The Italian Education System

The Italian Education System is organized according to the principles of subsidiarity and autonomy of educational institutions. Therefore, the State has exclusive legislative competence for general rules on education. The State shall guarantee the same levels of services throughout the national territory.

What institutions regulate the Italian education system?

The State defines the fundamental principles that the regions must adhere to in the exercise of their specific competencies. Italian Regions have concurrent legislative power in education, and exclusive legislative power in vocational education, as well as training.

In general, educational institutions of the State have educational, organizational, research, experimentational and developmental autonomy.

How does the Italian education system work?

The education system in Italy can be divided into 3 main cycles. These include early levels of education like kindergarten, up until University. Some cycles fall within the compulsory education, while others are not.

Early childhood education in Italy and kindergarten

The integrated zero-to-six-year system is non-compulsory. It lasts 6 years and includes:

• Early childhood educational services: these are managed by local authorities, directly or through agreements, by other public bodies or by private individuals, which take in children between 3 and 36 months against payment of a fee, calculated on the basis of the family’s income;
• Kindergarten: these may be managed by the state, local governments, directly or through the agreements, other public entities or private individuals, taking in children between 3 and 6 years of age free of charge.

In order to enter state kindergartens, family shall participate in a ranking list, which allocates places on the basis of scores calculated by the municipality (availability of funds, possibility of receiving support from family members in childcare, etc.).

Primary and Secondary School in Italy: the first compulsory cycle of study

The first cycle of education is compulsory, lasts for 8 years and is specifically divided into:

• Primary school: 5-year education for pupils aged 6 to 11 years;
• Secondary school: 3-year education for pupils aged 11 to 14.

Secondary School in Italy and other forms of educational training

The second cycle of education is divided into two types of courses of study:

• Secondary school (High-School): it is a 5-year education period for students who successfully completed the first cycle of education. There are a wide range of schools: lyceums, technical institutes, or vocational institutes;
• Vocational Education and Training: 3-year and 4-year study paths of vocational education and training (IeFP) under regional competence. It is also aimed at students who have completed the first cycle of education.

Universities and other Higher Education institutions in Italy

Tertiary education, with different types of courses of study, consist in the following institutions:

• Universities
• AFAM (Alta Formazione Artistica, Musicale e Coreutica – institutions of Higher Education in Art, Music and Dance)
• Professionalizing institutions ITS (Istituti Tecnici Superiori)

Compulsory education in Italy

Compulsory education in Italy lasts for 10 years, and it goes from age 6 to 16. This compulsory period includes all 8 years of the first cycle of education and the first 2 years of the second cycle. Students can attend the second cycle in secondary school (of the state) or in regional vocational education and training study paths.

In addition, for all young people the right and duty to education and training applies for at least 12 years or, in any case, until getting a 3-year vocational qualification by the age of 18, in accordance with the provisions of Law No. 53/2003.

Students can fulfill compulsory education in State and parochial schools (Law No. 62 of 2000), in the field of public education system, but also in non-parochial schools (Law No. 27 of 2006) or through family education. In the latter two cases, however, the completion of compulsory education must be subject to a number of conditions, such as taking proficiency exams.

Parents or legal guardians are responsible for the completion of the obligation to educate minors.  Municipalities of residence and school directors provide supervision on the fulfillment of this obligation.

What happens at the end of compulsory education in Italy

In case students do not continue their education at the end of the compulsory period, they will receive a certification of acquired skills (Ministerial Decree 139 of 2007).

After passing the final state examination of secondary education on their 5th year, students can enter tertiary education courses (universities, AFAM and ITS). However, some Universities and courses allow a limited number of students to enrol through am entrance test. It is a responsibility of the students to check the requirements of the University of interest.

The Italian high school system

At the end of secondary school, students can choose the topics to be explored in their education. The education system in Italy includes 3 main groups of institutes regarding the high school system.

Italian lyceums

Lyceums are part of the upper secondary education system (pursuant Article 1 of Legislative Decree No. 226 of October 17, 2005, as amended). Liceal courses of study provide students with the cultural and methodological tools for a complete understanding of reality. The support logical thinking, creativity, planning and critical attitude.

