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Joining the RUFA community is not difficult, but it requires commitment and determination. Admission procedures vary depending on the programme and level of study chosen, as well as whether you are transferring from another university. RUFA welcomes applicants with qualifications from all types of upper secondary schools, with specific admission procedures for each educational background.
KEY DATES
Choose the academic year you are interested in.
Admissions – Academic Year 2026/2027
BACHELOR OF ARTS AND MASTER OF ARTS
ADMISSION TEST
EXTRAORDINARY SESSION – ACADEMIC YEAR 2026/27
It is still possible to join RUFA for the 2026/2027 academic year.
An extraordinary admission session is available on request for Bachelor and Master of Arts programmes.
DIRECT ENROLMENT – ACADEMIC YEAR 2026/27
Direct enrolment is still open.
ACADEMIC MASTER’S PROGRAMMES
ON-DEMAND ADMISSIONS
Are you an international student applying for January 2027 entry, do you need a visa, or would you prefer to fast-track your application? You can book an admission interview by the end of October by emailing guidance@unirufa.it
Please also note that any remaining merit-based scholarships will be available in September and October and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to available funding.
Admissions – Academic Year 2027/2028
BACHELOR OF ARTS AND MASTER OF ARTS
First session — 23 January — Application deadline: 18 January
Second session — 10 April — Application deadline: 5 April
Third session — 12 June — Application deadline: 7 June
Fourth session — 18 September — Application deadline: 12 September
Fifth session — 2 October — Application deadline: 27 September
ACADEMIC MASTERS
ON-DEMAND ADMISSION
Are you an international student applying for admission in January 2028, do you need a visa, or would you prefer to speed up the application process? You can book an admission interview by October by sending an email to guidance@unirufa.it
We would also like to remind you that any remaining merit-based scholarships will be available in September and October, awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until the available funds are exhausted.
Bachelor of Arts
ACCESS TO PROGRAMMES
Admission to RUFA Bachelor of Arts programmes requires verification of academic qualifications and, depending on the applicant’s educational background, either an admission test or direct enrolment. The admission test assesses applicants’ aptitude, motivation and suitability for their chosen programme.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
To enrol, applicants must hold an upper secondary school diploma or an equivalent qualification obtained abroad. Applicants with qualifications obtained abroad must submit either a Declaration of Value issued in the country of origin or CIMEA verification and comparability statements.
The following documents are required for enrolment:
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- an upper secondary school diploma confirming 12 years of schooling, recognised through a “Declaration of Value (DoV)” or the two verification and comparability statements issued by CIMEA; the Information Centre on Academic Mobility and Equivalence, which has an agreement with RUFA.
- an official translation of the qualification and transcripts (if not already in Italian or English);
- a certificate confirming that the applicant has passed any academic eligibility examination required for university admission in their country of origin (such as Selectividad or YKS), and has obtained the qualifications required for entry to the Italian higher education system (such as APs or A levels);
- a certificate demonstrating an adequate knowledge of Italian or English (depending on the language of instruction);
- for non-EU students: the study visa required to attend academic programmes, requested through universitaly
- a residence permit or proof of application for a residence permit, to be submitted to the International Student Office within eight working days of arrival in Italy.
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ADMISSION PROCEDURES
Admission to RUFA programmes is possible through one of two routes
Admission to the Bachelor of Arts programme involves an individual interview and the submission of a creative portfolio. The interview provides an opportunity to understand the candidate’s motivations and aptitudes and assess how well they align with the chosen programme. It is an opportunity for discussion to explore personal interests, expectations and inclinations.
The portfolio may include artworks, projects, drawings, photographs and other creative work that reflect the candidate’s interests, experiences and creative potential. The materials submitted should help provide an understanding of the candidate’s artistic and design background and their creative research. Candidates who do not have a portfolio may submit a project work to demonstrate their design skills.
The admission assessment is carried out by a panel of lecturers selected according to the programme of study. For Painting and Sculpture and Installation, a short practical test is also required, which may include a freehand drawing exercise.
International students and Italian students residing outside Lazio and Lombardy who are unable to take the admission test in person may request to take it online.
In some cases, students may enrol on RUFA academic programmes without taking the full admission test.
Italian and international students holding an arts-focused upper secondary school diploma or an International Baccalaureate with a creative specialisation may enrol directly on Painting, Sculpture and Installation and Set Design, without taking the admission test.
For other RUFA programmes, eligibility for direct enrolment depends on how closely the student’s previous studies match the chosen programme. If the previous educational background is relevant to the RUFA programme selected, the student may enrol without taking the admission test.
If students come from an art school or an institution offering a creative specialisation but choose a RUFA programme unrelated to their previous studies, they do not need to take the logic and aptitude test. However, they must attend an admission interview and may be asked to present a portfolio.
