Italy

The university sector is divided as follows:

• Laurea: Undergraduate degree which is equivalent to a Bachelor of Science in the European university system

• Laurea Magistrale: Graduate degree which is equivalent to a Master of Science in the European university system

• Dottorato di Ricerca: Postgraduate Degree (Ph.D.)

• Specializing Masters and Continuing Education Program

To know more about the differences between the two types of universities, check:

https://studyinitaly.esteri.it/en/the-italian-higher-educaton-system

Applications' requirements may differ from one university to another, but the common requirements are:

• CV/Motivation Letter: Nay can help review your CV or motivation letter. For more information check:

https://nay-catina-dia.net/home/review-information/

• Official Academic Transcript

• Recommendation Letters

• Internship/training certificates

• Degree Document

• Language Certificates:

  • • • • if the program is in Italian: B2 Level of Italian Language is usually required. You can prove that either through:

          • • Italian Language Certificate from:

              • • CILS

                • CELI

                • PLIDA

                • ROMA3

• • • • • • • Proof of successful placement in B2 level (if the University offers placement tests as an option)

        • if the program is in English:

          • • TOEFL/IELTS/PTE are required:

              • • To register for TOEFL and GRE, go to the official ETS website: https://www.ets.org/

                • When you register for any of the two exams, make sure to include which universities you want to send the scores to, if you choose the universities during registration, the

results will be sent for free. If you want to send them later (after registration), you

won’t be able to send them for free. You can choose up to 4 universities during

registration.

• • • • • • • Waivers for Students with degrees obtained in English as a language of study: students graduating with a Bachelor degree with English as the teaching language can get a waiver at many schools. This waiver is not typically stated online, reach out to your program contact person to check about this requirement.

• Deadlines: Typical deadlines* for Masters Programs in Italian Universities are:

  • • • • • • Sep-Feb for the first semester

            • March-July for the second semester

*deadlines may vary a lot between one university and another (especially for non-EU citizens), so always check the university's website

• GRE: some universities may require GRE for some of the majors. Registration for GRE follows the same process as TOEFL. To register, check: https://www.ets.org/

• Module Description/Course Catalogue: some universities may require a course catalog or description which includes the syllabus (structure) of the courses obtained during undergraduate studies. The purpose of this is to check whether the student acquired all the necessary knowledge for his graduate studies.

• The two main types of Scholarships are:

  • • • Merit Based Scholarships: you should submit the application between June-July

      • Financial Aid-Diritto allo Studio (DSU): https://www.polimi.it/en/current-students/tuition-fees-scholarships-and-financial-aid/university-financial-aid-diritto-allo-studio-universitario-dsu/

• Kaffi also provides scholarships for Germany under Kaffi Boost Programs. To check more about requirements and eligibility criteria, refer to: https://www.kaffi-lb.org/scholarship/kaffi-boost

• International students (Non-EU citizens) can work in Italy without obtaining any additional work permit but with some restrictions:

  • • • maximum allowed working hours are 20 hrs per week

      • maximum allowed working days are 120 full days per year or 240 half days per year

      • the minimum wage was defined as 7 EUR per hour. However, how much you earn depends more on your skills, industry, and region in which you are working.

• Types of Jobs care vary:

  • • • Side Jobs: like tutoring, babysitting, waiting tables, etc.

      • Academic Jobs: This often involves working as a research assistant, but it can also include other tasks like working in libraries, fundraising events, or teaching.

      • Internships

• In general, many universities in Italy are public, so there are no tuition fees. However, students pay a semester contribution which ranges between 100-350 EUR per semester.

• Cost of Living varies a lot between one region and another. In general, it is about 700 EUR per month. To check living costs per location in Italy, you can use: https://housinganywhere.com/Italy/cost-of-living

Students must apply for a national Visa, which requires:

• Online application form, available at:

https://static.tlscontact.com/media/lb/bey/it/national_application_form.pdf

• Passport

• Round Trip Flight ticket booking

• Family Ceritificate (إخراج قيد عائلي): an original copy with a simple Italian/English/French translation (no legalization required), recent (maximum three months)

• Language Certificate (either English or German depending on your program)

• Admission Letter from the university

• Address (any place you will stay in when you travel: friend's house, Airbnb, hotel room, etc. )

• Lebanese Personal Bank Statement

• Authenticated Official Degree Document and Transcript and Course Description:

  • For Degree Document:

    • Private Universities: Authenticate ORIGINAL COPY of document in both Ministry of Education (private) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Italian Embassy** plus a simple certified copy (not translated nor legalized) of the Equivalence Certificate issued by the Ministry of Education

    • Lebanese University: An original copy of the Diploma or Graduation Certificate, and 1 certified copy, both legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

  • For Academic Transcript:

    • One original + 1 certified copy, both legalized by the Ministry of Education (if it is a private University) and by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

  • For course description:

    • One copy, showing the detailed program of each discipline mentioned in the transcript, legalized by the Ministry of Education (if it is a private University) and by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; if required by the university, translated to Italian;

• Economic Warranty: For the visa, you must provide proof of income during your stay which equals 6000 EUR, either one of the following methods works:

  • • Bank’s credit letter, valid in Italy (account in the name of the student), for a monthly amount of € 600

    • Declaration from any bank located in Europe, USA or Canada by which the bank certifies that a relative of the student/a third party residing there has put at the disposal of the student at least 6000 Euro/year

  • Current Status: Equivalent amount in fresh dollars for Lebanese Banks not Lebanese Lira

• Insurance:

  • Valid for at least 3 months from the day of arrival to Italy

  • Once in Italy, the students are required to obtain an annual health insurance

• SUBMITTING THE APPLICATION:

  • Once your papers are ready, take an appointment at the TLS for a national student visa: https://it.tlscontact.com/lb/BEY/index.php

  • Follow the following steps:

    • Create an account

    • Complete application

    • Prepare documents

    • Take an appointment

    • Submit at the center

    • Collect your visa

  • Fees for applications:

    • Service Fees of $21 plus Visa fees: fixed in EUR but payable only in USD and in cash, around $58

First Steps in Italy include:

• Finding Accommodation:

  • • check the student dorms or student unions and apply as early as possible because there is a long waiting list. You can check the dorms for your respective university

• In case you still didn’t get a dorm, check these websites:

  • • • • Agencies (immobiliare.it)

• https://www.subito.it/

• Obtaining Resident Permit: You must apply for a resident permit BEFORE your Visa expires. You will need:

  • Step One: Prepare your documents:

    • • Passport + Visa + copies

      • Enrollment Certificate at University

      • Economic Warranty(Same for Visa App)

      • Proof of Health insurance

      • Accommodation

      • Italian tax code (if available)

      • Application Form

  • Step Two: Post Office (Sportello Amico)

    • Purchase a €16 duty stamp (marca da bollo)

    • Submit Documents + Payment Slip + Passport

    • Fill in the Form and pay postal fees (€30)

  • Step Three: Post Office (Sportello Amico)

    • The Post Office staff will give you:

      • Appointment at the immigration office (Ufficio Immigrazione) of the central police station (Questura)

      • a receipt of your residence permit application (keep with you!)

  • Step Four: Appointment at the Questura

    • • Passport + 4 Biometric Photos

      • the original application receipt you received from the Post Office

      • the document issued by the Post Office confirming your appointment at the Questura