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The education system in Italy

Italy is not only Pizza, Football, fashion, and rich culture as we think. The higher education sector in Italy is growing. It focuses more on innovation and research fields such as STEM, and therefore, students prefer Italy as a potential study-abroad destination.

 

 

There are a few more facts that can support the mentioned nuance:

  • Some educational institutions in Italy, such as Milan Polytechnic, Sapienza, University of Bologna, and SDA Bocconi, are among the highest-ranked universities in Europe.
  • Italy is one of the most suitable countries in Europe to study abroad. Italian tuition fees and living costs are the most important factors that attract students.
  • You can study in English in Italy. Cities such as Florence, Rome, Milan, Turin, Pisa, and Siena are known for universities that offer a wide range of programs in English.
  • Scholarship funding is available through both the government and individual universities.

Study in Italy

In Italy, it is possible to study either in English or in Italian in most majors for master’s and bachelor’s studies. In order to attract more international students here, the number of majors you can study in English is increasing daily. Here are just a few of the most popular options to consider:

  • Industrial Design
  • Art
  • Communication Sciences
  • Health Sciences
  • Economy

Get a visa to Italy.

When applying, you will need the following documents:

  • Valid passport with at least two blank visa pages. Your program must be valid for a minimum of 6 months after the expected end date
  • Completed visa application form
  • Color photo for application
  • Birth certificate
  • Certificate of family structure
  • Proof of adequate financial means showing that you can support yourself (more than €8,000 in bank account is recommended)
  • Declaration on the financial situation of the family
  • Additional documents on the financial situation of the family
  • Certificate of sponsorship
  • ID cards
  • Documents confirming your previous education: reference diploma, diploma supplement, or academic transcript
  • Pre-enrollment reference
  • Letter of acceptance from an educational institution in Italy
  • Proof of language proficiency in Italian or English (according to the language of your study program)
  • Letter of recommendation
  • Health insurance
  • Document showing your trip to Italy (Ticket reservation)
  • Proof of accommodation
  • Proof that you have paid your visa application fee.

 

Many documents require translation into Italian or English and notarization.

 

 

How to apply for an Italian study visa?

You must obtain a student visa before entering Italy. In addition, if you are a non-EU student living abroad, they require you to submit a visa application request in advance to the Italian consulate or embassy in your country of residence.

 

 

Depending on the duration of your study program, there are two types of student visas in Italy:

  • Visa type C – is a short-term or travel visa valid for only 90 days for one or more entries.
  • Visa type D (national visa) – is a long-term visa valid for over 90 days.

 

Cost of studying in Italy for international students

 

We can divide the costs of studying in Italy into specific categories, such as tuition fees, living expenses, and other expenses.

 

 

Job opportunities in Italy

Bachelors and masters have the right to work 20 hours a week. Students can work as waiters, bike couriers, shops, and coffee shops during non-class hours, but more than knowing English is required. Even if the university classes are in English, students are encouraged to learn Italian for part-time work and social life. Finding a job in Italy requires knowing the Italian language.

 

 

Cost of living in Italy

Although tuition fees in Italy are reasonable, keep in mind that there are other costs you must pay; living and studying in Italy is relatively affordable compared to other popular study destinations in Europe and worldwide! The cost of living in Italy as an international student will vary depending on the city you study in and your lifestyle. Accordingly, you must budget between €750 and €1,400 per month for living expenses such as accommodation, food, transport, and entertainment in popular cities such as Rome, Milan, and Florence. Bologna €750 – €1000, Florence €85-€1200, Milan and Rome €900-1400, Italian cities such as Genoa and Naples offer a relatively low cost of living.

 

 

Study in Italy with a scholarship

Scholarships in Italy are usually awarded based on two groups of indicators. “Income-based,” a scholarship given based on your annual family income. “Merit-based” is the scholarship given based on your academic and other indicators. For example, the Excellence scholarship at the University of Milan is merit-based. The scholarship in this category is not guaranteed because the results are competition-based. The annual scholarship of 5100 euros given by the Italian government is income-based. You receive a stipend of 3 to 15,300 euros for Bachelor’s studies and 2 to 10,200 euros for Master’s studies, and this stipend is determined based on your family income. Documents necessary for scholarship and their preparation, application, etc. you can contact us for information about

 

 

Our scholarship services in Italy include:

– Free Consultation

– Admission in the specialty you want

– SCHOLARSHIP worth 5100 euros per year (total bachelor 15 300, master 10 200 Euro)

– Welcome to Italy

– Arrangement of accommodation (Free Accommodation)

– Free education

– Assistance in all types of documentation

– Proper preparation for all embassy-related document procedures and study VISA.

