A bachelor's degree in Italy (Laurea, also called Laurea Triennale) takes three years and 180 CFU credits. You can apply with a school-leaving qualification obtained after at least 12 years of schooling. Applicants from 11-year school systems, such as Russia, Belarus or Kazakhstan, must first cover the missing year with a fully completed first year at university, a one-year post-secondary programme in a related field, or a foundation course. Most bachelor's programmes are taught in Italian: Politecnico di Milano offers 7 of its 29 bachelor's programmes with English, the University of Bologna 15 of 118.
This guide explains the programme types, the 12-year rule, the TOLC and CEnT-S tests, the admission calendar and official 2026/27 fees at several universities.
Which programmes count as a bachelor's degree
| Type | Length | When to choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Laurea (Laurea Triennale) | 3 years, 180 CFU | Standard bachelor's: economics, engineering, psychology, IT, humanities. Leads to a Laurea Magistrale |
| Laurea Magistrale a ciclo unico | 5 years (300 CFU) or 6 years (360 CFU) | Medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, law, architecture, conservation. Entered directly after school |
| Diploma accademico di I livello (AFAM system) | Usually 3 years | Fine arts academies, conservatoires, creative institutes. The first-level diploma is equivalent to a bachelor's |
| Private university programmes | Usually 3 years | Bocconi, Cattolica and other non-state universities: own selection and own fees |
Source on length and credits: Study in Italy, Italian Foreign Ministry. One CFU equals one ECTS credit, or 25 hours of workload; a normal year is 60 CFU.
Medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine follow separate rules. Since 2025/26, Italian-taught programmes at state universities admit students through a "filter semester" (semestre filtro), while English-taught programmes use a separate entrance test set each year by ministerial decree. See our guide to IMAT and medicine in Italy.
The 12-year rule: who can apply directly
Rules of the Ministry of University and Research (MUR) require, for first-cycle degrees, a school-leaving qualification obtained after at least 12 years of schooling. The university decides whether your qualification meets this, following CIMEA methodology and Annex 1 of the MUR circular for 2026/27 and 2027/28.
For 11-year systems, Annex 1 lists these ways to cover the missing year:
| Option | What exactly is needed | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| First year at university | An academic certificate showing that all first-year exams were passed at an accredited institution | Simply attending for a year is not enough |
| Post-secondary programme | An official one-year post-secondary, non-university qualification in a subject related to the chosen degree | The university judges the subject match |
| Foundation course at an Italian university | A certificate of completion from that or another Italian university | Entry to the foundation requires B1 in its language; length and fee are set by the university |
| Foundation abroad | Accepted if it is an official qualification of an accredited higher education institution in its own system | A private school's internal certificate does not qualify |
For 10-year systems the requirement doubles: two completed university years or a two-year post-secondary qualification.
These documents allow enrolment in the first year only. The same year cannot be used again to shorten the Italian degree, so the bachelor's still takes three full years.
Annex 1 adds two conditions:
- for non-EU systems, universities look at successful completion of the last two school years;
- where a national university entrance exam is compulsory in your country, the Italian university may ask for its result. The University of Macerata cites Gaokao (China), ENEM (Brazil) and YKS (Türkiye) as examples.
International qualifications have their own rules: the IB Diploma counts with at least 24 points, 12 of them at Higher Level; British A-levels require three subjects related to the programme; a US High School Diploma requires three AP exams scored 3 to 5.
Vocational college diplomas are assessed case by case, so check your qualification in the ARDI database (for Lisbon Convention countries) and confirm with the admissions office before applying.
Which language you need for admission and the visa
| Programme | Needed for admission | Needed for the visa |
|---|---|---|
| Taught in Italian | Italian at least B2: the university runs its own test or accepts a B2 certificate from a CLIQ body (CILS, CELI, PLIDA, CERT.IT) | The university records the result in the Universitaly pre-enrolment |
| Taught in English | An English certificate; the threshold is set by the university | At least B2 across all four skills from an internationally recognised body, or an equivalent certificate issued by the university |
| Foundation course | At least B1 in the course language | Same B1 requirement |
Source: MUR circular, section on language skills.
English-taught bachelor's programmes are few. University catalogues in September 2026:
| University | English-taught bachelor's | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Politecnico di Milano | 5 fully in English and 2 bilingual, out of 29 | Engineering Science, Interaction Design; bilingual: Architectural Design |
| University of Bologna | 15 of 118 first- and single-cycle programmes | 6 in economics and management, 3 in political sciences |
| University of Padua | 8 programmes, 4 more awaiting approval for 2027/28 | Psychological Science, Information Engineering |
Sources: catalogues of Polimi, UniBo, Padua. Bilingual programmes include courses taught in Italian. Our guide to English-taught degrees in Italy explains how to tell them apart and which certificates universities accept.
