Foreign Languages and Literature

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Foreign Languages and Literature
Course sheet
A.Y. 2024/2025
Bachelor
L-11 - Modern languages and civilisations
Bachelor
180
ECTS
Access
Open with admission self-assessment test
3
Years
Course location
Milan
Language
Italian
The aim of the course is to offer high-level training, which will enable students to develop a set of basic theoretical-scientific skills and practical skills in the field of foreign languages and literatures, in accordance with the strong international vocation of its educational programme. The course includes practical training in the foreign languages of choice, side by side with the reflection on theoretical and applied linguistics. In parallel, literatures and texts are studied across time, in synchronic and diachronic perspective, and space, embracing the European languages and literatures in their global dimension. The study of at least two foreign languages and literatures, freely combined, is accompanied by a number of common core disciplines intended to equip students with a solid humanistic, philological, metalinguistic and literary background. A wide range of optional modules (to be acquired as free ECTS in compliance with the course manual) offers students the possibility to personalise their curriculum thus leading to a versatile and multicultural body of competence.
Graduates in Foreign languages and literatures develop a wealth of linguistic, literary and cultural skills useful for placing themselves in a variety of professional settings, especially those requiring written and oral command of foreign languages accompanied by a solid humanistic training. In addition, they will have acquired a very good command of techniques of retrieval and management of information from a variety of sources.
The main employment opportunities for graduates in foreign languages and literatures are:
- private companies from various production sectors that maintain contact with international customers;
- public institutions and organizations operating in international contexts and in contact with similar bodies;
- organisation of events (fairs, congresses, exhibitions, cultural events);
- organization and management of tourist activities, and of linguistic and cultural trips and vacations;
- libraries and exhibition centers;
- communication and marketing offices, especially in contexts that require the use of foreign languages;
- human sources and talent scouting services;
- publishing houses, translation agencies and localization of websites and web portals;
- second level of university education (Master's Degree) or with first level vocational masters.

Employment statistics (Almalaurea)
The undergraduate programme in Foreign languages and literatures has always been characterized by its strong international vocation, in line with the disciplines taught there and with the research activities of its academic staff. The programme can boast a significant number of mobility agreements for students which is constantly increasing.
As part of the Erasmus + programme, more than 150 scholarships are made available each year for study periods of a semester to an entire academic year, in agreement with 88 partner universities located in over 20 countries. Overall, this is the broadest range of opportunities for international mobility offered in the entire humanities area. The network of solid relationships built over the years allows students of foreign languages and literatures to complete part of their academic career in prestigious universities located in the European capitals, in ancient institutions or less central locations, thus offering a very diverse range of experiences.
The opportunities for non-European mobility grants are also very rich and progressively expanding. Currently the following destinations are available: Argentina, Brasil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and the UK. Interested students are guaranteed detailed information and guidance in preparation of departure.
During a term abroad, students attend courses that are compatible with those they would have attended in their home University in Milan, following a training project designed with a tutor in the months preceding their departure, and culminating in the draft of a study contract (the Learning Agreement). Coordination with the tutors (one or more for each language area) ensures expert support and guidance throughout the process, as well as full validation of the credits acquired abroad.
The experience of university and daily life in the country of one of the elected languages and literatures represents a unique opportunity for students to improve their linguistic competence. A study abroad stay is also a period of personal and relational growth, as well as of cultural advancement, which favors mutual comprehension and the integration in the complex contemporary society.
The course programme provides substantial support to interested students through specialised manuals on partner Universities and their locations and through an orientation and tutoring service, which can be accessed in person or via email. The service is aimed at assisting in fulfilling the applications, in the drafting of the Learning Agreement and in the preparation of administrative documents. For all details, please refer to the page https://lingue.cdl.unimi.it/it/studiare/studiare-allestero.
Attendance is strongly recommended for all courses and language classes. In some cases (for seminars and workshops), attendance is compulsory to acquire the relevant credits. In general, attendance is required for the courses that specify it in their syllabi (https://lingue.cdl.unimi.it/it/insegnamenti/elenco-insegnamenti-z).
Enrolment
- Requirements and knowledge needed for admission
Admission to the BA Programme in Foreign Languages and Literatures requires a high school diploma or other equivalent foreign qualification and adequate initial preparation. A thorough general education, strong motivations to study modern languages and literatures, and an interest in the international cultural context are essential.Applicants with an Italian qualification are expected to have some basic grounding in general knowledge and language skills that are normally acquired in secondary and high schools. In order to successfully attend the Programme, students must be proficient in Italian and in at least one foreign language (which does not necessarily have to be part of the university curriculum). Appropriate knowledge of Italian literature and basic cultural skills are also required for the languages commonly taught in high schools and which one intends to pursue.

