The study qualifications obtained abroad have no legal value in Italy, unless international treaties. The study qualifications, however, can be declared equivalent to the Italian’s qualifications.
The recognition of study qualifications is under educational schools competence where you want to continue their studies.
The Italian authority for the recognition of study qualifications are:
- the Provincial School Offices, for pre-university qualifications;
- Universities, for university degree;
- the Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR), for PhD.
Foreign children may enroll in the Italian schools of all levels for all year. The access to primary and secondary schools (secondary schools of first and second degree), if you have not attended school in Italy, is allowed by the recognition of study qualifications which must be translated and authenticated at the Italian Embassy in the country of origin (in Italian Representations offices there are special students offices). In these cases the recognition of the study qualifications is made by the provincial education offices, which in some cases, may require additional proof to overcome.
Also for the access to Italian University, it is necessary the recognition of study qualifications. In this case, the responsible is the University and the title, translated and legalized by the Italian representatives in the country of origin, must be submitted along with all the necessary documents for university registration. Registration at the university is not always possible, but only at certain times of the year, the student can also see places that each university reserves to foreign students for individual courses.
In case of university degree, to access at postgraduate or PhD courses, the title should have been awarded by state or legally recognized universities. It is always advisable to check with the university institutions to know the deadlines to submit documents. The Italian Embassy, through its offices will carry out the official translation of the title. To be approved, must be translated not only the university degree, but also the original title of the secondary school and the certificate of university exams. The Italian embassy, will also provide the “declaration of value” for the university degree and the diploma of secondary school. After these obligations, the foreign student may submit the documents to the university. In the case that the foreign student is lawfully in Italy, the documents can be directly submitted to the secretariats of the University; while if the foreign student is outside Italy, the documents should be send through the Italian Embassy. Now, the University may recognize the title, or, if there is a partial recognition, the foreigner must register for a course to complete the cycle of studies and discuss a final thesis.
For more information on recognition of study qualifications visit the CIMEA – Centro di Informazione sulla Mobilità e le Equivalenze Accademiche (Information Centre on Academic Mobility and Equivalence) website, which represent in Italy the National ENIC-NARIC Centre.