Do I need to speak Italian?

No. In fact, in the General Studies program nearly all courses are taught in English. However all students are required to take Italian language as part of their curriculum. Umbra offers 4- and 6-credit beginner courses, and 4-credit language courses at higher levels. Even students in the Direct Enrollment Program at the Università per Stranieri are not required to have previously studied the language: level one is designed for students with no prior Italian Umbra also offers courses at the intermediate and advance levels (200, 300, 400), as well as abundant opportunities to perfect your italiano outside the classroom.