- How to test one's knowledge and preparation
Students interested in the BA Programme must take a compulsory self-assessment and orientation test: TOLC-SU. The test TOLC-SU allows students to assess their initial preparation and fosters self-awareness in their choice. The initial preparation is considered adequate if the test score equals or surpasses the threshold levels set every year. Information regarding the admission test will be detailed in the Call for Applications.
Possession of language level certifications for any of the languages offered by the Programme does not exempt students from taking the test and does not constitute a qualification for admission. The certifications may offer facilitations on examination syllabi to those students admitted and actually enrolled only, and in respect of the rules set by each language course.

- Additional Learning Requirements (OFA)
A test score below the threshold level will not prevent enrolment.
Applicants failing to reach the threshold levels must make up for any lacunae by means of specially planned remedial activities (OFA), which should be completed within the first year of the Programme, and without which it will not be possible to sit exams in the second and third years.
Further details will be made available in the notice published at https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/frequentare-un-corso-di-laurea/iscriversi/iscriversi-una-prima-laurea.

- Applicants who have graduated or are transfering from other study Programmes:
Students who intend to transfer to Foreign Languages and Literatures from another university Programme, whether in Milan or elsewhere, or applicants who have already obtained a BA or MA degree, exclusively in L-11 or L-12 classes, could be exempt from the admission test TOLC-SU only if accepted to the second year or beyond.
The Call for Applications illustrates the procedures and deadlines for applications to evaluate previous careers. Different tests, assessments, eligibility statements, placement tests or certifications of any level will not be accounted for.

Call for applications

Please refer to the call for admission test dates and contents, and how to register.

