1. Italian Year Abroad General Regulations : Who?
Students on any Honours degree with Italian spend all or part of their 3rd year in an Italian speaking country
Entry into Honours: a final mark of 50% or above in 2nd year
50% or above in language component
At least 240 credits passed

2. 2. How long?
Everyone has to spend a minimum of 30 weeks’ approved residence abroad:
Single Honours Italian or Italian + OSNAL: all year in an Italian speaking country
Two languages curricula (e.g. MEL or MEL + EUS): 30 weeks in the two countries; at least 8 weeks in each language area
When studying two languages: Try to spread year abroad evenly between the two countries
8 weeks minimum: usually if in other country for whole academic year

3. Options for the year abroad
Three options (or combination of the three):
Student at a university (ERASMUS exchange)
Approved work placement
English Language Teaching Assistant in a school (independently or with British Council)
What you bring back from YA depends on your degree and your YA activity

4. Teaching Assistantships
Normally 8 months, sometimes 4 (depending of places)
Monthly allowance
12 hrs/week teaching, mainly conversation
Native speakers only
Must have completed secondary school in UK
Application through British Council:
- British Council posts you: give good reasons for preferences
- Two-part application process. Check on:
- Treat as job application (references are needed!)

5. Student at a University
Co-operation with International Office:
Check their website (
Go to their talks (watch out for s!)
Experience of academic study in Italian and meet Italian students
You can apply independently to any university in Italy and have the fees reimbursed, or as an ERASMUS student

6. ERASMUS Exchange ERASMUS grant (amount varies)
Italian has partner universities in: Bologna, Catania, Firenze, Milano, Roma, Pisa, Siena, Verona, Venezia; please note: Bologna and Rome Sapienza allow full-year students only
Other subjects outside MEL may have other partners
You don’t have a right to a particular place
Research the cities/universities online - don’t dismiss a place just because you do not know it yet!
Apply for a place and rank your top 3 preferred universities via the Student Mobility Portal

7. Work Placements
You can choose according to your interests/career plans
The job would have to
not be full-time
involve enough exposure to Italian
You must consult us before accepting: a Training Agreement must be signed
Check info on IO and Careers Service pages (see links on LEARN or search university pages)

8. 8 weeks summer jobs
Normally only when whole academic year spent in other country (for other language)
We cannot advise on jobs, but try to find suitable work experiences via
Careers service pages (global opportunities)
local council (twinning partner?)
Internet (usual safety rules apply)

9. Assessment of Year Abroad
Year abroad counts towards degree
Gained language proficiency is assessed in language classes in 4th year
ERASMUS students bring back marks
Language Assistants/working students may have to write essays (depends on degree, see YA Handbook)

10. Health and Safety Issues
All students will have to investigate potential health and safety issues
Take these aspects into consideration when deciding on what you want to do
If you have a disability: let us know so that we can discuss how this may affect your choices for the year abroad

11. What to do next
Research and decide what you want to do for your residence abroad
Check the YA webpages:
Language Assistantships: go to talk and website
Study abroad: go to IO info session and website
Internships: search options, go to Careers Service talks
Go to ‘Mobility Online’ portal to start applications for YA (in November)
Watch out for further s with instructions and come to the Italian YA Aperitivo!

12. Friday 11 November 5-8pm 50 George Square, room G.06
A leading PALS scheme in Italian
Shortlisted nominee for the
EUSA Impact Awards 2016
in two categories:
Most Innovative Project
&
Best Student/Staff Collaboration