REQUIREMENTS OVERVIEW

OVERVIEW

Some of the first universities in Europe were founded in Italy during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. The University of Bologna, founded in 1088, is recognized as the oldest university to still operate. Today, Italy is the home of many prestigious institutions of higher education. Many of Italy’s institutions perform well in the QS World University Rankings, appearing in the top 200 each year.
Studying in Italy has been the most popular destination for many international students since ages, by offering high-quality education, topranked universities and at an affordable tuition fee than many other Western European countries. For these reasons, many internationals choose to study abroad in Italy .

EDUCATION SYSTEM

Higher education examinations are held after the teaching period and are mainly oral, although some courses in Italy also require written tests. Each examination is offered on several dates from which students can choose. Students are also entitled to turn down a mark and re-take the examination if they are not satisfied with their first result.
The academic year 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 of degree programs in Italy vary in every university, but each academic semester lasts for roughly 20 weeks, made up of a 14-week teaching period and a 6-week examination period.
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
  • The non-university sector includes four education typologies and their
    education institutions:
    Higher schools of design: polytechnics for the arts, academies of fine arts, national academies, higher institutes or applied arts, higher institutes for musical & choreographic studies
  • Higher integrated education (FIS): programs of higher technical education & training (IFTS)
  • Higher education in language mediation: education institutions for language mediators
  • Specific fields (e.g. archiving, military studies, restoration)

TUITION FEE & LIVING EXPENSES

Tuition Fees in Italy are generally lower than in other countries in Europe. Institutions of higher education in Italy establish their own tuition fees, but in the case of university education, there is a legal minimum cost for enrolment and a maximum cost for student contributions, which cannot exceed 20% of state funding. Admission to "master universitari" and other specialized degree courses in Italy may have much higher tuition fees. Doctoral students who receive university grants do not pay tuition fees, but non-grant holders are required to pay the tuition fees of their university.

Public Universities: Average tuition fees for a higher education in Italy are between €0-2,500 per year, depending on the university and program of study.


Private universities: Private universities in Italy are much more expensive and the majority of them have the same tuition fees for both EU and non-EU students. €7,000-12,500 per year.


Funding and Scholarships: There are many funding and scholarships that students undertaking education in Italy can apply for. Some scholarships not only cover tuition fees but living costs as well.
Scholarships and funding are often limited and are given to the students based on merit, after an assessment of their previous grades.


Living costs in Italy: The overall living costs for students in Italy range between 300-500 Euros/month. This includes accommodation, food costs, public transportation, local travel, and/or entertainment.

VISA INFORMATION

Student visas in Italy are issued by Italian Embassies and consular posts in a student’s country of origin or permanent residence. European Union (EU) students can enter Italy with a valid passport or an ID card and are entitled to complete a degree in Italy without a visa for as long as they wish. These students must, however, register with the Questura (police station), to obtain a residence permit.
Non-EU students are required to obtain a student visa prior to entering Italy. Visa types
There are two types of student visas in Italy, depending on the duration of the study program.

Always start these procedures well in advance of the intended date of entry as the process time can be lengthy. The procedures for student visas in Italy are subject to change, so it is worthwhile to contact the Italian Embassy for information to confirm current visa requirements.

CAREER PROSPECTS

While Italy has the eighth largest economy in the world according to the 2018 International Monetary Fund, it is still feeling the effects of the global financial crisis (Covid19).
The majority of the country’s 60 million inhabitants reside in the north, and ambitious graduates are more likely to find work in large northern towns and cities.
The contrast between the north and the south is quite stark – northern Italy is more industrialized and developed and known for its abundance of private companies, while the south relies heavily on agriculture and farming. Unemployment in the southern regions is as high as 29%.
As millions of travelers flock to Italy every year to see its many famous sights, casual work and temporary contracts in the tourism industry are much easier to find than permanent employment in other sectors.

 Automotive
 products
 Engineering
 Insurance
 Telecommunications
Most locals are not fluent in English, and therefore it’s unlikely you’ll secure work without a strong grasp of the Italian language. On the other hand, your English speaking ability will be highly valued, particularly in tourism and teaching. Because of this, jobs teaching English as a foreign language are readily available.
The services sector dominates the economy with wholesale, retail sales and transportation. Driven by the manufacturing of luxury items such as fashion, cars and furniture, the industry also accounts for a fair amount of Italy’s output.

WORK RIGHTS

Working in Italy while you pursue your education can ensure that yo have some money to support your daily expenses. Although the employment opportunities are not as good as a professional in your field, there are several part time jobs that international students can take up in order to earn a few extra money to buy some groceries or pay a couple of energy bills. There are several rules that apply to international students who wish to work in Italy and it’s best to be fully aware of these rules.

International students originating from countries that are not within the European Union have a different set of rules applied to their working status.

  • There is a restriction stamp on the passport of long term students
  • This means that you cannot work for more than 20 hours on a weekly basis during your term and full time during vacations.
  • You cannot engage in any kind of self-employment, business or cannot represent the country in any professional sport.
  • If a student pursues a course that is for less than 6 months, he would be given a prohibition stamp on his passport.
  • This means he cannot work in Italy.

Getting a job as an International student is not difficult in Italy, especially if you know how to speak Italian. Regional job portals, newspapers, and the international office helpdesk are the best places to check for job listings. There are various jobs that international students can take up.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Many Italian universities offer a wider breadth of programs in English at the master’s level. To be eligible for admission to a Master’s degree, you need a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent foreign qualification with specific curricular requirements and Proof of English Knowledge
(IELTS/TOFEL/PTE) is required. To be eligible for admission to a
Bachelor’s degree or a single-cycle degree, you need a minimum 12-year school record. Keep in mind that many bachelor’s level programs in Italy are only offered in Italian, and you may need to prove your language abilities through a certified language test in order to be accepted to your program of choice.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED