The scuola secondaria di primo grado follows primary school and lasts three years (roughly from age 11 to 14). The scuola secondaria di secondo grado lasts five years (roughly from age 14 to 19). There are three types of scuola secondaria di secondo grado: Liceo (lyceum), Istituto tecnico and Istituto professionale. Some schools offer a diploma after 3 years instead of 5. Any type of secondary school that lasts 5 years grants access to the final exam, called esame di maturità or esame di stato which is necessary to be able to apply for admission to any university. According to the Program for International Student Assessment, coordinated in 2013 by the OECD, Italian secondary education ranks as the 21st in the world. According to National Science Indicators (1981–2002) Italy has an above-average output of scientific papers. The Superior Graduate Schools (Grandes écoles) offer officially recognized titles as the Diploma di Perfezionamento equivalent to a Doctorate Ph.D. Some of them also organize courses Master's degree. There are three "university status" Superior Graduate Schools, three Doctoral Colleges awarding graduate and post-graduate degrees. Nine institutions commonly known as "Schools of Excellence" (i.e. "Scuole di Eccellenza") were created by the Universities. The Higher Education consist of Laurea Diploma, accademico di primo livello, a three years Bachelor's degree, Laurea magistrale Diploma, accademico di secondo livello a two years Master's degree,and Laurea magistrale a ciclo unico a 5 or 6 years Bachelor's & Master's degree. As per Academic Ranking of World Universities, six universities were in top 151-200, two universities were in 201-300 and four universities were among 301-400 in 2015. In addition to various institutes involved in higher education, nearly 89 universities imparting education in five areas namely, Humanities. Health, Sciences, Social Studies and technology are classified in:
- 58 State universities
- 17 non-State universities (legally recognised by the State)
- 2 universities for foreigners
- 6 higher schools specialised in postgraduate university studies
- 6 telematic universities.
- The University of Bologna was, according to The Times, was the only Italian college in the top 200 World Universities in 2009.
- Bocconi University Milan was ranked among the top 20 best business schools in the world by The Wall Street Journal International Rankings of World Universities in 2007. The Financial Times Executive education, ranked it at 5th in Europe and 15th in the world in May 2008.
- The Polytechnic University of Turin, in 2011 was ranked as the 48th best technical university in the world by QS World University Rankings.
- The University of Rome La Sapienza, was ranked 62nd in the world and the top in Italy by The Center for World University Rankings in its World University Rankings in 2013.
- The University of Milan was ranked 1st in Italy and 7th in Europe by The Leiden Ranking. It is the only Italian member of the League of European Research Universities (LERU).
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Institute for Advanced Study |
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University of Catania |
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Italian Institute of Human Sciences (SUM) |
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University of Turin |
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Free University of Bozen-Bolzano |
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Polytechnic University of Milan |
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Free University of Bozen-Bolzano Interior view |
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Bocconi University (SDA) |
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University of Pisa Botanical garden |
Admission to 1st cycle degree programmes
Methods, terms and documents required for international or Italian students holding a foreign qualification enrolling in A.Y. 2016-17
Qualifications required
Admission to a First Cycle or Single Cycle Degree Programme is subject to the possession of a valid foreign high school diploma, which has been legalized, translated and presented with a declaration of value.
Enrolment Process
Non-EU students resident abroad
For, Validation of your qualifications and pre-enrollment at the embassies or consulates in your country to submit & collect following documents after processing:
- High school diploma legalized and translated.
- The declaration of value.
- Any other academic and post-secondary certificates, legalized and translated
- An authenticated passport photo and an entry visa to Italy for study purposes
Admission
First Cycle and Single Cycle Degree Programmes may be with or without restricted access (set at local or national level).
For programmes with restricted access, basic knowledge is assessed during the entrance exam such as the CISIA Online Test (TOLC , if the test shows deficiency in one or more subjects, you may register all the same, but will have to take some supplementary study preparation, called OFAs (Additional Learning Requirements). Consult the website of the Degree Programme you are interested in to find out specific information and any call for applications in the "Prospective students" ("Iscriversi") Many restricted-access programmes adopt the CISIA Online Test (TOLC) as a prerequisite for selection. There are no other tests for these selections, and the ranking list is drawn up on the basis of the TOLC score, weighted according to the criteria indicated in the call.