Applicants who do not meet any of the criteria for direct enrolment must take the admission test.
| SCUOLA DI PROVENIENZA | CORSO RUFA | PROVA DI AMMISSIONE |
|---|---|---|
| LICEO ARTISTICO ITALIANO O STRANIERO O IB CON INDIRIZZO CREATIVO (INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE) | PITTURA (ITA/ENG) SCULTURA E INSTALLAZIONE (ITA/ENG) SCENOGRAFIA (ITA) | NON PREVISTA |
| LICEO ARTISTICO O ISTITUTO* CON INDIRIZZO AFFINE AL CORSO ACCADEMICO RUFA PRESCELTO | DESIGN (ITA/ENG) FASHION DESIGN SOSTENIBILE (ITA/ENG) GRAPHIC DESIGN (ITA/ENG) GD-COMICS AND ILLUSTRATION (ITA) MULTIMEDIA AND GAME ART (ITA) FOTOGRAFIA E AUDIOVISIVO (ITA) CINEMA (ITA/ENG) | NON PREVISTA |
| LICEO ARTISTICO ITALIANO O STRANIERO E IB AD INDIRIZZO CREATIVO DIVERSO DAL CORSO ACCADEMICO RUFA | DESIGN (ITA/ENG) FASHION DESIGN SOSTENIBILE (ITA/ENG) GRAPHIC DESIGN (ITA/ENG) GD-COMICS AND ILLUSTRATION (ITA) MULTIMEDIA AND GAME ART (ITA) FOTOGRAFIA E AUDIOVISIVO (ITA) CINEMA (ITA/ENG) | SOLO COLLOQUIO |
INSTITUTION*
Technical Diploma in Graphics and Communication | Vocational Qualifications 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 on a programme taught in English must demonstrate their English proficiency with an intermediate-level certificate (B2 – CEFR).
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
International students must have an adequate knowledge of Italian to attend their chosen programme. 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 or PLIDA.
Students must provide a certificate demonstrating an intermediate level of English (B2 – CEFR), such as IELTS, Pearson, TOEFL, Cambridge or Oxford.
If you hold a different qualification from those listed, please contact us at international.students@unirufa.it: we will help you check whether it is accepted.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
- Admission test online
- Photocopy of an identity document and Italian tax code.
- Original educational qualification or self-declaration.
- Proof of payment of the admission test fee
After passing the admission test, applicants must submit their enrolment application by the deadline, together with the following documents:
- Enrolment application online
- Two passport-sized photographs.
- Proof of payment of the enrolment fee
- B2 language certificate (or equivalent documentation) confirming proficiency in the language of instruction of the chosen programme.
- For non-EU students: the study visa/residence permit required to attend academic programmes.
- For all students whose qualification was obtained abroad: a Declaration of Value issued in the country of origin or CIMEA verification and comparability statements.
- Enrolment application online.
- Two passport-sized photographs.
- Photocopy of an identity document and Italian tax code.
- Original educational qualification or self-declaration.
- Proof of payment of the enrolment fee.
- Language certification if choosing a programme taught in English.
Master of Arts
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
To enrol on a Master of Arts programme, applicants must hold a three-year first-level academic diploma (under the current system), a four-year academic diploma (under the previous system), a Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification obtained abroad. Applicants with qualifications obtained abroad must submit either a Declaration of Value issued in the country of origin or CIMEA verification and comparability statements from CIMEA.
Admission is subject to an entrance examination. Students coming from another academic school or university faculty may be awarded credits: up to 12 CFA for first-level graduates from another academic school, and up to 18 CFA for university graduates (in humanities, sciences or polytechnic disciplines). Direct progression from a first-level to a second-level programme (without an admission
test) is possible within the same academic school (for example, the School of Artistic Design for Business).
To be admitted to second-level programmes, applicants must submit:
- A degree certificate recognised through a “Declaration of Value” issued in the country of origin, legalisation and translation of the qualification (to be requested from the Italian Embassy/Consulate in your country), a Diploma Supplement or the two verification and comparability statements issued by CIMEA;
- a certificate demonstrating an adequate level of Italian or English;
- for non-EU students: the study visa required to attend academic programmes, to be requested through the Universitaly;
- a residence permit or proof of application for a residence permit, to be submitted to the International Student Office within eight working days of arrival in Italy.
ADMISSION PROCEDURES
The admission test for two-year academic programmes is designed to assess applicants’ motivation and aptitude for their chosen course of study. It consists of a motivational interview during which candidates present their portfolio (Portfolio Guidelines), containing artworks, projects and/or any other documentation considered relevant to the application. Candidates will be assessed by a panel of selected lecturers. International students may also take the admission test online. Once they have booked the test, students will receive an email containing all the information about the examination.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
- Admission application online
- Photocopy of an identity document and Italian tax code.
- Original educational qualification or self-declaration.
- Proof of payment of the admission test fee
After passing the admission test, applicants must submit their enrolment application by the deadline, together with the following documents:
- Enrolment application online
- Two passport-sized photographs.
