Italian language proficiency test
Requirement of knowledge of the Italian language and exemption from the quota of places reserved for non-EU students residing abroad
If you are a non-EU student with residency abroad and you want to enrol in a degree programme taught in the Italian language, you must prove that you have an adequate level of knowledge of the Italian language for starting university studies. In addition to proving your knowledge of the Italian language, you need to take and pass the verifications of the entry requirements and the admission procedures set for the degree programme of your interest.
The institutions of higher education are responsible for verifying language proficiency for access to courses. Each institution organizes a test of knowledge of the Italian language, mandatory for all Bachelor's and Master's degree courses, with the exception of exemption cases.
Exemption from the Italian language proficiency test
Students who are exempted from taking the Italian language test, but in any case subject to the limit of the respective quotas of places reserved for citizens applying for visas and residing abroad, are:
a) Those students who have obtained certifications of competence in the Italian language at levels not lower than B2 of the Council of Europe, issued within the CLIQ quality system (Certification of Italian Language Quality), which brings together the current certifying bodies (Università per stranieri di Perugia, Università per stranieri di Siena, Università Roma Tre, Società “Dante Alighieri”), as well as issued by the University for Foreigners “Dante Alighieri” of Reggio Calabria, also in agreement with the Italian Cultural Institutes abroad or other accredited Institutions. These certifications can be obtained in the country of origin, in affiliated examination centers allover the world;
b) The students referred to in the following paragraph are also exempted from the preliminary examination of the Italian language and are enrolled regardless of the number of places reserved.
Exemption from language test and quotas
For enrolment in Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes, the following students are exempted, regardless of the number of places reserved:
c) students in possession of a five-year or four-year high school diploma obtained at Italian state and private schools abroad;
d) students in possession of one of the final secondary school qualifications referred to in Annex 2 of the Ministerial Memo for A.Y. 2023/24;
e) owners of complementary certificates to the final title of Middle School obtained in Argentina, which certify the attendance of a course of studies including the teaching of Italian language for at least 5 years, according to Law no 210 of 7.6.1999 (Official Gazette no 152 of 1.7.1999);
f) students who have obtained the Diploma in Italian Language and Culture at Università per Stranieri of Perugia and of Siena;
g) Students who have obtained the certifications of competence in the Italian language, corresponding to levels C1 and C2 of the Council of Europe, issued within the CLIQ quality system (Certification of Italian Language Quality), which brings together the current certifying bodies (Università per stranieri di Perugia, Università per stranieri di Siena, Università Roma Tre, Società “Dante Alighieri), as well as issued by the University for Foreigners “Dante Alighieri” of Reggio Calabria, also in agreement with the Italian Cultural Institutes abroad or other accredited Institutions.
h) For enrolment in Master's degree programmes, students in possession of the qualifications indicated in letters d), e) above are exempt (if the test is provided independently by the University)
ITALIAN LANGUAGE TEST
How the Italian language test is carried out
The Italian language test for non-EU international students residing abroad will be organized in collaboration with the CLA (University Language Center), only after pre-registration on the Universitaly portal: https://www.universitaly.it/indexphp/dashboard
The test is an interview aimed at:
- ascertaining the possession of adequate language abilities and knowledge of the main grammatical structures of the Italian language, needed to properly study and explore topics and issues related to the university experience;
- ascertaining the ability to communicate orally effectively and correctly in an academic context.
When to take the test and practical information
The date of the test will be communicated to the students through the Universitaly portal.
Online tests
You will receive an email on your mailbox indicated on the Universitaly portal with practical instructions for the exam the day before the test. The exam will be conducted through Microsoft Teams.
To take the exam, you must have the following minimum requirements: passport, desktop or laptop PC (or tablet or smartphone), connected to the electrical and internet network, webcam, microphone and stable data connection.
You also need to be in a quiet, brightly lit, and people-free environment.
On-site tests
To take the test on site, you must go to the place and time indicated in the calendar, with a passport with an entry stamp in Italy.