Foundation Course
Italy is synonymous with wonder, especially for younger generations living abroad who wish to discover the culture and education system that the “Bel Paese” has to offer.
The Foundation Year is designed for students drawn to Made in Italy, understood not only as a mark of distinction and style, but also as a commitment to quality in every aspect of life.
This is the context in which the Foundation Courses offered by the PLENA Education Group, of which RUFA is a member, take shape: supplementary 60-credit programmes designed to introduce students to cultural, design, historical and artistic disciplines, as well as food and wine culture and hospitality, which they will explore in greater depth in the years ahead.
Through this programme, international students with 11 years of schooling, students who attended an American High School but did not obtain the AP credits required to enter a Bachelor’s degree programme in Italy, or students who attended a British High School but did not obtain the required number of A Levels to enter a Bachelor’s degree programme in Italy, can meet the minimum requirements set by the Ministry of Universities and Research before entering the Italian higher education system, while acquiring the essential foundational knowledge needed in the fields of art, audiovisual media, multimedia and design.
The programmes are designed for international applicants who need to meet additional entry requirements for the Italian higher education system. They are particularly suitable for:
- students who have completed 11 years of schooling;
- American High School graduates who have not obtained the required AP credits;
- graduates of the British school system who have not obtained the required number of A Levels;
- students who, although eligible to enrol directly in degree programmes in Italy, prefer to follow a programme designed to introduce them to Italian culture.
- Introduce students to cultural, design, historical, food and wine, and artistic disciplines, as well as to the teaching methods used in the Italian higher education system.
- Meet the academic requirements established by the Ministry of Universities and Research for admission to Bachelor’s degree programmes in Italy.
The Foundation Courses enable participants to build the foundations needed to undertake any Bachelor’s degree programme. In this context, students can challenge themselves, improve their language skills, experience one of Italy’s leading academic institutions and build professional relationships with lecturers.
Differences between the programmes offered in Rome, Milan and Brescia
ROME
RUFA – Rome University of Fine Arts
Saint Louis College of Music
The language qualification awarded will be CILS.
Study areas
1. Art, Design, Photography/Video
2. Music
MILAN – Bodio Center Campus
RUFA – Rome University of Fine Arts
Saint Louis College of Music
The language qualification awarded will be PLIDA (exam centre: Padua or Brescia).
Study areas
1. Fashion, Design, Photography/Video
2. Music
BRESCIA
CAST – Italian Institute of Culinary Arts & Hospitality
CIELS
The language qualification awarded will be PLIDA (exam centre: Padua or Brescia).
Study areas
1. Italian Hospitality, Gastronomy & Food Culture
Courses
Italian language and culture, songwriting and creative writing, history of music and Italian style, music theory and ear training, music production, and specialist studies in sound engineering, electronic music, composition, applied music, jazz and pop.
The course begins at the end of October and runs until July. The Saint Louis Foundation Course combines the study of Italian language, culture and the humanities with intensive music training, enabling students to develop academic, linguistic and artistic skills simultaneously throughout the programme. While the language and humanities modules contribute to meeting the academic requirements for entry to Bachelor’s degree programmes in Italy, the music curriculum provides between 300 and 400 hours of specialist training, depending on the chosen pathway. Through a combination of theory classes, practical workshops and project-based learning, students acquire the technical, creative and methodological skills required to successfully undertake the admission tests for Saint Louis First Level Academic Programmes.
Three dedicated curriculum pathways are available:
Sound Engineering & Electronic Music
Designed for students interested in audio technologies, sound design and digital music production. This pathway provides the foundations required for direct admission to Saint Louis First Level Academic Programmes in Sound Engineering (Sound Technician) and Electronic Music.
| Module | Module type | Credits | Teaching hours | Mode of attendance | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Italian language and culture – Qualification awarded: CILS | |||||
| Language | T | 24 | 144 | online | EXAM |
| Culture | T | 12 | 72 | online | EXAM |
| Specialist curriculum | |||||
| Sound Engineering | TP | 6 | 120 | in person | EXAM |
| Music Technology | TP | 6 | 120 | in person | EXAM |
| Acoustics | T | 4 | 60 | in person | EXAM |
| Music Theory and Harmony | TP | 4 | 60 | in person | EXAM |
| Live Electronics | TP | 4 | 30 | in person | EXAM |
| Total | 60 | 476 | |||
Composition & Applied Music
Focused on composition techniques, orchestration, music production and music for visual media. The programme offers direct admission to Saint Louis First Level Academic Programmes in Composition and Applied Music, with particular emphasis on the skills and methods related to film score composition and audiovisual production.
| Module | Module type | Credits | Teaching hours | Mode of attendance | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Italian language and culture – Qualification awarded: CILS | |||||
| Language | T | 24 | 144 | online | EXAM |
| Culture | T | 12 | 72 | online | EXAM |
| Specialist curriculum | |||||
| Music Theory and Harmony | TP | 6 | 60 | in person | EXAM |
| Composition | TP | 3 | 32 | in person | EXAM |
| Counterpoint | TP | 3 | 32 | in person | EXAM |
| Applied Music | P | 4 | 48 | in person | EXAM |
| Complementary Piano | P | 3 | 32 | in person | EXAM |
| Orchestration | T | 2 | 32 | in person | EXAM |
| Ear Training | T | 3 | 34 | in person | EXAM |
| Music Technology | TP | 2 | 48 | in person | EXAM |
| Total | 60 | 476 | |||
Jazz & Pop
Designed for aspiring performers, singer-songwriters and contemporary musicians, this pathway develops instrumental, rhythmic and ensemble skills in contemporary music styles. Students may gain direct admission to Saint Louis First Level Academic Programmes or to the more advanced levels of the institution’s Pre-Academic Courses, depending on their artistic profile and the skills they have acquired.
