Corso ItalyLanguage requirements
Which English or Italian level you usually need, which certificates count, and when you can be exempt.
This page gives the general rules that apply at most Italian universities. Each university, and often each programme, sets its own exact level, accepted certificates and scores. Always check the page of the programme you want before you apply.
1. Programmes taught in English
- Usual level: B2. Most universities ask for at least B2 English. A few programmes accept B1, and some competitive master’s programmes ask for C1.
- Common certificates: IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge English (B2 First, C1 Advanced) and PTE Academic. As a rough guide, requirements range from about IELTS 5.0 to 6.5, or TOEFL iBT about 59 to 94, and are usually higher for master’s programmes.
- Duolingo English Test: accepted by only some universities. Others say clearly that they do not accept it.
- Common exemptions: being a native speaker or a citizen of an English-speaking country, or having completed a previous degree taught entirely in English. Some universities accept a letter from your university saying your studies were in English; others do not.
- Without a certificate: some universities check your English with their own test or during an interview.
2. Programmes taught in Italian
- Level: B2. National rules require at least B2 Italian for students who live outside the EU and need a visa.
- The university’s own test: each university checks your Italian with its own test, usually online and before the visa application. Several universities use the same shared online test (for example the CISIA TEST ITA L2).
- Certificates: recognised Italian certificates (CILS, CELI, CERT.IT and PLIDA, which belong to the CLIQ group) at B2 or higher are accepted by many universities. A C1 or C2 CLIQ certificate, or the diploma of the Universities for Foreigners of Perugia or Siena, exempts you from the test.
3. If you study in English, do you need Italian?
Usually not at entry. Some universities still ask you to reach a basic level of Italian during your studies or before you graduate. Learning some Italian also makes daily life much easier.
4. When to send your certificate
- Some universities want the certificate when you apply, others accept it later, before enrolment.
- Some only accept recent certificates, for example from the last three years.
Check the dates on the programme page, and see How to apply for the full steps. You can find each university’s website in our universities guide.
Official sources
- MUR circular for international students, academic years 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 (copy published by the University of Ferrara)
- Sapienza University of Rome: applying as an international student (example)
- Politecnico di Milano: language skills (example)
- University of Bologna: Italian language test and certificate (example)
- University of Palermo: admission requirements for international students (example)
This site gives general information only. Rules change often, so always check the official sources.