Portuguese/Italian MA
ABB – BBB at A level, A-level English or another Humanities subject; graduates earn a median £23,500 three years on.
Typical A level offer
ABB – BBB
A-level English or another Humanities subject · 85% of entrants came with A levels · 70% stay on after year 1 · Glasgow course page, Discover Uni
Year 13 · applying
What do you need to get in?
ABB – BBBtypical A level offer
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.
Glasgow course page, read 19 September 2026 · Discover Uni entry profile
- 1A-level English or another Humanities subject
Who actually got in: 85% with A levels, 5% with the IB, 5% with other higher education. 50% arrived with 208 or more UCAS tariff points — roughly A*A*A or better. Based on 15 entrants.
UCAS tariff points — a points scale for grades: A* = 56, A = 48, so A*A*A = 160. Entrants’ totals include extra subjects.
Other qualifications2
| Qualification | Typical offer | Required subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Scottish Highers | AAAABminimum from S5: BBBB | Higher English and a Higher Humanities subject at AA. (AB or BA may be considered). |
| IB | 34 (6,5,5) | English HL6 or Humanities HL6 with English SL6. |
Years 1–5
What do you study?
3compulsory modules in year 1
Compulsory modules this year: language & communication 79% · arts & humanities 21%.
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.
Glasgow course page · optional modules vary by year
Year 1 · 3 core · 80 credits ≈ 800 hours
- Italian Culture 1 (Non-Beginners)
What you learn (6)
- apply knowledge of studied texts to their cultural context
- analyse thematic, formal and linguistic features of a text
- connect lecture themes to specific texts or films studied
- construct a persuasive argument about a studied text
- express a reasoned personal opinion on course materials
- evaluate key secondary readings related to lectures and texts
- Italian Language 1 (Beginners)
What you learn (10)
- read and comprehend beginner-level Italian texts of varied styles
- translate beginner-level Italian texts into another language
- analyse the structure and content of beginner-level Italian texts
- speak confidently in Italian on familiar course-related topics
- apply basic grammatical structures correctly in spoken Italian
- use appropriate vocabulary and idiom in spoken Italian
- respond accurately to oral questions in Italian
- respond accurately to written questions in Italian
- produce written Italian texts demonstrating accurate vocabulary and grammar
- incorporate idiomatic expressions into beginner-level written Italian
- Italian Language 1 (Non-Beginners)
What you learn (6)
- read and interpret pre-intermediate texts in italian
- translate pre-intermediate italian texts into another language
- deliver spoken presentations on familiar topics in italian
- apply appropriate register and intonation when speaking italian
- answer oral and written questions using correct italian grammar
- write pre-intermediate texts in italian using accurate vocabulary and grammar
Year 2 · 2 core · 40 credits ≈ 400 hours
- Italian Culture 2
What you learn (8)
- describe key historical events in the countries and periods studied
- summarise the content and themes of studied texts and films
- critically interpret studied texts and films
- evaluate key concepts presented in core lectures
- apply core lecture concepts to analysis of set texts
- identify formal features of texts within italian culture
- analyse the broader cultural significance of textual features
- apply critical approaches appropriately when discussing course texts
- Italian Language 2
What you learn (8)
- read and comprehend intermediate-level Italian texts of varied styles
- analyse intermediate-level Italian texts
- translate intermediate-level Italian texts into another language
- speak confidently on course-related topics in Italian
- present ideas effectively using appropriate register and intonation
- respond accurately to oral and written questions in Italian
- apply advanced grammatical structures appropriately in Italian
- produce written Italian texts showing intermediate command of vocabulary and grammar
Year 3 · 3 core · 360 credits ≈ 3,600 hours
- ITALIAN YEAR ABROAD ASSISTANTSHIP
What you learn (1)
- meet the learning objectives agreed in a placement training contract
- ITALIAN YEAR ABROAD STUDY
What you learn (2)
- complete academic coursework at the host university abroad
- apply knowledge from host institution courses to meet required standards
- ITALIAN YEAR ABROAD WORK PLACEMENT
What you learn (1)
- meet the agreed objectives set out in a workplace training agreement
Year 4 · 52 core · 800 credits ≈ 8,000 hours
- The Brothers Grimm and the European Fairy Tale
What you learn (3)
- describe the defining features of the folktale genre
- construct plausible interpretations of selected tales with supporting reasoning
- explain the origins of the literary written tradition of fairy tales
- Narrating the City: Representation of Urban Space in Literature and Film
What you learn (6)
- evaluate spatial concepts such as centrality, periphery and exile
- apply spatial concepts to analyse urban representations
- analyse spatial practices across genre, gender, culture and period
- apply theoretical frameworks to interpret urban space in texts and films
- critique differing theoretical approaches to spatial representation
- construct a coherent argument supported by varied sources
- Classic European Cinema East and West
What you learn (6)
- identify key developments in classic European cinema themes and styles
