The University system

What you need to know about Italian university system and how it is organised.

The university education system is divided into three cycles, each comprising different types of programmes with:

  • specific entry requirements;
  • a prescribed duration;
  • a certain number of CFU (university educational credits) to be acquired.

Besides, each course corresponds to a level of the European Qualifications Framework. The EQF is an 8-level system that makes the comparison of knowledge, skills and competences - achieved through the educational path undertaken by European citizens in different countries - possible.

 

1ST CYCLE

First level degree programme

  • Qualifications required to join: high school or secondary school diploma or equivalent qualifications obtained abroad
  • Duration: 3 years
  • CFU to be acquired: 180
  • EQF level: European Qualifications Framework - 6
  • Academic qualification: Dottore (in Italy)
  • Purposes: acquisition of general scientific methods and contents and specific professional skills, also through internships
  • What you may do next: second level degree programmes, first level professional master’s programmes, advanced training programmes.

 
 

Single cycle degree programme

  • Qualifications required to join: high school or secondary diploma or equivalent qualifications obtained abroad
  • Duration: 5 or 6 years, there is no distinction between the initial two year period and the following two/three year period
  • CFU to be acquired: 300 or 360
  • EQF level: European Qualifications Framework - 7
  • Academic qualification: Dottore magistrale (in Italy)
  • Purposes: acquisition of advanced level education for highly qualified activities in specific fields (medicine and health, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, law, education, architecture and civil engineering)
  • What you may do next: PhD programmes, second level professional master's programmes, specialisation schools, advanced training programmes.

 
 

2ND  CYCLE

 

Second level degree programme

  • Qualifications required to be admitted: First level degree or equivalent qualifications obtained abroad
  • Duration: 2 years
  • CFU to be acquired: 120
  • EQF level: European Qualifications Framework - 7
  • Academic qualification: Dottore magistrale (in Italy)
  • Purposes: acquisition of advanced level education for highly qualified activities in specific field
  • What you may do next: PhD programmes, second level professional master's programmes, specialisation schools, advanced training programmes.

 

First level Professional Master’s programme

  • Qualifications required to be admitted: First level degree (or equivalent qualifications obtained abroad)
  • Duration: 1 year (with some exceptions)
  • CFU to be acquired: at least 60
  • EQF level: European Qualifications Framework - 7
  • Academic qualification: no qualification awarded
  • Purposes: it is an in-depth and further training programme course for the acquisition of professional, design and technical-operational skills and knowledge. It may involve the collaboration of private and public bodies organisations or institutions.
    .

 

Advanced training programmes

  • Qualifications required to be admitted: First or second level degree
  • Duration: It varies according to the teaching format and the skills that the programme aims to provide
  • CFU to be acquired: no credits to be acquired
  • Livello EQF: European Qualifications Framework - 7 (in case of a 1st cycle degree) or 8 (in case of a 2nd level degree)
  • Academic qualification: attendance certificate
  • Purposes: professional and scientific updating.

 

 

3RD CYCLE

 

PhD programmes

  • Qualifications required to be admitted: Second or single cycle degree programme (or equivalent qualifications obtained abroad) 
  • Duration: 3 or 4 years
  • EQF level: European Qualifications Framework - 8
  • Academic qualification: PhD (doctor)
  • Purposes: acquisition of the scientific knowledge and skills necessary to pursue a career in academia. It represents the highest level of university education.

 

Specialisation schools

  • Qualifications required to be admitted: Second or single cycle degree programme (or equivalent qualifications obtained abroad)
  • Duration: at least 2 years, but it is established by the educational regulation
  • CFU to be acquired: between 120 and 360, as stated in the education plan
  • EQF level: European Qualifications Framework - 8
  • Academic qualification: Specialisation diploma (Specialist)
  • Purposes: acquisition of knowledge and skills necessary to perform professions in specific areas (health, veterinary, psychology, law, cultural heritage). In some cases, it is necessary to obtain a professional license.

 

Second level Professional Master’s programme

  • Qualifications required to be admitted: Second or single cycle degree programme (or equivalent qualifications obtained abroad)
  • Duration: 1 year
  • CFU to be acquired: at least 60
  • EQF level: European Qualifications Framework - 8
  • Academic qualification: no qualification awarded
  • Purposes: it is an in-depth and further training programme course for the acquisition of professional, design and technical-operational skills and knowledge. It may involve the collaboration of private and public organisations bodies or institutions