Italy is one of the European countries where students from all over the world come. Foreigners are attracted by a high level of education with a relatively low tuition fee (from 900 to 4000 € per year). The world is becoming more global, and European education will become a weighty argument for employment in high-paying jobs.
Properly chosen education is the basis of a future career, the opportunity to open any doors in any country in the world. Higher education in public universities in Italy opens up wide opportunities for foreign students: bachelor's, master's, doctoral programs, courses in hundreds of specialties.
Higher educational system in Italy
The Italian higher education system is divided into two large sectors, institutionally and functionally different:
- University
- a sector of higher education in the fields of fine arts, music, dance, briefly known as the AFAM sector.
University Sector
Italian universities include several groups:
- Public Universities
- Legally recognized non-state universities
- Online Universities
- Higher schools and institutions with a special charter.
Italian university education consists of three cycles, certain academic qualifications related to each cycle, which allow students to advance in their studies, participate in state recruitment competitions, enter the job and make a career.
Study courses at the university are structured in credits. A university loan (CFU) is usually equivalent to 25 hours of tuition. The average amount of academic work performed by a full-time student in one year is conditionally measured in 60 CFU. The CFU system is equivalent to the ECTS system.
The content of each degree course is determined by the university autonomously: they are required to include certain educational activities (and an appropriate number of credits) established at the national level. These requirements are established for each class, all qualifications of the same class have the same legal value.
Universities award different qualifications:
- Completion of the course for a degree allows you to obtain the academic title of Dottore
- Master's Degree – Dottore Magistrale
- Doctoral studies – Dottore di ricerca or PhD.
Requirements for admission to public universities in Italy
When applying for a bachelor's, master's or doctorate degree at an Italian university, several requirements must be taken into account.
Bachelor
To meet the requirements for a bachelor's degree at an Italian university, you must successfully complete a gymnasium, have a valid school leaving certificate, and have the right to higher education in your country. Italian gymnasiums teach schoolchildren for 12 years, so students from Russia receive the right to enter an Italian university after a year of study at a Russian university or the end of a preparatory program.
Many bachelor's level programs in Italy are offered only in Italian: you may need to prove your language abilities with a certified language test.
Master
To obtain a master's degree at an Italian university, it is necessary to have a bachelor's degree or equivalent degree. Many Italian universities offer a wider range of programs in English at the master's level. If you have previously studied not in English,you must confirm the level of language proficiency by passing a recognized test - TOEFL or IELTS.
Doctorate programs
For admission to the doctoral program at the Italian university, a master's degree is required. Some Italian universities also require applicants to submit their research proposals.
Documents for applying to public universities in Italy
When applying for studying in Italy, the following documents will be required:
- Identity document (passport or EU identity card)
- Academic background on previous studies
- University Admission Application Form
- Letter of recommendation
- Personal statement
- Proof of language proficiency (English or Italian).
Depending on the institution, the language in which your documents are written, you will need a certified translation of the documents into Italian. Always coordinate any specific application requirements with the chosen institution, as different schools and programs may have different admission requirements!
Tuition fees in Italy
On average, tuition fees at public universities range from 900 to 4,000 euros per year. The lower the family income, the less students have to pay tuition: if the family income is less than 6000€ per person, the tuition fee will be 800€ per academic year.
Scholarships for foreign students in Italy
All international students are eligible for scholarships along with Italians. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of financial need, academic merit. This applies to scholarships, student loans, housing assistance, canteen tickets, exemption from fees.
TOP-10 Best Public Universities in Italy
- Politecnico di Milano, Milan
- Università degli Studi di Bologna, Bologna
- Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome
- Università degli Studi di Padova, Padua
- Università degli Studi di Torino, Turin
- Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan
- Università degli Studi di Pisa, Pisa
- Università degli Studi di Firenze, Florence
- Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples.