- describe cinema's role as a tool for social self-examination
- discuss European cinema developments within their socio-historical context
- relate European cinema trends to broader world cinema developments
- analyse cinematic developments using relevant theoretical frameworks
- evaluate cinematic developments through critical discussion
- Myths and Modern Imagination
What you learn (6)
- compare original texts with their adaptations
- explain cultural context specific to an adapted version
- compare adaptations of a single text set in different places and periods
- analyse narratives using literary and film theories such as structuralism or narratology
- describe how meaning shifts across rewritings and translations
- analyse how socio-historical context shapes interpretation of a text
- Transcultural Connections: 'Classic' Texts and their Adaptations across Cultures
What you learn (8)
- compare set texts and films by different authors and contexts
- evaluate how texts and films relate to their social and historical context
- identify key issues and features in prescribed texts and adaptations
- discuss how representations of a text develop across versions
- contribute to seminar discussions on themes and context of set material
- analyse texts with regard to ideological and socio-cultural context
- produce structured written analysis of set texts
- integrate secondary sources into an original argument
- Cervantes in Hollywood
What you learn (3)
- develop broader international perspective on cultural issues
- formulate personal analytical criteria for comparative metafiction
- present analytical arguments in essays and class discussions
- Czech Cinema: A case study of a country in Europe through the history of film
What you learn (4)
- describe the content and themes of the films studied
- explain the political issues reflected in late 20th century czech films
- explain the social issues reflected in late 20th century czech films
- identify key critical texts used in the study of czech cinema
- Subsidiary Czech Language (Beginners)
What you learn (9)
- read beginner-level texts in the target language
- analyse the structure and meaning of short foreign-language texts
- translate simple texts from czech into english
- speak fluently in czech on familiar course-related topics
- apply basic grammatical structures correctly in spoken czech
- answer spoken questions accurately using basic czech grammar
- answer written questions accurately using basic czech grammar
- write short texts in czech using appropriate vocabulary and grammar
- use idiomatic expressions in beginner-level written czech
- Subsidiary Czech Language (Intermediate)
What you learn (11)
- read and comprehend intermediate-level texts in Czech
- analyse the style and content of intermediate Czech texts
- translate intermediate Czech texts into another language
- speak confidently in Czech on familiar topics
- present ideas clearly using appropriate register and intonation
- use appropriate idiomatic structures when speaking Czech
- respond accurately to spoken questions in Czech
- respond accurately to written questions in Czech
- apply advanced grammatical structures appropriately in Czech
- produce written texts in Czech demonstrating intermediate vocabulary
- apply intermediate grammar and idiom accurately in writing
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (Hons)
What you learn (5)
- apply language system descriptions to classroom lesson planning
- design lessons or lesson segments for defined learner groups
- apply pedagogical principles when planning language lessons
- identify current issues affecting the TESOL profession
- evaluate the significance of local, national and global TESOL issues
- European Political Thought: A View from Germany
What you learn (5)
- connect different political themes to one another and to primary texts
- demonstrate familiarity with major philosophical texts from Plato to Habermas
- discuss philosophical themes and issues confidently in debate
- critically evaluate major works of political thought
- construct well-referenced written arguments on political philosophy topics
- Brecht
What you learn (3)
- analyse how language functions as a creative construction
- analyse language as a tool for ideological persuasion
- formulate original critical arguments in written assessments
- Catalan 1
What you learn (9)
- introduce oneself and others in Catalan
- ask and answer questions about personal information such as residence and occupation
- describe family relationships and acquaintances in Catalan
- produce grammatically correct written Catalan texts at course level
- communicate clearly in spoken Catalan at course level
- interpret spoken Catalan materials at course level
- interpret written Catalan materials at course level
- apply core Catalan vocabulary and grammatical structures from the course
- use everyday expressions and basic phrases in common situations
- Catalan 2
What you learn (10)
- produce clear and grammatically accurate written Catalan
- produce clear and grammatically accurate spoken Catalan
- exchange information verbally on familiar everyday topics
- apply appropriate grammar and vocabulary to resolve communicative problems
- describe personal background and immediate surroundings in catalan
- hold a conversation on a range of familiar topics
- interpret spoken catalan texts on familiar everyday subjects
- interpret written catalan texts on familiar everyday subjects
- demonstrate mastery of the catalan vocabulary and grammar covered in the course
- compose extended pieces of written catalan