Important:
- some degree programmes publish the calls for applications as early as February 2016. Consult the list of calls for applications, available for each School.
- TOLCs do not apply to single cycle degrees in Medicine and Surgery, Dentistry and Dental Prosthetics, Architecture, Construction Engineering-Architecture, Veterinary Medicine, which are disciplined by a national call published by the Ministry.
- Please consult calls and enrolment procedures for single cycle degrees which foresee a national level admission test for the academic year 2016/2017 on degree programmes websites.
Language Proficiency
On arrival in Italy, non-EU students resident abroad must sit an Italian language test in order to be admitted to their chosen degree programme.The following candidates are exempted from the Italian language test
- some degree programmes publish the calls for applications as early as February 2016. Consult the list of calls for applications, available for each School.
- TOLCs do not apply to single cycle degrees in Medicine and Surgery, Dentistry and Dental Prosthetics, Architecture, Construction Engineering-Architecture, Veterinary Medicine, which are disciplined by a national call published by the Ministry.
- Please consult calls and enrolment procedures for single cycle degrees which foresee a national level admission test for the academic year 2016/2017 on degree programmes websites.
- ,students enrolling in degree programmes or curricula that are delivered exclusively in the English language;
- holders of certificates that provide exemption from the Italian language test and the quota set by each degree programme for non-EU students resident abroad;
- holders of certificates that provide exemption from the Italian language test but who are in any case subject to the specific quota for non-EU students resident abroad.
- Students successfully passing the Italian language test will then be able to sit any entrance exams or assessment of admission requirements, or if there are none set, they will be able to register directly.
For matriculation:
- Register with Studenti Online or, if you have already registered, select the programme you are interested in and complete the application;
- Pay the first instalment, or the full amount (single instalment), of the annual tuition fees.
Submit the following documents by hand, or send by post, to the Student Administration Office of your Degree Programme:
- A signed copy of your application;
- The payment receipt or report for the online fee payment;
- 1 front and back copy of your identity card or other ID document (only for EU or non-EU equivalent students)
- 1 passport photo (only for EU or non-EU equivalent students)
- A copy of your residence permit providing the status of equivalent student, or the residence permit, or the receipt confirming you have applied for one, for study purposes;
- A copy of your passport (for non-EU students resident abroad)
- 2 passport photos, one of which must have been authenticated by the Embassy (for non-EU students resident abroad)
- Your original high school diploma, legalized and translated;
- The declaration of value;
- The certificate of your academic studies or non-university higher education qualifications, legalized and translated (only if the education system in your country lasts 10 or 11 years)
- The certificate proving that you have passed any academic tests (only if entrance exams are laid down for admission to university in your country)
- Any documents required for application for a shortened study programme.
- In case of late registrations start process which is subject to late payment fine for first and second cycle degree programmes.
Non-EU students resident abroad who pass the Italian language test, but who do not pass the assessment of requirements or do not fall in the reserved quota during pre-enrollment, may submit an application for reallocation to another degree programme which still has places available at any Italian universities.
Requirements for 2nd cycle degree (Master-level) admission
Qualifications required
Admission to a Second Cycle Degree Programme is subject to the possession of a suitable foreign university or post-secondary qualification, which has been legalised, translated.
How to enrol
Non-EU students resident abroad:
You must pre-enrol with the Italian Embassies within Deadline.
For, Validation of your qualifications and pre-enrollment at the embassies or consulates in your country to submit & collect following documents after processing::
For, Validation of your qualifications and pre-enrollment at the embassies or consulates in your country to submit & collect following documents after processing::
- Your original university or post-secondary qualification, legalized and translated;
- The relative declaration of value;
- The certificate issued by the competent academic authority listing the exams you have passed, legalized and translated;
- The official syllabus of all the learning activities translated;
- The documents required if you apply for a shortened programme.
