Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
Foundation Programme
- Milan, Italy
- Cremona, Italy
Foundation Year
DURATION
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
18 Feb 2026
EARLIEST START DATE
Nov 2026
TUITION FEES
EUR 9,450 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* 3 instalments | Application Fee (non-refundable): € 100 (includes an Italian language placement test)
Start your journey to academic success with Università Cattolica's Foundation Programme 2026/2027, designed to prepare international students for university studies in Italy.
Strengthen English and learn Italian: our programme ensures students develop the language, academic, and cultural skills essential for thriving in an academic environment.
Why Choose Us?
- Pathway to Success: Students from Università Cattolica's Foundation programme can reach out to the International Recruitment office to receive personalised guidance on the application requirements for our undergraduate programmes, ensuring they understand how to submit a strong application for their chosen course.
- Dedicated Support: From language mastery to academic skills, we ensure students are fully equipped for university life in Italy.
- Prime Location: Students immerse themselves in Italy’s vibrant culture and dynamic academic life while living in Milan—an international hub of innovation, diversity, and student energy.
Official Partnership with Studiare in Italia
The Foundation Programme has been developed in collaboration with our partner, Studiare in Italia, an official representative of Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore since 2011.
For the Foundation Programme, Studiare in Italia is the exclusive representative for students from Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russian Federation, Uzbekistan.
Università Cattolica’s Foundation Programme is an English-taught programme with two tracks. The academic activities last a full academic year and amount to 800 hours of learning.
Based on the students’ English proficiency upon application, they will be placed in one of the following 2 tracks:
Track 1: from English level B1+/B2 to C1
Structure of the programme:
- English Language and Academic Skills (500 hours)
Advance from B1+/B2 to C1 with comprehensive training in reading, writing, speaking, and listening for academic purposes. - Italian Language and Culture (160 hours)
Achieve A2 level Italian, equipping you for real-life interactions and academic integration in Italy. This course is for beginners! - English in disciplinary-specific contexts (140 hours)
- Humanities and Social Studies
- Art and Literature
- Business, Finance, and Law
- Political Science
Track 2: English level C1 to C2
- English Language and Academic Skills (500 hours)
Advance from C1 to C2 with comprehensive training in reading, writing, speaking and listening for academic purposes. - Italian Language and Culture (160)
Achieve A2 level Italian, equipping you for real-life interactions and academic integration in Italy. This course is for beginners! - Subject courses (140)
Choose 3 courses from a catalogue of university level courses in different disciplines, here are some examples:- ZXT430 - Diversity at Work: Working Better by Working Together
- ZXW440 - Sustainable tourism lab
- ZXV378 - Entrepreneurship Lab: Creating a New Business (Ed. B)
- ZXT856 - Brand Communication in the Art and Tourism Sectors
- ZXT431 - A Sensorial Journey Towards Intercultural Competences
- ZXV379 - Corporate Social Communications and Green Marketing
- ZXP696 - Publishing, Publicity and Cultural Journalism
- ZXP718 - The European Union in the World: Crisis or Transformation?
- ZWX791 - The International System in International Relations: Origins, Evolution, and Contemporary Challenges
- ZXP723 - Drama: "The Word to the Action" in the Italian Commedia dell'Arte
- ZXZ498 - Italian Heroines in Contemporary Literature and Culture
- ZXP722 - Methods of Illusion: la Mise-en-scéne from Drama to Fiction and Visual Arts
- ZXS567 - Managing Sustainability in Fashion and Luxury
What Happens After Students Finish the Foundation Programme at Università Cattolica?
After completing the Foundation Programme, students can apply to one of Università Cattolica’s Bachelor’s degree programmes.
Their application will be reviewed based on:
- Foundation Programme results
- Past school grades
- Motivation letter
We also look at how engaged and committed students were during the Foundation Programme. If needed, our international admissions team may talk with Foundation lecturers to better understand their profile.
Please note: We cannot give early feedback or disclose the students' chances before the official results are announced. This ensures fairness for all applicants.