Discover the essential documents and step-by-step guide to studying in Italy: pre-enrollment, registration on the Universitari portal, and university enrollment. Make your dream a reality!

For international students aspiring to study in Italy, understanding the key documents required and the step-by-step enrollment process is essential. The process begins with pre-enrollment, followed by registration on the Universitaly portal, and, after receiving your study visa, enrollment at your chosen university. This article will guide you through these crucial steps and the necessary documentation to make your dreams of studying abroad a reality.

Here are the 3 main steps to enroll at an Italian University:

Step 1: Pre-admission

This phase takes place between the fall and spring of the academic year preceding the one in which you intend to enroll. The pre-admission process is conducted exclusively online and is conducted through the dedicated portal of the chosen university. On these portals, you can consult the academic year’s program offerings, check deadlines, admission requirements for each program, and the required documentation. After submitting your application, a committee will review your academic record, and, if eligible, you will be considered eligible for conditional enrollment. Eligibility for enrollment does not automatically guarantee a study visa, which is the sole responsibility of the Italian diplomatic authorities.

Step 2: Pre-enrollment on Universitaly for visa application purposes. 

Once you have completed the pre-enrollment phase, if you are eligible for enrollment, you are invited to submit a pre-enrollment application to the Italian diplomatic/consular representation in your country of origin for the purpose of applying for a visa for university study in Italy. The start of the pre-enrollment phase is established by the Italian Ministry of University and Research following the publication, typically in spring, of the document “Procedures for the entry, residence, enrollment of international students and the related recognition of qualifications for higher education courses in Italy” valid for the relevant academic year. The text of the ministerial circular, available in Italian and English, can be found here.

Step 3: University Enrollment.

Once they have obtained a university study visa, international students can enter Italy and complete the enrollment process for the first year of their bachelor’s or master’s degree program. Non-EU students entering Italy for the first time with a type D visa for study purposes (“Study/University Enrollment”) must submit a residence permit application no later than 8 days after entering the country.

The documentation to be present is:

– the part I

• Passport
• Passport photo – 2 recent passport photos (last 6 months), in color, on a plain white background, size 35×45 mm
• A document confirming the availability of accommodation in Italy (invitation or reservation)
• Flight ticket or reservation (It depends on the embassies of the country of origin)
• A medical insurance policy that will be valid throughout the European Union
• A document confirming the availability of funds for the stay
• Certificate of knowledge of the Italian or English language. Level B2 is sufficient, but! It’s still challenging to attend lectures and pass exams. You understand academic Italian, but not completely, as there is a lot of technical vocabulary (correlated with the subject of study). And of course, to pass the oral exam, you need to express yourself well and use the vocabulary of the subject you are taking (especially in law exams). To enroll in an Italian university, you must have a PLIDA/CELI/CILS certificate or take a language exam directly at the university in early September.

– the part II

• Enrollment or pre-enrollment at an Italian university. To obtain this document, you must provide the following documents: an academic transcript (on the official university letterhead with the official seal and the signature of the rector or vice-rector) or a diploma of higher education, a diploma of secondary education, and a certificate from the Ministry of Education stating that your university is a state-owned institution (CIS country).
• Motivation letter. This is the crucial part of the application. In the letter, explain why you deserve to be a student at this university and this faculty. In other words, explain why you chose one program over another. This program relates to your study and work experience. Show that studying in Italy is key to your plan.
• The letter of recommendation. It shows how you are in front of the eyes of other people. As a result, you wrote about the writer (with whom you collaborated, write a thesis). The study of study is related to the chosen direction of study.
• A resume, curriculum (CV) is your professional history, including your education, work experience, internships, additional skills (languages, soft and hard skills), achievements, and projects. Better to use Europass.
• Portfolio (for creative fields). If you’re applying to fashion, design, architecture, visual arts, or art school, you’ll need a portfolio. Do include your best work, projects, and other creative work.
  
  

IMPORTANT! Document translations for foreign citizens in Italy require the original document to be legalized and apostille-stamped (depending on the country of origin) and an official translation into Italian, often sworn (certified) by a court or certified by the consulate, to be legally valid, especially for procedures such as citizenship or use in public administration.

Key steps:

Apostille/Legalization:

• If the country is a member of the Hague Convention, the Apostille affixed in the country of issue is sufficient.
• If the country is not a member, legalization through the Italian Consulate abroad is required.

Translation:

• Sworn translation (certified): The most common in Italy. A professional translator translates the document and swears its conformity before a court, a Justice of the Peace, or a notary in Italy, affixing a revenue stamp.
• Certified translation: In some cases (e.g., EU documents), a translation signed by an official translator, sometimes certified by the Consulate, is accepted.
• Where to have it done: It is advisable to have it done in the destination country (Italy) to avoid problems with translators accredited by the Italian Consulate or Court.

Special cases:

• Multilingual documents (Vienna Convention): Do not require apostille/legalization or translation.
• EU countries: Translations can be done by certified translators according to the regulations of the issuing member country and must be accepted in Italy.

Here I wrote about how to choose an Italian university. If you’re interested, you can read the post here:

Letter of recommendation:

Formal aspects: The letter should usually be written on letterhead (university or company), if available. It should be signed and include the contact information of the contact person.

Conclusion:

Navigating the list of enrollment documents and pre-visa paperwork can seem overwhelming at first. However, being well-prepared and organized with all the required documents for a student visa application will make your journey smoother and stress-free. Remember, each enrolling document brings you one step closer to your academic dreams in Italy. By carefully gathering your enrollment certificate and all necessary paperwork, you can confidently approach your university enrollment and student visa process. Stay positive and focused; your hard work will open the door to exciting new opportunities abroad.