Regulations
Regulations regarding the studies and stay of foreign students in Italy
Following the coming into force of Legislative Decree no. 286 of 25.7.98 (see art. 39) and subsequent amendments, the provisions concerning the enrolment of foreign citizens in Italian universities vary according to the nationality, residence and secondary school certificate obtained by the applicant.
Enrolment procedures are subject to compliance with the relevant regulations issued by the Ministry of Education, University and Research: Directorate General for Students and the Right to Education, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Ministry of the Interior.
Regulations related to Procedures for entry, stay, enrolment of
international students and the related recognition of qualifications for higher
education courses in Italy are issued annually by the Ministry of Education, University and Research and can be read at this link.
The evaluation of foreign qualifications for the purpose of enrolment in Italian higher education degree programmes falls within the exclusive remit of higher education institutions, as established by Article 2 of Law 148/2002. Institutions have the discretion to decide whether or not to request documentation from Italian diplomatic missions regarding the qualifications held by program applicants. In any event, such documentation is not binding on the decisions made by individual higher education institutions regarding foreign entry qualifications. During the evaluation of foreign qualifications for enrolment purposes, the documentation required from the student is determined by the individual higher education institution. The outcomes of the evaluation of foreign qualifications for enrolment in Italian degree programmes, as well as information regarding the verification of the authenticity of documents submitted by applicants, will be recorded by the relevant university on the UNIVERSITALY portal; this information is also intended for use by diplomatic-consular authorities when processing visa applications.