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Joining the RUFA community is not difficult, but it requires commitment and determination. Admission procedures vary depending on the chosen programme and level, as well as in the case of transfer from another university. Admission to RUFA is open to all students holding the various types of upper secondary school diploma, each with its own specific admission procedures.
KEY DATES
Admissions A.Y. 2026/2027
BACHELOR AND MASTER OF ARTS PROGRAMMES
First session — 24 January 2026 — Application deadline: 18 January 2026
Second session — 11 April 2026 — Application deadline: 5 April 2026
Third session — 13 June 2026 — Application deadline: 7 June 2026
Extraordinary online session — 20 July 2026 — Application deadline: 15 July 2026
Fourth session — 19 September 2026 — Application deadline: 12 September 2026
Fifth session — 3 October 2026 — Application deadline: 24 September 2026
ACADEMIC MASTER’S PROGRAMMES
5 and 6 October 2026 — Application deadline: TBD
Direct enrolment A.Y. 2026/27
Direct enrolment is open until 30 September 2026
Early Bird
BACHELOR AND MASTER OF ARTS PROGRAMMES
- Valid for the first year only
- Cannot be combined with scholarships and/or other financial benefits
Subject to direct enrolment and payment of the annual tuition fee no later than 30 November, Italian students will be eligible for the following reductions:
| Registration deadline | Reduction in the annual tuition fee |
|---|---|
| By 31 March | € 1.800,00 |
| By 15 June | € 1.200,00 |
| By 31 July | € 600,00 |
EU and NON-EU students will be eligible for the following reductions on the annual tuition fee, provided payment is made by the deadlines indicated:
| Payment terms | Discount applied |
|---|---|
| By 28 February | 20% |
| By 31 May | 15% |
| By 31 July | 10% |
ACADEMIC MASTER’S PROGRAMMES
Payment of the enrolment fee and submission of the completed and signed form by 31 August 2026 will entitle students to a 10% reduction on the tuition fee.
Bachelor of Arts Programmes
ADMISSION TO PROGRAMMES
Admission to RUFA Bachelor of arts programmes involves verification of academic requirements and, depending on the student’s previous studies, either an admission test or direct enrolment. The examination assesses aptitude, motivation and the consistency of the candidate’s profile with the chosen programme.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must hold an upper secondary school diploma or another qualification obtained abroad. If the qualification was obtained abroad, a Declaration of Value issued locally or CIMEA Verification and Comparability Certificates must be submitted.
For enrolment, the following documents are required:
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- an upper secondary school diploma confirming 12 years of schooling, recognised through a “Declaration of Value (DV)” or the Verification and Comparability Certificates issued by CIMEA; the Information Centre on Academic Mobility and Equivalence partnered with RUFA.
- an official translation of the qualification and transcripts (unless already in Italian or English);
- a certificate confirming that the academic eligibility examination has been passed, where required for admission to universities in the country of origin (Selectividad, YKS, etc.), and that the results required for access to the Italian higher education system have been achieved (APs, A Levels, etc.);
- a certificate confirming an adequate level of Italian or English (depending on the language in which the programme is taught);
- for non-EU students: a study visa required to attend academic programmes, requested through Universitaly
- a residence permit/application for a residence permit, to be submitted to the International Students Office within 8 working days of arrival in Italy.
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ADMISSION PROCEDURES
Admission to RUFA programmes may take place through one of two procedures
The admission test consists of a logical aptitude test of 60 questions to be completed in 50 minutes, in computer-based format, and a motivational interview. The logical aptitude test includes 20 culture-related questions relevant to the chosen programme. The Painting and Sculpture and Installation programmes also require a practical assessment, such as freehand drawing. The admission examination is designed to assess candidates’ aptitudes, motivation and abilities.
International students and Italian students residing outside Lazio and Lombardy who are unable to sit the admission examination in person may request to take the test online.
In some cases, students may access RUFA academic programmes without taking the full admission test.
Italian and international students holding an art-focused upper secondary school diploma, or an International Baccalaureate with a creative specialisation, may enrol directly in the programmes in Painting, Sculpture and Installation and Set Design, without taking the admission test.
For other RUFA programmes, direct enrolment depends on the relationship between the student’s previous field of study and the chosen programme. If the previous educational pathway is consistent with the selected RUFA programme, the student may enrol without taking the admission test.
If, on the other hand, the student comes from an art-focused secondary school or an institution with a creative specialisation but chooses a RUFA programme that is not related to their previous studies, they do not need to take the logical aptitude test, but must attend an admission interview, which may include presentation of a portfolio.
