Italy plays an important part in European higher education, and was influential in starting the higher education reform, known as "Bologna Process" (Bologna Declaration, June 1999) which is now being implemented all over Europe. Its higher education system includes 83 universities (58 of them sponsored by the State), as well as numerous non-university institutions such as academies of art, design and music, and institutes of technical education and specialized training.
Studying in Italy gives students access to some of the most influential art, architecture, and history in the world. The options for study abound. Italy is home to the Università di Bologna, which is said to be the oldest university in the western world. Historians cite the university as having been created in 1088. The university boasts many famous historical figures as alumni, including Dante Alighieri. The Italian cities like Rome, Milan, Naples, Palermo, Turin etc has a great historical value which students can observe during their study period in Italy.

Each and Every foreign citizens wishing to attend Higher Education Programmes in Italy must have to pass an Italian Language exam devised to check their level of competence in the language. The exam is usually organised and administered by individual institutions in the first days of September every year.

To study any level students must be competent in Italy.

Admission in Undergraduate Level (1st Cycle Degree Program)
To study undergraduate level in Italy students will need to hold a School Leaving Qualification.

To join any educational institution in Italy students will be examined by the respective educational institution to permit entrance into a university or a college. This exam is a entrance examination from which the educational institution chosen by students will evaluate the quality of students and decides either to admit him/her or not in the university/college.

Admission in Postgraduate Level (2nd Cycle Degree Program)
Students must hold Undergraduate Level Qualification to get admission in Postgraduate Level at universities/colleges of Italy. The course that the students had studies in their Undergraduate Level must be eligible to study the course they choose in Postgraduate Level.

As in Undergraduate Level you may need to pass the entrance examination before getting admission in specific university/college of Italy.

Admission in Doctorate Level (3rd Cycle Degree Program)
Students must hold Post Graduate Level Qualification to get admission in Doctorate Level.

The universities/colleges that the students have chosen will evaluate student's foreign degree, and decide if students meet the general requirements as well as the specific conditions for admission to the respective course of student's choice.

Every Foreign student intending the study in Italy must obtain a Italian student visa before entering into the Italy.

In order to assure a timely processing of visas, the student (or his/her parents on their child’s behalf) should begin the visa application as early as possible but no sooner than three months prior to the program's initiation. We strongly recommend that students mustn't wait until the holiday period to go to the Consulate. Not only can the wait be lengthy, but it also makes the turnaround time for visa issuance longer than usual.

Italian institutions will provide the necessary Letter of Acceptance, Letter of Enrollment, Insurance Letter and Course Schedule to complete your visa application materials. Student visas will be issued only for the length of time you are enrolled in the program.

Only a visa issued for study purposes is valid for your final enrollment at an H.Ed. institution in Italy. No other type of visa will be accepted. Therefore you have to apply to the competent Italian diplomatic authority and ask for a study visa in your name. The competent Italian Embassy/ Consulate is the authority responsible for accepting your pre-application and checking if you meet the requirements for the visa.

Remember
The study visa will be issued only against demonstration that you:

• Have a suitable accommodation in Italy.
• May dispose of enough financial means to support yourself.
• are entitled to medical care in Italy.
• Possess the amount of money necessary to travel back to your country, or have already purchased a valid return-ticket.

Stay Permits (non- Eu citizens)

First issuing
Within 8 days from arrival, all non-Eu citizens who hold a study visa for Italy must apply for a stay permit for study purposes.

The stay permit is issued by the local police station (Questura - Ufficio Stranieri) of the applicant's place of residence in Italy against presentation of:

• a valid passport bearing a study visa for Italy.
• proof of enough financial means to support herself/himself.
• a document giving evidence of her/his right to medical care in Italy.

Remember

• When candidates to matriculation decide to move, even if temporarily, to another Italian city (e.g. to attend programs in the Italian language), within 15 days they will have to apply to the competent police station (Questura) to report their change of address.
• Those students who leave the Italian territory are allowed to enter again only if they already hold a stay permit.

Scholarships and Financial aid are available for International Students in Italy. Every international student is entitled to the same student assistance services as Italian students, on basis of the same requisites of financial means and/or merit. This applies to scholarships, student loans, housing assistance, refectory meal tickets and fee waivers.

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