Information on Italian universities
list of Italian University and the Academies, Conservatories and Institutes of higher artistic and musical education (AFAM).
How does the Italian higher education system work?
As part of the Bologna Process, Italy has introduced the new system of regulation: higher education in Italy now consists of a three-year degree, which can be followed by a two-year master’s degree (formerly called a master’s degree).
The Process has established a set of standards for excellence in higher education which have been Spazio Europeo dell’Istruzione Superiore (EHEA). There is a system of credits to quantify the amount of work needed to pass each course (e.g., 25 hours of work = one credit), as well as the possibility of changing courses or continuing studies abroad after three years. A number of one-cycle degrees have been retained: students wishing to study law must take the five-year Single Cycle Master’s Degree, while medical students must take a six-year degree.
First cycle
Undergraduate
It aims to ensure the student an adequate mastery of general scientific methods and contents. The degree programmes are of 3 years duration, equal to 180 ECTS (University Credits). It is accessible with upper secondary school diploma or other qualification obtained abroad and recognized as eligible.
The degree corresponds to the Bachelor of Science of the European university system defined in Bologna in 1998.
Second cycle
Master’s Degree Programme
It aims to provide the student with advanced training for the exercise of highly qualified activities in specific fields. The courses have a duration of 2 years equal to 120 CFU. It is accessed with a degree or other qualification obtained abroad recognized as eligible.
In some places and for some disciplines (Medicine, Pharmaceuticals) there are Master’s Degree courses which are accessed directly with the upper secondary school diploma or other equivalent foreign qualification, which are divided into a single cycle of 5 or 6 years, for a total number of 300 or 360 credits.
The Master’s Degree is the Master of Science of the European University System defined in Bologna in 1998.
In some places it also offers a level of specialization of the degree aimed at increasing vocational training: the university Master of 1 level. This title does not form part of the European university system defined in Bologna in 1998.
Third cycle
PhD
It aims to provide the necessary skills to carry out highly qualified research. The course lasts 3 years. To access must be in possession of the Italian or foreign Master’s Degree/ Master’s Degree. There are entrance examinations.
Course of Diploma of specialization
It aims to provide knowledge and skills for functions required in the exercise of particular professional activities. It allows to obtain the qualification to practice these professions and is aimed at training specialists in certain professional sectors. The duration of a specialization course shall be at least 2 years.
Master of II level
The second level Master is a course of advanced university education which is accessed upon completion of the second university cycle. It provides for the acquisition of at least 60 credits.
Informazione Generale
It is not surprising that many international students decide to continue their academic studies in Italy. With its 91 universities in 170 cities, each student can choose the institution, the courses and the most similar location to continue their education.
In addition to universities, most of which are publicly funded (which means that in many cases it is not necessary to have a scholarship to attend an Italian university), in our country there are a considerable number of specialized post-degree, polytechnics, music conservatories and academies of higher artistic education, which are part of the higher education system, as well as private universities among the best in Europe.
Registration of foreign students: foreign students interested in studying at Italian Universities can find useful information on the places reserved for them in a special section of the site MIUR.
WHAT ARE THE UNIVERSITIES IN ITALY?
A total of 40 Italian universities are included in the QS World University Rankings ľ 2021, of which 11 are in the world top 500. The top 5 are:
- Politecnico di Milano
- Alma Mater Studiorum
- University of Bologna
- Sapienza University of Rome
- University of the University of Padua
- State University of Milan
Italy is also home to some of the best business schools in Europe, including the prestigious SDA Bocconi in Milan, the country’s financial capital. His MBA programs are often at the top of the global and European rankings, and many top business leaders are among his alumni.
These and many other universities in Italy are stepping up efforts to accelerate their internationalization and offer specific degree programs for international students. There are currently more than 500 English study programs available in the country. And every year, there are more and more options to study in Italy in English.
LINK UTILI
University courses taught in English at Italian universities
Foreign students wishing to carry out part of their course of study in Italy can find on the Universitaly website the list of courses offered in English by the different Italian universities: http://www.universitaly.it/index.php/public/cercacorsiInglese
In addition, for an easier consultation of the courses offered in English, below is a list of links that discriminate courses by category, subject area, universities and level:
- University Master courses by subject area https://www2.crui.it/crui/corsi_lingua_inglese_rilevazione2019/Master_by_field_of_study_2019_2020.pdf
- University Master’s Courses for affiliated universities https://www2.crui.it/crui/corsi_lingua_inglese_rilevazione2019/Master_by_univ_2019_2020_rev2.pdf
- PhD courses by subject area https://www2.crui.it/crui/corsi_lingua_inglese_rilevazione2019/PhD_by_field_of_study_2019_2020.pdf
- PhD courses for affiliated universities https://www2.crui.it/crui/corsi_lingua_inglese_rilevazione2019/PhD_by_univ_2019_2020.pdf }
- Winter/Summer School by subject area https://www2.crui.it/crui/corsi_lingua_inglese_rilevazione2019/Winter_Summer_school_by_field_of_study_2019_2020.pdf
- Winter/Summer School for affiliated universities https://www2.crui.it/crui/corsi_lingua_inglese_rilevazione2019/Winter_Summer_school_by_university_2019_2020.pdf
Complete lists of Universities can be found through:
- The search engine of the MIUR
- Universitaly (the Italian University just a click away)
- Gli Atenei, uno per uno
- Istituzioni AFAM (Education in Art and Music)
- The special search engine CINECA.
Foreign students interested in studying at Italian Universities can also find useful information on the places reserved for them in the sito del MIUR
the page on the educational offer and the rules for access for foreign students or on the Universitaly website edited by MIUR.
There is also a page dedicated to the Universities in the CRUI – Conferenza dei Rettori delle Università Italiane.
For the Latin American region there is a centro di valutazione e riconoscimento.
The RecoLATIN project aims to foster and increase the quality of vertical and horizontal mobility within Latin American and European higher education systems, increasing the recognition of qualifications within the Latin American and European regions.
Please note that information about offers for foreign and Italian students living abroad (IRE) can be found in the “Scholarships” and “IILA – Scholarships for Latin American citizens” sections of this website. Finally, it may be useful to consult the Classifica Censis delle Università italiane.
Registration of foreign students:
For those students who wish to have the certainty of being able to start their studies at one of the Italian Universities exist
institutions such as “Foundation course”, a necessary bridge to profitably place international students in the Italian university system. Created in agreement with several Italian higher education institutions, this preparatory course has all the characteristics of operational flexibility (online and/or in presence), duration and personalized tutoring to be truly effective, as explained in the presentation PDF (in Italian).
The university residences of the CCU are highly competitive solutions in terms of quality/ price ratio and are located in 14 Italian cities.
Within the CCU we can point out the excellence of the colleges of the RUI Foundation (www.fondazionerui.it) and Camplus(www.camplus.it).
Eduitalia is an association of 111 public and private schools/academies/universities that offers information on short- and long-term study options to foreign students of all ages who want to study in Italy.
Internationalisation of universities
