Italian Education System
Italy has a strong integrated education system in schools and university and pre-university education. The Italian education system is free for Italians and has a compulsory education program from the age of 6 to 16. Educational levels in Italy are generally classified into 3 periods of primary education, secondary education and higher education and university.
Primary education
Primary education in Italy, which consists of 3 years of kindergarten and 5 years of primary school, lasts a total of 8 years. During primary school, history, geography, Italian, English, physics, mathematics, and natural sciences are taught at an introductory level.
Secondary education
Secondary education in Italy, which consists of 3 years of middle school and 5 years of high school, lasts a total of 8 years. In middle school, the same subjects as history, geography, Italian, English, physics, mathematics, and natural sciences are taught at a higher level than in elementary school, and in high school, these subjects, along with several other specialized subjects, are taught at a higher level in preparation for entering university.
Primary and secondary education cover a total of 3 to 19 years of age, and after completing high school, students can choose a major and enter universities in this country.
University Education
You can study at universities in Italy at bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels, which we will explain below about studying at each level. The universities in this country are very reputable and have a high-standard and quality education system. A significant number of famous universities in Italy are among the top universities in the world with a ranking below 200, and in a number of specific fields of study in specific universities in this country, they have rankings below 50 in the whole world. The history of Italian universities is among the oldest in the world; for example, the University of Bologna dates back to 1088 and the University of Padua to 1222. Studying at public universities in Italy is free for Italians. Also, studying at public universities for international students is generally cheap and affordable, depending on which university you choose.
Why should we choose Italy to study?
Safety and quality of life
The level of safety in Italy is well-ranked, ranking 8th in Europe and 40th in the world in terms of safety. Italy may not be one of the single-digit rankings in the world in terms of safety, but overall, the crime rate in Italy is classified as low to below average. Also, Italy’s strong economic structure, the quality of employment and the favorable job market in this country, very suitable health and welfare services throughout the country, such as free public health and medical services and the existence of a wide range of health care programs, retirement benefits, housing, and various benefits for citizens, including students, employed and even unemployed people, place Italy among the countries with a high quality of life; to the extent that the country’s position in terms of quality of life according to 2005 statistics is in eighth place and in terms of human development index in twenty-sixth place.
Benefiting from the educational system of the world’s top universities
Studying in a country with a modern and high-quality education system, where more than 50 of the world’s top universities with a ranking below 1000 in the world are located and which competes with many prominent universities in other advanced and industrialized countries in the world such as Germany, Australia, France, Canada, the United States, etc., is a very good advantage for studying in Italy. The high quality of education and training, as well as the many job opportunities for graduates in this country, are other main advantages of studying in Italy. The age of the education system and many famous universities in Italy is high, and providing free education for Italians and low-cost education for international students in this old and advanced education system is considered a great advantage.
Multicultural society
With more than 6.2 million immigrants, which is about one tenth of the country’s total population of various cultures and nationalities, and the warm-heartedness of the Italian people, especially compared to many other European countries, makes an immigrant, including an international student, not feel very lonely and isolated in this country. Italy is also a country where, fortunately, the number of racism is very low and they are very friendly and civilized with minorities and other nationalities.
Job opportunities after graduation
After completing your studies in Italy, if you wish, you can work in this country through the Job Offer process and receive a work permit and work visa. In relation to your field of study, despite the favorable and extensive job market in this country, you will not have any particular problem finding the job you want, and if you wish, you can extend your work visa.
Documents required for studying in Italy:
After finding the university and field of your choice and receiving final admission, international students must complete their documents. These documents are as follows.
Valid passport
Student visa in the passport (visa requirement after academic admission)
A new full-face personal photo
Complete visa application forms
Complete academic and work resume
Official translation of the latest academic degree and transcripts
Letter of Motivation
Professors’ recommendation (for master’s and doctoral degrees)
Research Proposal
The desired university
Provision of flight tickets and copies thereof and place of residence
Letter of confirmation and financial means
Certificate of no criminal record
Documents of international language tests (IELTS, TOEFL, etc.)