- (only for non-EU students resident abroad) an authenticated passport photo and an entry visa to Italy for study purposes.
Admission
Second Cycle Degree Programmes may be with or without restricted access.
Find out about the curricular requirements and methods, necessary to pass (which may differ program to program), and dates for the assessment of personal competencies and skills, consult the website of the Degree Programme you are interested in. For programmes with restricted access, personal competencies and skills are assessed during the entrance exam. Consult the list of calls for applications, available for each School.
Language Proficiency:
On arrival in Italy, non-EU students resident abroad must sit an Italian language test in order to be admitted to their chosen degree programme.The following candidates are exempted from the Italian language test
- Students enrolling in degree programmes or curricula that are delivered exclusively in the English language;
- holders of certificates that provide exemption from the Italian language test and the quota set by each degree programme for non-EU students resident abroad;
- holders of certificates that provide exemption from the Italian language test but who are in any case subject to the specific quota for non-EU students resident abroad.
Students successfully passing the Italian language test will then be able to sit any entrance exams or assessment of admission requirements, or if there are none set, they will be able to register directly.
For matriculation:
- Register with Studenti Online or, if you have already registered, select the programme you are interested in and complete the application;
- Pay the first instalment, or the full amount (single instalment), of the annual tuition fees.
- Submit the following documents by hand, or send by post, to the Student Administration Office, incharge of your degree programme:
- A signed copy of your application.
- The payment receipt or report for the online fee payment;
- One front and back copy of your identity card or other ID document, and one passport photo (For EU or non-EU equivalent students)
- A copy of your passport and two passport photos, one of which must have been authenticated by the Embassy (only for non-EU students resident abroad).
- A copy of your residence permit providing the status of equivalent student (only for non-EU equivalent students and non-EU students resident abroad)
- Your original university or post-secondary qualification and a certificate listing the exams you have passed, legalized and translated;
- The declaration of value;
- The official syllabus of all the learning activities completed to obtain the foreign academic qualification, on the headed paper of the foreign university with stamp and signature, translated;
- Any documents for the application for a shortened study programme.
Non-EU students resident abroad who pass the Italian language test, but who do not pass the assessment of requirements and personal competencies or do not fall in the reserved quota during pre-enrollment, may submit an application for reallocation to another degree programme which still has places available at any Italian universities.
Admission to 3rd cycle degree (Doctoral-level) programmes
To apply for Doctoral-level programmes (Dottorato di Ricerca), it is necessary to hold a 2nd cycle university degree (Master-level).
All university degrees that have been judged suitable and equivalent, in terms of duration of academic curriculum, university credits and level of degree, can grant access to Italian 3rd cycle university programmes.
Italian universities have the power to make autonomous decisions about the suitability and equivalence of foreign degrees for admission to the PhD programme of choice.
Holders of foreign degrees recognised as eligible for admission have to pass a highly competitive selection which is autonomously organised by each university. Local exams have replaced the former selection at national level.
Since the conditions for admission to the exams and for subsequent enrolment are determined by each institution, applicants have to directly contact the university offices in charge of examinations (Ufficio Dottorati).
Information on how to apply for PhD programmes can be found at Doctoral programme Office (Ufficio Dottorati), Doctoral School (Scuola di Dottorato) or Foreign student office (Ufficio Studenti Stranieri) at the Italian university of choice.
The most common documents to submit for enrolment are:
a) The certificate of achieved foreign degree;
b) The official university document listing all the subjects of courses completed for the foreign degree: in Italian it is called 'certificato', while in some other foreign countries it is called transcript;
c) The Diploma Supplement, attached to the degree or, if not available, the so-called Dichiarazione di valore in loco - DV, i.e. statement of validity, issued by the competent Italian diplomatic authorities abroad - embassies or consulates.
Admission to 3rd cycle degree (Doctoral-level) programmes
To apply for Doctoral-level programmes (Dottorato di Ricerca), it is necessary to hold a 2nd cycle university degree (Master-level).