- The Medievalists: the Middle Ages in 20th century Eastern and Central Europe
What you learn (6)
- analyse historical texts in detail to identify underlying meaning
- evaluate techniques used to construct particular versions of national history
- deliver a presentation on a set literary or artistic work relevant to the course
- participate in unplanned discussion about set novels, plays, films, opera and poetry
- discuss how current cultural values influence historical study
- discuss how historical perceptions shape present-day cultural debates
- Czechoslovakia: A case study of a country in Europe through the history of film
What you learn (8)
- identify key features of twentieth century development in a central european nation
- interpret films as cultural artefacts within their historical context
- describe major political and social issues affecting europeans over the last century
- apply historical research methods to the study of cultural artefacts
- explain how theory contributes to historical interpretation
- examine a range of film sources for historical analysis
- describe how film sources contribute to historical explanation
- evaluate cinematic cultural artefacts using critical analytical skills
- History through film and literature: Crisis situations
What you learn (7)
- identify key features of twentieth century history in Central European nations
- describe major political and social issues affecting Europeans over the last century
- apply suitable historical methods to analyse cultural artefacts
- interpret literary works within their historical context
- examine diverse literary sources for historical analysis
- explain how literary sources contribute to historical explanation
- evaluate the contribution of theory to historical interpretation
- Italian Dissertation
What you learn (9)
- formulate a focused research question for independent study
- select an appropriate research methodology from several approaches
- apply chosen research methods to a dissertation topic
- synthesise scholarly literature relevant to a research topic
- evaluate the relevance and quality of academic sources
- position a research topic within existing scholarly debates
- structure a dissertation into a clear and coherent format
- apply recognised academic conventions for referencing and citation
- articulate transferable skills gained through dissertation research
- Italian Junior Honours Language Project: Region And Culture
What you learn (10)
- formulate a coherent research topic on Italian culture or society
- select relevant bibliographic and other research sources
- evaluate the quality and relevance of research sources
- explain in-depth knowledge of a chosen cultural topic in Italian
- construct a coherent argument in written formal Italian
- construct a coherent argument in spoken formal Italian
- apply advanced Italian syntactic and idiomatic structures in writing
- apply advanced Italian syntactic and idiomatic structures in speech
- reflect in writing on one's own learning process
- reflect orally on one's own learning process
- Italian Senior Honours Language Project: Contemporary Society
What you learn (7)
- formulate a research topic on contemporary italian society
- select relevant bibliographic sources for a research topic
- evaluate the relevance and quality of chosen sources
- explain a chosen topic in depth using formal italian
- synthesise arguments coherently in written italian
- apply advanced italian syntax and vocabulary in argumentation
- support arguments with appropriate source citations
- Modern Italian Poetry
What you learn (3)
- explain selected modern Italian poems in relation to their cultural context
- describe key movements and trends in modern Italian poetry
- describe the biographical background and literary output of studied poets
- Italian Honours Spoken Language (Junior)
What you learn (5)
- speak fluently in italian using varied grammar and vocabulary
- discuss academic intellectual and cultural topics articulately
- demonstrate critical reflection and independent thought in spoken discussion
- apply intercultural competence when communicating in italian
- interact confidently with native speakers across formal and informal settings
- Italian Honours Spoken Language (Senior)
What you learn (7)
- speak fluently in Italian using varied grammar, register and vocabulary
- discuss academic, intellectual and cultural topics in Italian
- demonstrate critical and independent thinking when debating topics
- apply intercultural competence during spoken interaction in Italian
- interact confidently with native Italian speakers in varied settings
- deliver a fluent and accurate formal presentation in Italian
- employ advanced presentation techniques to engage an audience
- Italian Honours Written Language (Junior)
What you learn (4)
- compose a grammatically accurate written text in italian
- apply presentational and rhetorical techniques in italian writing
- translate texts from varied sources between english and italian
- respond to italian texts written in varied styles and registers
- Italian Honours Written Language (Senior)
What you learn (9)
- compose a grammatically accurate text in the target language
- select appropriate register and vocabulary for a writing task
- apply presentational conventions when writing in the target language
- use rhetorical techniques to structure written arguments
- translate texts from varied sources between english and the target language
- interpret written passages of varying style and register
- produce a suitable written response to a given passage
