Italy has played an important role in European higher education: it is one of the four countries that first engaged to create the so-called 'European Area of Higher Education', thus starting that type of higher education reform which, known as 'Bologna Process' (Bologna Declaration, June 1999) is being implemented all over Europe.

Today Italy ranks among the 8 most industrialised countries in the world. Alongside some big companies, both state-owned and private, she has developed a sound network of small and medium-sized undertakings, promoted a few scientific parks, and is incentivating basic and applied research in a great variety of fields (biology, ICT, medicine, physics, etc.).

Higher Education Institutions in Italy:
Typologies and Lists

The Italian Higher Education System

Italian higher education is structured in a binary system, consisting of two main articulations:
- the university sector
- the non-university sector.

At present, the university sector is made up of 83 university institutions which are classified in:
- 58 State universities
- 17 non-State universities (legally recognised by the State)
- 2 universities for foreigners
- 3 higher schools specialised in postgraduate university studies
- 3 telematic universities.

Definitions and characteristics of higher education institutions: university sector

State Universities (Università statali)

State universities are public entities endowed with scientific, teaching, managerial, financial and book-keeping autonomy; they have full legal capacity in matters of both public and private law. Their major tasks are scientific research and higher education. Due to the principle of university autonomy, each university may draw up its own statutes and regulations, issued by rectoral decrees. At this implementation stage of the 1999 reform, all universities have adopted their autonomous statutes which define the organs for institutional governance, and teaching and research structures.
The main governing authorities within a university are the Rector, the Academic Senate, the Board of Directors.
- The Rector chiars the Academic Senate and the Board of Directors, supervises the general running of of all university structures and services, is responsible for disciplinary matters, draws up agreements for external cooperation, plans all the teaching and research activities of the institution. The Rector is elected among full professors and is the legal representative of the university.
- The Academic Senate establishes the general guidelines for the activities of the university and plans its development. It approves the university regulations, coordinates teaching activities and has the authority to plan, coordinate and control university autonomy. The Senate is made up of the Rector, the Faculty Deans, and other representatives of the academic community, all elected in conformity to the rules of the university statute.
- The Board of Directors supervises the whole administrative, financial, patrimonial and personnel management of the university; in particular, it approves the budget. It is made up of the Rector, th Head of Administration, and other representatives of both the academic and external business community according to the rules laid down in the statute.
Universities reach their institutional goals in teaching and research through specific structures: faculties, degree programmes, departments, institutes, and service centres.
- Through the faculties universities organise their action in the various subject areas. Faculties coordinate subject courses and arrange them within the different degree programmes; they appoint academic staff and decide -always respectful of the principle of teaching freedom- how to distribute roles and workload among university teachers and researchers. The Faculty is run by the Faculty Council and the Dean.
- Departments organise those research sectors that are homogeneous by objectives or methods, and group all related subjects courses. They promote and manage research, organise doctoral programmes, carry out research and consultancy work -according to specific agreements and contracts- on request of external organisations. The Department is run by the Department Council and the Director.
- Institutes deal each with a homogeneous scientific sector; their role is to carry out teaching and develop research. The Institute is run by the Institute Council and the Director.
- Service centres may be set up by individual Faculties or by the university itself to provide services of general interest.
For the achievement of common research or teaching purposes, a university may establish interuniversity centres or consortia with other universities or with public and private organisations. Interdepartmental research centres and interdepartmental service centres may also be set up; the first to carry out research work of special relevance, the second to fully exploit particularly complex services and equipment.
Taken for granted the unity of the teaching function, university teachers are organised in two different categories sharing the same guarantees of teaching and research freedom:
a) full professors (first category)
b) associate professors (second category).
The following profiles are also a part of the teaching staff:
c) researchers
d) assistants (a category in extinction) and a few similar categories.
Besides, a university may call to cooperate to its teaching activities the so-called:
e) contract teachers.
At the university structures the holders of research stipends and post-doctoral fellowships carry out research, while postgraduates enrolled in doctoral programmes or in specialisation schools attend seminars and/or subject courses and carry out research as well.