Anyone who does not fall within one of the cases eligible for direct enrolment must take the admission test.
| PREVIOUS SCHOOL | RUFA COURSE | ADMISSION TEST |
|---|---|---|
| ITALIAN OR FOREIGN ART HIGH SCHOOL OR IB WITH A CREATIVE SPECIALISATION (INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE) | PAINTING (ITA/ENG) SCULPTURE AND INSTALLATION (ITA/ENG) SET DESIGN (ITA) | NOT REQUIRED |
| ART HIGH SCHOOL OR INSTITUTE* WITH A SPECIALISATION RELATED TO THE CHOSEN RUFA ACADEMIC COURSE | DESIGN (ITA/ENG) SUSTAINABLE FASHION DESIGN (ITA/ENG) GRAPHIC DESIGN (ITA/ENG) GD-COMICS AND ILLUSTRATION (ITA) MULTIMEDIA AND GAME ART (ITA) PHOTOGRAPHY AND AUDIOVISUAL (ITA) CINEMA (ITA/ENG) | NOT REQUIRED |
| ITALIAN OR FOREIGN ART HIGH SCHOOL OR IB WITH A CREATIVE SPECIALISATION DIFFERENT FROM THE RUFA ACADEMIC COURSE | DESIGN (ITA/ENG) SUSTAINABLE FASHION DESIGN (ITA/ENG) GRAPHIC DESIGN (ITA/ENG) GD-COMICS AND ILLUSTRATION (ITA) MULTIMEDIA AND GAME ART (ITA) PHOTOGRAPHY AND AUDIOVISUAL (ITA) CINEMA (ITA/ENG) | INTERVIEW ONLY |
INSTITUTION*
Technical Diploma in Graphics and Communication | Vocational Diploma in Graphics and Multimedia | Audiovisual Industry Technician | Photographic Image Production Technician | Technical Institutes for Fashion | Vocational Institutes for Fashion | Technical Institutes for Surveyors (CAT – Construction, Environment and Territory) Students wishing to enrol in an academic programme taught in English must demonstrate their language proficiency with an intermediate-level certificate (B2 – CEFR).
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
International students must have an adequate knowledge of Italian in order to attend the programmes. To demonstrate the required level of Italian, generally B2, students must submit an Italian language proficiency certificate issued by an authorised institution, such as CILS, CELI, PLIDA, etc.
Students must submit a certificate demonstrating an intermediate level of English proficiency (B2 – CEFR), such as IELTS, Pearson, TOEFL, Cambridge, Oxford, etc.
If you hold a different certificate from those listed, please contact us at international.students@unirufa.it: we will help you verify whether it is valid.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
- Admission test online
- Photocopy of identity document and Italian tax code.
- Original educational qualification or self-certification.
- Receipt of payment of the admission test fee
After passing the admission examination, an enrolment application must be submitted by the relevant deadline, together with the following documents:
- Enrolment application online
- Two passport-sized photographs.
- Receipt of payment of the enrolment fee.
- B2-level language certificate (or equivalent documentation) proving proficiency in the language of the chosen programme.
- For NON-EU students: study visa/residence permit required to attend academic programmes.
- For all students who obtained their qualification abroad: a Declaration of Value issued locally or CIMEA Verification and Comparability Certificates.
- Enrolment application online.
- Two passport-sized photographs.
- Photocopy of identity document and Italian tax code.
- Original educational qualification or self-certification.
- Receipt of payment of the enrolment fee.
- Language certificate when choosing a programme taught in English.
Master of Arts Programmes
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Admission to Master of Arts programmes (Master’s Degree level) requires a three-year First-Level Academic Diploma under the new system, a four-year diploma under the previous system, a university degree or another qualification obtained abroad. If the qualification was obtained abroad, a Declaration of Value issued locally or the Verification and Comparability Certificates issued by CIMEA.
Admission takes place through an admission test. Students coming from another Academy or university faculty may be awarded academic credits: up to 12 CFA for holders of a First-Level Academic Diploma from another Academy; up to 18 CFA for university graduates from Humanities, Science or Polytechnic faculties. Direct progression from the first to the second level (without an admission
examination) is possible within the same School (for example: School of Artistic Design for Enterprise).
For admission to Second-Level programmes, the following documents are required:
- A university degree recognised through a Declaration of Value issued locally, legalisation and translation of the qualification (to be requested from the Italian Embassy/Consulate in your country), a Diploma Supplement or the Verification and Comparability Certificates issued by CIMEA;
- a certificate demonstrating an adequate level of Italian or English;
- for non-EU students: a study visa required to attend academic programmes, to be requested through the Universitalyplatform;
- a residence permit/application for a residence permit, to be submitted to the International Students Office within 8 working days of arrival in Italy.
ADMISSION PROCEDURES
The admission test for Master of Arts programmes is designed to understand the candidate’s motivation and assess their aptitude for undertaking the chosen course of study. The test consists of a motivational interview during which the candidate presents their portfolio (Portfolio Guidelines), containing works, projects and/or any other documentation considered useful for admission purposes. Candidates are assessed by a panel of selected lecturers. International students may also take the admission examination online. Once the test has been booked, students will receive an email containing all information about the examination.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
- Admission application online
- Photocopy of identity document and Italian tax code.
- Original educational qualification or self-certification.
- Receipt of payment of the admission test fee
After passing the admission examination, an enrolment application must be submitted by the relevant deadline, together with the following documents:
- Enrolment application online
- Two passport-sized photographs.
- Receipt of payment of the enrolment fee.
- B2-level language certificate (or equivalent documentation) proving proficiency in the language of the chosen programme.
- For NON-EU students: study visa/residence permit required to attend academic programmes.
