NON-EU STUDENTS
As an extra-EU student who wishes to study in Italy you must apply for a VISA at the Italian Embassy/Consulate in your Country. Please keep in mind that the procedures may take a long time and that you will be asked to submit various documents, so we suggest that you start working on your application as soon as possible.
Although each Country may have slightly different procedures, the documents that are usually required by the Embassy/Consulate are:
For Bachelor of Arts programs
– An original copy of your secondary school qualification or substitute certificate that is valid for all legal purposes, stating that you have attended at least 12 years of schooling;
– A certificate stating that you have passed the proof of academic suitability exam (if required to be admitted to Universities in your Country);
– two photographs (of which one must be authenticated by the Italian Mission responsible in your Country);
– if possible, a letter of eligibility (or similar) from RUFA;
– carry out the pre-enrollment procedure on the Universitaly website.
For Master of Arts programs
– Academic qualification achieved at a University or post-secondary qualification achieved at non-university Institute that allows you to continue your studies at Academic Institutions at a higher level;
– certificate issued by the University you attended stating the exams you passed, as well as, for each subject, the detailed program. Post-secondary courses (exams and credits) that you already passed can be certified through the Diploma Supplement, when adopted;
– two photographs (of which one must be authenticated by the Italian Embassy/Consulate responsible in your Country);
– if possible, a letter of eligibility (or similar) from RUFA;
– carry out the pre-enrollment procedure on the Universitaly website.
For the Foundation Year
– The Foundation Year pre-enrollment procedures at the Italian Embassy/Consulates do not follow the deadlines set to enroll in Bachelor and Master of Arts, but depend on the deadlines established autonomously by each institution according to the actual beginning of the courses. Candidates apply directly to RUFA by submitting the documentation required through the appropriate form by the deadline. After being accepted, you must apply for a study visa that lasts for the duration of the course at the Italian Embassy/Consulate in your Country.
– If you are an underage student, your parents must contact the Italian Embassy or Consulate in your Country for information regarding possible additional procedures that you may have to undertake to obtain the visa. – carry out the pre-enrollment procedure on the Universitaly website.
Click here for further information.
The regulations for the AY 2021/2022 have been translated into English, click here to download them.
Here you can find out more about the specific procedures for you Country.
Read here many answers to the doubts that students usually have regarding studying in Italy.
Please keep in mind that each year there may be some variations in terms of deadlines and documents required, so make sure to keep an eye on the above-mentioned website and to contact the Italian Embassy/Consulate in your Country to make sure that you have all of the information you need.
Further requirements of the Embassy/Consulate for international students wishing to study in Italy are: knowledge of the Italian language (for programs taught in Italian), an adequate health insurance (according to specific parameters), and proof that the student possesses the necessary economic means to stay in Italy and/or to return to his/her country.
Once you arrive in Italy you will have 8 days to apply for your residence permit. To apply you will be asked for various documents, among which a registered residency address (make sure that you have a contract that is registered at the Italian Revenue Agency), etc. Further information is available in the “when you arrive section”.
Regarding the documents required by RUFA, the procedures and deadlines to be admitted to the programs, you can find further information here.
EU
If you are an EU or an EFTA student or a student from San Marino and Vatican City you do not require a visa to study in Italy. Possible procedures they you may need to undertake before coming to Italy regard mainly the S1 form for your healthcare insurance. Nevertheless, we still suggest that you contact the Italian Embassy in your Country for further information.
Regarding the documents required by RUFA, the procedures and deadlines to be admitted to the programs, you can find further information here.