Health insurance
Receipts of financial payments
Education costs in Italy
Most universities in Italy are public, and education at any level before university and at public universities in this country is free for Italian citizens. Education is not free for international students, but on the other hand, education at public universities is cheap, and tuition fees start from 900 euros per year, which can reach 4000 euros per year for higher-ranked universities in Italy, and the average tuition fee at a very prestigious Italian university is 3000 euros per year. Of course, on the other hand, the cost of private universities is higher than these amounts, and their tuition fees range between 6000 and 20000 euros per year.
Italian Student Visa and Employment While Studying
Almost every student entering Italy needs a visa. The only exceptions to this rule are students from some European countries, including students from Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and countries within the European Union. International students are only able to work 20 hours per week, which is equivalent to 1040 hours per year. A student visa is only valid for one year, which can be extended if necessary and if you need to pass university exams.
Many countries that accept immigrants create opportunities for students to earn some income while studying, so that they can better cover their educational expenses and their economic conditions.
Studying in Italy without a language certificate
Before starting your immigration process, it is necessary to visit the official website of the university of your choice and find out about its general and specific conditions. The language score is different for each level and university, so it is definitely recommended to learn about them. Some universities conduct their admission process through online tests and interviews. This is a measure to measure the student’s interest and academic knowledge in the desired field. If this step is accompanied by the interviewer’s attention and if the university in question does not require it, there is no need to provide IELTS and TOEFL scores. The list of universities where you can apply for admission without an IELTS or TOEFL score is as follows:
University of Bologna
University of Milan
University of Florence
University of Pisa
University of Padua
University of Naples Federico II
University of Trento
John Cabot University
Sapienza University of Rome
University of Verona
Degrees in Italy
When it comes to studying in Europe, countries like England, Germany or France may come to mind. But it is also worth taking a closer look at Italy and the conditions for international students to study. Typically, bachelor’s and doctoral degrees last 3 years, and master’s degrees last 1 year in this country. To study in Italy by choosing courses taught in English, you do not need an Italian language certificate; only the IELTS or TOEFL certificate is sufficient. However, for courses offered in Italian, you will need a B-2 Italian language certificate in this country.
Continuing education is carried out in several different educational centers in this country. More than 97 educational centers in Italy are engaged in providing educational services, which can be divided into several groups in terms of function, including universities, art and music education institutes, technical and vocational institutes, and schools related to language learning.
Best Universities in Italy to Study
The top 10 universities in Italy are as follows:
University of Bologna
Sapienza University of Rome
University of Padua
University of Milan
University of Pisa
University of Naples Federico II
University of Turin
Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa
University of Trento
Vita-Salute San Raffaele University
Best Degrees in Italy
Perhaps at first glance, the historical and tourist attractions of this country will encourage you to come to this country. But with knowledge of the educational conditions, you will be more than willing to choose Italy as your study destination. A wide range of academic fields are taught in English at various university levels and educational centers in this country, and here we will discuss some of the most popular ones, which include:
Computers and Technology
Art and Design
Architecture and Civil Engineering
Social Studies
Humanities
Medicine and Health
Professional Teaching (for teaching, university professors, etc.)
Marketing and Sales
Hospitality
Among the above, four fields of design, art, architecture, and humanities are much more popular and profitable at the master’s level in Italy.
Studying Medicine in Italy
A new wave of accepting international medical students from all over the world began in 2009 in some public universities in Italy. These universities, which are also among the best in the world, teach in English.
English prepares students for residency and clinical courses. Knowing a few things about why Italian universities can be a good destination for students interested in medicine will help you in your decision-making process. The first is the single-stage selection. You can enter the university after passing the IMAT English test, which is held in 20 cities around the world. The names of some of the top medical universities in Italy are as follows:
University of Milan-Biccoca
Sapienza University of Rome
University of Pavia: Harvey course
University of Bologna
University of Milano-Statale
University of Turin
Student accommodation in Italy
Finding an area to live in Italy while studying can seem a bit difficult. Knowing that not all universities in Italy offer accommodation to international students certainly helps to understand this issue. It is clear that student residences are much more economical. However, if they are not available, you can try to find a shared unit. Of course, it is important to note that if you manage to find a unit near your university, you can save some money on your transportation costs.
Obtaining permanent residence in Italy after studying
The most common way to obtain Italian residence after studying is to apply for employment in this country; in this way, before the expiration of your student visa and after graduation, you look for work in this country under a program called Job Offer and by finding a job and employment, you will be granted a work permit and a work visa. After 5 years of residence and work in this country, you can apply for permanent residence. In this process, if you find a job and are hired, you will start working by obtaining an Italian work visa that is valid for two years. This visa can be extended, and if you live and work continuously in Italy for 5 years, pay taxes, and do not create legal problems for yourself, you can apply for permanent residence in this country.
The issue of which country you intend to immigrate to Italy from will change the process of obtaining your visa. For example, if you are a resident of a country such as Switzerland or Norway, you will not need to obtain a visa. However, obtaining a student visa, in addition to providing documents such as financial documents, health insurance, and language certificates, requires obtaining a study visa for residence.
Permanent residence in Italy has different conditions compared to other European countries. The prerequisite for obtaining a permanent residence visa requires obtaining a short-term visa. People who live in non-European countries can apply for residence after 5 years of presence in this country. This is while the residence requirements in Italy for European citizens should be reduced to 90 days, which is a much easier process.
There are other methods for obtaining permanent residence in Italy, the most important of which is the financial ability of the applicant. In addition, the person must be able to communicate in Italian and be aware of the official and national ceremonies and traditions of the country. These cases will certainly be accompanied by the applicant not having a criminal record during the 5-year residence period. Obtaining permanent residence in Italy comes with benefits, including a percentage reduction in tax payments. They can also benefit from the country’s health insurance benefits, like Italian citizens.
The best cities in Italy to study
Despite the country’s small geographical location, Italy’s culture, art and many attractions have made it an attractive place for tourists and foreign students interested in studying. Below is a list of the best cities in Italy for international students to live in Italy, and the reason for mentioning these cities is the presence of the best universities in Italy.
Milan
One of the largest commercial centers in Europe, Milan is listed among the best cities for immigrants and especially students in Italy. This city is the second largest city in Italy. The presence of highly ranked universities such as the Polytechnic, the University of Milan and Milan Bicocca has made it a lively and vibrant place for the presence of students. The city has 3 airports that make transportation from Italy to other countries easier.
Rome
The capital of Italy and a legendary city that is very popular in the fields of tourism and tourism. The city also hosts prestigious universities such as Sapienza University (11 faculties and 63 departments) ranked 203 in the world. This city also has the smallest country in the world, the Vatican, in its heart.
Pisa
The first thing that comes to mind when you hear the name Pisa is the Leaning Tower. With its visual attractions such as palaces, churches, and bridges built over the Arno River and the presence of the high-quality State University of Pisa (with 20 educational departments), this city has made it a desirable destination for study abroad students.
Bologna
This city is introduced by UNESCO as the most creative city in creating and performing various styles of music. It is also known as the culinary capital of the world with its unique recipes. You can enjoy its classical texture by cycling in this small city and save on transportation costs. The University of Bologna, which is considered the oldest university in the world, is located in this city.
Embassy of Italy in Iran
Official website of the Embassy of Italy in Iran: https://ambteheran.esteri.it/ambasciata_teheran/it
Tel: +98 35 119898
Tel: +98 21 66714624
Fax: +98 21 66726961
Email: teheran@esteri.it
