Based on the Bologna Process, education system in Italy was reformed in 1990 to create a compatible system of education throughout Europe. Since then, Italy has implemented a 3-cycle system consisting of the following:

• First Cycle: Bachelor degrees (3 years) and single-cycle degrees
• Second Cycle: Master degrees (2 years) and 1st level vocational masters
• Third Cycle: Doctorate (5-6 years) specialization school and 2nd Level vocational masters

The education system in Italy is structured in a binary system consisting of two main articulations: the university sector and the non-university sector.

The university sector is made up of 89 university institutions classified within the following categories:

• 58 state universities – public entities endowed with scientific, teaching, managerial, financial and bookkeeping autonomy
• 17 non-state universities – legally recognized by the state
• 2 universities for foreigners – specialized in teaching/ research for development of Italian language, literature, culture
• 6 higher education schools – specialized in postgraduate university studies
• 6 Telematic universities