If you're seeking to take admission in an undergraduate course in Italy, then explore this article to get in depth knowledge about the same.

Undergraduate Courses in Italy

Apart from delicious culinary cuisines and glorious cities of Venice, Milan, and of course, Rome; Italy features the oldest, and few of the oldest universities in the world. These universities have been imparting education for almost around a millennium and recently have moved up the student’s favorable universities scale. With this, Italy is gaining a reputation of being one of the popular study destinations for international students. And a little extra flavor to the dish is added by the fact that Italy welcomes students as if their own and offers dynamic and thoroughly structured education system. For this reason, many international students travel to Italy to pursue higher education, beginning with 1^st cycle degree programs or generally known as undergraduate programs. The streams that are offered in undergraduate courses are many; allowing each student to choose one according to interest. These undergraduate courses are offered in depth and are bundled with innovative teaching methodologies; attending well to every student. Continue reading to know about the course structure, admission requirements, procedure, and cost of undergraduate education in Italy.

Degree Recognition

The undergraduate or 1^st cycle degree offered in Italy imparts the students with theoretical knowledge as well as with practical skills. These degrees are recognized by the Italian employers as well employers from overseas.

Degree Structure

The higher education in Italy starts with bachelor’s degree program (Laurea) that is generally of 3 years duration. These programs are called 1^st cycle degree programs in Italy as they are the most basic of higher education qualification offered in Italy. These programs provide specific professional knowledge as well as equip the students with command over general scientific methods and principles. Upon completion of the 1^st cycle degree programs, students can either enroll themselves in 2^nd cycle degree programs (graduate courses) to gain further education or can look for job opportunities in the industry. Apart from these 1^st cycle degree programs, some universities in Italy also offer single cycle degree programs of 5-6 years duration, after the completion of which a 2^nd cycle degree is granted to the students. In case of the 1^st cycle degree programs, it is necessary to accumulate around 300 credits to gain the qualification, while in single cycle degree program (combination of bachelor & masters), it is necessary to accumulate around 360 credits or more to gain the qualification. Admission to bachelor’s degree is allowed only after 12 years of indispensable primary and secondary education or equivalent qualification from an overseas country.

Subjects of Bachelors Degree

Agriculture; Animal Science & Technology; Archeology; Architecture; Arts & Humanities; Communication; Economics; Education Sciences; Engineering; Exercise & Sports Sciences; Food & Science Technology; Foreign Language & Chemistry; Hotel Management and Hospitality; Industrial Chemistry; Law; Mathematical, Physical, and Natural Sciences; Medicine;Music, Dance and Theatre; Pharmacy; Philosophy; Political Sciences; psychology; Statistical Sciences; Veterinary Sciences; and many other courses in various disciplines.

Academic Calendar

The academic year in Italy starts with end of September or beginning of October and goes on till July. Generally, a semester system is followed by universities; first of which starts in September/October and ends in January/February, and the second one starts in February and ends in July.

Admission Requirements

Students seeking admission in undergraduate courses in Italian universities must submit all their transcripts/mark sheets/certificates acquired from the previous qualification gained in higher secondary education (12 years) in Italy or equivalent qualification from overseas.
It’s recommended that students submit these documents only after converting the marks or grades obtained in their home country in accordance with the grading system that is followed in Italy.
These documents, coupled with any other that may be required should be translated in Italian language and should be submitted along with the certified copies of the originals. The documents should be certified by a person or agency recognized by the law or government of student’s home country.
To study in Italian universities, students need to be proficient in Italian language and need to present a document in support of that. If that is not the case, they are required to appear and clear an Italian language proficiency exam organized and administered by individual institutions in the initial days of September every year.
Some universities also demand that student should clear up a competitive admission examination organized by individual universities or central authorities. These exams are administered in Italian language and it is only after a student has scored well in Italian language proficiency exam that he/she will be allowed to appear in the competitive admission examination.
A mandatory health insurance is also to be taken up by the students from non-European countries, to cover up for probable medical expenses that may occur during their stay in Italy. Students can choose one of the provisions listed under the health insurance criteria fulfillment for the non-EU students.

Application Procedure

Students should select and shortlist the universities and courses they want to apply at least a year in advance. The closing dates for submitting the applications can be found at the university’s website.
Next step is to contact the Italian consulate or embassy located in the student’s country/city and fill up the application for the course in the chosen university. All the necessary documents will have to be provided to the consulate (translated in Italian and legalized by competent authorities of the student’s home country).
After the consulate is done with scanning the application and supported documents; the student will be provided with a statement necessary to enroll him/her in the course, a student number and an account to register for the competitive admission examination which will be held in Italy.
Once the student has passed the competitive examination he/she can proceed further with the application procedure by going to the Foreign Student Office with all the supported documents along with the statement issued by the consulate.

Tuition Fees

Many of the universities and other higher education institutions in Italy establish their own fee structure and it varies from university to university. However in case of university education there is a legal minimum fee for enrolment and maximum level for student contributions to costs and services, which cannot exceed 20% of state funding.
Depending on which university the student is applying and in which course, the average annual fee will be anywhere around € 850 to € 1,000. Also, keep in mind that the private universities are much more expensive than the government funded universities.
Student assistance in terms of scholarships, student loans, housing assistance, refectory meal tickets, and fee waivers are provided to both international and Italian students on the basis of some requisite financial means or merit.
Students in need of any information can contact the Diritto Allo Studio Universitario (DSU) office as all these services are managed by it. DSU offices also provide information on things like extracurricular activities, sports, transport, and other matters.

Undergraduate Courses in Italy

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