15 - Italy - Certification
Non-university tertiary education
Afam institutions release the following qualifications:
1st cycle:
first-level Diploma accademico, obtained at the end of the relevant study course and upon
attainment of 180 CA (3 years).
2nd cycle:
second-level Diploma accademico, obtained at the end of the relevant course and upon
attainment of at least 120 CA (2 years);
Specialization Diploma accademico, obtained at the end of the relevant study course; a
minimum number of CA has not been established, as the lenght of courses may vay and
taking into account that each year of course corresponds to 60 credits;
Diploma di perfezionamento o Master, obtained at the end of the relevant study course
and upon attainment of at least 60 CA (at least one 1 year).
The years duration of each course is proportional to the total number of credits, taking into
consideration that one year corresponds, as a rule, to 60 CA.
Qualifications obtained at the end of courses at the same level of a school have the same legal value.
According to specific agreements, the institutions can release qualifications together with other Italian
and foreign institutions of the same level, qualified to issue qualifications recognised in Italy according
to the international and European community law.
The institutions issue a certification, in compliance with the certificate models adopted in Europe
(Diploma supplement), with the main references to the curriculum followed by the student to obtain the
qualification.
University tertiary education
Universities release the following qualifications:
1st cycle:
laurea (L); the courses have a 3-year duration (corresponding to 180 CFU);
2nd cycle:
laurea specialistica/magistrale; the courses last 2 more years (equal to 120 CFU), after the
3 years of laurea (L). A limited number of laurea specialistica/magistrale courses
(medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, architecture law) last 5 years
(medicine 6 years). Admission to these courses requires an upper secondary education
leaving certificate (5.17.2.5.17.3.) and getting through an exam. These courses are
regulated according to EU directives.
First level Diploma di specializzazione; the courses can be set up in compliance with
specific Italian laws or EU directives. Admission requires the possession of laurea (L) and
getting through a competitive exam.
First level Master universitario; admission requires the possession of Laurea (L); its
duration is minimum 1 year, the total number of CFU should be not less than 60.
The university rector, who represents the university itself, is responsible for the qualifications issue.
University titles have academic value and don't qualify to carry out regulated professions. They give
access to the qualifying State exam for practicing a profession; it is required to get through these
exams to be enrolled in the relevant register.
University teaching regulations regulate methods and procedures to issue, as a diploma supplement
for each study title, a certificate, in compliance with the models adopted in the European countries,
which provides the main information on the curriculum followed by the student to obtain a study title.
Postgraduate level
Universities issue the following titles:
Research Doctorate: the study to obtain this title last at least 3 years; admission requires
the possession of a laurea specialistica/magistrale and getting through a competitive exam.
Second-level Diploma di specializzazione; the courses can be set up in accordance with Italian
laws or EU directives; admission requires the possession of a laurea specialistica/magistrale and
getting through a competitive exam; between 180 and 360 CFU are required to obtain it;
Second-level Master universitario; the attainment of this title requires at least 1 year study and
60 CFU.
Eurydice - the information network on education in Europe
Date: 2009
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