognise regional and social italian dialects and accents
- use digital tools to support academic research and presentation
- Dante's Inferno
What you learn (11)
- conduct independent research using lecture and reading materials
- describe factual background and context of Dante's Inferno
- explain thematic content of the Inferno
- analyse linguistic and stylistic features of the text
- present findings and arguments orally
- produce written accounts of research findings
- critically analyse literary texts
- engage with scholarly debates on the texts
- evaluate how political and intellectual trends shaped the Inferno
- evaluate the influence of literary developments on the Inferno
- apply digital tools to support academic work
- Renaissance Florence
What you learn (9)
- conduct independent research building on lecture and seminar content
- describe key facts and historical contexts of the Italian Renaissance
- explain thematic content of renaissance texts
- analyse the linguistic and stylistic features of renaissance texts
- present learning outcomes clearly in spoken form
- present learning outcomes clearly in written form
- critically evaluate renaissance texts and related cultural issues
- engage with scholarly debates on renaissance texts
- use digital tools to support academic work
- Politics of International Development
What you learn (6)
- explain major theoretical debates in development politics
- identify distinct development trajectories across world regions
- evaluate development policies and their underlying assumptions
- review academic literature on international development
- conduct research investigations on development topics
- present coherent arguments through academic writing
- Politics in the United Kingdom
What you learn (9)
- describe the institutions and structures of the UK constitution
- identify key academic research on UK politics
- compare competing scholarly interpretations of UK politics
- analyse UK politics using a comparative approach
- explain the historical origins of current debates in British politics
- construct arguments about British politics using empirical evidence
- relate case studies to theoretical frameworks in political science
- explain major UK public policy challenges such as immigration and climate change
- analyse specific aspects of contemporary UK politics
- Politics of the USA
What you learn (6)
- describe the foundational structures of the US political system
- explain the structure of major federal government institutions in the US
- explain the functions and powers of major federal government institutions
- identify key policy debates in contemporary US politics
- summarise a broad range of academic literature on US government and politics
- evaluate complex ideas relating to contemporary US politics
- Theories of International Relations
What you learn (5)
- identify core assumptions underlying different international relations theories
- differentiate between competing international relations theories based on their premises
- examine the internal logic and aims of international relations theories
- identify contradictions within contemporary international relations theories
- apply international relations theories to analyse real-world political issues
- States and Markets: An Introduction to International Political Economy
What you learn (6)
- explain key concepts in international political economy
- evaluate competing theoretical perspectives explaining political economy developments
- describe relationships between states and markets using political economy theories
- apply political economy theories to analyse specific themes and cases
- produce clearly structured written arguments on political economy topics
- locate and assess relevant sources for political economy research
- International Security
What you learn (6)
- explain key issues and dynamics in the use of military force
- discuss theoretical debates on security within international relations
- relate security theories to real-world security practices
- identify major security threats facing states and societies
- explain the concepts of war, security and peace
- produce clear written analysis of security topics
- Core Issues in Comparative Politics
What you learn (18)
- explain core concepts and theories in comparative politics
- describe methodologies used in comparative political analysis
- describe the structure of national political systems
- evaluate differences between national political systems
- apply political theory to practical case studies
- collect and organise data from secondary and primary sources
- analyse political problems and propose solutions
- advocate for solutions to identified political issues
- critique research material for validity and relevance
- design an original research project in comparative politics
- present own research findings in comparative politics
- present analytical arguments in written form
- present analytical arguments orally
- communicate research findings through an academic conference format
- produce a short film exploring the concept of democracy
- compose a research essay on a comparative politics topic
- develop a final independent research project in comparative politics
- present the outcomes of a final research project
- Gender Matters in Politics and International Studies
What you learn (4)
- evaluate competing feminist theoretical perspectives using critical analysis
- produce written analysis on gender and politics topics
- deliver oral presentations on gender-related political topics
- conduct independent research on gender and politics issues
- The Political Economy of Southeast Asia
What you learn (6)
- describe the historical evolution of Southeast Asia's political economy
- analyse how state-society relations are structured across Southeast Asian countries
