The higher education sector in Italy consists of two main parts, the university sector and the non-university sector. While the latter focuses on specialised areas of activity (such as language learning, military studies and so forth) the former sector is the larger one and deals with mainstream education. Within the university sector there are clear differences between the ways in which universities are established and the way in which they are classified. The majority are state (public) universities although there are a number of non-state (private) institutions as well as some smaller groupings including around distance delivery.
Oversight of university education si provided by a number of bodies including the National University Council (CUN), the University Student National Council (CNSU - in which the representatives of the various categories of university staff and students participate), and the Conference of Italian University Rectors (CRUI).
(i) Structure
Essentially state bodies, these universities are semi-autonomous with their own institution-specific rules and regulations. Led by a Rector, the key governing bodies are the Academic Senate, and the Board of Directors.
Such institutions are established by the Minister of Education via a decree awarded after due consideration of the statutes, its organisation and governance has been undertaken. The major difference from state universities is the funding and governance models.
A sub-set of universities are called "Politecnici" (technical universities) and these relate to the technical areas of architecture and engineering.
In essence, these universities are designed to teach Italian language, culture and literature to non-Italians.
Specialist institutions that deal solely in postgraduate (research) study within the 3rd cycle as defined by the Bologna process.
State decreed universities which exist to support and provide distance learning programmes mainly through e-learning approaches.
(ii) Access
The basic entry requirements to the new degree courses are defined as follows:
The general access requirement to the first cycle is the Italian school leaving qualification, the Diploma di Superamento dell'Esame di Stato conclusivo dei Corsi di Istruzione Secondaria Superiore
To get into the Laurea Specialistica (LS) second level, access requires the Italian first degree (L) or an equivalent foreign degree and the course lasts for two years
For the third cycle, (Dottorato di Ricerca (DR) or Italian doctorate degree, access is based on the Italian second degree (LS/LM)
(iii) Qualifications
Italy has a three cycle degree structure.
First Cycle (undergraduate studies) leads to a Corsi di Laurea (CL) for first degree courses. These are designed to provide basic levels of knowledge and professional skills. They last generally for 3 years and equate to 180 ECTS[1]. Those students gaining 180 credits are awarded the Laurea (L).
Second Cycle (graduate studies) can refer to two types of qualification. There is the second degree or Laurea specialistica (LS) that last for 2 years and consists of 120 ECTS or the 1st Level Masters degree (Master universitario di 1° livello) which is at least 1 year in duration and consists of 60+ ECTS. There is also a 2nd level Masters degree (Master universitario di 2° livello) that is also (1+ years and 60+ ECTS)
Third Cycle (postgraduate studies) is essentially the research doctorate degree or dottorato di ricerca. This takes at least 3 years
Finally, there are also some specialised degrees called diploma di specializzazione[2] that last for between 1 and 5 years and range between 60 and 300 ECTS.
According to Times Higher Education-QS World University Rankings for 2010 there were no Italian universities ranked in the top 100. However, in terms of bands in which specific Universities fall, the following can be shown:
|
Institution Name
|
Rank(2009) |
|
University of Milan
|
101-151
|
|
University of Pisa
|
|
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University of Roma - La Sapienza
|
|
|
University of Padua
|
152-200
|
|
University of Bologna
|
201-302
|
|
University of Florence
|
|
|
University of Turin
|
|
|
Polytechnic Institute of Milan
|
303-401
|
|
Scuola Normale Superiore - Pisa
|
|
|
University of Ferrara
|
|
|
University of Genova
|
|
|
University of Naples Federico II
|
|
|
University of Palermo
|
|
|
Catholic University of the Sacred Heart
|
402-501
|
|
Polytechnic University of Turin
|
|
|
University of Bari
|
|
|
University of Parma
|
|
|
University of Pavia
|
|
|
University of Perugia
|
|
|
University of Roma - Tor Vergata
|
|
|
University of Siena
|
[1] European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) is a standard for comparing the study attainment and performance of students of higher education across the European Union and other collaborating European countries. For successfully completed studies, ECTS credits are awarded. One academic year corresponds to 60 ECTS-credits that are equivalent to 1500-1800 hours of study in all countries irrespective of standard or qualification type and is used to facilitate transfer and progression throughout the Union.
[2] Offered according to the national legislation or EU directives for specific areas of study.