A

ACADEMIC YEAR / ANNO ACCADEMICO (A.A.)
The Academic Year is divided into two SEMESTERS:
1st semester: from October to February
2nd semester: from March to July

The courses can be in the first or second semester and have a duration that varies (min.30 hours of lessons) depending on their value in training credits.
After the end of the course, each student can take the final exam.
All final exams are held at specific times of the year: the EXAM SESSIONS

1st regular session: in February
2nd regular session: in July
+ some extraordinary intermediate sessions (usually in December and May)

During regular Sessions, courses are usually suspended (‘academic silence’) and all students can take all the exams they want, for all the courses they have already attended.

B

Bank Account
To open a bank account students must

• be at least 18 years old
• have a valid identity document
• have an Italian tax code
• never have been subjected to bankruptcy proceedings
• deposit a small initial sum.

 C

Codice Fiscale (Tax identification number)
The Codice Fiscale is a 16-character alphanumeric tax code specific to an individual, which is calculated from family name, first name, date of birth and country of origin.  It is required for many purposes in Italy, including signing a lease, opening a bank account, purchasing or renting a car or scooter,
signing a utilities contract, etc.
The pre-issuing of the Codice Fiscale before your arrival in Italy is possible through the application at the Italian Consulate/Embassy in your own country.
You may also obtain the Codice Fiscale or a stamped certification of it directly at  the Revenue Agency / Agenzia delle Entrate, once you are in Italy.

D

Documents

Documents needed to enroll on Bachelor’s and single-cycle degree programmes

• High school diploma, translated into Italian, legalized by the Authorities of the country issuing the degree
• Declaration of Value issued by the Italian Embassy in the country where the diploma has been obtained or validity certificate issued by ENIC-NARIC centers or by diplomatic representations in Italy.
• University enrolment certificate with the list of exams taken or postsecondary qualification obtained in a non-university higher institute if the local system contemplates less than 12 years of schooling.
• Academic suitability certificate if provided in the Country of origin.

Documents needed to enroll on Master’s programmes

• High school diploma, translated into Italian, legalized by the authorities of the country issuing the degree
• Degree (Bachelor Sc. or equivalent), translated into Italian by an official translator, legalized by the competent authorities of the Country issuing the degree
• Declaration of Value issued by the Italian Embassy in the country where the degree has been obtained or validity certificate issued by ENIC-NARIC centers or by diplomatic representations in Italy.

E

EU Students
Students from European Union  or EFTA countries can enter Italy with a valid passport or EU ID card and do not need a study Visa  to live in Italy  for the duration of their studies. Upon arrival, however, EU students must register at their local Questura station (police station)  if their study program is longer than 3 months, in order to obtain a residence permit.

Exams
University exams can be:
• Written tests (quizzes, open-ended questions or reports)
• Oral tests
• Written tests + oral tests
• Project tests (also for groups of students)

The exams are evaluated with a score out of 30. Minimum pass score is 18 out of 30; maximum score is 30 out of 30; If the exam performance is outstanding to the score the statement ‘con lode/cum Laude’ (with Honours)can be added.As an exam candidate you can choose to accept the score received or to reject it and return to sit for the exam again in the next session.

If the exam score is accepted, it is immediately recorded by the faculty secretariat and on an official document , university booklet (libretto univeristario) issued by the secretariat after registration of the student ENROLLMENT required to take the exams and to to record
•accumulated  University credits
•the results achieved

H

Health Insurance
It is extremely important to have valid health insurance, as it is alsorequired for Study Visa and  to apply for a residence permit within 8 days of your arrival in the country.
You can take the health insurance in your home country, but make sure to have it validated by the diplomatic representation prior to  your departure to Italy.

If you need a Health Insurance once you are in Italy , the two safest options are:

• voluntary registration with the Italian national health service (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale or SSN), which gives you the opportunity to choose a doctor (general practitioner), who will deal with health problems free of charge, and prescribe medicines, tests and specialist examinations when necessary. Registration is valid until 31st December.
• the W.A.I. (Welcome Association Italy) private policy, which covers emergency health treatments in public hospitals, providing also a few extra services, 3 times a year each.

High School Diploma
The high school diploma and university degree/certificates are also accepted in French, English, German, and Spanish (unless otherwise indicated for individual programmes).
The certified translation of the university degree and the related Declaration of Value/statement of validity can be replaced by the Diploma Supplement issued by the universities of countries belonging to the European Higher Education Area.