Non-State Universities (Università non statali, legalmente riconosciute)

Non-State universities may be recognised by a decree of the Minister of Education. Legal recognition takes place after an evaluation process concerning the university statute, its organisation model, budget, etc. The degrees awarded by non-State universities legally recognised by the State have the same legal value as those of State universities.
Non-State universities have to comply with the same general principles and criteria as defined by the national university legislation for State institutions. The differences between State and non-State universities concern funding and governance.

Technical Universities (Politecnici)

In the Italian system those universities are named 'Politecnici' (techincal universities) that concentrate exclusively in the subject fields of the two Faculties of Engineering and Architecture.
They adopt the same institutional model as that of State universities.

Universities for Foreigners (Università per Stranieri)

Universities for foreigners are State institutions specialised in teaching and research for the development and diffusion of the Italian language, literature and culture.

Higher Schools (Scuole Superiori)

Higher schools regulated by special legislation are institutions specialised in postgraduate university studies and scientific research. They offer 3rd cycle programmes (research
doctorates).

Telematic Universities (Università telematiche)

Telematic universities are non-State universities specialised in e-learning. They, when legally recognised, provide distance programmes accredited by the State.

Italian University Degrees 2004

We are listing the degrees in offer at Italian universities.
The related study programmes may be designed either under the old or the new university regulations, that is to say the rules in force respectively before and after the 1999 reform prompted by the Bologna Declaration.

• New degrees (degrees designed in conformity to the regulations of the university system in force since November 1999)
• Old degrees (degrees designed in conformity to regulations of the university system in force up to October 1999)

The 5 great subject areas

The 5 great subject areas covering the whole of university education are: health, humanities, sciences, social studies, technology. Each area is subdivided in the following main subject sectors:

1. Health: dentistry, pharmacy, human medicine & surgery, midwifery, nursing, physio-and-rehabilitation therapy, preventive care, technical sanitary assistance;
2. Humanities: arts (performing, visual; fashion, music), cultural heritage, education, geography, history; Italian and classical/oriental studies, language mediation (applied foreign languages, interpreting, translating), modern languages and cultures (glottology, linguistics, literature, philology, etc.),
3. Sciences: agriculture, animal production & husbandry, biology, biotechnology, chemistry, environmental sciences, food industry & forestry, maths, natural sciences, physics, statistics, etc.;
4. Social sudies: administration, business, communication, cooperation & development, defence & security, economics, law, physical education & sports, psichology, political science and international relations, social service & sociology, tourism;
5. Technology: architecture & building engineering, design (industrial), engineering (civil, industrial, information), regional & environmental planning, urban planning, etc.

New Degrees

Laurea (L / L3)

Classification: 1st cycle university degree, characterised by both theoretical and applied studies.

Aim: provide undergraduates with adequate knowledge of general scientific principles, mastery of related methods, and specific professional skills.

Access: by the Italian school leaving qualification, or a comparable foreign one.

Admission: generally free; in some cases by entrance tests, depending on places availability.

Workload: 180 ECTS credits

Length: 3 years full time.

Subject sectors: 47 degree classes have been identified, i.e. groups of degrees in as many subject sectors; each class belongs to one of the 5 main subject areas covering the entire university education.

Course structure: each L3 course must include 6 different types of subject courses in relation to the nature of the respective teaching/learning activities:

1. courses meant for basic education in one or more study fields,
2. courses whose subject fields are specific for a given Laurea,
3. courses in similar/supplementary subject fields,
4. elective courses,
5. courses preparatory to the final examination,
6. courses for complementary skills (foreign languages, computer, telematics, work experience).

Degree: Laurea; in English: 1st (cycle) degree. It is the Italian bachelor-level degree of the Bologna Declaration.

Title: not yet defined by law.

Professional openings

• employed positions in private or public commercial/industrial undertakings; or
• posts within the civil service at level VII; or
• practice in Italy of the corresponding regulated professions, if any, after successful passing of the relevant state examinations conferring the professional license (only all L3 in the health sector are directly licensing to the related sanitary professions); or
• practice of the corresponding regulated professions in those EU member states where similar professions exist (after obtaining professional recognition under the relevant EC Directives).

