About studying in Italy
Founded in the XI century, Italian Universities are the oldest educational institutions in the Western world and they represent the vanguard of higher education especially in the field of Culture, Industrial Design, Architecture, Applied Sciences, Medicine, Economics and Arts.
The Italian Higher Education System is various and diversified and is made up of:
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Universities:
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National Research Centres;
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Higher Education Institutes in Art, Music and Dance (AFAM)
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High Schools for Linguistic Mediators (SSML)
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Institutes of Specialization in Psychotherapy (not bachelor`s nor master`s degrees);
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Higher Technical Institutes (ITS): these are NON-university tertiary training institutes;
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Other Institutes (Higher Institute for Conservation and Restoration, the School of the Opificio delle Pietre, etc.)
Prestige: Italian universities are recognized in Europe and around the world as centers of excellence in research and training. Studying in Italy provides the possibility of achieving a high-prestige degree in universities and academies recognized throughout Europe as well as many by international ranking reports such as QS, THE and ARWU.
English-taught degrees: In Italy, students can find a suitable study program in any field. To study in Italy, it is not necessary to know Italian language. You may find more than 500 undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses entirely held in English.
Tuition fees: are, in general, more affordable than other countries in Europe or North America and some universities often offer partial or full tuition fee-waivers or flat tuition fee to international students. The cost of tuition fees depends upon several factors:
- public universities have much lower tuition fees than private universities;
- students` family income;
- the program students are applying for.
In most cases, tuition fees may vary from a minimum of 900€ to a maximum of 4.000€ at a public University, while for private universities tuition fees are higher.
Travel opportunities: Students would have the privilege to visit 56 UNESCO World Heritage Sites located within Italian borders. Furthermore, international students holding a valid Italian residence permit are able to visit all the countries in the Schengen Area without further formalities.
Work opportunities: Holders of a residence permit for study purposes have the possibility to work during their stay in Italy for a maximum of 20 hours per week (part-time job). Furthermore, mandatory`s internships are part of most Italian degrees. After the graduation and before the expiry of the residence permit for study reason, international students have the right to convert his/her residence permit into a residence permit for pending employment,which is valid for maximum 12 months.
Help: In most Institutions, the international affairs officehelps foreign students to deal with practical matters (admissions tests, enrolment, information about regional EDISU scholarships and grants, residence permits, health insurance, accommodation and so on.)
It is easy to find the department for international affairs help desks by looking at the institution`s website.