- complete translation tasks independently under timed conditions
- complete writing tasks independently under timed conditions
- Honour and Shame in Italian Culture: Emotions and Performance
What you learn (7)
- evaluate concepts of honour and shame in Italian culture
- analyse representations of honour and shame in historical contexts
- identify key points of debate in scholarly literature
- apply scholarly debates to the analysis of primary sources
- apply critical reading techniques to texts across different genres
- construct well-supported written arguments with proper referencing
- deliver well-supported oral arguments on course topics
- Text/Image Cultures: Theory and Practice
What you learn (3)
- evaluate a text-image cultural object using critical concepts
- apply semiotic concepts to analyse cultural material
- construct a sustained written argument drawing on diverse sources
- Subsidiary Chinese (Mandarin) Language (Intermediate)
What you learn (11)
- read and comprehend intermediate-level Chinese texts of various styles
- analyse the content and structure of intermediate Chinese texts
- translate intermediate Chinese texts into another language
- speak confidently in Mandarin on familiar course-related topics
- present ideas clearly in Mandarin using appropriate register and tone
- apply appropriate idioms and structures when speaking Mandarin
- respond accurately to spoken questions in Mandarin
- respond accurately to written questions in Mandarin
- apply advanced grammatical structures appropriately in responses
- produce written Mandarin texts demonstrating intermediate vocabulary use
- produce written Mandarin texts applying correct grammar and idiom
- Latin American Cinema
What you learn (8)
- explain national and transnational contexts shaping the film industry
- analyse how films challenge or reinforce dominant ideas of national identity
- analyse how films represent race, gender and social class
- apply relevant film studies concepts and terminology in film analysis
- present coherent arguments in oral discussion
- present coherent arguments in written form
- conduct independent research to prepare oral presentations
- support arguments using primary and secondary sources
- Translation Studies: An introduction to key topics in theory and practice
What you learn (4)
- translate texts of varied genres across different subject areas
- describe own translation strategy using relevant theoretical concepts
- justify translation choices by referencing translation studies theories
- evaluate critically the sources used to inform a translation
- Censorship In Western Culture
What you learn (6)
- evaluate the justifications given for censorship in diverse cultural contexts
- identify continuities across different censorship practices over time
- evaluate the effects of variations between censorship practices
- assess how censorship shapes political debate, communication and artistic production
- assess the effect of social taboos and self-censorship on Western societies
- produce a well-researched academic essay using critical argumentation skills
- Language Policy and Planning for European Minority Languages
What you learn (8)
- evaluate factors influencing language planning at different governance levels
- analyse theoretical frameworks used in language policy studies
- synthesise methodological approaches applied to language planning
- collect data relevant to language planning and policy research
- analyse and present findings from language planning research
- assess current minority language planning against international best practice
- evaluate social, psychological, economic and political causes of language decline
- critique arguments for and against reversing minority language decline
- Subsidiary Polish Language (Beginners)
What you learn (7)
- read and comprehend beginner-level texts in the target language
- analyse the structure and meaning of simple foreign-language texts
- translate beginner-level texts into and from the target language
- speak confidently on familiar topics using basic vocabulary and idiom
- apply basic grammatical structures correctly in spoken language
- answer oral and written questions using correct basic grammar
- write texts demonstrating beginner-level vocabulary and grammar use
- Subsidiary Polish Language (Intermediate)
What you learn (11)
- read and comprehend intermediate-level texts in Polish
- analyse stylistic features of varied Polish texts
- translate intermediate-level Polish texts into another language
- speak confidently on course-related topics in Polish
- present ideas effectively using appropriate register and intonation
- use appropriate idiomatic structures when speaking Polish
- respond confidently to oral questions in Polish
- respond confidently to written questions in Polish
- apply advanced grammatical structures accurately in Polish
- produce written texts in Polish using intermediate vocabulary and grammar
- use idiomatic expressions appropriately in written Polish
- Subsidiary Portuguese Language (Beginners)
What you learn (9)
- read beginner-level texts in the target language
- analyse the content and structure of beginner-level foreign texts
- translate beginner-level texts into another language
- speak fluently in the target language on familiar topics
- apply basic grammatical structures and idiom correctly in speech
- respond orally to questions using accurate grammatical structures
- respond in writing to questions using accurate grammatical structures
- produce written texts demonstrating beginner-level vocabulary and grammar