Application for admission: from 14/03/2024 to 02/09/2024

Application for matriculation: from 15/07/2024 to 20/09/2024

Read the Call

Programme description and courses list
Compulsory
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Italian Literature 9 60 Italian First semester L-FIL-LET/10
Linguistics 9 60 Italian First semester L-LIN/01
Optional activities and study plan rules
a - One course among the following
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Contemporary History 6 40 Italian Second semester M-STO/04
Medieval History 6 40 Italian Second semester M-STO/01
Modern History 6 40 Italian Second semester M-STO/02
b1 - Two courses among the following
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
English 1 9 60 English Over several sessions L-LIN/12
French 1 9 60 French year L-LIN/04
German 1 9 60 Italian year L-LIN/14
Polish 1 9 60 Italian year L-LIN/21
Portuguese 1 9 60 Italian year L-LIN/09
Russian 1 9 60 Italian year L-LIN/21
Scandinavian Languages 1 9 60 Italian year L-LIN/15
Spanish 1 9 60 Spanish year L-LIN/07
c1 - Two courses among the following, corresponding to the elected languages.
Students who elect English 1 can take either American literature 1 or English literature 1. Students who elect Spanish 1 can take either Latin American literature 1 or Spanish literature 1.
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
American Literature 1 9 60 Italian Second semester L-LIN/11
English Literature 1 9 60 Italian Second semester L-LIN/10
French Literature 1 9 60 Italian First semester L-LIN/03
German Literature 1 9 60 Italian year L-LIN/13
Latin American Literature 1 9 60 Italian Second semester L-LIN/06
Polish Literature 1 9 60 Italian Second semester L-LIN/21
Portuguese and Brazilian Studies 9 60 Italian First semester L-LIN/08
Russian Literature 1 9 60 Italian First semester L-LIN/21
Scandinavian Literature 1 9 60 Italian First semester L-LIN/15
Spanish Literature 1 9 60 Spanish Second semester L-LIN/05
Optional activities and study plan rules
b2 - Two courses among the following (2nd year of the elected languages)
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
English 2 9 60 English Over several sessions L-LIN/12
French 2 9 60 French year L-LIN/04
German 2 9 60 German year L-LIN/14
Polish 2 9 60 Polish year L-LIN/21
Portuguese 2 9 60 Portuguese year L-LIN/09
Russian 2 9 60 Italian year L-LIN/21
Scandinavian Languages 2 9 60 Italian year L-LIN/15
Spanish 2 9 60 Spanish year L-LIN/07
c2 - Two courses among the following (2nd year of the elected literatures)
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
American Literature 2 9 60 Italian First semester L-LIN/11
English Literature 2 9 60 English First semester L-LIN/10
French Literature 2 9 60 French First semester L-LIN/03
German Literature 2 9 60 Italian First semester L-LIN/13
Polish Literature 2 9 60 Italian First semester L-LIN/21
Portuguese and Brazilian Studies (2) 9 60 Italian First semester L-LIN/08
Russian Literature 2 9 60 Italian Second semester L-LIN/21
Scandinavian Literature 2 9 60 Italian First semester L-LIN/15
Spanish Literature 2 9 60 Spanish First semester L-LIN/05
d - 2 "Area Studies" courses of 6 ECTS (eventually of 9 ECTS, using some of the free-choice ECTS), each one referring to the two languages and literatures selected.

It is allowed to take "Area Studies" exams during the 2nd or 3rd year indifferently.

"English Linguistics" and "World Englishes" cannot be taken both for 9 ECTS. The only combinations allowed are 9+6 ECTS, 6+9 ECTS or 6+6 ECTS.
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
African History and Institutions 9 60 Italian Third trimester SPS/13
African Literature in Portuguese 9 60 Italian Second semester L-LIN/08
British Theatre 9 60 English Second semester L-LIN/10
Catalan Language and Literature 9 60 Second semester L-LIN/05
Civiltà amerindiane e afrodiscendenti 9 60 Italian First semester L-LIN/06
Comparative Literature 9 60 Italian First semester L-FIL-LET/14
Contemporary English Literature 9 60 English Second semester L-LIN/10
Contemporary French Literature 9 60 Italian First semester L-LIN/03
Contemporary German Literature 9 60 German Second semester L-LIN/13
Contemporary History of Europe: East and West 9 60 Italian Second semester M-STO/03
Contemporary Russian Literature 9 60 Italian Second semester L-LIN/21
Contemporary Scandinavian Literature 9 60 Italian Second semester L-LIN/15
Contemporary Spanish Literature 9 60 Spanish Second semester L-LIN/05
English Linguistics 9 60 English year L-LIN/12
French Linguistics 9 60 French First semester L-LIN/04
French Theatre 9 60 Italian Second semester L-LIN/03
German Linguistics 9 60 German First semester L-LIN/14
German Theatre 9 60 Italian Second semester L-LIN/13
Icelandic Language and Literature 9 60 Italian Second semester L-LIN/15
Latin American Linguistics 9 60 Spanish First semester L-LIN/06
North American History and Institutions 6 40 Italian Second semester SPS/05
Russian Theatre 9 60 Italian First semester L-LIN/21
Scandinavian Linguistics 9 60 Italian First semester L-LIN/15
Slavic Linguistics 9 60 Italian Second semester L-LIN/21
Spanish Linguistic 9 60 Spanish First semester L-LIN/07
Spanish Theatre 9 60 Spanish First semester L-LIN/05
Ukrainian Language and Literature 9 60 Italian year L-LIN/21
World Englishes 9 60 English year L-LIN/12
World Literatures in English 9 60 English First semester L-LIN/10
f1 - 6 ECTS of "Laboratorio"