- explain the economic effects of different state-society configurations
- identify cross-border flows of money, goods and people in the region
- explain how regional economic flows are regulated and governed
- evaluate historical and current regional economic cooperation initiatives
- Public Policy for 21st Century Challenges
What you learn (10)
- explain how interest groups shape public policy outcomes
- explain how institutional structures constrain policymaking
- explain how ideas shape the direction of public policy
- evaluate competing interpretations of the policymaking process
- identify key actors and institutions involved in policymaking
- compare policymaking approaches across different countries
- evaluate major political challenges facing policymakers
- outline key debates relating to selected contemporary policy challenges
- critique policy responses to contemporary challenges
- propose solutions to address contemporary policy challenges
Year 4 · 0 core, 31 optional
31 optional modules
- Modern Italian Language II
What you learn (8)
- comprehend spoken Italian across diverse everyday topics
- communicate orally in Italian on a range of subjects
- identify variations in Italian language use across regions and contexts
- distinguish formal and informal registers in Italian
- translate texts between English and Italian with commentary
- explain translation choices to show awareness of linguistic differences
- apply advanced Italian grammatical structures accurately in context
- use appropriate registers when communicating in Italian
- Modern Italian Language III
What you learn (10)
- comprehend advanced spoken Italian in varied contexts
- produce fluent spoken Italian on complex topics
- analyse features of contemporary Italian society and culture
- evaluate intercultural issues linked to Italian culture
- apply systematic proof-reading techniques to Italian texts
- manage independent strategies for learning Italian
- apply advanced Italian grammatical structures accurately
- explain features of advanced written Italian expression
- interpret complex Italian texts across diverse document types
- analyse translation challenges between Italian and English
- Modern Italian Language IV
What you learn (9)
- apply advanced grammar rules in written and spoken Italian
- translate complex texts between italian and english
- compose structured written texts in italian using complex syntax
- comprehend extended spoken italian on diverse topics
- communicate orally in italian across varied topics and registers
- evaluate intercultural issues linked to italian culture
- proofread written italian texts systematically for accuracy
- manage independent language-learning strategies effectively
- conduct independent research on language-related topics
- Italian Cinema II: Individual Perspectives
What you learn (11)
- identify key themes and formal features of the period's films
- identify key practitioners of italian post-war cinema
- explain core concepts of film criticism and theory
- analyse films in terms of formal, technical and narrative features
- identify movements and directors in italian post-war cinema
- relate italian cinema history to broader social and cultural context
- produce written analyses of italian films or related topics
- present oral discussions on italian cinema topics
- apply advanced italian aural comprehension skills
- recognise regional and social italian dialects and accents
- use digital tools to support academic research and presentation
- Dante's Inferno
What you learn (11)
- conduct independent research using lecture and reading materials
- describe factual background and context of Dante's Inferno
- explain thematic content of the Inferno
- analyse linguistic and stylistic features of the text
- present findings and arguments orally
- produce written accounts of research findings
- critically analyse literary texts
- engage with scholarly debates on the texts
- evaluate how political and intellectual trends shaped the Inferno
- evaluate the influence of literary developments on the Inferno
- apply digital tools to support academic work
- Renaissance Florence
What you learn (9)
- conduct independent research building on lecture and seminar content
- describe key facts and historical contexts of the Italian Renaissance
- explain thematic content of renaissance texts
- analyse the linguistic and stylistic features of renaissance texts
- present learning outcomes clearly in spoken form
- present learning outcomes clearly in written form
- critically evaluate renaissance texts and related cultural issues
- engage with scholarly debates on renaissance texts
- use digital tools to support academic work
- Gender and Development
What you learn (6)
- explain core theoretical debates in gender and development studies
- evaluate competing theories of gender and development
- justify a preferred theoretical model with persuasive argument
- carry out independent research on gender and development issues
- apply statistical and qualitative development indicators to analyse gender issues
- structure written academic work clearly and coherently
- EU Policy Making
What you learn (4)
- describe how eu policy processes operate
- evaluate the defining features of eu policy processes
- assess the contributions of key actors shaping eu policy-making
- explain the dynamics of different eu policy sectors
- Politics of Globalization
What you learn (10)
- explain differing scholarly definitions of globalisation
- evaluate approaches used to measure and date globalisation
- critique the roles and functions of major global governance institutions
- assess how global economic restructuring affects gender relations socially and culturally
- analyse how supranational economic shifts affect social actors
- present analysis of globalisation issues through spoken argument
- present analysis of globalisation issues through written argument