All university degrees that have been judged suitable and equivalent, in terms of duration of academic curriculum, university credits and level of degree, can grant access to Italian 3rd cycle university programmes.
Italian universities have the power to make autonomous decisions about the suitability and equivalence of foreign degrees for admission to the PhD programme of choice.
Holders of foreign degrees recognised as eligible for admission have to pass a highly competitive selection which is autonomously organised by each university. Local exams have replaced the former selection at national level.
Since the conditions for admission to the exams and for subsequent enrolment are determined by each institution, applicants have to directly contact the university offices in charge of examinations (Ufficio Dottorati).
Information on how to apply for PhD programmes can be found at Doctoral programme Office (Ufficio Dottorati), Doctoral School (Scuola di Dottorato) or Foreign student office (Ufficio Studenti Stranieri) at the Italian university of choice.
The most common documents to submit for enrolment are:
a) The certificate of achieved foreign degree;
b) The official university document listing all the subjects of courses completed for the foreign degree: in Italian it is called 'certificato', while in some other foreign countries it is called transcript;
c) The Diploma Supplement, attached to the degree or, if not available, the so-called Dichiarazione di valore in loco - DV, i.e. statement of validity, issued by the competent Italian diplomatic authorities abroad - embassies or consulates.
Exchange programmes
- Many European students studying at Italian universities on exchange agreements are doing so under the European Community Socrates Erasmus programme.
- In all universities there will be a European Office or European Officer dedicated to the management of this programme.
- Other exchange students from outside Europe are able to attend through bilateral agreements between their university and the host institution in Italy and are generally handled in the same way as European exchange students.
- Full-time students seeking their degree at an Italian university have different needs and will be managed separately by other offices.
Academic Calendar & Deadlines
The academic year in Italy is made up of two semesters. The first semester starts in September/October and ends in January/February. The second semester starts in February and ends in July. The actual start and finish dates will vary in the different universities but each semester lasts around 20 weeks and is made up of a teaching period lasting around 14 weeks and an exam period lasting around 6 weeks. The application period remain open normally in most months of the year as there is a good number of universities in the country.
The academic year in Italy is made up of two semesters. The first semester starts in September/October and ends in January/February. The second semester starts in February and ends in July. The actual start and finish dates will vary in the different universities but each semester lasts around 20 weeks and is made up of a teaching period lasting around 14 weeks and an exam period lasting around 6 weeks. The application period remain open normally in most months of the year as there is a good number of universities in the country.
Fees and other costs
Fee
- Universities and other Higher Education Institutes establish their own fees but in the case of university education there is a legal minimum fee for enrolment and maximum level for student contributions to costs and services, which cannot exceed 20% of state funding.
- The average fees a student from EU or out of EU has to pay is somewhere between 850 euro and 1,200 euro per year
- Since this varies from one university to another and also depends on the chosen course of study. Private universities are clearly much more expensive.
- Admission to “master universitari” and other specialisation courses also have much higher fees. Doctoral students who receive a grant from the university do not pay fees, but non- grant holders are required to pay the fees, which will vary again according to the university chosen.
Accommodation & Healthcare CostFee
- Universities and other Higher Education Institutes establish their own fees but in the case of university education there is a legal minimum fee for enrolment and maximum level for student contributions to costs and services, which cannot exceed 20% of state funding.
- The average fees a student from EU or out of EU has to pay is somewhere between 850 euro and 1,200 euro per year
- Since this varies from one university to another and also depends on the chosen course of study. Private universities are clearly much more expensive.
- Admission to “master universitari” and other specialisation courses also have much higher fees. Doctoral students who receive a grant from the university do not pay fees, but non- grant holders are required to pay the fees, which will vary again according to the university chosen.
Universities in Italy do not commonly have halls of residence, but they do help students find shared rooms or apartments for a lower . Apartment rent, 1 bedroom: £303 - £390 per month
EU students are entitled to access healthcare in the same way as Italian locals as long as they have a valid European Healthcare Insurance Card.
Important:
- Some degree programmes publish the calls for applications as early as February.Consult the list of calls for applications, available for each School.