Further university studies: access to LS and MU1 programmes.

Laurea Specialistica (LS)

Classification: 2nd cycle university degree, characterised by a strong theoretical part and specialistic studies in a given subject field.

Aim: provide graduates with advanced education for highly qualified professions in specific sectors as well as with adequate training for advanced independent research.

Access: by a related L3, or a comparable foreign degree.

Admission: often free; in some cases by entrance tests, depending on places availability.

Workload: 120 ECTS credits.

Length: 2 years full time.

Subject sectors: 109 degree classes have been identified, i.e. groups of degrees in as many subject sectors; each class belongs to one of the 5 main subject areas covering the entire university education .

Course structure: each LS course must include 6 different types of subject courses in relation to the nature of the respective teaching/learning activities:

1. courses meant for basic education in one or more study fields,
2. courses whose subject fields are specific for a given Laurea,
3. courses in similar/supplementary subject fields,
4. elective courses,
5. courses preparatory to the final examination,
6. courses for complementary skills (foreign languages, computer, telematics, work experience).

Degree: Laurea Specialistica; in English: 2nd (cycle) Laurea. It is the Italian master-level degree of the Bologna Declaration.

Title: not yet defined by law.

Professional openings: same occupational sectors as those available to L3 graduates but LS holders are invested with greater responsibilities and may progress in the career up to the highest managerial offices; therefore:

• employed positions in private or public commercial/industrial undertakings; or
• posts within the civil service at level VIII (dirigenti), and may progrss up to the office as director-general (Direttore Generale); or
• practice in Italy of the corresponding regulated professions, if any, after successful passing of the relevant State examinations conferring the professional license; or
• practice of the corresponding regulated professions in those EU member states where similar professions exist (after obtaining professional recognition under the relevant EC Directives).

Further university studies: access to DR, DS2, MU2 programmes.

Dottorato di Ricerca (DR)

Classification: 3rd cycle university degree, fully academic in nature

Aim: provide postgraduates with training for highly specialised research.

Access: by a related LS, or a comparable foreign degree in a related subject sector.

Admission: by public competition, organised locally by individual universities.

Length: min. 3 years, depending on subjetc fields.

Subject sectors: most of the sectors covered by the 5 great subject areas.

Course structure: DR programmes mainly consists in independent research projects of a high quality standard. Postgraduates carry out their research activities under the supervision of a university teacher who is specifically appointed to act as a tutor; sometimes, the attendance of seminars or of a few subject courses is also required. Transition from one year to the next depends on the tutor's positive assessment of the doctoral student's performance.

Degree: Dottorato di Ricerca (research doctorate).

Title: Dottore di Ricerca; no official abbreviation has been determined by law.

Professional openings

• academic career within a university; research doctors start as a researchers and by means of subsequent public competitions may progress up to the juridical status of full professors (professore ordinario);
• career within public research bodies, and in research laboratories of large companies.

Further university studies: participation in post-doctoral research projects.

Diploma di Specializzazione di 2° livello (DS2)

Classification: 3rd cycle university degree, professionally-oriented.

Aim: provide postgraduates with knowledge and skills for a few specific professions; DS2 programmes may be set up exclusively on the basis of specific national laws or EU Directives.

Access: by a Laurea Specialistica (LS), or a comparable foreign degree.

Admission: by public competition (concorso), due to numerus clausus restrictions.

Workload: 120-360 ECTS credits.

Length: 2-6 years full time.

Subject sectors: specialistic fields in dentistry, human medicine & surgery, veterinary medicine; training to legal professions (lawyers, notaries public, magistrates); secondary teachers' training.

Course structure: curricular compulsory requirements, defined by national law, include theoretical studies in combination with practical applications and professional training; some research activitiy may be also required.

Degree: Diploma di Specializzazione di 2° livello (2nd level specialisation degree)

Title: Specialista in. (specialist in ) [the specialisation field follows].

Professional openings: DS2 holders may:

• practise in Italy the respective self-employed specialistic professions with the title as Specialista;
• take up functions within the civil service which require specialistic education and training in certain fields;
• be employed as highly-qualified professionals (Specialisti) in private commercial/industrial undertakings;
• practise the corresponding regulated professions (if any) in another EU member state, after obtaining professional recognition under the relevant EC Directives.