| Module | Module type | Credits | Teaching hours | Mode of attendance | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Italian language and culture – Qualification awarded: CILS | |||||
| Language | T | 24 | 144 | online | EXAM |
| Culture | T | 12 | 72 | online | EXAM |
| Specialist curriculum | |||||
| Instrument or Voice | P | 4 | 30 | in person | EXAM |
| Small Ensemble | P | 3 | 34 | in person | EXAM |
| Music Theory and Harmony | TP | 4 | 60 | in person | EXAM |
| Ear Training | T | 3 | 34 | in person | EXAM |
| Complementary Piano | P | 3 | 32 | in person | EXAM |
| Ensemble | P | 2 | 45 | in person | EXAM |
| Music Technology | TP | 2 | 48 | in person | EXAM |
| Rhythm Section | P | 2 | 20 | in person | EXAM |
| Improvisation | TP | 2 | 40 | in person | EXAM |
| Total | 60 | 476 | |||
The Saint Louis Foundation Course includes classes in Italian language, culture and writing, alongside music-specific theory and practical activities taught in English. To be admitted, students must have certified English language proficiency at B1/B2 level. A B1 level of Italian is preferred, but not compulsory.
General information
- Dates: from 26 October 2026 to July 2027
- Languages: Italian and English
- Language requirements: B1/B2 level English.
- Enrolment deadline: 24 October
- Fee: € 8.500
FIVE CORE SUBJECTS
Italian language and culture, writing workshop, history of art, design and Italian style, and specialist courses in photography, video, art and design.
The course begins on 26 October and runs until July. The 60 credits awarded will grant admission to RUFA First Level Academic Programmes without the need to take an admission test, or to programmes at any other institution (subject to the general principle of each institution’s academic and decision-making autonomy), and may not be recognised for the purpose of reducing the study load of subsequent degree programmes.
View the curriculum
| Module | Module type | Credits | Teaching hours | Mode of attendance | Privacy / Assessment | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rome | Milan | Rome | Milan | ||||
| Italian language and culture – Qualification awarded: CILS | |||||||
| Language | T | 24 | 24 | 144 | 144 | online/in person | EXAM |
| Culture | T | 12 | 12 | 72 | 72 | in person | EXAM |
| Specialist curriculum | |||||||
| History of Art, Design and Italian Style | T | 8 | 8 | 60 | 60 | in person | EXAM |
| Art | TP | 4 | / | 50 | / | in person | EXAM |
| Fashion Design | TP | / | 4 | / | 50 | in person | EXAM |
| Photography/Video | TP | 4 | 4 | 50 | 50 | in person | EXAM |
| Foundation Design | TP | 4 | 4 | 50 | 50 | in person | EXAM |
| Writing Workshop | TP | 4 | 4 | 50 | 50 | in person | EXAM |
| Total | 60 | 60 | 476 | 476 | |||
(T) = Theory courses – (TP) = Theory and practical courses
(Rome) = Foundation Course in Rome – (Milan) = Foundation Course in Milan
The RUFA Foundation Course includes classes in Italian language, culture and writing, as well as RUFA art-focused classes taught in English. To be admitted, students must have certified English language proficiency at B1/B2 level. A B1 level of Italian is preferred, but not compulsory.
General information
- Dates: from 26 October 2026 to July 2027
- Languages: Italian and English
- Language requirements: B1/B2 level English.
- Enrolment deadline: 24 October
- Fee: € 8.500
The course begins at the end of October and runs until July. The 60 credits awarded will grant admission to the CAST Degree Programme in Culinary Arts & Hospitality Management without the need to take an admission test, or to programmes at any other institution (subject to the general principle of each institution’s academic and decision-making autonomy), and may not be recognised for the purpose of reducing the study load of subsequent degree programmes.
| Module | Module type | Credits | Teaching hours | Mode of attendance | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Italian language and culture – Qualification awarded: CILS | |||||
| Language | T | 24 | 144 | online | EXAM |
| Culture | T | 12 | 72 | online | EXAM |
| Specialist curriculum | |||||
| Italian Hospitality Culture | TP | 8 | 100 | in person | EXAM |
| Italian Ingredients, Products and Food Supply Chains | TP | 16 | 160 | in person | EXAM |
| Total | 60 | 476 | |||
The CAST Foundation Course includes classes in Italian language, culture and writing, as well as practical classes taught in English. To be admitted, students must have certified English language proficiency at B1/B2 level. A B1 level of Italian is preferred, but not compulsory.
General information
- Dates: from 26 October 2026 to July 2027
- Languages: Italian and English
- Language requirements: B1/B2 level English.
- Enrolment deadline: 24 October
- Fee: € 8.500
The programmes comprise a total of 476 hours of study. The 60 credits awarded will enable students to gain admission to Bachelor’s degree programmes at the academies where they attend the Foundation Course, or to Bachelor’s degree programmes at any other institution, subject to the general principle that all higher education institutions have academic and decision-making autonomy over admissions. The credits will not be recognised for the purpose of reducing the study load of subsequent degree programmes.
Please note
All higher education institutions have autonomy over their admissions procedures. Attendance of the Foundation Year does not exempt students from taking any admission tests required by third-party institutions and cannot, under any circumstances, be recognised for the purpose of reducing the study load of subsequent degree programmes.