Studying | Healthcare | Accommodation | Travel | Visa | Student Voice
The university system has changed in recent years from a 4 year degree to a 3 year degree called the Laurea. After the first 3 years the students have the opportunity to study for a further 2 years to obtain the Laurea Specialistica which is a specialised degree.
Many European students studying at Italian universities on exchange agreements do so under the EU's Socrates Erasmus program. There are European offices and officers in all universities dedicated to the management of the exchange program.
Other exchange students from outside Europe are able to attend through bilateral agreements between their university and the host institution in Italy, and are generally handled in the same way as European exchange students.
It is compulsory in Italy to have health insurance.
For EU citizens, if you are not privately covered you will need an European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), available from your home country. For non-EU citizens it is advised to get information about potential health agreements between Italy and your home country, or get personal health insurance that covers all medical costs. In actual fact, in case of necessity, all foreign citizens must pay the health services at the rate of the Italian state.
Doctor appointments are free for all EU citizens.
For your accommodation needs, upon arrival to Italy, visit the Ente Regionale per il diritto allo Studio universitario (Regional organization for the rights of university students) or the Ente Provinciale del Turismo (syndicate of the province).
Apartments, especially in the big cities, are very expensive. Many Italians instead choose to share places. To find a shared apartment, you can visit a real estate office, look at advertisements in the newspaper or read the bulletin boards on campus or in the libraries.
Check out the Studenti website which places advertisements for students looking for accommodation.
The two major international airports are in Rome and Milan. There are many airports throughout Italy for internal and European flights.
The train offers good value for money while travelling. It is highly user-friendly, and is a means of transportation that is not too expensive if you have a student card. There have been improvements in the last few years with the creation of the Pendolari fast trains between Milan and Rome, Florence and Rome, and Milan and Turin.
The coach services (Pullman) are relatively fast but more expensive than the train.
EU Nationals and Nationals of Liechtenstein and Switzerland do not require a visa to study in Italy.
Where applicable, only a visa issued for study purposes is valid for your final enrollment at a higher education institution in Italy; no other type of visa will be accepted. As such, you have to apply to the competent Italian diplomatic authority and ask for a study visa in your name. The Italian Embassy/Consulate is the authority responsible for accepting your pre-application and checking if you meet the requirements for the visa.
The documents required for a permit to study in Italy are:
- A photocopy of all the pages in your passport (excluding the blank ones) or another identity document.
- A certificate of enrollment at the University ('Attestazione').
- 4 passport photographs.
- A copy of the lease-contract. (This should be 'Dichiarazione Alloggiativa' or 'Cessione di Fabbricato').
- It is also vital to take with you a copy of the insurance coverage.
Non-EU students must apply for a study visa before arriving in Italy and they must arrange an appointment at the 'Questura - Ufficio Stranieri' to obtain the 'permesso DI soggiorno'within 8 days of arriving in Italy. You will need an additional 2 passport sized photos, a 'marca DI bollo'(available from any tabaccheria) and a copy of your private insurance coverage.
For non-Erasmus students wishing to attend lectures at an Italian university, you must also get in contact with the Italian Consulate in your home country and obtain a Consular declaration. This is necessary in order for you to enroll at an Italian university and thereby get a permesso DI soggiorno as a student. The Consular declaration should be sent to your destination university, as without it you may find it impossible to get registered.Learn from the experiences of other students and share your experiences of going overseas at International Student Blogs and Forums.
