Higher Education in Art and Music– Afam

The Italian Afam System


Higher Education in Art and Music (Afam) is part of the Italian higher education system.

Afam includes:

- Academies of Fine Arts (Accademie di belle arti)
- State Music Conservatories (Conservatori di Musica)
- Recognised Music Institutes (Istituti musicali pareggiati)
- Higher Schools of Design (Istituti superiori per le industrie artistiche – Isia)
- National Academy of Dance (Accademia nazionale di danza)
- National Academy of Drama (Accademia nazionale d’arte drammatica)

The institutions carry out teaching, production and research in visul arts, music, dance, drama and design. Since 1999 reform, Afam’s educational offering has been structured in three cycles, in accordance with the Bologna Process objectives.


The first cycle is made up of first level diploma programmes (Corsi di diploma accademico di primo livello) that aim to provide students with adequate mastery of artistic methods and techniques as well as with specific professional and disciplinary skills. Admission requirements are an upper secondary school diploma issued after a total 13 years of schooling and successful completion of the required state exams, or a comparable foreign diploma. Admission may also require candidates to take an entrance exam to assess an adequate level ok knowledge, in accordance with institutional regulations.

There may also be preparatory educational activities carried out in collaboration with upper secondary schools. The maximum number of places available is determined by each individual institution. Study programmes last three years. To obtain the first level diploma (Diploma Accademico di primo livello), the students must have acquired 180 credits. The diploma gives holders access to competitive exams in the public sector, as well as to artistic carreers and further studies in the 2nd cycle.


Second cycle is made up of second level diploma programmes (Corsi di diploma accademico di secondo livello), which offer students an advanced level of education for complete mastery of artistic methods and techniques as well as a high level of professional competency. Admission requirements are either a first level diploma, a university degree or a comparable foreign qualification. There may also be specific requirements as defined by the different institutional regulations. Study programs last two years and require the acquisition of 120 credits.


Third cycle. This cycle is made up of Research training programmes (Corsi di formazione alla ricerca). Their goal is to provide the competences to plan and carry out high-level research activities.


Other courses. Afam institutions may also offer:

- Specialization corse (Corsi di specializzazione): these corse provide high level professional competences in specific areas:
- Advanced or Master corse (Corsi di perfezionamento o master: these course provide in-depth study in specific sectors as well as professional development, re training and continuino education.

They have a minimum of 60 credits. Admissions requirements are determined by institutional regulations.



Academic credits (Crediti formativi accademici – CFA): study programs are expressed in academic credits. One academic credit generally corresponds to 25 hours of students workload. The average workload for one academic year is conventionally set at 60 credit.