How selection works: open and restricted access
Open access (accesso libero). Places for Italian and EU students are unlimited; for applicants from abroad who need a visa there is a quota. Many of these programmes still ask for a test, but it measures preparation rather than filtering applicants. If the score is below the threshold, the student is admitted with additional learning requirements (OFA) to clear in the first year.
Restricted access (accesso programmato). Places are limited and admission follows a ranking. At national level, a compulsory entrance exam applies to degrees that train architects and to Scienze della Formazione Primaria (primary teacher education). Universities also restrict individual programmes locally.
Private universities run their own selection. For 2027/28, Bocconi weights the entrance test at 55% and the grade average of the third-last and second-last school years at 45%. SAT or ACT can replace its own online test; motivation letters and references are not assessed.
TOLC and CEnT-S
Most public universities use tests run by the CISIA consortium:
- TOLC in Italian, with versions by field. TOLC-I for engineering: 50 questions in 1 hour 50 minutes. TOLC-E for economics: 36 questions in 1 hour 30 minutes.
- CEnT-S in English. It replaced the English versions of TOLC on 4 November 2025. It has 55 questions: mathematics (15), reasoning on texts and data (15), biology (10), chemistry (10) and physics (5), 110 minutes in total.
Practical details:
- in the November 2025 – October 2026 cycle, CEnT-S ran in four periods (November–January, February–March, April–June, September–October; 11 dates in total) and could be taken once per period. CISIA publishes the next cycle's dates on its website and announces any change to the test structure by 31 October;
- the University of Bologna accepts the @HOME (online) format for restricted-access programmes only from the "non-EU residents abroad" quota; for open-access programmes both formats count;
- the non-refundable fee is paid on the CISIA website: $40 (€35) for TOLC and $63 (€55) for CEnT-S;
- all participating universities recognise the CEnT-S score, but each sets its own minimum and section weights.
Sources: UniBo on TOLC and CEnT-S, CEnT rules, CISIA launch notice.
Admission calendar for September 2027
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| September – December 2026 | Shortlist 3–5 programmes, check language, access type and test; settle the 12th year of schooling |
| November 2026 – June 2027 | Take CEnT-S or TOLC in one of the periods, plus the English or Italian certificate |
| November 2026 – June 2027 | Apply to universities. Example: Pavia ran four evaluation rounds in 2026/27 (November, January, March, June) |
| January – May 2027 | Apostille or legalisation, translation, comparability documents (CIMEA or consulate) |
| After the university decision, by the university's deadline | Universitaly pre-enrolment: one programme at one university. The deadline can be much earlier than the visa deadline: Pavia closed pre-enrolment for its first three 2026/27 rounds on 25 May 2026 |
| Summer 2027 | Housing, insurance, proof of funds, visa appointment |
| By 31 October 2027 or an earlier university date | Type D student visa application |
| Within 8 working days of arrival | Residence permit application via the post office |
Sources: University of Pavia, MUR circular.
A university may validate pre-enrolment conditionally in only two cases: your school-leaving certificate has not been issued yet, or the entrance exam or language test must be taken in person in Italy. If the tests are in Italy, the consulate issues a Type D visa valid until 31 January of the academic year and for at least 100 days; after passing, you enrol and extend your residence permit without returning home. Without in-person tests you may apply for the visa with an official provisional certificate, but the final certificate with a DoV or CIMEA statement is required when you collect the visa.
From 2026/27 each university can validate no more Universitaly pre-enrolments than its international places plus 20%, so do not delay once you have a decision.
How much a bachelor's in Italy costs
Public universities use different fee models. First-year examples for 2026/27:
| University | Condition | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|
| University of Bologna | Citizens of non-OECD countries (including all CIS countries) whose family income and assets are only outside Italy | $1,320 (€1,000 + €157.04) |
| University of Bologna | Full rate for a standard first-cycle programme | $2,507 (€2,040 + €157.04); higher for some programmes |
| Politecnico di Milano | Based on ISEE, or ISEE parificato for income abroad; without it the maximum applies | From $179 (€157.04) to $4,499 (€3,943.04) for 46–74 ECTS; first instalment at enrolment $1,004 (€880.04) |
| Bocconi (private) | All first-year bachelor's students | $19,399 (€17,000) |
Sources: UniBo reduced fixed fee, UniBo maximum amounts 2026/27, Polimi, Bocconi. ECB rate of 23 Sep 2026: €1 = $1.1411.
On top of tuition, budget for:
- the test: $40 (€35) for TOLC or $63 (€55) for CEnT-S per attempt;
- school certificate recognition via CIMEA: $171 (€150) for verification when ARDI issues a statement of correspondence, or $342 (€300) for comparability plus verification, up to 60 working days; alternatively a Declaration of Value from the consulate. Details are in our guide to documents for admission in Italy;
- funds for the visa: $11,616 (€10,179.85) per academic year, assessed together with family income.