- Non-EU students resident abroad must pre-enrol with the Italian Embassy in their country of residence within set deadlines.
Scholarships
All international students are entitled to the same student assistance services as Italian students, on basis of the same requisites of financial means and/or merit. This applies to scholarships, student loans, housing assistance, refectory meal tickets and fee waivers.
These services are managed by:
The DSU office (Diritto allo studio universitario), you should contact the office at the university where you plan to study to find out what services are available to you.
ER-GO supports students in many cost of living item which may be consulted for their grants.
General Information
You should contact the office at the university where you plan to study to find out what services are available to you
Universities in Italy do not commonly have halls of residence, but they do help students find shared rooms or apartments for a lower . Apartment rent, 1 bedroom: £303 - £390 per month
EU students are entitled to access healthcare in the same way as Italian locals as long as they have a valid European Healthcare Insurance Card.
- Some degree programmes publish the calls for applications as early as February.Consult the list of calls for applications, available for each School.
- Non-EU students resident abroad must pre-enrol with the Italian Embassy in their country of residence within set deadlines.
Scholarships
The DSU office (Diritto allo studio universitario), you should contact the office at the university where you plan to study to find out what services are available to you.
ER-GO supports students in many cost of living item which may be consulted for their grants.
Visa & Residence Permit
Non-EU students resident abroad will get visa to enter Italy during Validation process at the Italian Embassies in their countries.
EU students do not need a visa to study in Italy.
- EU students do, however, need to apply for a residence permit by registering with the local police within three months of arrival.
- Students apply to Italian universities via the Italian consulate should contact university of their choice in the first instance to find out entry requirements and application deadlines.
Funding your study
At state universities, fees are about £680-£800 per year for EU students. Fees vary depending on the institution and there is also a means-tested element, which weights fees depending on a student’s parental income.
Unlike many other European countries, scholarships and student loans/grants are available to EU students on the same basis as Italian students. Information about financial aid is available on university's websites.
EU students can work in Italy without any additional permission.
Public Universities
(Source: MIUR Italy)
Libera Università Mediterranea
University of Sannio
University of Bergamo
Free University of Bozen-Bolzano public-private
University of Brescia
University of Cagliari
University of Camerino
University of Molise
University of Cassino
University of Aosta Valley
University of Bari
Marche Polytechnic University
Italian Institute of Human Sciences (SUM)
University of Foggia
University of Bologna
University of Genoa
University of L'Aquila
Polytechnic University of Bari
University of Salento
IMT Institute for Advanced Studies
University of Macerata
University of Catania
Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro
University of Chieti-Pescara
Kore University of Enna
University of Ferrara
University of Florence
University of Messina
University of Milan
University of Milan - Bicocca
Polytechnic University of Milan
University of Modena and Reggio Emilia public
University for Foreigners Perugia
University of Trento
University of Trieste
International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA)
University of Turin
Politecnico di Torino
International University College of Turin
University of Pisa
Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies
Scuola Normale Superiore
University of Naples Federico II
Second University of Naples
Parthenope University of Naples
University of Naples of Oriental Studies
University of Padua
University of Parma
University of Perugia
Basilicata University
University of Reggio Calabria
University for Foreigners
Iuav University of Venice
University of Calabria
Sapienza University of Rome
University of Rome II "Tor Vergata"
University of Rome III
Foro Italico University of Rome
Rome ISIA
University of Salerno
University of Sassari
University of Siena
Foreigners University of Siena
University of Teramo
Ca' Foscari University of Venice
University of Pavia
University of Eastern Piedmont
University of Verona
Tuscia University
University of Udine
University of Insubria
Private Universities
LUISS University of Rome
S. Pio V University of Rome
Suor Orsola Benincasa University of Naples
Pegaso University of Naples
Maria SS. Assunta University of Rome
University of Gastronomic Sciences
Biomedical University of Rome
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
Bocconi University
IULM University of Milan
Vita-Salute San Raffaele University Libera
Humanitas University private
European University of Rome
Niccolò Cusano University
University Carlo Cattaneo
Marconi University
Casamassima Bari
