

The requirement for admission to first cycle degree (laurea triennale/corso di laurea di primo livello) is the diploma awarded at the end of secondary school. The Laurea, which is equivalent to a Bachelor of Science in the European university system, is an undergraduate degree obtained after a three-year programme of study. Specializing Masters and Continuing Education Programs Postgraduate Degree (PhD): Dottorato di Ricerca The University sector is organized as follows: Some universities are specialized in certain subject areas, such as Polytechnics. Universities offer strong theoretical and academically-oriented degree programmes and a broad range of disciplines. If the educational qualification has been awarded in less than 12 years, it has to be accompanied by the academic certification of the examinations taken or a post-secondary title to compensate for any missing years of secondary education (check Recognition of Qualifications ) This qualification of secondary education has to be awarded after a study period of at least 12 years. International students can apply to Italian Universities only if they have an educational qualification that allows them to enroll. The quality of the education, however, is comparably high at all institutions of higher education. Universities are also divided into private and publicly funded institutions. Higher Technical Institutes (ITS – acronym for Istituti Tecnici Superiori).The Higher Education for Fine Arts, Music and Dance sector (AFAM- acronym for Alta Formazione Artistica e Musicale).The Italian Higher Education System includes:
