Italy certainly has plenty of charms to tempt tourists and international students alike: a diverse landscape including mountains, islands and active volcanoes; an immense cultural and historical legacy; iconic historic and architectural sites including Rome’s Colosseum and the Pisa’s Leaning Tower; incomparable cuisine; an impressive history of inventions and discoveries… and, of course, universities in Italy include some of the world’s oldest and most prestigious.

Italy is also known for famous fashion houses such as Gucci, Benetton, Armani, Prada, Versace and Dolce & Gabbana, and its luxury car brands, including Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati. Oh, and did we mention the food…?

Why Italy?

Italy has played an important role in European higher education: it is one of the four countries that first engaged to create the so-called “European Area of Higher Education” (Sorbonne Declaration, May 1998), thus starting that type of higher education reform which, known as “Bologna Process” (Bologna Declaration, June 1999) is being implemented all over Europe.

Today Italy ranks among the 8 most industrialised countries in the world. Alongside some big companies, both state-owned and private, it has developed a sound network of small and medium-sized undertakings, promoted a few scientific parks, and is incentivating basic and applied research in a great variety of fields (biology, ICT, medicine, physics, etc.).

Language requirements for studies at universities in Italy

Italian

According to Italian regulations regarding access to university studies, students are required to have an adequate knowledge of the Italian language as it is the usual language of instruction. In general, you need to have a minimum level of Italian corresponding to B2 in the Europass Language Passport classification. If your level of knowledge of Italian corresponds to C1 or C2 in the Europass Language Passport classification, you will be exempted from taking the Italian language test.

Unless your level of knowledge of Italian corresponds to C1 or C2 as previously explained, you will be required to pass a test of Italian language. The test will be organized by the institution where you will be studying, usually in September.

English

If your study program or course is taught in English, you will be required to prove your level of command of English by presenting the results you received at English courses. Please, always check with your university whether your English studies are sufficient for you to meet this requirement.

Minimum grade point requirement

Students may be ranked based on their grade point average from their previous studies. Therefore, always check with the university or college of your choice about the minimum grade point you need to obtain in order to qualify for the study program of your choice.

You may use the European grades comparison chart to learn how you would score in Europe.

Admission exams

If admission to university studies in your home country is subject to passing an entrance examination and you have not taken it, you will have to pass an admission test if you would like to study in Italy. Once you receive the notification on whether you have been admitted to studies in Italy, you will be notified when and where you have to take the Italian admission exam.

For certain competitive study programs and studies in health and medicine, veterinary, education and architecture, higher education institutions organize specific admission exams. Please, contact the institution you are interested in to learn the exact dates to take the admission exam.