Housing and living costs usually exceed tuition; see our guide to student housing in Italy. Regional DSU grants and fee reductions based on the ISEE parificato have their own applications and deadlines, covered in our scholarships guide.
After the first year
The study residence permit is renewed every year, with the application filed at least 60 days before expiry. To renew after the first year you must have passed at least one exam; in later years, at least two. Your university defines the credit requirements. Permits cannot be renewed for more than three years beyond the normal length of the programme.
You can move to another university programme without a new visa if the university approves the change. Formally withdrawing from studies (rinuncia agli studi) removes the basis for the permit, and a new programme would then need a new visa and permit. Our residence permit guide covers filing and renewal.
A study permit allows work of up to 20 hours a week, within 1,040 hours a year (Italian Integration Portal). Part-time income cannot replace the visa funds, which the consulate checks before you travel. See working while studying in Italy.
Common mistakes
- Not checking the language of every course. A bilingual label means you will need Italian.
- Assuming any year after school covers the 12th year. You need a fully passed first university year or a related programme the university accepts.
- Expecting national school exam results to replace the entrance test. Italian universities use their own tests: TOLC, CEnT-S, the Bocconi test, SAT.
- Taking the test in the last period. CEnT-S can be taken once per period, and a failed attempt in June may leave no time for a second one.
- Counting an unconfirmed grant in the visa budget. The consulate accepts a scholarship only after it is awarded.
How StudyU helps
During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step. Programme selection, checking your route to 12 years of schooling, a test preparation plan, documents and application support are provided under an agreement with StudyU. Admission is decided by the university and the visa by the Italian consulate. See our overview of studying in Italy and profiles of Politecnico di Milano, University of Bologna and Sapienza.
FAQ
Usually not directly: Italian first-cycle degrees require 12 years of schooling. The missing year is covered by a fully passed first year at university, a related one-year post-secondary programme, or a foundation course.
A standard Laurea takes three years and 180 credits. Single-cycle programmes (medicine, law, architecture and others) take five or six years and end with a master's-level degree.
Yes, but far fewer than at master's level: 7 of 29 at Politecnico di Milano, 15 of 118 at the University of Bologna and 8 at the University of Padua (September 2026). They are concentrated in economics, management, engineering, psychology and political science.
For most public programmes you take a CISIA test: TOLC in Italian or CEnT-S in English. In open-access programmes it measures preparation; in restricted programmes it produces a ranking. Private universities run their own tests or accept the SAT.
It depends on the university. At the University of Bologna, citizens of non-OECD countries with family income abroad pay a fixed $1,320 (€1,157.04) in 2026/27. At Politecnico di Milano the fee depends on ISEE parificato and can reach $4,499 (€3,943.04).
Yes. However, the Universitaly pre-enrolment covers one programme at one university, so make your final choice before that step.
For a programme taught entirely in English an Italian certificate is usually not needed for admission. You will still need Italian for daily life, part-time work and internships, and bilingual programmes may require it formally.
Sources
- MUR circular 2026/27 and 2027/28 with Annex 1 on foreign qualifications — checked 23 Sep 2026
- Study in Italy (Italian Foreign Ministry): higher education system — checked 23 Sep 2026
- CISIA: CEnT rules — structure, periods, $65 (€55) fee — checked 23 Sep 2026
- CISIA: TOLC rules — $40 (€35) fee in 2026 — checked 23 Sep 2026
- CIMEA: comparability and verification — checked 23 Sep 2026
- University of Bologna: TOLC and CEnT-S — checked 23 Sep 2026
- University of Bologna: fees and reduced fixed fee 2026/27 — checked 23 Sep 2026
- Politecnico di Milano: bachelor's programmes and fees — checked 23 Sep 2026
- University of Padua: programmes in English — checked 23 Sep 2026
- Bocconi: bachelor's selection 2027/28 and fees 2026/27 — checked 23 Sep 2026
- University of Pavia: pre-enrolment and visa 2026/27 — checked 23 Sep 2026
- Italian Integration Portal: working on a study permit — checked 23 Sep 2026
- Exchange rate: ECB, 23 Sep 2026, €1 = $1.1411
Next steps
- Documents for University Admission in Italy (2026–2027): Checklist, Apostille, CIMEA and Declaration of Value
- ISEE Parificato for International Students: Home-Country Documents, CAF, Timing and Tuition
- Studying Medicine in Italy in English: IMAT, Non-EU Places and the 2026/27 Rules
- English-Taught Degrees in Italy: Where to Find Them, Which Certificates You Need and What They Cost
- University abroad after vocational college: entry and credit transfer
- Studying in Italy for international applicants