- apply idiomatic expressions appropriately in written composition
- Subsidiary Portuguese Language (Intermediate)
What you learn (11)
- read and comprehend intermediate-level texts in Portuguese
- analyse the style and content of varied Portuguese texts
- translate intermediate Portuguese texts into another language
- speak confidently on course-related topics in Portuguese
- present ideas clearly using appropriate register and intonation
- apply idiomatic structures appropriate to spoken Portuguese
- respond accurately to oral questions in Portuguese
- respond accurately to written questions in Portuguese
- apply advanced grammatical structures appropriately
- produce written texts demonstrating intermediate Portuguese vocabulary
- apply grammar and idiomatic expressions in written Portuguese
- Subsidiary Russian Language (Beginners)
What you learn (8)
- read beginner-level texts in the target language
- analyse the content and style of simple foreign-language texts
- translate beginner-level texts into another language
- speak confidently in the target language on familiar topics
- apply basic grammatical structures accurately in spoken communication
- respond accurately to oral questions using basic grammar
- respond accurately to written questions using basic grammar
- produce written texts demonstrating beginner-level vocabulary and grammar
- Subsidiary Russian Language (Intermediate)
What you learn (11)
- read and comprehend intermediate-level texts in the target language
- analyse the content and structure of intermediate-level foreign texts
- translate intermediate-level texts into and from the target language
- speak confidently on familiar topics in the target language
- present ideas effectively using appropriate register and intonation
- apply appropriate structures and idioms when speaking
- respond accurately to oral questions in the target language
- respond accurately to written questions in the target language
- apply advanced grammatical structures appropriately in responses
- produce written texts demonstrating intermediate vocabulary and grammar
- use idiomatic expressions accurately in written texts
- Russian Literature and State Power
What you learn (6)
- construct structured arguments about cultural texts using knowledge of Russian statehood
- summarise key concepts from postcolonial theory
- apply postcolonial theory concepts to analyse Russian literature and culture
- evaluate the relevance of postcolonial theory to Russian cultural contexts
- present oral arguments on Russian ideologies of statehood with theoretical grounding
- write culturally sensitive analyses of Russian ideologies of statehood
- Brave New Worlds: Russian Culture in the Age of Revolution
What you learn (7)
- distinguish elements of change and continuity across the period
- analyse a range of cultural media from the period
- select appropriate methods for studying different media types
- evaluate mechanisms driving cultural change in Russian modernism
- apply critical thinking to broader theories of cultural change
- explain the place of russian modernism within european culture
- discuss the continuing relevance of russian modernism today
- Existentialism: Atheism, Reason, and Faith
What you learn (5)
- evaluate existentialist perspectives on religious belief
- describe key thinkers and texts of 19th and 20th century existentialism
- relate philosophical, religious and literary perspectives in analysis
- construct analytical written arguments on philosophical topics
- plan independent research on a philosophical topic
“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?
£23,500median pay three years after graduating
Lower quarter£17k
Median£24k
Upper quarter£30k
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 105 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 12, 23, 22, 13
Half of graduates earned between £17,000 and £29,500. Five years on, the median is £29,000. 85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing; 60% of those in work were in professional or managerial jobs.
All outcome figures7
| Measure | Value | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Continue after year 130% left | 70% | 15 |
| In work or study, 15 months on10% studying | 85% | 50 |
| Professional or managerial job | 60% | 30 |
| Pay 15 months on, median | £28,000 | 20 |
| Pay 3 years on, median | £23,500 | 105 |
| Pay 5 years on, median | £29,000 | 115 |
National Student Survey 2025-26
What do students say?
69%agreed the course was good overall (question 26)
NSS — a yearly survey of final-year students at every UK university; 100% of this course’s final year answered. Small groups can swing a lot year to year.
National Student Survey, via Discover Uni · 10 students answered
Highest: 100% agreed on question 15; lowest: 49% on question 11.
All questions26
| Question | Agree |
|---|---|
| Question 1 | 91% |
| Question 2 | 74% |
| Question 3 | 83% |
| Question 4 | 74% |
| Question 5 | 83% |
| Question 6 | 77% |
| Question 7 | 91% |
| Question 8 | 60% |
| Question 9 | 83% |
| Question 10 | 51% |
| Question 11 | 49% |
| Question 12 | 66% |
| Question 13 | 74% |
| Question 14 | 51% |
| Question 15 | 100% |
| Question 16 | 91% |
| Question 17 | 74% |
| Question 18 | 69% |
| Question 19 | 100% |
| Question 20 | 100% |
| Question 21 | 90% |
| Question 22 | 74% |
| Question 23 | 83% |
| Question 24 | 60% |
| Question 25 | 79% |
| Question 26 | 69% |
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 Glasgow’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 Glasgow is a trade mark of the university; sch.today is independent of it.