Overview
Overview of Italy
we assists students at every stage of their educational journey, including initial information gathering, guidance in selecting programmes and institutions, financial aid (scholarships and other forms of assistance), applying for admission, requesting a visa, planning for departure, and so on.
Italy is a part of Southern Europe that consists of the boot-shaped Italian peninsula and many islands, notably Sicily and Sardinia. Austria, France, the Holy See, San Marino, Slovenia, and Switzerland are all neighbours. Italy has a strategic location that dominates the central Mediterranean and is close to Western Europe across the Adriatic Sea. The government is a republic, with the president as the chief of state and the prime minister as the head of government. Italy’s industrial sector is diverse, with a sophisticated industrial north controlled by private firms and a less developed, welfare-dependent rural south. Italy is a European Union member (EU).
Ancient riches and exquisite food
Italy’s ancient riches and exquisite food continue to entice travellers, as they have for generations. Italy’s regions are diverse and intriguing, ranging from the snow-capped Dolomites in the north to the balmy marine Mediterranean culture in the south. Few nations offer as exciting a choice for the foreign student seeking world-class but cheap education, as well as a diverse range of social and recreational activities, as Italy.
The country’s cultural significance dates back to ancient times, and the past meets history and archaeology students on every street corner. For many, Rome remains the Eternal City, the heart of an empire that once spanned from rainy Britain to the deserts of Syria.
Culture
Online, there are several wonderful sites focusing on international cultures. Links to Italy’s cultural information are provided below.
Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Development Canada’s Centre for International Learning provides tools for acquiring and improving the intercultural abilities required for a successful abroad experience. Over 100 “Country Insights” provide a local and Canadian perspective on culture for nations all over the world, as well as the center’s Intercultures Journal and publicly available research and debate articles.
LOCATION
Italy is split into three primary sections in southern Europe: the north Italian Plain and the Italian Alps (continental); the peninsula south of the plain (peninsular); and Sardinia, Sicily, and several smaller islands (insular). The Po, Italy’s only major river, travels from west to east before emptying into the Adriatic Sea. The peninsula is formed like a boot, with the Mediterranean Sea to the southwest and the Adriatic Sea to the east and northeast.
Temperament, customs, and economic situations differ dramatically between northern and central Italians and those residing in the south. The city of Rome separates the two halves of the Italian mainland. The more prosperous northern area is thought to be more “European.”
LANGUAGE
The majority of the population speaks Italian, which is the official language. French, Slovene, German, and Fruilian, which is connected to the Romansch language spoken in Switzerland, are among the other languages spoken in Italy.
RELIGION
Italy is mainly Catholic, with 99 percent of Italians identifying as Roman Catholics. However, only approximately one-third of Italian Catholics consistently attend Mass. Even individuals who do not attend church on a regular basis recognise the importance of Catholicism in their lives.
Prior to the repeal of compulsory religious instruction in 1984, priests were the principal teachers in schools. The teaching of the Catholic Church on abortion and divorce has had a significant influence on marriage and family life.
The Vatican, a small, sovereign nation within Rome, is also located in Italy. For centuries, the Vatican has served as the Catholic Church’s headquarters, as well as the residence of the Pope. Almost every Pope has been Italian for centuries. John Paul II, a Pole, was elected Pope in 1978.
LOCATION: Italy
POPULATION: 57 million
LANGUAGE: Italian; French; Slovene; German; Fruilian
RELIGION: Roman Catholicsim; small amounts of Protestantism, Judaism, and Greek Orthodoxy
Why Study in iTALY
Studying in an Italian University
It’s hardly surprising that many international students feel at ease in Italy. The University of Bologna has been receiving students since 1088; it is the world’s oldest university, and its foundation earned the city one of its nicknames: la dotta.or “the learned one.” Bologna is still at the forefront of academic innovation in the twenty-first century. The city was the birthplace of the Bologna Process, It created a set of standards for higher education excellence throughout the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).
Italian universities are proud of their history and rankings. More than a dozen foreign degree programmes are offered in English at the University of Rome Tor Vergata.Tor Vergata, founded in 1982, has been regarded as one of Europe’s greatest new colleges, with excellent student satisfaction and far-above-average job rates for its graduates.
Italy also has some of Europe’s greatest business schools, such as the famed SDA Bocconi in Milan, the country’s financial hub. Its MBA programmes consistently score first in worldwide and European rankings, and its alumni include many notable business executives.
These and many more Italian institutions are ramping up efforts to promote internationalisation and provide degree programmes tailored to overseas students. There are now around 500 English-taught study programs in the nation. And there are more and more opportunities to study in Italy in English every year.
Student life in Italy
Italians are regarded as kind and open people. You’ll immediately make local friends. And they will tell you that dining out and enjoying high-quality, healthful cuisine are essential parts of every Italian’s la dolce Vida (“sweet life”).