- Proof of payment of the enrolment fee
- B2 language certificate (or equivalent documentation) confirming proficiency in the language of instruction of the chosen programme.
- For non-EU students: the study visa/residence permit required to attend academic programmes.
- For all students whose qualification was obtained abroad: a Declaration of Value issued in the country of origin or CIMEA verification and comparability statements.
- Enrolment application online.
- Two passport-sized photographs.
- Photocopy of an identity document and Italian tax code.
- Original educational qualification or self-declaration.
- Proof of payment of the enrolment fee.
- Language certification if choosing a programme taught in English.
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
International students must have an adequate knowledge of Italian to attend their chosen programme. 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 or PLIDA.
Students must provide a certificate demonstrating an intermediate level of English (B2 – CEFR), such as IELTS, Pearson PTE, TOEFL, Cambridge or Oxford.
If you hold a different qualification from those listed, please contact us at international.students@unirufa.it: we will help you check whether it is accepted.
Academic Master’s Programmes
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
To enrol on RUFA first-level Academic Master’s programmes, applicants must hold a three-year first-level academic diploma (under the current system), a four-year diploma (under the previous system), a university degree or another qualification obtained abroad and recognised as suitable by the Academy in accordance with international agreements.
Applicants must provide a certificate demonstrating English proficiency at B2 level or above.
To be admitted to Academic Master’s programmes, applicants must submit:
- A degree certificate recognised through a “Declaration of Value” issued in the country of origin, legalisation and translation of the qualification (to be requested from the Italian Embassy/Consulate in your country), a Diploma Supplement or the two CIMEA verification and comparability statements;
- applicants must provide a certificate demonstrating English proficiency at B2 level or above;
- for non-EU students: the study visa required to attend academic programmes, to be requested through the Universitaly platform;
- a residence permit or proof of application for a residence permit, to be submitted to the International Student Office within eight working days of arrival in Italy.
ADMISSION PROCEDURES
Admission is subject to passing an entrance examination designed to assess motivation and aptitude for the chosen career path. The application must be accompanied by a CV, a personal statement of at least 500 words and a certificate demonstrating English proficiency at B2 level or above. The admission test consists of a motivational interview and the presentation of a portfolio of work, projects and/or other documentation considered useful in demonstrating the applicant’s skills and experience. The interview may also be conducted online.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
- Online admission application.
- Photocopy of an identity document and Italian tax code.
- Original educational qualification or self-declaration.
- CV and personal statement.
- Portfolio or other relevant material (optional).
- Certificate demonstrating English proficiency at B2 level or above.
- Online enrolment application.
- Two passport-sized photographs.
- Proof of payment of theannual enrolment fee.
- Language certification or documentation demonstrating proficiency in the language of instruction, required for all students.
- For non-EU students: the 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 in the country of origin or CIMEA verification and comparability statements.
Foundation Course
WHO IS IT FOR?
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;
- graduates of US high schools who do not have the required AP credits;
- graduates of the British education system who do not hold the required number of A levels;
- students who already meet the requirements for direct entry to Italian universities but would 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 teaching methods used in the Italian higher education system.
- To fulfil the academic requirements set by the Italian Ministry of Universities and Research for admission to Bachelor’s degree programmes in Italy.
Completing the Foundation Course and earning 60 CFA credits enables students to enrol on RUFA Bachelor’s degree programmes without taking an additional admission test. Admission to programmes at other institutions remains subject to the procedures, requirements and any admission tests independently established by each institution.
In this setting, 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 application process, you must fill in the form online and upload the following documents: passport, diploma and examination results/academic transcript, and an English language certificate at B1 level or above.
Transferring from another university
Students enrolled at other universities may apply for RUFA Bachelor of Arts programmes, provided they complete all transfer procedures by the required deadline (30 September). Students transferring from another institution (rather than withdrawing from their studies) may request recognition of the examinations they have already passed at their previous university.
To request recognition of completed examinations, students must submit a list of their examinations together with the syllabus for each subject. Before enrolment, the relevant lecturers will provide a preliminary, non-binding assessment, which may subsequently be confirmed after enrolment. This preliminary assessment is provided for guidance purposes only and does not constitute a binding decision on enrolment. The Guidance Office manages requests for preliminary assessments.
Admission to programmes may take the following forms:
– direct admission: when transferring from the same academic school (e.g. Artistic Design for Business, New Technologies for Art, etc.);
– admission interview only: when applicants hold substantial credits and have passed examinations relevant to their chosen RUFA programme but come from a different academic school or university faculty;
– full admission test: when few or none of the previously completed examinations can be recognised and the applicant comes from a different academic school or university faculty.
For further information
Do you have questions about the RUFA world? We’re here to guide you!
Our Guidance Team is here for you all year round, ready to answer all your questions.