- discuss theoretical debates on globalisation's effects on nation-states
- evaluate the influence of financialisation on daily life
- analyse how shifts in production and consumption patterns shape global dynamics
- United States Foreign Policy
What you learn (6)
- explain theoretical debates underpinning us foreign policy analysis
- assess consequences of us foreign and defense policy decisions
- relate us international role to broader international relations debates
- identify classic and contemporary scholarship on us foreign policy
- critique complex ideas on current us foreign policy in writing
- critique complex ideas on current us foreign policy orally
- Critical Security Studies
What you learn (5)
- explain key theoretical debates within critical security studies
- differentiate critical security studies from traditional security studies
- position critical security studies within wider international relations debates
- identify contemporary issues framed as security threats
- describe current dynamics shaping the politicisation of security
- Vigilant State: Understanding Secret Intelligence
What you learn (5)
- explain the historical development of intelligence practice
- evaluate the features of intelligence accountability frameworks
- assess strengths and weaknesses of theories explaining the intelligence cycle
- analyse current issues in national and regional intelligence approaches
- present intelligence analysis in written form
- The Politics of Religion
What you learn (4)
- analyse theoretical debates on the relationship between politics and religion
- evaluate how religion has influenced contemporary political institutions
- explain the ongoing processes by which religion shapes current politics
- apply conceptual frameworks to analyse current religion-politics issues
- The Political Economy of Money
What you learn (4)
- explain theoretical debates on the role of money in political economy
- evaluate competing approaches to the role of money in political economy
- apply theories of money to diverse issues in political economy
- construct a well-substantiated argument on political economy topics
- Violence, Rights, Justice and Peace in the Middle East
What you learn (9)
- describe key historical events shaping the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
- identify the main actors involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
- apply international relations theories to analyse the causes of the conflict
- evaluate scholarly debates on human rights violations within the conflict
- assess prospects for peacemaking and a just resolution to the conflict
- explain competing conceptions of peace and justice in the conflict
- discuss differing views on the legitimacy of violence in the conflict
- construct independent arguments on the conflict using IR theories
- defend a personal position within key scholarly debates on the conflict
- The Global Energy Challenge: Environment, Development & Security
What you learn (7)
- describe the role of energy in modern society
- explain how energy use relates to energy policy and politics
- identify key political perspectives on energy
- analyse policy choices linked to different political perspectives on energy
- apply political perspectives to examine institutions involved in energy policymaking
- analyse the roles of key actors in shaping energy policy
- evaluate energy policies in relation to changing energy systems
- The Politics of Climate Change
What you learn (4)
- explain political debates surrounding greenhouse gas emission reduction
- analyse the roles of key institutions in climate change mitigation
- evaluate differing political approaches to climate change across sectors
- identify connections between global, national and local climate policies
- Gender, Race and Militarism
What you learn (10)
- explain how gender, race and militarism interconnect
- explain feminist theoretical approaches to war and militarism
- evaluate competing interpretations of gender, race and militarism relationships
- develop an original conceptual framework linking gender, race and militarism
- discuss the relevance of feminist approaches to global politics
- construct coherent written arguments on political topics
- collect and organise evidence from primary and secondary sources
- apply gathered data to support analytical arguments
- critically assess concepts and information for validity
- use digital tools to retrieve and present information
- Race and International Politics
What you learn (6)
- compare how race shapes governance across different policy areas
- critically assess how race drives political contestation in policy debates
- evaluate scholarly literature addressing race within international politics
- explain the historical origins of race as a political concept
- describe how imperial structures shaped the development of race as a concept
- analyse the ongoing influence of race on contemporary world politics
- Dissertation
What you learn (8)
- produce an extended piece of research writing within the degree subject area
- structure a research project in a logical sequence
- formulate a research question answerable within word limit and resource constraints
- support an argument using diverse evidence sources
- cite sources accurately according to scholarly conventions
- manage independent work to meet a fixed deadline
- gather research material from varied sources
- evaluate the quality and relevance of collected research material
“What you learn” restates each module’s published learning outcomes in our own words, as short skill statements in the same form as the GCSE and A level curriculum, with the help of an AI model; fields of knowledge follow the twelve fields of the knowledge sphere. The university’s module page, linked from each title, is the authoritative description.