 

 

Accommodation options in Italy

Universities in Italy offer accommodation to students. Nevertheless, to find a place, you need to register in advance. In addition to scholarship students, government hostels serve non-scholarship students. There is a accommodation cost between 250-450, with varying prices depending on the city.

Private hostels are better equipped and offer additional social activities than public hostels. Of course, the prices are high. The price of private hostels in Italy ranges from 350 to 600 per month. This price includes all utilities. Dormitory contracts are concluded for 11 months and closed in August for general cleaning.

Students are increasingly looking at sharing a home to keep costs down. Prices vary depending on the region and the size of the house. To find this type of home, following the social media pages of the city you are visiting can be helpful. Student announcements are mainly shared on these pages. The price of sharing a house varies from 250 to 800 euros. The price of renting a house alone can be 350-1500 euros.

 

 

Tips for applying to universities

Students applying for admission are evaluated based on their previous grade point average (GPA). Research the universities of your choice. If you cannot find any information, apply directly to the university and determine the minimum GPA needed to qualify for the major and degree you want to study.

 

It may be necessary to pass special entrance exams for specialized fields of study such as:

  • Medicine
  • Architecture
  • Engineering

 

Students from countries with access to university after 10 or 11 years of education must prove that they have passed all the necessary exams for two or one year to reach 12 years of education.

 

Italian university rankings

If you want to look at the best universities in Italy to study abroad, you should look at the list selected based on the world’s two most popular ranking indicators. Here, we will present the top ten universities for each ranking indicator. However, we must remember that these ratings may differ depending on the specialty you want to study. Therefore, remember to look specifically at the rating indicators for your choice of specialty.

 

 

Top ten based on THE World University Rankings:

  • 167 University of Bologna
  • 170 Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies – Pisa
  • 181 Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa
  • 201–250 Sapienza University of Rome
  • 251–300 University of Padua
  • 251–300 Vita-Salute San Raffaele University
  • 301–350 University of Trento
  • 351–400 University of Milan
  • 351–400 University of Milan-Bicocca
  • 351–400 Polytechnic University of Milan

 

 

Top ten based on Q.S. World University Rankings:

  • 137 Politecnico di Milano
  • 160 Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna
  • 171 Sapienza University of Rome
  • 216 University of Padua
  • 301 University of Milan
  • 308 Politecnico di Torino
  • 383 University of Pisa
  • 392 University of Naples – Federico II
  • 392 Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele
  • 403 University of Trento

 

 

The education system in Italy

 

Before applying to a university in Italy, you should check whether your indicators meet the criteria of the specialty you will be pursuing higher education:

  • Review tuition and living expenses. Cities in Italy can be beautiful, but they can also be quite expensive for your budget.
  • Contact the university you are interested in and ask for detailed information, directing all your questions in advance.
  • The university will give you feedback on whether you are a good fit for them. If you meet the admission requirements, you must send a pre-application request to the Italian embassy or consulate in your area.
  • The Italian embassy or consulate will submit your application and documents to the Italian higher education institution of your choice to apply.
  • The Italian embassy or consulate publishes the list of accepted candidates, usually at the end of August.
  • Free education in Italy – do not forget to look for scholarship opportunities. You can apply for government or university scholarships to get some help to finance your study abroad. Also, scholarships are divided into merit-based and need-based.

 

 

Language requirements for applying to Italian universities

Italian universities offer study programs taught in both Italian and English. In addition, most English study programs are also available at the Masters and Doctorate levels.

 

At some Italian universities, you may have the option to apply for degrees taught in Italian, but you can also take assignments and exams in English. Language tests accepted by universities in Italy:

 

Italian language tests:

  • CILS – the exam can be taken in Italy and worldwide at Italian Cultural Institutes
  • CELI – you can take the exam in certified centers in partnership with the University of Perugia

 

English tests:

  • TOEFL
  • IELTS
  • C1 Advanced

 

Students who can prove that English is the language of instruction for their undergraduate degree (for at least three years) are exempt from any English language certificate.

 

Documents required when applying to the university:

  • I.D. cards
  • Passport type photograph
  • Academic transcript
  • University application form
  • Syllabus (you must include hours and credits of courses or learning activities you have completed according to your academic curriculum)
  • Resume
  • Letter of recommendation
  • Letter of motivation
  • Proof of language proficiency (English or Italian)
  • Portfolio (only for applicants to architecture, urban planning, or any design program)
  • Official S.A.T. or A.C.T. score, if required

 

 

Application dates for Italian universities

Mid-April to mid-May: Contact the Italian Embassy/Consulate to obtain a Letter of Academic Eligibility and Eligibility (Dichiarazione di Valoro in Loco).