- For all students who obtained their qualification abroad: a Declaration of Value issued locally or CIMEA Verification and Comparability Certificates.
- Enrolment application online.
- Two passport-sized photographs.
- Photocopy of identity document and Italian tax code.
- Original educational qualification or self-certification.
- Receipt of payment of the enrolment fee.
- Language certificate when choosing a programme taught in English.
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
International students must have an adequate knowledge of Italian in order to attend the programmes. To demonstrate the required level of Italian, generally B2, students must submit an Italian language proficiency certificate issued by an authorised institution, such as CILS, CELI, PLIDA, etc.
Students must submit a certificate demonstrating an intermediate level of English proficiency (B2 – CEFR), such as IELTS, Pearson PTE, TOEFL, Cambridge, Oxford, etc.
If you hold a different certificate from those listed, please contact us at international.students@unirufa.it: we will help you verify whether it is valid.
Academic Master’s Programmes
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Admission to RUFA First-Level Academic Master’s Programmes requires a three-year First-Level Academic Diploma under the new system, a four-year diploma under the previous system, a university degree, or another qualification obtained abroad and deemed suitable by the Academy in accordance with international agreements.
Applicants must submit certification demonstrating English language proficiency at B2 level or above.
For admission to Academic Master’s Programmes, the following documents are required:
- A university degree recognised through a Declaration of Value issued locally, legalisation and translation of the qualification (to be requested from the Italian Embassy/Consulate in your country), a Diploma Supplement or CIMEA Verification and Comparability Certificates;
- applicants must submit certification demonstrating English language proficiency at B2 level or above;
- for non-EU students: a study visa required to attend academic programmes, to be requested through the Universitaly platform;
- a residence permit/application for a residence permit, to be submitted to the International Students Office within 8 working days of arrival in Italy.
ADMISSION PROCEDURES
Admission is subject to passing an admission test designed to assess the candidate’s motivation and aptitude for the chosen academic path. The admission application must be accompanied by a curriculum vitae, a cover letter of at least 500 words and an English language proficiency certificate at B2 level or above. The admission test consists of a motivational interview with presentation of a portfolio of works, projects and/or any other documentation considered useful in demonstrating the candidate’s skills and experience. The interview may also be held online.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
- Online admission application.
- Photocopy of identity document and Italian tax code.
- Original educational qualification or self-certification.
- CV and cover letter.
- Portfolio or other relevant material (optional).
- Certificate demonstrating English language proficiency at B2 level or above.
- Online enrolment application.
- Two passport-sized photographs.
- Receipt of payment of theannual enrolment fee.
- Language certificate or documentation demonstrating proficiency in the language in which the programme is taught, for all students.
- For non-EU students: study visa/residence permit required to attend the programmes.
- For EU students or Italian students who obtained their qualification abroad: a Declaration of Value issued locally or CIMEA Verification and Comparability Certificates.
Foundation Course
WHO IS IT FOR?
The programmes are designed for international applicants who need to meet additional requirements for access to the Italian university system. They are particularly suitable for:
- students who have completed 11 years of schooling;
- graduates of US high schools who do not have the required AP credits;
- graduates from the British education system who do not have the required number of A Levels;
- students who already meet the requirements for direct enrolment in university programmes in Italy but prefer to follow a programme designed to introduce them to Italian culture.
WHAT IS THE AIM?
- To introduce students to cultural, design, historical, food and wine, and artistic disciplines, as well as to the teaching methods of the Italian university system.
- To meet the academic requirements established by the Italian Ministry of University and Research for admission to Bachelor’s Degree Programmes in Italy.
Completion of the Foundation Course and achievement of 60 CFA allows access to RUFA Bachelor of Arts Programmes without taking the admission test. Access to programmes at other institutions remains subject to the procedures, requirements and any admission tests independently established by each educational institution.
Within this context, students can challenge themselves, improve their language skills, experience a leading Italian academic institution and build professional relationships with lecturers.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
To complete the procedure, you must complete the form online and upload the following documents: passport, diploma and examination certificate/academic transcript, and an English language certificate of at least B1 level.
USEFUL LINKS
Transfer from another university
All students enrolled at other universities may access First-Level Academic Diploma programmes provided that they complete all transfer procedures within the required deadline (30 September). In this case, through a transfer only (not withdrawal from studies), students may request recognition of examinations completed during their previous university studies.
The procedure for recognising completed examinations requires submission of a list of the examinations together with the syllabus for each individual subject. Initially, before enrolment, a preliminary non-binding assessment will be issued by the relevant academic lecturers and may subsequently be confirmed after enrolment. This preliminary assessment is provided solely for guidance purposes and is not binding for enrolment. The Guidance Office manages the procedure for issuing preliminary assessments.
Admission to the programmes may take place as follows:
– direct admission: when transferring from the same academic School as the one previously attended (e.g. Artistic Design for Enterprise; New Technologies for Art, etc.);
– admission interview only: when the student has numerous credits and examinations related to the selected RUFA programme but comes from a different academic/university background;
– full admission test: when few or no examinations can be recognised and the student comes from a different academic School/university faculty.
For further information
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