After graduating
Where does it lead?
£31,500median pay three years after graduating
Lower quarter£26k
Median£32k
Upper quarter£41k
Median — the middle earner: half earned more, half less. Pay is for graduates of this subject at this university who finished in 2016-18, not adjusted for inflation; based on 175 graduates.
Discover Uni dataset (HESA and Office for Students, CC BY 4.0, contains HESA data); earnings from the Longitudinal Education Outcomes data (Department for Education) · aggregation level 13, 23
Half of graduates earned between £25,500 and £40,500. Five years on, the median is £41,500. 89% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing; 76% of those in work were in professional or managerial jobs.
All outcome figures7
| Measure | Value | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Continue after year 12% left | 98% | 385 |
| In work or study, 15 months on10% studying | 89% | 165 |
| Professional or managerial job | 76% | 115 |
| Pay 15 months on, median | £33,000 | 75 |
| Pay 3 years on, median | £31,500 | 175 |
| Pay 5 years on, median | £41,500 | 180 |
Money
What does it cost?
£10,050a year for UK students, 2027/28 entry
Tuition fee loan — paid straight to the university; repayments start the April after you leave, at 9% of income above the threshold. UK fees are capped by government and rise with inflation; placement and study-abroad years are usually charged at a lower rate.
Warwick fees page · source
About £40,200 in fees over 4 years, covered by a tuition fee loan you repay only when earning above the threshold.
National Student Survey 2025-26
What do students say?
89%agreed the course was good overall (question 26)
NSS — a yearly survey of final-year students at every UK university; 79% of this course’s final year answered. Small groups can swing a lot year to year.
National Student Survey, via Discover Uni · 460 students answered
Highest: 98% agreed on question 20; lowest: 74% on question 25.
All questions26
| Question | Agree |
|---|---|
| Question 1 | 97% |
| Question 2 | 93% |
| Question 3 | 96% |
| Question 4 | 91% |
| Question 5 | 92% |
| Question 6 | 89% |
| Question 7 | 93% |
| Question 8 | 79% |
| Question 9 | 87% |
| Question 10 | 82% |
| Question 11 | 86% |
| Question 12 | 86% |
| Question 13 | 84% |
| Question 14 | 76% |
| Question 15 | 95% |
| Question 16 | 93% |
| Question 17 | 89% |
| Question 18 | 91% |
| Question 19 | 93% |
| Question 20 | 98% |
| Question 21 | 96% |
| Question 22 | 95% |
| Question 23 | 95% |
| Question 24 | 87% |
| Question 25 | 74% |
| Question 26 | 89% |
Question texts are published by the Office for Students; the dataset carries only the question numbers.
Modules, entry requirements and fees are facts read from University of Warwick’s course page on 2026-09-19 and may change; the university’s page is authoritative. Descriptions are not reproduced. Outcome figures are from the Discover Uni dataset. University of Warwick is a trade mark of the university; sch.today is independent of it.