Although you will be able to get by with only a few words and phrases in Italian, English is not generally used outside of the academic atmosphere, and you will profit greatly from taking some Italian classes before and during your stay. This is very important if you plan to remain in Italy after graduating.
Traditional village festivals to huge international athletic events are examples of cultural activity. The nightlife in Italy is usually busy, especially in cities. The majority of people visit the sea or the countryside during the summer. Unforgettable, attractive Italy gives value to any student in terms of quality of life.
The cost of living & tuition in Italy
Italy is a low-cost study location in Europe. While lodging and living costs might be costly in big cities such as Rome or Milan, smaller cities are far less expensive. Larger colleges frequently assist students in locating affordable housing; with luck, you may be able to obtain a room in a student house.
Italy’s public universities are likewise comparatively inexpensive in comparison to other European countries. Public universities in Italy typically charge roughly 1,000 EUR each year. Prestigious universities with high rankings may charge extra. The University of Rome Tor Vergata is an exception, with tuition prices according to your family’s socioeconomic situation: You are charged from a modest minimum of roughly 150 EUR to a maximum of around 5,000 EUR every year, depending on your income.
LIVING CONDITIONS
There are variances in living circumstances throughout the country between big cities and the smaller towns that dot the Italian landscape. People in cities live in flats and condos. The average family in most communities lives in a two-story house level of life is comparable to that of industrialized nations like France, England, and the United States.
Thousands of middle-class Italians who reside in major cities have summer houses in the countryside, along the coast, or in the mountains. They go there on weekends to get away from the rush and bustle of city life. They also use these getaways during the usual two weeks of August vacation, known as ferragosto.
Education and Courses
Education in Italy
In Italy, education is free and obligatory for children aged 6 to 16. Nursery, kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, and high school are the several levels of education in Italy. University is often started at the age of 19. The first step of obligatory education is primary schooling. In the previous school years, almost 2.7 million pupils were enrolled in nearly 17 thousand primary schools. Each class in an Italian elementary school has an average of 19 students. Regional variances are striking, however: the average number of pupils per class in Emilia-Romagna is 20.6, whereas a class in Aosta Valley has 14.6 scholars. Such disparities might be explained by factors such as urbanization and rural migration.
Approximately 40% of pupils who graduate from high school attend university. The Central regions of Italy had the highest enrolment rate in the 2018/2019 academic year, having 46 % of all graduates of high school attending university. In the same year, nearly one million bachelor students were enrolled in Italy, accounting for almost 60% of all university students in the nation. Economics is the most popular topic of study in Italy, followed by engineering. The major Italian universities include La Sapienza Institution of Rome, which is considered the top Italian university, and the University of Turin, which is located in the capital.
Primary education
Primary school (also known as Scuola elementare) is usually preceded by three years of non-mandatory nursery education (or kindergarten, asilo). Primary school is five years long. The educational curriculum is the same for all students until middle school, regardless of whether they attend a private or state-funded school: pupils receive a basic education in Italian, natural sciences, history, English, mathematics, geography, social studies, and physical education, regardless of whether they attend a private or state-funded school. Some schools also provide Spanish or French education, as well as musical and creative opportunities.
Secondary education
In Italy, secondary school lasts eight years and is split into two stages: secondary school (secondary school of first grade, often known as medium school) and high school (Scuola secondaria di secondo grado, also known as scuola Superiore) (roughly from age 14 to 19). Every tier includes a test at the conclusion of the final year, which is essential to obtain a degree and continuing your studies. Students in both middle and high school spend most of their time in the classroom (except for physical education, which takes place in the gym). Therefore it is the instructors who must walk from one classroom to another.
Lower middle school students start school at 8:00 a.m. and finish at 1:00 p.m. (they can start later, but they must always attend school for at least five hours, with some variations depending on the days they attend), whereas high school students attend school for 5 hours to 8 hours a day, depending on the day of the week and the school’s rules. There are usually no pauses between classes, although most schools offer a 15 to 30-minute recess halfway through. If kids are required to stay in school after lunch, there is a longer break to allow them to eat and rest.
University Education
Italy has a wide and international network of public or state-affiliated colleges and schools that provide advanced degrees. The majority of postsecondary education in Italy is provided through state-run institutions, which are overseen by the Ministry of Education in Italy.
Italian universities are among the oldest in the world, with the University of Bologna (established in 1088) being the oldest. The University of Padua, founded in 1222, and the University of Naples Federico II are also among the oldest in Europe. The majority of universities in Italy are state-funded. In 2019, 33 Italian universities were placed among the top 500 in the world, the third-highest number in Europe behind the United Kingdom and Germany.
