Enrolling in a first cycle or single cycle degree programme - foreign qualification

General information

You can be admitted to a first cycle or single cycle degree programme if you hold a suitable foreign secondary school diploma, according to Italian law and the rules established by the Italian Ministry for Universities and Research. Your qualification must:

• be awarded following at least 12 years of schooling
• grant access to a degree programme similar to the one you want to enrol in in Italy, at the Universities of the country where it was obtained (or of the country of reference for the system). If entrance exams are established for university admission in your country (i.e. the Gao Kao in China) you must pass these academic tests;
• only for U.S. High School Diplomas, be awarded following a final period of at least two years of successful attendance in a foreign educational system.

In calculating the above-mentioned twelve years, the pre-school year may be considered, provided that attendance in that year is compulsory and an integral part of the curriculum and that the programme includes the teaching of reading and writing in the language of the country and the first elements of arithmetic.

If you hold a qualification obtained at the end of schooling lasting less than 12 years, in addition to the original secondary school diploma, you must submit an academic certificate stating that you have passed all the required exams:

• for the first year of university studies, in the case of local school systems of eleven years
• for the first two years of university studies, in the case of local school systems of ten years.

Such academic certification (in addition to secondary school diplomas obtained following less than twelve years of schooling) allows matriculation only in the first academic year of the programme. Enrolment in a shortened programme may be possible only if the duration of previous university attendance is longer than the period required to make up for the missing school education.

The following certifications may also be accepted for the integration of educational systems lasting less than 12 years:

• final post-secondary studies qualifications in a subject related to the chosen programme obtained from a non-university higher education institute
• certificates from universities attesting the successful completion of Foundation Year.
  

  Please note that the University of Bologna does not offer Foundation Years. Find out the Italian universities where you can attend Foundation Years.

Check the page “Foreign qualifications or Italian qualifications obtained abroad for enrolment in first and single cycle degree programmes: special cases and information by country” to learn whether there are particular requirements for the diplomas of your country.

Documents to be submitted upon matriculation

At matriculation, you need to submit:

• your original secondary school diploma, translated and supported by confirmation of authenticity (check the page "Translation, authenticity and value of foreign qualifications" for methods available and exemptions)
• any document concerning the value of the qualification (check the page "Translation, authenticity and value of foreign qualifications"  for documents accepted and exemptions)
• only if entrance exams are required for admission to university in your country: the certificate proving that you have passed the academic test. The certificate must be translated  and supported by confirmation of authenticity (check the page "Translation, authenticity and value of foreign qualifications" for methods available and exemptions)
• only if the school system in your country has a duration of 10 or 11 years: the certificate attesting the completion of academic studies or a post-secondary qualification issued by a non-university higher education institute. The document must be translated and supported by confirmation of authenticity (check the page "Translation, authenticity and value of foreign qualifications" for methods available and exemptions); in the case of a completed qualification, documents attesting the value of the qualification are also required
• the documents required if you wish to apply for a shortened programme.

Check the page “Foreign qualifications or Italian qualifications obtained abroad for enrolment in first and single cycle degree programmes: special cases and information by country” to learn whether there are particular requirements for the diplomas of your country.

Only for U.S. High School Diplomas, the Student Administration Office might need to check also the school reports of the last two years, in order to verify that your diploma was obtained following at least two years of successful attendance in a foreign educational system.

The Student Administration Office will also check the consistency of the qualifications submitted with those used for admission to your degree programme.

Take action well in advance to collect the necessary documents for enrolment. If you studied in a country outside the European Union, contact the Italian Embassy in your country and the relevant offices in good time for in preparing the documents.

If you are a non-EU citizen residing abroad, also remember to pre-enrol and apply for a visa for study purposes.

Any questions?

You may contact the International Desk for any questions concerning the suitability of your qualifications.

How qualifications earned abroad are evaluated

The assessment of a qualification may take place in two phases:

Admission – substantial assessment

Basic knowledge

For most Degree Programmes, basic knowledge is assessed through tests, for example the TOLC, and there is assessment of the suitability of the qualifications.

In very few cases, the assessment of basic knowledge may involve an evaluation of the qualification. This evaluation is carried out by the admission boards, assessing the educational content of the qualification through a review of the diplomas and certificates copies.

It is crucial to note that while a qualification may enable you to pass the assessment of basic knowledge, it may not be suitable for enrolment: the formal evaluation of the qualification will be carried out at matriculation.

Matriculation – formal assessment

A formal evaluation is carried out by the Campus International Student Administration office after online matriculation is completed and the original documents have been provided.

The evaluation concerns degree title, nature, duration and level, issuing institution, previous education, academic rights and actual completion and awarding of the qualification(s). The evaluation is made in accordance with the guidelines for the evaluation of foreign qualifications (in Italian) drawn up by CIMEA.

If you wish for a more in-depth examination of your degree following the initial evaluation, please contact the International Desk and request a re-evaluation of your degree explaining the reasons for your request.