P

Permesso di Soggiorno – Residence permit or permit of stay

The Permesso di Soggiorno, aka the “Residence Permit” is the document required for non-EU nationals to validate legal residence in Italy for a designated period of time. It is mandatory if students are holder of a long-term study Visa such as University student visa

Students must apply for the Permesso di Soggiorno within eight working days of their arrival in Italy by going in person to the local Post Office where they obtain, fill out and submit the yellow application kit.
Students must fill out the application and follow all other steps below:

Documents and items required for submission with the application form:

• Completed application form (make sure to get a copy, as you will need it for subsequent purposes including during the fingerprinting process).
• Revenue Stamp (a “Marca da Bollo”), 16 Euro.
• Photocopy of valid national ID document (such as a Passport).
• Photocopy of admission letter endorsed at the Embassy or Consulate in home country during Student Visa application process.
• Photocopy of certification print-out from university in Italy, confirming their enrollment (provided to you in your university documentation).
• Photocopy of health insurance policy or its payment receipt, valid in Italy for duration of your Visa term
• Copy of documentation certifying adequate financial resources for the duration of their Visa term (e.g.: a recent bank account report). This document must clearly state the student name.

Upon submission of the kit, students will receive a receipt as well as the time, date and place for their finger printing appointment with the local branch of the Italian national police (“Questura”), which is the next stage of your Permesso di Soggiorno application.

For Questura fingerprinting appointment:

• Students must go to the designated Questura office at the time and date of the appointment provided to you on the receipt they received at the Post Office upon submission of the Permesso di Soggiorno application (discussed above).

At the Questura they will present the required documents, that will be reviewed in a brief interview. The officer will also take their biometric data (fingerprints).

Documents required for the Questura fingerprinting appointment:

•  Application kit receipt.
• Copy of application forms from the kit.
•  Copy of your Passport or other valid ID.
• Four passport-sized photographs.
• Original of insurance policy valid in Italy or receipt of payment for Italian insurance policy, valid for the duration of your Visa term.

S

Scholarships

As an international student you can be entitled to a scholarship if you fulfill specific requirements.
Check for scholarship opportunities on the university website of your choice.

 Excellence scholarship – Many Universities offer a special incentive programme aimed at supporting highly gifted students:

Scholarships offered by the Italian Government – Intended for non-EU students, these scholarships are offered by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. To find out how to obtain a scholarship, you can contact the Italian diplomatic representation or check the Italian’s Ministry website www.esteri.it/MAE/en following the path Services & opportunities > Foreign Nationals > Study opportunities

 Scholarships offered by the University and by the Regional Government – Allocated each year to students on different years of courses, the scholarships are awarded according to merit and income. Check your university website for more info.

Students’ associations 
In all universities you will find students associations which organize cultural, social and sport activities for enrolled students. Check your university website to find out more!

V

Visas for Non-EU Students

If you are a non-EU student, you are required to obtain a student visa prior entering Italy. Student visas in Italy are issued by Italian Embassies or Consulate-General offices in your country of origin.

There are two types of student visas in Italy, depending on the duration of the study program:

• Visa type C: Short-stay visa or travel visa valid for one or more entries and for a period not exceeding 90 days
• Visa type D: Long-stay visa valid for more than 90 days

It is advisable to start  the process timely, taking into consideration the intended date of entry to Italy.

The first step is to  contact your closest Italian embassy or consulate to  gather information and to make a visa appointment as soon as you receive a letter of admission from your Italian institution.

If you are  entering Italy through the type D visa (long term) , within 8 days of your arrival into Italy you should apply for the residence permit (permesso di soggiorno).

Required Documents
Students may need to present any or all the following documents as part of their application for a student visa to study in Italy:

• A valid passport, with at least two blank visa pages and valid for at least three months after the expected end date of your study program;
• A letter of acceptance from your institution in Italy;
• A completed visa application form;
• A copy of your itinerary to and from Italy,
• Proof of language proficiency in Italian or English (depending on the language of your study program);
• Proof of adequate financial means to support yourself (between €450 and €515 monthly);
• Proof of adequate accommodation in Italy;
• Proof of adequate medical insurance;

W

Work during studies
International students who are EU nationals have the right to work in Italy alongside their studies but should not exceed 20 hours a week of work during regular study periods. However, you may take on more hours during vacation periods. Non-EU students with a study visa may also work up to 20 hours a week.