There are also a handful of Superior Graduate Schools (Grandes écoles) or Scuola Superiore Universitaria (University Superior School)., which offer officially recognized titles such as the Diploma di Perfezionamento, which is equivalent to a Doctorate, Dottorato di Ricerca, which is equivalent to a Research Doctorate, or Doctor Philosophiae, which is equivalent to a Ph.D. Some of them also organize Master’s degree courses. Several Superior Graduate Schools have “university status.” as well as three institutes with Doctoral College status that operate at the graduate and post-graduate levels. Nine other schools are direct offshoots of the universities (that is, they do not have their own ‘university status). The first is the Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa (established in 1810 by Napoleon as a branch of the École Normale Supérieure), which follows the famed École Normale Supérieure’s organizational model. These establishments are frequently
Other renowned universities and polytechnics include Milan’s Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome’s LUISS, Turin’s Polytechnic University, and Milan’s Politecnico di Milano (which was ranked as the 48th best technical university. In 2011, QS World University Rankings ranked it first in the world.),the University of Rome La Sapienza (which was ranked as Europe’s 33rd best university in 2005 and ranked among Europe’s 50 and the world
Popular Courses
- Master in Interior Design
- Master in Car and Transportation Design
- Masters in Fashion Design
- Master in Hospitality Management
- Bachelor in Culinary Arts
Discipline:
Art, Design & Media
Business & Management
Computer Science & IT
Engineering & Technology
Environment & Agriculture
Humanities
Law
Medicine & Health
Natural Sciences & Mathematics
Social Sciences
How to Apply
How to Apply for an Italian Study Visa
- Accepting a university offer: Pay any costs required to guarantee your admission at the Italian university of your choice.
- Contact or visit the following consulates or embassies: Determine the specific visa process for your home country, including the paperwork required, and book an interview for your Italian visa application.
- Participate in a visa interview: Submit the requested papers and pay the application cost.
- Await the results: You will be notified in writing of the outcome of your visa application.
- To apply for a residence permit, follow these steps: You must apply for your residency permit at your local Questura – a sort of police station — within eight days of arriving in Italy. EU students must also complete this stage within 20 days of arriving in the country.
- Obtain a permit: Because your permission may take many months to be established, you may be granted a temporary document during this period.
Visa Details
Apply to a University in Italy.
You must make a decision before you can begin the student visa application process. After getting admitted to an Italian institution, you will receive a letter of acceptance, which will be necessary for your visa application.
Consider the following Italian universities:
- Politecnico di Milano
- Politecnico di Torino
- University of Padova
- Free University of Bozen-Bolzano
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
- University of Siena
- SDA Bocconi School of Management
Learn about the types of visas required to study in Italy.
While EU/EEA students do not need a visa to study in Italy, other foreign students need one. Even yet, if you have all of the essential information, the visa application procedure becomes less complicated.
You must apply for one of the following visa kinds depending on how long you intend to remain in Italy and what you intend to study:
• Short-stay visa (type C) – if you want to study a language or take a short course that lasts less than 90 days.
• Long-stay visa (type D) if you apply for any degree program that requires a minimum of 20 hours each week (or 80 hours per month) and lasts more than 90 days.
Conditions
To apply for a study visa in Italy, you must satisfy certain requirements.
1) A valid passport with at least two blank visa pages is required.
2) A copy of your flight itinerary is required.
3) You must not have any criminal history.
4) You must not have previously been denied entrance into Italy.
Tips for Applying for a Student Visa in Italy
If you did not arrange an appointment at least four weeks in advance, check with the embassy for cancellations and try to reschedule the appointment.
If you are unable to reach the consulate for the visa interview, you may make an appointment with an Honorary Consulate if one is located nearer to your residence. However, you should first inquire with the consulate in your location to see if this option is accessible.
Language requirements for studying in Italy
There are no special language requirements for obtaining a student visa in Italy. Because this is one of the required requirements for admission to an Italian institution, consulates do not believe applicants need also submit proof of language skills.
Visa officials, on the other hand, will be more delighted and thankful. If you speak at least conversational Italian. You may say “hello” and introduce yourself in Italian,
You must pass one of the following English language examinations in order to pursue an English-taught degree at an Italian university:
- IELTS Academic
- TOEFL iBT
- PTE Academic
Before setting an examination date, determine whether the test or exams are accepted by the university.
Documents required for an Italian student visa
1) Form for requesting an entry visa
2) A recent passport photograph (s)
3) Travel authorization (the expiry date should be three months longer than that of the visa requested)
4) Evidence showing you have booked lodging in Italy (for the whole period of your studies)
5) Demonstrate that you have sufficient financial resources to fund your education.
6) For the first year of study, I paid 150 EUR for health insurance.
7) Learn more about international student insurance for Italian students.
8) A copy of a prior schooling diploma
9) Letter of Acceptance from an Italian University
10) The payment of the visa application fee (50 EUR)