"Laboratori" are short or intensive workshops, either held in class (usually for a total of ten meetings), or in remote learning, with a restricted number of participants, different aims in comparison with standard courses, and a specific set of rules for enrolment. Attending each workshop allows to earn 3 credits; as Foreign Languages and Literatures B.A. programme requires 6 credits of this kind, every student should attend two workshops. Foreign Languages and Literatures students may attend all the workshops offered by the B.A. programme and by the other B.A. degrees in the Faculty of Humanities and the 4EU+ activities, provided they have the prerequisites indicated by each one. As a general rule, each workshop requires regular attendance at meetings, since the 3 credits are earned through attendance alone and, in some cases, by taking a final examination, or by delivering reports, presentations or other types of tasks. The workshops are not graded as normal courses; they are simply passed with an "Approved" or failed. It is not necessary to specify
in the plan of study which workshop you intend to attend.
All year long numerous cultural initiatives, conferences, activities in collaboration with external institutions (such as secondary schools, theatres, cultural organisations, etc.), work experience and projects of cultural or social relevance are proposed. Participation in such initiatives may result in the recognition of 3 credits as "Attività Sostitutive di Laboratorio" (ASL). The website of the B.A. in Foreign Languages and Literatures provides details about the "Laboratori" (https://lingue.cdl.unimi.it/it/insegnamenti/laboratori) and alternative activities (https://lingue.cdl.unimi.it/it/insegnamenti/attivita-sostitutive-di-laboratorio) offered.

"Laboratorio" credits can be acquired also through proficiency in other languages, training and orientation courses, other knowledge considered useful for the job market, internships or apprenticeships in private or public companies or institutions. Requests for validation of these skills or experiences should be submitted to the appropriate Committee through the form provided on the website Dipartimento di Lingue e letterature straniere (http://www.lingue.unimi.it/ecm/home/didattica/info-lingue/altre-attivita-formative-3-cfu).

Any kind of "Laboratorio" or equivalent activity can be registered in the study plan just once.

Among the electives, those who do not hold an Italian high school diploma or university degree can obtain 3 credits in Additional language skills: Italian by demonstrating B1 level in Italian per the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This level can be assessed in one of the following ways:
- by submitting a certificate of B1 or higher level issued no more than three years prior to the date of submission. You will find the list of language certificates recognized by the University at: https://www.unimi.it/en/node/349/). The language certificate must be submitted to the University Language Centre (SLAM) via the Language Test category of the InformaStudenti service: https://informastudenti.unimi.it/saw/ess?AUTH=SAML;
- by an entry-level test administrated by SLAM that can be taken only once and is compulsory for all students who do not have a valid language certificate. Those who fail to reach B1 level will have to attend one or more than one 60-hour Italian course(s) 60-hour Italian course geared to their level.
Those who do not take the entry-level test or fail to pass the end-of-course test after six attempts will have to obtain language certification privately in order to earn the 3 credits of Additional language skills: Italian. As an alternative, they can modify their course programme by choosing a different elective.
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Additional Language Skills: Italian (3 ECTS) 3 0 Italian Open sessions
Compulsory
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
B.a. Final Examination 9 0 Italian Open sessions
Optional activities and study plan rules
b3 - Two courses among the following (2nd year of the elected languages)
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
English 3 9 60 English Over several sessions L-LIN/12
French 3 9 60 French year L-LIN/04
German 3 9 60 German year L-LIN/14
Polish 3 9 60 Polish year L-LIN/21
Portuguese 3 9 60 Portuguese year L-LIN/09
Russian 3 9 60 Russian year L-LIN/21
Scandinavian Languages 3 9 60 Italian year L-LIN/15
Spanish 3 9 60 Spanish year L-LIN/07
c3 - Two courses among the following (3nd year of the elected literatures)
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
American Literature 3 9 60 Italian First semester L-LIN/11
English Literature 3 9 60 English First semester L-LIN/10
French Literature 3 9 60 French First semester L-LIN/03
German Literature 3 9 60 Italian Second semester L-LIN/13
Polish Literature 3 9 60 Italian First semester L-LIN/21
Portuguese and Brazilian Studies (3) 9 60 Italian First semester L-LIN/08
Russian Literature 3 9 60 Italian Second semester L-LIN/21
Scandinavian Literature 3 9 60 Italian First semester L-LIN/15
Spanish Literature 3 9 60 Spanish Second semester L-LIN/05
e - One PHILOLOGY exam related to at least one of the two languages elected.