Master Universitario di 1° livello (MU1)

Classification:2nd cycle university degree; it may be either academic in nature or, more often, professionally-oriented.

Aim: provide graduates either with advanced scientific knowledge in a given field or with further professional education and training for better occupational opportunities.

Access: by an Italian 1st degree (Laurea-L3), or a comparable foreign one.

Admission: often by selective procedures, on the decision of the master programme director.

Workload: min. 60 ECTS credits

Length: min. 1 year

Subject sectors: most of the sectors covered by the 5 great subject areas.

Course structure: curricular articulation is decided upon autonomously by individual universities.

Degree: Diploma di Master Universitario di 1° livello (University Master-1st level degree)

Title: Master Universitario di 1° livello (University Master-1st level).

Professional openings: same occupational sectors as those available to L3 graduates. Private and public employers generally appreciate the further academic/professional competences MU1 holders have acquired; e.g. in public competitions for L3-based posts within the civil service, applicants who additionally hold an MU1 are attributed additional scores.

Master Universitario di 2° livello (MU2)

Classification: 3rd cycle university degree; it may be either academic in nature or, more often, professionally-oriented.

Aim: provide postgraduates with a higher level of academic education in a given field, or with higher professional education and training for better occupational opportunities.

Access: by a Laurea Specialistica (LS), or a comparable foreign degree.

Admission: often by selective procedures, on the decision of the master programme director.

Workload: min. 60 ECTS credits.

Length: min. 1 year full time.

Subject sectors: most of the sectors covered by the 5 great subject areas.

Course structure: curricular articulation is determined autonomously by individual universities.

Degree: Diploma di Master Universitario di 2° livello (University Master-2nd level degree)

Title: Master Universitario di 2° livello (University Master-2nd level).

Professional openings: same occupational sectors as those available to LS graduates. Private and public employers generally appreciate the higher academic/professional competences MU2 holders have acquired; e.g. in public competitions for LS-based posts within the civil service, applicants who also hold an MU2 are attributed additional scores.

Attestati/Diplomi di formazione permanente e ricorrente

The provisions of Art. 6 of Law 341/1990, and of Law 4/1999 (Art. 1, paragraph 15) have been kept in force. Therefore, in addition to the degrees listed above, Italian universities may still set up advanced scientific courses as well as higher continuing education programmes which generally last for a few months. Access may take place by an L3 or LS or a comparable foreign degree; workload usually consists in a limited number of credits, and course structure is defined autonomously by each institution in its Regolamento Didattico di Ateneo (general teaching regulations). On course completion, either statements of attendance are issued, or LLL qualifications are awarded which may be named differrently by individual universities; the most common names are 'Attestati' or 'Diplomi' (di perfezionamento, di aggiornamento, ecc.).

Old Degrees

Diploma Universitario (DU)

Classification: 1st level university degree; it combines academic contents with professional orientation

Aim: provide undergraduates with adequate academic education, scientific contents and methods, and professional training as required from qualified professionals in specific occupational sectors.

Access: by the Italian school leaving qualification or a foreign comparable one.

Admission: by selective procedures, due to numerus clausus limitations.

Length: 3 years, full time

Subject sectors: a great variety of subject fields included in the 5 great subject areas

Course structure: the traditional Italian theoretical approach to all disciplines is combined with practical experiences; a period of practical training may be included in the curiculum, depending on the main subject field.

Degree: Diploma Universitario; e.g. Diploma Universitario di Consulente del lavoro/ in Disegno industriale/ per Educatore professionale/ di Fisioterapista/di Infermiere/ in Ingegneria informatica/ di Ostetrica/ di Podologo/ Tecnico di laboratorio biomedico/ di Tecnico ortopedico, etc.

Title: Diplomato Universitario (rarely used).

Professional openings

• employed positions in private or public undertakings, or
• practice in Italy of the corresponding regulated professions, if any, or
• practice of the corresponding regulated professions in those EU member states where similar professions exist (after obtaining professional recognition under the relevant EC Directives).

Further university studies: admission to 2nd level programmes, i.e. 4/6-year Laurea courses; max. a 2-year reduction in the length of a related Laurea course is possible.

(Diploma di) Laurea (DL)

Classification: 2nd level university degree, strongly academic in nature.

Aim: provide students with adequate knowledge of cultural and scientific fields at an advanced degree of theoretical complexity; besides, supply them with research methods so that they may subsequently take up significant professional responsibilities, up to the highest managerial positions.

Access: by the Italian school leaving qualification (or a foreign comparable one) or by a related 1st degree (Diploma SDAFS or DU); in the second case applicants may obtain a reduction in the length of the chosen Laurea course (CL) amounting to max. 1 year (SDAFS) or 2 years (DU).

Admission: at all universities in such fields as architecture, dentistry, human medicine, veterinary medicine by selective procedures due to numerus clausus limitations; in other fields entrance tests may be autonomously introduced by individual institutions depending on places availability.

Length: 4-6 years full time, depending on individual faculties and subject areas; given the curricular complexity and the compulsory research work to be carried out, most students usually take to 2 years longer to comply with all the legal requirements needed for the awarding of the degree.

Subject sectors: a great variety; within the general 5 main areas (Course structure: a core curriculum of indispensable subjects (corsi fondamentali) in a number of disciplinary sectors detetmined by national law is complemented by some complementary subjects, decided autonomuosly by individual institutions; the teaching/learning approach is characterised by in-depth study of theory in all subjects fields; training to research is included, the defence of a dissertation being a compulsory requirement for the awarding of the degree.

Degree: (Diploma di) Laurea (di Dottore) in ..(the subject field follows). The DL is normally an academic, non-professional qualification.

Title: Dottore/Dottoressa, to be shortened to Dott./Dott.ssa. This is a 2nd level academic title not to be misunderstood with the Italian 'Dottore di Ricerca' or with such titles as Philosophy Doctor, Docteur, Doctor, Doktor, Doutor, etc. which correspond to 3rd cycle doctorates, and are usually shortened to PhD or Dr.

Professional openings: depending on their degree subject field and on their personal interests, DL holders may:

• be employed in private/public commercial/industrial undertakings, or in cultural organisations; they are eligible to the highest mangerial positions;
• practise the corresponding regulated professions (egs. architects, biologists, engineers, lawyers, medical doctors, etc.), after the successful passing of the related State examinations (Esami di Abilitazione Professionale);
• enter the civil service as officers (funzionari), at VII level, and progress in the career up to the function as office directors (dirigenti, VIII level), and finally as director-general (Direttore Generale);
• when holding also the related professional licenses, practise the corresponding regulated professions (if any) in another EU member state, after obtaining professional recognition under the relevant EC Directives.

Further university studies: admission to 3rd level programmes, i.e. DR programmes, DS courses, and such programmes as Corsi di Perfezionamento-CP (advanced courses) or Master courses.

* (Diploma di) Dottorato di Ricerca (DR)

Classification: 3rd level university degree, fully academic in nature (established by law in 1980).

Aim: train postgraduates to carry out independent advanced research (at a higher level than that required for the Laurea dissertation).

Access: by the Italian 2nd level degree (4/6-year Laurea) or a comparable foreign degree in a related subject area.

Admission: by public competition organised at national level.

Length: min. 3 or 4 years, depending on subjetc fields.

Subject sectors: most of the sectors covered by the 5 great subject areas.

Course structure: DR programmes mainly consist in independent research projects of a high quality standard to be carried out by individual postgraduates under the supervision of a university teacher who is specifically appointed to act as a tutor; sometimes the attendance of seminars or of a few subject courses may be required; transition from one year to the next depends on the tutor's positive assessment of the doctoral student's performance.

Degree: Dottorato di Ricerca

Title: Dottore di Ricerca

Professional openings

• academic career within a university; research doctors start as a researchers and by means of subsequent public competitions may progress up to the juridical status of full professors (professore ordinario);
• career within public research bodies, and in research laboratories of large companies.

Further university studies: participation in post-doctoral research projects.

(Diploma di) Specializzazione (DS)

Classification: 3rd level university degree characterised by strong professional features; it also implies additional theoretical studies in the chosen speciality, and some research.

Aim: train postgraduates for highly-qualified, specialistic professions.

Access: by a DL (4/6-year Laurea) or a comparable foreign degree in a related subject field; in some cases, additional professional qualifications may be required.

Admission: by public competition organised locally by individual institutions.

Length: 2-6 years full time, depending on individual specialisation fields; postgraduates are required to keep the legal duration of the chosen degree course.

Subject sectors: specialistic fields in dentistry, human medicine & surgery, veterinary medicine; also quite a number of sectors covered by the 5 great subject areas

Course structure: it combines in-depth academic study of the specialistic field concerned with its professional applications; a period of practical training -subject to the evaluation of a supervisor- is normally to be completed before the final degree examination; this mainly consists in the defence of a written dissertation on one or more of the subjects studied throughout the specialization course.

Degree: Diploma di Specializzazione (DS)

Title: Specialista in . (the specific subject field follows).

Professional openings: DS holders may:

• practise in Italy the respective self-employed specialistic professions with the title as Specialisti;
• take up functions within the civil service which require specialistic education and training in certain fields;
• be employed as highly-qualified professionals (Specialisti) in private commercial/industrial undertakings;
• practise the corresponding regulated professions (if any) in another EU member state, after obtaining professional recognition under the relevant EC Directives.

Attestati/Diplomi di formazione permanente e ricorrente

In conformity to Art. 6 of Law 341/1990, providing for supplementary educational services, and to Law 4/1999 (Art. 1, paragraph 15), Italian universities may also set up advanced scientific courses as well as higher continuing education programmes. Access is usually by a DL or a comparable foreign degree, even if sometimes also lower qualifications are accepted (a DU or a school leaving diploma); length generally varies from a few months to max. 1 year; course structure is defined autonomously by each institution.

On programme completion, universities either issue statements of attendance or award LLL qualifications which may be named differently by individual institutions; the most common names are 'Attestati' or 'Diplomi' (di perfezionamento, di aggiornamento), or Masters.

Classes of degrees

• Agriculture, food industry and forestry
• Applied languages
• Architecture and construction engineering
• Aviation and maritime navigation
• Biology and Biotechnologies
• Business and management
• Chemistry
• Communication
• Computer Science
• Conservation and restoration of cultural heritage
• Co-operation, development and peace studies
• Cultural heritage studies
• Defence and security
• Dentistry and orthodontics
• Earth sciences
• Economics and Administration
• Education
• Engineering
• Environmental sciences
• Geography
• Health professions
• History
• Humanities
• Industrial design
• Law and Political sciences and international relations
• Legal services
• Mathematics
• Medicine and surgery
• Modern languages and civilisations
• Nursing and midwifery
• Pharmacy
• Philosophy
• Physics
• Psychology
• Social work
• Sociology
• Sport sciences and physical education
• Statistics
• Tourism
• Town, regional and environmental planning
• Veterinary Medicine
• Visual arts, music, performing arts and fashion studies
• Zoology

Information on student welfare services at italian universities and highter education institutions

Universities, other higher education institutions, the regional EDISU offices ( ), and the Autonomous Provinces supply a series of services and facilities for higher education students to remove economic and social obstacles which limit access to higher education.
(EDISU= Ente per il Diritto allo Studio Universitario. There is such an agency in each Italian region; it has the task to set up and run the necessary student welfare services in conformity to the current legal provisions):

The services offered are divided into two categories:

1. Services for all students: canteens, access to libraries, reduction of ticket prices for public transportation, access to the University Sports Centres (C.U.S.);
2. Services ad personam: grants, accommodation, facilities for the disabled, part-time activities. These benefits are attributed sometimes by competition, sometimes on student's request.

The Guida dello Studente, published at the beginning of each academic, generally in October, year at the care of most higher education institutions, includes complete and detailed information about each degree course and teaching activity, but also describes the types of services in offer at each study site.

