Education in Italy
| Ministero dell'istruzione, dell'università e ricerca | |
|---|---|
| Ministro dell'istruzione | Mariastella Gelmini |
| National education budget (2005) | |
| Budget: | 66 billion (euro) |
| General Details | |
| Primary Languages: | Italian |
| System Type: | Public |
| Compulsory primary education | 1859 |
| Literacy (2005) | |
| Total: | 98.5 |
| Male: | 98.5 |
| Female: | 98.5 |
| Post Secondary: | 386,000 |
Education in Italy is compulsory from 6-15/16 years of age,[1] and is divided into five stages: kindergarten (scuola materna), elementary school (scuola elementare), middle school (scuola media), high school (scuola superiore) and university (università).[2] Italy has both public and private education systems. In Italy a state-born school system, or Education System has existed since 1859, when the Legge Casati (Casati Act) mandated educational responsibilities for the forthcoming Italian state (Italian unification took place in 1861). The Casati Act made primary education compulsory, and had the goal of reducing illiteracy. This law gave control of primary education to the single towns, of secondary education to the provincie (counties), and the universities were managed by the State. Even with the Casati Act and compulsory education, in rural (and southern) areas children often were not sent to school (the rate of children enrolled in primary education would reach 90% only after 70 years) and the illiteracy rate (which was near 80% in 1861) took more than 50 years to halve.
The next important law concerning the Italian education system was the Legge Gentile. This act was issued in 1923, thus when Benito Mussolini and his National Fascist Party were in power. In fact, Giovanni Gentile was appointed the task of creating an education system deemed fit for the fascist system.
MIUR (Ministry of Education, University and Research)
"Study in Italy" is a valuable information tool for students wishing to attend higher education (H.Ed.) programmes in Italy, both at undergraduate and postgraduate level. This national website provides the following information: types of H.Ed. institutions (university and non-university sector), admission procedures, study programmes, university degrees, non-university H.Ed. qualifications (academic diplomas), tution language, student life and welfare services, country information, etc.
Links to other websites are also given, where even more detailed information on specific topics of individual interest is available.
Why Italy?
Italy has played an important role in European higher education: it is one of the four countries that first engaged to create the so-called "European Area of Higher Education" (Sorbonne Declaration, May 1998), thus starting that type of higher education reform which, known as "Bologna Process" (Bologna Declaration, June 1999) is being implemented all over Europe.Today Italy ranks among the 8 most industrialised countries in the world. Alongside some big companies, both state-owned and private, it has developed a sound network of small and medium-sized undertakings, promoted a few scientific parks, and is incentivating basic and applied research in a great variety of fields (biology, ICT, medicine, physics, etc.).
Website State
New
- Deadlines 2010/2011
- Chinese students (2011/2012)
- Courses taught in English (2007)
- Higher Schools
The "course search" function enables you to find out information on all degree courses of the 1st and 2nd cycle (undergraduate and postgraduate) offered by Italian universities.
If you wish to better understand the structure and organisation of the Italian higher education system, please enter the relevant section of this website.
Where is Italy?
Italy is situated on the West Southern border of Europe; the peninsula, along with its sorrounding islands, stretches out southwards almost to the coasts of North Africa, while eastwards it faces the Slav-Balkan territories.Italy
| Structure of Educational System Pre-higher Education System Higher Education System Administrative structure of higher education Admissions to Higher Education and Recognition |
INSTITUTION TYPES & CREDENTIALS
Types of higher education institutions:
Università (University)
Politecnico (Technical University)
Istituto Universitario (University Institute)
Accademia (Academy)
Istituto Superiore (Higher Institute)
Scuola Superiore (Higher School)
Conservatorio di Musica (Music Conservatory)
Istituto Musicale Pareggiato (Legally recognized Musical Institute)
School leaving and higher education credentials:
Diploma dell' Esame di Stato conclusivo dei Corsi di Istruzione Secondaria Superiore
Maturità
Diploma Universitario
Laurea (triennale)
Diploma di Laurea
Attestato/Diploma di Perfezionamento
Diploma di Specializziazione
Laurea Magistrale
Laurea Specialistica
Master di 1° Livello
Magister Philosophiae
Master di 2° Livello
Dottorato di Ricerca
Dottorato di Ricerca (new system)
STRUCTURE OF EDUCATION SYSTEM
Pre-higher education:
Duration of compulsory education:
Age of entry: 6
Age of exit: 15
Structure of school system:
Primary
Type of school providing this education: Scuola Elementare
Length of program in years: 5
Age level from: 6 to: 11
Certificate/diploma awarded: Diploma di Licenza della Scuola Elementare
Lower Secondary
Type of school providing this education: Scuola Media Inferiore
Length of program in years: 3
Age level from: 11 to: 14
Certificate/diploma awarded: Diploma di Licenza della Scuola Media Inferiore
Technical Secondary
Type of school providing this education: Istituto Tecnico
Length of program in years: 5
Age level from: 14 to: 19