Students who have chosen two languages from the same area must select the relevant Philology course. Students who have chosen two languages from different areas will be able to select the Philology course in their preferred area. It is also possible to insert an eventual further Philology course by including it in the free-choice ECTS(always for 9 ECTS).

Philology can be taken only after passing Linguistics from the second year onwards.
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Germanic Philology 9 60 Italian First semester L-FIL-LET/15
Romance Philology 9 60 Italian First semester L-FIL-LET/09
Slavic Philology 9 60 Italian Second semester L-LIN/21
f2 - 3 ECTS in "Laboratori" if not already earned during the 2nd year.
Optional activities and study plan rules
g - 12 FREE CHOICE CREDITS

These credits may be allocated to two 6 credits courses freely chosen among all those offered by the B.A. in Foreign Languages and Literatures or by other B.A. in the Faculty of Humanities. Students are encouraged to choose courses that are coherent with the B.A. programme in Foreign Languages and Literatures or other fields in the Humanities. Area Courses, Comparative Literature, Introduction to Italian contemporary Literature and General Linguistics are suggested.
Alternatively, 3 of these free credits may be allocated to one of the 6 credits area exams; or 6 of these free credits may be allocated to both area exams. The remaining 9 or 6 free credits must necessarily be used for another exam.

It is also possible to allocate 9 of the free credits to a third foreign language or literature exam (first year only). This option may be useful for students of English Literature who wish to take an exam in American Literature (or vice versa), for students of Spanish Literature who wish to take an exam in Spanish-American Literature (or vice versa), and for students of Russian Language and Literature who wish to take an exam in in Polish Language or Literature (or vice versa). Students who have not passed the English language entry test prior to enrolment will not be allowed to take the English Language or the English Literature exam.

No exam selected in the study plan may be repeated twice, not even using free credits.
Some courses are considered preparatory to others, and they must necessarily be taken before others and in a specific order, under penalty of cancellation of the exams taken irregularly by the University Administration.

- Linguistics must be taken before Germanic, Romance or Slavic Philology, and before General Linguistics
- Foreign language exams: all the exams of the first year are preparatory to those of the second, and these in turn to those of the third
- Exams of foreign literature: as above

Moreover, before taking a second year Language or Literature exam, it is necessary to have taken and registered the first year exams of that same Language and Literature; the same rule applies to the second / third year exams.
Prescribed foundation courses
Learning activityPrescribed foundation courses
Germanic Philology Linguistics (compulsory)
Romance Philology Linguistics (compulsory)
Slavic Philology Linguistics (compulsory)
Theoretical Linguistics Linguistics (compulsory)
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Location
Milan
Course locations
Piazza Sant'Alessandro 1 - Via Santa Sofia 9/1
Head of study programme
Internship tutor
Quality Assurance Delegate
Contacts

The tuition fees for students enrolled in Bachelor's, Master's and single-cycle degree programmes are divided into two instalments with different calculation methods and payment schedules:

  • The amount of the first instalment is the same for all students
  • The amount of the second instalment varies according to the ISEE University value, the degree programme and the student status (on track / off track for one year or off track for more than a year) 
  • An additional fee is due for online programmes

The University also offers:

  • Concessions for students meeting high merit requirements
  • Diversified tuition fees according to the student's home country for international students with assets/income abroad
  • Concessions for international students with refugee status

Scholarships and benefits

The University provides a range of financial benefits to students meeting special requirements (merit, financial or personal conditions, international students).

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