All you need to know to study in Italy
Students from all over the world are interested in studying in Italy in order to enhance their own cultural knowledge and experience.
Italy is one of the four countries which have promoted the creation of the “European Area of Higher Education”, and thus begun the process of standardisation of the variety of higher education systems.
Particular attention has been given to the great artistic treasure inherited over the centuries in different sectors as for instance architecture, painting, sculpture, mosaic, wood carving; and besides those, the works and discoveries made by its greatest and worldwide famous artists, musicians, poets, navigators and scientists.
Nowadays, studying in Italy is a well-recognised valuable experience for both school students and university students.
Visa and resident permit for non-EU citizens that plan to study in Italy
Foreign students, who are resident abroad and interested in studying in Italy, necessarily have to apply for an entry visa for study purposes, since this is an essential requirement to apply for university (even for universities for international students in Italy).
The procedure which leads to visa issuing is as follows:
- foreign students shall apply for pre-enrolment to the consulate or to the embassy, within the term scheduled every year by the Ministry. A series of documents translated into Italian language shall be attached to the application;
- the consulate/embassy will release to the person concerned the original legalised education certificates and the declaration of value in situ, it will also transmit a copy of those to the selected university;
- once universities have published the admission results, the foreign student who has been selected shall take part in the course admission test, after that he will be able to apply for an entry visa for study purposes. The application for a student visa shall be submitted by filling out the application form, besides an evidence of sufficient economic availability to live in Italy and cover the study cost, accommodation availability and medical and hospitalisation insurance coverage shall be attached to the application form;
- the foreigner shall send within 8 days from entering Italy via post office to the police station the application for the resident permit.
After that, admission exams and Italian language tests will take place and decide the final result.
The admitted students will remain in Italy, whereas the non-admitted students have to return to their country.
The resident permit for study purposes lasts up to one year and may be renewed on condition that the student (for university courses) has passed one exam for the first year and at list two exams for the following years.
It is possible to have the permit renewed even in case of further studies for research doctorate programs, master programs or professional qualification exams.
In any case, the resident permit for study purposes may not be issued for more than 3 years beyond the legal duration of each academic course.
The resident permit for study purposes may be converted into a permit for subordinate or independent work, as long as the conversion takes place before its expiry date.
Study in Italy: the best Italian universities for studying in English
Although the frequent criticism, the “Beautiful Country” boasts a prestigious role within the academic education field. The world's best university ranking includes four Italian universities: Milan Polytechnic (170th), University of Bologna (188th), Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies and Scuola Normale Superiore (192th).
The important role played by Italy within the academic field is also due to the fact that in recent years Italian universities have shown the will to make their students more competitive for the employment market - even internationally – by intensifying the number and quality of courses in English.
Many universities also make scholarships available for international students in Italy.
While acknowledging the best Italian universities, it is worth to highlight the Department of Law of the University of Catania. The Italian Ministry of Education has actually ranked it one of the best in Italy, second only to Bologna.
