Study in Italy: Education in Italy

Italian universities are among the oldest in the world. Unlike in North America or Northern Europe, where discussion-based teaching is highly emphasized, the structure of the higher education system in Italy is more formal. Most teaching takes place in large lecture halls. Students must also complete many self-study hours outside the classroom to prepare for examinations.

Higher education examinations are held after the teaching period and are mainly oral exams, meaning you'll be tested through a one-on-one conversation with your professor.

Furthermore, examinations take place over a significantly longer period of 4 to 6 weeks, and students can choose when to schedule their exams within the period.

Each exam is offered on several dates; students can choose when to take it. Students are also entitled to turn down a mark and retake the examination if they are not satisfied with their initial result, which is graded on a 30-point scale.

The academic year is made up of two semesters. The first semester starts in September/October and ends in January/February. The second semester usually starts in February/March and ends in May/June. The actual start and finish dates of semesters, degree programs, and examination periods in Italy vary in every university, but each academic semester lasts for roughly 20 weeks, which is made up of a 14-16 week teaching period and a 4-6 week examination period.

Degree cycle system

Based on the Bologna Process, the education system in Italy was reformed in 1999 to create a cohesive education system throughout Europe. Since then, Italy has implemented a 3-cycle system consisting of the following:

• First Cycle: Bachelor's degrees (3 years)
• Second Cycle: Master's degrees (2 years) and 1st-level vocational masters and single cycle degrees (5-6 years)
• Third Cycle: Doctorate (5-6 years) specialization school and 2nd Level vocational masters.

Institution Types

In terms of types of institutions, the higher education sector in Italy has two broad categories:

• University institutions
• Non-university institutions

Universities

The university sector is made up of 99+ university institutions (as well as polytechnic institutions) classified within the following categories:  

• 61 state universities – public entities endowed with scientific, teaching, managerial, financial, and book-keeping autonomy
• 20 non-state universities – legally recognized by the state
• 2 universities for foreigners – specialized in teaching/ research for the development of the Italian language, literature, culture
• 11 distance-learning universities
• 3 polytechnical schools (politecnico)
• 7 universities of excellence (focused on advanced studies and research)

👉 Note that some of the numbers overlap (ex: polytechnical state universities)

Non-university sector

• AFAM institutions, including State Academies of Fine Arts, Legally recognised Academies of Fine Arts, Higher Schools of Design, State Music Conservatories, Higher Institutes for Musical Studies, National Dance Academy, National Academy of Drama.
• 71 State and 2 public Conservatoires (Conservatori di musica), each offering courses in singing, performing with instruments, music composition, conducting, and more.
• 25 State Academies of Fine Arts (Accademie di belle arti), preparing students for the practice of the arts, like painting, sculpture, decorating and scenery.
• 5 State Higher institutes for Artistic Industries (Istituti superiori per le industrie artistiche – ISIA) that offer specific training in the design field.
• 1 National Academy of Drama (Accademia nazionale di arte drammatica), in Rome, that offers training courses for actors and directors.
• 1 National Dance Academy (Accademia Nazionale di Danza), in Rome, which mainly aims to train dancers, soloists, and choreographers.
• Higher integrated education (FIS): programs of higher technical education & training (IFTS).
• Higher education in language mediation: education institutions for language mediators.
• Specific fields (e.g., archiving, military studies, restoration)

Learn more about studying in Italy: