Recognition of Academic Qualifications Issued by a Foreign University

Italian and foreign citizens with educational qualifications from a foreign State or legally accredited university and who wish to have these recognised in Italy for the purposes of completing an Italian university degree can apply to do so at the university of their choice.

The required documentation must be requested from the Student Secretariat of universities whose charters envisage a course of study compatible with the one completed abroad and usually includes the following (it is advisable to contact the Student Secretariat of the University in question or consult the Italian Ministry of Education, Universities and Research (MIUR) website: università > cooperazione internazionale > titoli di studio):

a) application to the Rector of the Italian University of choice (see linked Form Letter);

b) original of upper secondary school diploma required for admission to the university that issued the academic qualification;

c) original of the certificate of university exams issued by the aforementioned university (attesting to the dates and locations of the exams if any of these were given in a university setting other than that of the issuer of the degree);

d) individual exam schedule;

e) original degree;

f) three photographs (one of which is to be authenticated in the case of non-EU citizens residing abroad)

The documents referred to in points b), c), d) and e) must be accompanied by an official translation [2], and those mentioned in points b) and e) must be legalised—except where exempt as per international accords or conventions in force—and accompanied by a “Declaration of Value” from the locally authorised Italian Diplomatic-Consular Mission located in the State under whose legislation the qualification has been issued, confirming the authenticity of the documents cited in points c) and d).

Where it is impossible to go personally to the diplomatic mission, applicants can make contact with the mission and arrange for the submission of the required documentation by alternative means.

Italian citizens, EU citizens and non-EU citizens residing in Italy as per article 26 of Law no. 189 of 30.07.2002 can personally apply to the secretariat of the university of their choice by the date autonomously set by that institution as long as the qualifications have already been confirmed as authentic by the Italian mission.

Non-EU citizens residing abroad are obliged to send their applications along with the required documentation through the Italian Diplomatic-Consular mission of their country or of the foreign country where they are residents within the timeframe annually established by the MIUR provisions on the matriculation of foreign students [3].

Applicants must submit their academic qualifications already legalised by the competent authorities of their home countries by means of the attachment of an “Apostil”, i.e. document attesting to economic and insurance coverage envisaged by the aforementioned university enrolment rules. The Italian mission provides for verification and the acts falling within its authority and forwards the documented application to the university indicated by the applicant.

The academic authorities decide on applications on a case-by-case basis in light of the studies and exams completed abroad [4]. It should be understood that recognition of a foreign degree by the university concerns study purposes only, while recognition of qualifications for the purposes of practising a profession is a different procedure and is carried out by the authorised ministries [5].

As regards applications for recognition of academic qualifications in the healthcare sector, reference is made to article 50, paragraph 8, of DPR no. 394 of 31.08.1999 (regulation implementing the Consolidated Text on immigration and the condition of foreigners as per DL no. 286 of 25.07.1998): “Recognition of equivalence of academic qualifications in healthcare studies completed abroad, as well as admission to corresponding entrance examinations for diplomas, university degrees and certifications, with the partial or total dispensation of course examinations, depends on ascertainment of fulfilment of the quotas envisaged for each profession by article 3, paragraph 4 of the Consolidated Text, and to that end requires the official opinion of the Ministry of Health; a negative opinion disallows enrolment in professional associations or special lists for the exercise of the related professions on national soil and in countries of the European Union”.

RECOGNITION FOR PARTICIPATION IN PUBLIC COMPETITIVE EXAMINATIONS
Article 38 of DL 165/2001 states that, “in the absence of Community level provisions, recognition of equivalence of professional or academic qualifications is provided by means of decree by the Prime Minister and adopted on the proposal of the competent ministers. The same procedure is applied to equivalence of academic and service qualifications pertaining to admission to competitive examinations”. For further information contact the:
Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri, Dipartimento della Funzione Pubblica
Corso Vittorio Emanuele 116, 00186 Roma
tel. 0039-06 68991

FORM LETTER USED TO APPLY FOR RECOGNITION OF ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS ISSUED BY FOREIGN UNIVERSITIES

AL MAGNIFICO RETTORE DELL'UNIVERSITÀ…………………………….. Il sottoscritto/I the undersigned [6][block letters, name as appears on passport] …………………………………………………………………………. nato il/born on - date ………………….. a/in - place of birth …………………………………………………………… Città/City .................... Provincia/Province .................... Stato/Country .................... di nazionalità/nationality ………..………………. residente in/resident in ……..…………………………... con recapito in Italia nella città di/address in Italy - Città/City ……………………………….………………….. Via/street .…………………………… n./no. ....…. presso/in the home of …..………………………………….. in possesso dei seguenti titoli conseguiti all'estero/with the following academic qualifications[7] :………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………………………………………………………………………………. chiede di conoscere a quali condizioni gli potrà essere conferito il titolo accademico italiano di/asks under what conditions he/she may receive an Italian academic degree in [8]  ……………………………….…………………………………………….. …………………………………………….…..……………………………………….. Il sottoscritto allega i seguenti documenti/and attaches the following required documentation [9] …………………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………. ………………………………………………………………………………………….
Data, Firma/Date, signature [10]

[1] Articles 170 and 332 of Consolidated Text on higher education, Royal Decree no. 1592 of 31.08.1933 

[2] to be an “Official Translation” it must be done by: a) an authorised translator or a person in any case competent to swear before the Tribunal to the faithfulness of the translation to the original; b) the diplomatic or consular mission in Italy of the country where the document originated; c) the Italian diplomatic mission in the country where the document originated (Note from the Prime Minister’s Office, Legal and Legisl. Coord. Office No. 20685/92500 of 15.12.1980)

[3] This timeframe is disregarded in the case of the automatic application of equivalency tables for Italian and foreign qualifications established by bilateral agreements.

[4] With the exception of the application of special bilateral agreements: in this case universities grant equivalence with an Italian degree on the basis of an equivalency table annexed to the agreement and any pre-established conditions in the same (e.g. integration of specific exams or theses).

[5] Recognition of professional qualifications is regulated by specific Community directive implementation rules as well as by articles 49 and 50 of DPR no. 394 of 31.08.1999 and the rules for application of Consolidated Text no. 286 of 25.07.1998 assigning authority in cases of professional qualification recognition to the ministries concerned with vigilance over individual professions. The body authorised to provide information on the application of community directives in the recognition of professional qualifications is: Dipartimento delle Politiche Comunitarie della Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri, piazza Nicosia 1, 00184 Roma.
The procedures and documentation necessary to apply for professional recognition according to the above mentioned rules, as regards the healthcare profession, are specified in Ministry of Health Circular DPS/III 1.40/00 no.1259 of 12.4.2000

[6] Use block capitals, and write name as it appears on passport.

[7] Specify: a) duration of pre-university studies; b) title of academic qualification used for admission to university, as well as date, place, and university; c) title of academic qualification to be recognised as well as date, place and university where it was completed; d) duration of university studies and information regarding subjects, courses, exams and grades, as well as universities attended. Applicant may also attach additional information on studies completed and on secondary and academic qualifications received abroad or in Italy.

[8] Specify title of degree requested.

[9] Specify whether documents are originals, authenticated copies, accompanied by translation, with or without legalisation, etc.

[10] If non-EU citizen residing in home country or third country, the applicant must have his/her signature authenticated by the authorised Italian diplomatic-consular mission.