The enrolment procedure for foreign national students is established by MUIR (Ministry of Education, University and Research) in agreement with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of the Interior.

The regulations for the three-year period 2008/2011 were issued on 16 May 2008 and regard all students who wish to enrol for:

• first or second level academic diploma courses at AFAM Institutes (Higher Education Institutes in the Arts, Music and Dance): Academies of Fine Arts, National Academy of Dance, National Academy of Dramatic Art, Legally Recognised Academies of Fine Arts, Conservatoires of Music, Recognised Musical Institutes, and Higher Institutes for Artistic Industries
• three-year undergraduate courses
• two-year postgraduate courses, following undergraduate course
• single-cycle masters degree courses (five years)
• schools of non-medical specialisation
• level I and level II masters courses
• single courses.

In order to submit enrolment on three-year undergraduate and single-cycle masters degree courses it is necessary to have studied for at least 12 years in the country of origin. In countries in which the education system is of 10 or 11 years duration it is necessary to demonstrate that one has attended university for 1 or 2 years or be in possession of a post-secondary educational qualification awarded by a Non-University Higher Education Institute (see attachment 1)

In order to submit enrolment on masters degree courses which are non single-cycle it is necessary to be in possession of an educational qualification awarded by a University or a post-secondary Institute of Higher Education, which before admission will be evaluated by the university to which the request for enrolment has been made.

Educational qualifications must be accompanied by an official translation in Italian, by authentication and by a “certificate of equivalence of qualification” (Form E and Form L) issued by the Italian diplomatic authorities of the country in which the qualification was obtained (except in cases of exemption by virtue of agreements and international conventions (see attachment 2)

For the translation, the individual concerned may, if abroad, refer to local translators and must request the certification of the authenticity of the said translation from the competent Italian diplomatic authorities in the country.  If in Italy, the individual concerned may refer to the local court of law (“Tribunale”) or to official translators.

The enrolment procedures vary according to the category of student: