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The Italian HE System is organized in three cycles, according to the principles of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).
Specific qualifications are associated with each cycle, allowing students to progress with their studies, participate in public recruitment competitions, take part in all European mobility programs, enter the labour market and develop professional careers.
For each cycle, a number of CFU (University Credits) are allocated, which measure the workload required of students (divided into lectures, exercises, laboratories, internships, etc.).
As a rule, one credit corresponds to 25 hours of overall study.
FIRST CYCLE / UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMMES
LAUREA (BACHELOR DEGREE)
Objective: To ensure students acquire adequate proficiency of general scientific methods and content.
Duration: 3 years
Equivalent to: Bachelor's Degree in the European higher education system, as defined in the Bologna Process in 1999.
ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System): 180 ECTS
General Admission requirements:
✅ 12 years high school diploma or equivalent foreign qualification recognized as eligible
✅ Adequate knowledge of english (IELTS, TOEFL, proof of English medium of instruction, etc)
✅ Admission entrance test (i.e. TOLC-E for Economics related courses, TOLC-I for Engineering related courses, etc.)
SECOND CYCLE / GRADUATE PROGRAMMES
LAUREA MAGISTRALE (MASTER DEGREE)
Objective: To provide students with advanced training for highly qualified activities in specific fields.
Duration: 2 years
ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System): 120 ECTS
Admission criteria: Bachelor's degree or equivalent foreign qualification recognized as eligible.
Equivalent to: Master's Degree in the European higher education system, as defined in the Bologna Process in 1999.
General admission requirements:
✅ Bachelor's degree or equivalent foreign qualification recognized as eligible
✅ Adequate knowledge of english (IELTS, TOEFL, proof of English medium of instruction, etc)
✅ CV, academic performance, previous studies, motivation, etc.
LAUREA MAGISTRALE A CICLO UNICO (SINGLE CYCLE MASTER DEGREE)
For certain disciplines (such as Medicine, Pharmacy, and Law) the Master's Degree programmes are structured as "Single Cycle", which means that the first and second cycle are integrated and can be directly accessed with a high school diploma or equivalent foreign qualification.
Duration: 5 - 6 years.
ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System): 300 or 360 ECTS
General admission requirements:
✅ Admission entrance test or IMAT for public universities
MASTER UNIVERSITARI DI I LIVELLO (I LEVEL MASTER COURSE)
Objective: A specialized course aimed at enhancing the professional training of students.
Duration: minimum 1 year
ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System): minimum 60 ECTS
This type of course is available in some universities but it's not part of the European higher education system defined in Bologna in 1999 and it does not grant access to doctoral programs.
THIRD CYCLE
DOTTORATO DI RICERCA (RESEARCH DOCTORATE)
Objective: To provide the necessary skills for highly qualified research activities.
Duration: minimum 3 years
General admission requirements:
✅ Italian or foreign Master's degree.
✅ Admission entrance test
DIPLOMA DI SPECIALIZZAZIONE (SPECIALIZATION DIPLOMA COURSE)
Objective: To provide knowledge and qualification for specific professional activities, particularly in the sector of medical, clinical and surgical specialities.
Duration: Minimum of 2 years.
MASTER UNIVERSITARI DI II LIVELLO (II LEVEL MASTER COURSE)
Objective: Further enhancement of university education obtained after completing a Master's degree.
Duration: minimum 1 year
ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System): minimum 60 ECTS
Acquired University Credits (CFU): At least 60 CFU.
