Glossary of Italian terms

Italian universities and offices use many Italian words, even on their English pages. Here is what the most common ones mean. Each entry links to the guide that explains it in detail.

Studying and admission

Bando

The official call for applications of a program or a test. It sets the requirements, the dates and the fees. When a website and the bando disagree, the bando is right.

Accesso libero / numero programmato

Accesso libero means open access: there is no limit on places, though there may be a test to check your level. Numero programmato (also called numero chiuso) means limited places, given through a test or a ranking. See admission tests.

OFA (obblighi formativi aggiuntivi)

Extra learning requirements you receive if your score on an entry test is low. You complete them during your first year, for example with a course or a test.

CFU (crediti formativi universitari)

University credits. One CFU is about 25 hours of study. A full year is usually 60 CFU, and they match the European ECTS credits.

Laurea triennale

A bachelor’s degree, usually three years (180 CFU).

Laurea magistrale

A master’s degree, usually two years (120 CFU) after a bachelor’s.

Laurea magistrale a ciclo unico

A single-cycle degree of five or six years with no separate bachelor’s, for example medicine, law or architecture.

Graduatoria / scorrimento

The graduatoria is the ranking of candidates after a test or a selection. A scorrimento happens when people give up their places and the next candidates in the ranking are admitted.

Appello

An exam session. Most exams have several appelli in a year, and you choose which one to take.

Immatricolazione

Your final enrolment at the university, after you are admitted and have paid the first instalment.

Preiscrizione (Universitaly)

Pre-enrolment on the Universitaly portal. Non-EU students who live abroad and need a visa must do it before the visa appointment. See how to apply.

Documents and recognition

Dichiarazione di valore (DoV)

A document from the Italian embassy or consulate in the country of your diploma that describes its value in that country’s school system.

Attestato di comparabilità (CIMEA)

A statement from CIMEA, the Italian centre for recognising qualifications, that compares your diploma with Italian ones. Many universities accept it instead of the Dichiarazione di valore.

Legalizzazione / apostille

The official stamp that confirms a foreign document is real. Countries that signed the Hague Convention use the apostille; others use legalisation at the Italian consulate.

Codice fiscale

Your Italian tax code. You need it for almost everything: enrolment, a phone contract, a bank account, a rental contract and health care. See your first weeks.

SPID

Italy’s digital identity. It lets you log in to public websites (for example INPS or the Agenzia delle Entrate) with one username and password.

Residence and offices

Visto per studio

The study visa (type D, long stay) that the Italian consulate issues before you travel. See visa.

Permesso di soggiorno

The residence permit you must request after you arrive in Italy, using the post office kit. See residence permit.

Questura

The police headquarters of each province. Its immigration office handles residence permits and takes your fingerprints.

Kit giallo / ricevuta

The kit giallo is the yellow envelope with the residence permit form, available at some post offices. When you send it, you get a ricevuta (receipt). Keep it with your passport while you wait for your permit.

Marca da bollo

A revenue stamp, bought at a tobacconist (tabaccheria), that you stick on some official forms.

Anagrafe / residenza

The anagrafe is the register of residents at the town hall (comune). Registering your residenza there is separate from the residence permit.

Tessera sanitaria / SSN

The SSN is Italy’s national health service. After you register with it, you get a tessera sanitaria (health card) and can choose a family doctor. See health insurance.

Money and support

Tasse universitarie / contributo onnicomprensivo

University fees. At public universities, the main part (contributo onnicomprensivo) usually depends on your family’s income. See costs.

ISEE / ISEE parificato

The ISEE is an indicator of a family’s income and assets. Universities and scholarships use it to set fees and decide who gets support. If your family’s income is abroad, you usually need an ISEE parificato instead.

CAF

An authorised tax help centre. CAF offices prepare the ISEE and the ISEE parificato, often for free or for a small fee.

DSU / borsa di studio

DSU (diritto allo studio universitario) is the regional right-to-study service. It gives scholarships (borse di studio), housing and meal discounts based on income and merit. See funding.