Grants

Some facilities and financial support are offered to those who otherwise would be without the necessary means. Candidates must give proof of possessing adequate merit.
The benefits consist in:

• grants, both ordinary and special;
• grants for research work towards dissertations and final degree projects;
• grants to encourage post-graduate studies.

Part-time jobs

Universities generally offers their students a maximum of 150 hours/each in part time rewarded activities. Students who are regularly enrolled and have passed the examinations required each year can apply for these part time jobs. Students who have not received the E.DI.SU. grants have priority.

Counselling and Tutoring Service

Universities promotes a series of initiatives to help students, by providing them with information: on degree courses, other teaching/learning opportunities, and job placement, etc. This service is related to the three phases of the student's career:

• Counselling on entry;
• Counselling during the study course;
• Counselling on outgoing to help transition to the labour market.

Job, stage and placement

Job, stage and placement offices of higher education institutions facilitate contacts among companies/job opportunities on the one side and students on the other, both during their study course and on leaving.

International Relations Office

The International Relations Office of the various institutions:

• promotes and manages the institutional participation in European exchange and co-operation programmes, such as Socrates and Erasmus;
• draws up bilateral conventions for partnerships with foreign higher education institutions;
• gives information on programmes, grants and co-operation schemes at an international level.

The Socrates-Erasmus Programme

The project ERASMUS, within the framework of the SOCRATES Programme, promotes and governs the exchange of students who wish to spend a period of time at higher education institutions of an EU member state other than their own. Those institutions are eligible which have signed a written cooperation agreement with the students' home institutions. During the period spent the host country, the student is required to carry out the educational/research activity approved by the home institution before departure. The length of the period to be spent abroad depends on the agreement signed by the instituions concerned. Nevertheless, it may not be less than 3 months or longer than 12 months.

Assistance and support for students with disabilities

Most higher education institutions promote initiatives to favour integration of disabled studentsas: e.g. service of accompanying persons to help them reach and move within the respective institutions, other forms of general support. Students with disabilities can contact the Counselling and Tutoring Service of their individual institutions for information on opportunities already in place, and to learn how to make the most of the benefits available at each study site.

Cultural activities

Universities and other higher education institutions may allocate funds to encourage cultural activities organized by their own students. Their chief purposes are:

• promote the development of studies and research, in such fieldes as visual arts, music, theatre, cinema, etc.;
• promote and organize meetings, conferences, group activities;
• encourage international exchanges.

Canteens

This type of service is available to all students. For those who benefit of regional grants the service is free, the others pay a low cost depending on income and merit.

Housing

To enable students coming from outside the chosen study site to attend their study courses regularly, the local EDISU supplies places in hostels or flats. Should the number of students with a right to housing be greater than the number of places available, then places are allocated according to a priority list or according to the chronological order of the applications submitted.

Medical care

Medical and pharmaceutical assistance for foreigners in Italy is regulated by international agreements and treaties. To benefit of such assistance, foreign students, are required a specific documentation.
Normally EU students must have a certificate (E111 or E128 model) issued by their National Health Authority that will cover first-aid and medical assistance in Italy. When they arrive in Italy this certificate must be validated by the local health agencies (ASL).
Non-EU students must have a health insurance policy; this may be made either at their arrival in Italy with a private Italian insurance company, or before their departure with an insurance company of their respective countries; in this second case, students had better contact the Italian Embassy or Consulate in their home countries for further information on existing agreements on medical assistance.

Language centre

The Language Centre of each institution develops and co-ordinates language facilities. It provides language courses for the students enrolled at the institution concerned, for those on international exchange programmes, and for the institutional. The Language Centre provides a fundamental support service by facilitating learning processes and encouraging students to keep on improving their language competences.

Sport

The Sports Centre (C.U.S.) promotes physical activities with regard to the institution commitment in the field and, to the physical and educational well-being of its students. It offers the necessary facilities and promotes sport courses for beginners and professionals. The centre promote institutional participation in competitive and federation activities.

Office for public relations (U.R.P)

The Office for Public Relations (U.R.P.) provides information on institutional planning, counselling and job-placement; it also manages some of the services offered by the institution concerned.