 

Application deadlines may vary from institution to institution, so always check with the university you are interested in and try to apply as soon as possible.

 

Final steps after receiving your acceptance letter

 

Studying in Italy means a few additional steps after the application period:

  • Apply if you need an Italian study visa (mainly required for students from EU / EEA countries)
  • Apply for a residence permit by registering with the local police (Questura) within eight working days of your arrival in Italy
  • Prepare a health insurance plan covering at least 30,000 EUR. E.U. citizens with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) can use the same medical services as Italian citizens. E.U. (without an EHIC) and non-EU nationals can purchase health insurance from their home country before leaving for Italy or purchase it as soon as possible after arrival. They can also subscribe to the Italian National Health Service (Servizio et al. – S.S.N.).
  • Students must be officially registered at the university immediately after arriving in Italy before starting their studies

 

Should not buy. This country is one of the most sought-after study destinations in Europe. The culture, as well as its education system, is famous all over the world. In order to study in Italy, it is helpful to read this blog and learn about scholarships, top universities, living expenses, and many other things about Italy in general.

 

If you are interested in architecture, fashion, or art, consider studying in Italy. Italy is one of the educational countries with the highest student-friendliness index in the world, and its cosmopolitan environment is notable for its scientific research and engineering achievements.

 

 

Higher education system in Italy

Italians have divided the higher education system into 3+2 years of education – 3 years for the bachelor’s degree and two years for the master’s degree.

 

Two types of institutions make up the higher education system in Italy:

  • Universities
  • Non-university institutions

 

The university sector in the country consists of 7 categories:

  • State universities – These are public institutions funded by the state. Universities also have their teaching, scientific, financial, management, and accounting management. Somewhere, it can be understood that the state provides financial assistance.
  • Private universities – The government recognizes private universities but not funded by the government. In addition to having their management, these universities must control their financial situation.
  • Higher Technical Institutes (Istituti et al.) – focus on a solid practice-oriented education. The programs provide theoretical-practical information and prepare students for the demands of professional life. Internship and practical semesters form an integral part of the course: Students must work in a private company or apply for an internship abroad for at least 30% of the course. This requirement creates a strong connection between students and firms to develop innovation skills. At least 50% of teachers come from companies and firms to share their experiences with students. The total education period is 2-3 years.

 

The courses cover six main technological areas:

  • Energy efficiency
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • New Technologies for Life
  • Innovative Technologies for Culture and Tourism
  • Information and Communication Technologies
  • New technologies for Italian production

 

At the end of the courses, students are evaluated with a final test of at least 80%.

 

Participation is one of the mandatory requirements. Students obtain the “Diploma di Tecnico Superiore” with the EUROPASS diploma supplement, which facilitates the circulation of the Diploma in Italy and the European Union.

  • State-funded universities – funded by the state, not the state.
  • Higher postgraduate schools (Scuola et al.) are intended for specialized postgraduate universities. They are also independent institutes and offer advanced training and research courses.

 

Higher Postgraduate Schools in Italy are recognized as fully autonomous by the Ministry of Education, Universities and Research (MIUR). Three Higher Postgraduate Schools have “university” status; three institutes have the status of “doctoral college operating at the postgraduate level”; and nine other schools are direct branches of universities that do not have “independent university” status. These are usually called Scuole di Eccellenza.

  • Universities for foreigners – These universities specialize in teaching and research to develop Italian literature, language, and culture.
  • AFAM institutes – These academies specialize in technical and research-based education in the art, music, and dance sectors.

 

AFAM institutes are divided as follows:

  • Art Academies (Accademie di Belle Arti)
  • Higher Design Schools (Istituti Superiori di Design)
  • State Music Conservatories (Conservatori di Musica statali)
  • Higher Institutes for Musical Studies (Istituti Superiori di Studi Musicali)
  • National Dance Academies (Accademie Nazionali della Danza)
  • National Drama Academies (Accademie Nazionali d’Arte Drammatica)

 

In Italy, exams are held during the academic year and at the end of the academic year. Although the format of these exams depends on the university, your faculty, and even your professor, they are primarily oral. The exam session lasts 4-6 weeks, so students can choose when to schedule their exams. You can cancel the grade and retake the exam if you are unsatisfied with the result.