Academic degrees obtained abroad may be evaluated for the purpose of enrollment in bachelor's/master's degree courses in Italy.
In this case, the evaluation is carried out according to Art. 2 of Law 148/2002, which states verbatim:
The authority for the recognition of study cycles and periods completed abroad, as well as foreign academic qualifications, for the purpose of access to higher education, continuing university studies, and obtaining Italian university degrees, is assigned to Universities and Institutes of higher education, which exercise this authority within their own autonomy and in accordance with their respective regulations, without prejudice to any bilateral agreements on the matter.
Reference should be made to the MIUR Circular for provisions regarding documentation, procedures, and other guidelines that students holding a qualification obtained abroad must follow in order to enroll at Italian universities.
For the recognition of academic qualifications for professional purposes, participation in public competitions, and for general equivalence, it is advisable to consult the CIMEA website.
Recognition for professional purposes
Those who hold a professional qualification obtained abroad must have it recognized by the competent Italian authority in order to practice the corresponding “regulated” profession in Italy, whose practice is governed by national legislation.
“Professional qualification” refers to the qualification that, in the country of issuance, grants the right to practice a specific regulated profession.
For more information, please consult the CIMEA website.
Participation in public competitions
Italian citizens or citizens of a European Union country who hold a qualification obtained abroad may take part in competitions for access to Italian public administrations through a procedure for the recognition of the qualification implemented pursuant to Article 38 of Legislative Decree 165/2001, aimed at evaluating the equivalence between the qualification held and the qualification required for admission to the competition.
The body responsible for assessing the equivalence of the foreign qualification is the Presidency of the Council of Ministers - Department of Public Administration - P.P.A. Office - Recruitment Service, Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 116 - 00186 Rome.
Equivalence is a complex form of academic recognition. It is based on an analytical evaluation of a foreign higher education qualification and aims to determine whether it matches, in detail, both in terms of level and content, a similar Italian university degree. If so, the qualification is considered equivalent, acquires the same legal “weight” and, for this reason, is declared “equivalent.” Otherwise, the university may establish that, in order to obtain the degree, the applicant must enroll and pass a certain number of exams and acquire the related credits (CFU).
Further information regarding the application for recognition and equivalence can be found at the university offering the degree of interest.
For more information, please consult the CIMEA website.