Liceal paths last for 5 years and are further divided into two 2-year periods and a 5th year that completes the academic path. The paths form the educational, cultural and professional profile of the student at the conclusion of the second cycle of the education and training system.

Types of Italian Lyceums

The following are all the different types of lyceums that will focus students towards different types of future education:

• Lyceum of arts – Figurative Arts, Architecture and Environment; Design, Audiovisual and Multimedia; Graphics, Scenography;
• Classical lyceum;
• Linguistic lyceum;
• Lyceum of music and dance;
• Lyceum of science (with applied sciences option);
• Lyceum of human sciences (with economic and social sciences option).

Technical institutes

Five-year technical institutes offer a limited number of academic directions, but they will form the students to work in specific sectors, that are very important to the economic and productive development of Italy.

They are divided into two sectors:

• The Economics sector, divided into 2 branches:
  • Administration, Finance and Marketing;
  • Tourism.
• The Technology sector, divided into 9 branches:
  • Mechanics, Mechatronics and Energy;
  • Transport and Logistics;
  • Electronics and Electrical Engineering;
  • Information Technology and Telecommunications;
  • Graphics and Communication;
  • Chemistry, Materials and Biotechnology;
  • Fashion System;
  • Agriculture, Agribusiness and Agroindustry;
  • Construction, Environment and Territory.

Vocational institutes

There are 11 types of vocational institures:

• Agricolture
• Fishing industry
• Industry and “Made in Italy” production
• Technical assistence and maintenance
• Environment protection
• Commercial services
• Hospitality
• Cultural services and entertainment
• Healthcare services
• Healthcare: odontology
• Healthcare: optics

Italy’s boarding schools

National boarding schools and state-run “educandati” contribute to the pursuit of the general objectives of the Italian education system both with the qualified educational offerings of inner schools and with the development of residential and semiresidential facilities.

In this way they respond to the new culture of equal opportunities, provide support for student exchanges in the community, and lastly, meet the changing demands of the students.

Universities

At the end of secondary school, it is possible to continue studies at universities. In Italy, there are both private and public universities. The university route can be either single-cycle or divided into two paths (three-year bachelor’s degree followed by a two-year master’s degree).

Enrolment at Italian universities for foreign students

EU citizens students who wish to enrol in Italian universities do not require a visa. However, they are required to produce documents regarding their previous course of study, such as declarations of value, diploma supplements or translations of certificates. Each institution can specify the list of documents required.

Non-EU students, on the other hand, require a visa. To obtain the visa, they first must access the Universitaly portal to fill in the pre-enrolment application for their university course. Then, they shall complete the application at the Italian consular representations.

Private education in Italy

Article 33 of the Italian Constitution affirms two basic principles:

• The State has an obligation to provide a school system for all young people;
• The State must give the right to natural and legal persons, to establish educational institutions without asking money to the state.

The Italian education system recognises three types of non-state schools: private schools recognised by the state (scuola paritaria), private schools not recognised by the state (scuola non paritaria), and foreign schools.

What is the difference between state schools and “scuola paritaria”?

State schools are educational institutions run by government bodies, and subsidised by the state, which enable the education of students free of charge.

“Scuola paritaria” refers to that category of public schools that are granted educational parity with state schools. From a regulatory point of view, these schools perform a public service and are included in the national education system. Therefore, they are authorised to issue qualifications with the same legal value as state schools.

Moreover, they are granted full freedom with regard to cultural orientation and pedagogical-didactical direction. Attending this type of school constitutes fulfilment by the students of their compulsory education. These schools require the payment of tuition fees and are generally run by church personnel. They also enjoy more favourable tax treatment if they are non-profit.

“Scuole non paritarie” have not been granted parity status. Attendance at these establishments always guarantees the fulfilment of compulsory education. Please note, that these are not qualified to award qualifications equivalent to those of state schools.

Italy’s education visa

Regardless of the study cycle you intend to take in Italy, you might need to apply for a Student Visa if you are coming from outside the European Union. Have a look at our full guide on how to apply for an Italian Student Visa.

If you are interested in more information about the Italian education system, you can find out more in the website of the Ministry of Public Education.