University preparation in Italy for international students

University preparation in Italy plays a pivotal role, given the varying requirements and admission procedures that higher education institutions may impose on foreign students. Here's an overview of essential information for international students:

Sam Jones

Recruitment Director for Partnership with INTO Universities (Europe and Central Asia)

What firstly should be considered when choosing a university?

It depends on the student - everyone determines the most important criteria for himself. I would advise you to take several rankings and compare them with each other, plus take into account the cost of the course, the location of the university and its scale, the percentage of graduates' employment. See where graduates continue their studies or where they go to work.

University preparation in Italy starts with the critical task of selecting a suitable university and educational program. Leading Italian universities offer a diverse range of bachelor's degree programs catering to foreign students, available in both Italian and English. Italy boasts a rich heritage of influential thinkers, scientists, and artists, making many programs across various fields highly regarded:

• Humanities
• Natural Sciences
• Art History
• Urban Planning
• Architecture
• Business and Law
• Engineering Science
• Social Sciences
• Jurisprudence.

The majority of universities in Italy offer bachelor's courses spanning three years, while master's programs typically run for 1-2 years. Below is a list of some of the most popular university programs:

• Fashion Design
• Communication Design and Tailoring
• Brand Development
• Medicine and Surgery
• Visual Merchandising
• Digital Management
• Graphic Design
• Photography
• International Tourism
• Business Sciences
• Product Design
• Urban Planning
• Interior Design
• Philosophy
• Transport Scheme Development
• International Diplomacy
• Genomics
• Engineering Sciences
• Marketing and Communication in the Fashion World
• Archaeology
• Writing, Literature, and Publishing.

Once you've selected your desired program, the next step is to choose the most suitable university. Key factors to consider include tuition fees, admission criteria, on-campus student life, and scholarship opportunities. After gathering information online, it's advisable to contact the admissions committee representative and initiate the application process. The university will assess whether you meet the basic requirements, and if so, you'll need to submit an application along with a package of documents to the Italian Embassy.

International Foundation programs are widely available in prestigious Italian universities.  These programs typically include the core subjects and language enhancement. Preparatory courses help foreign students adapt to their new learning environment and foster connections. Certificates from these programs hold significant value, often guaranteeing students 100% admission to the first year in some cases.

Some state Italian higher institutions offering effective university preparation courses in Italy include:

• The University of Turin (UNITO): Ranked among the top ten Italian universities, it offers a one-year Foundation program in both English and Italian, with an approximate annual cost of 30,000 euros.
• Accademia Costume & Moda: This institution not only focuses on language improvement in its Foundation course but also imparts knowledge in design, fashion, and costume—a valuable asset for pursuing a bachelor's degree. The annual cost of studying here starts from 5,000 euros.
• Istituto Marangoni Milano: A prestigious educational institution renowned for design and fashion programs, it offers a Foundation program in both Italian and English. Tuition fees typically start from 13,500 euros per year.

For such directions as Medicine, Architecture, and Engineering, foreign students may need to pass specific entrance exams. Language proficiency is equally crucial, as universities offer programs in both English and Italian. Language tests are often required to confirm proficiency. As part of the application process, foreign students must provide the following documents:

• Copy of passport
• Passport-sized photos
• Academic transcripts
• Completed application form
• Detailed description of prior academic coursework
• Resume and motivation letter
• Recommendation letters
• International language certificates
• Portfolio (for students in Architecture, Urban Planning, and Design)
• Official SAT or ACT scores.

Deadlines for document submission vary by university, so it's important to check the specific deadlines for each case. The overall cost of education depends on factors such as university prestige, location, program specifics, and language of instruction. Additionally, foreign students should consider associated expenses like accommodation, meals, educational materials, pocket money, and transportation.

Students from outside the European Union who plan to attend a preparation program before entering an Italian university must complete two separate procedures: obtaining a study visa and, once in the country, applying for a residence permit. Both steps have fixed rules and deadlines, and it is worth planning them well in advance of the intended start date.

A non-EU citizen applies for the study visa (the type-D national visa) at the Italian Consulate that is competent for the country of residence, before travelling to Italy. The official procedure is handled through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa portal at vistoperitalia.esteri.it, where the applicant can check the required documents and the responsible consular office. A valid visa does not, by itself, guarantee entry: on arrival in Italy and the Schengen Area the border authorities may check the visa-application documents once again.

Before the visa stage, the future student completes pre-enrolment through Universitaly, the online portal of the Italian Ministry of University and Research. The portal guides Italian and international students through the whole process, from finding a course and checking admission terms to identifying scholarships and the formalities required for entry and stay in Italy, and it is the point where international applicants confirm their chosen program.

A non-EU student who stays in Italy longer than three months must apply for a residence permit, the permesso di soggiorno, within 8 working days of arrival. The application is submitted using the yellow kit available at post offices that display the Sportello Amico sign. For a stay of up to one year the permit costs about €116.46 (a €16 revenue stamp, €70.46 for the electronic permit and €30 for shipping), while for study periods shorter than one year the cost is usually around €40. A renewal must be requested at least 60 days before the permit expires, following the same procedure as the initial application.