Italian language knowledge test

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Who should do the test

Non-Eu citizens residing abroad, who intend to enroll in a first cycle (Bachelor's) degree (corsi di laurea triennali - L) and single cycle degree (laurea magistrale a ciclo unico LM c.u.) and second cycle (Master's) degree (corsi di laurea magistrali) course taught in Italian, must take an Italian language knowledge test.

Proof of knowledge of the Italian language for admission to courses is the same for all programmes.

Test date and procedures

Test date and procedures for a.y. 2024/2025 are published in Italian language test webpage.

Candidates who fail the test and do not fall into one of the cases of exemption provided, cannot enroll in the courses offered only in Italian.

Exemption from the proof of knowledge of the Italian language

Students exempted from the Italian proficiency test if they satisfy the following conditions:

• they submitted the pre-enrolment application to enrol in program taught in English;
• they hold an Italian language proficiency certification, at a grade no lower than the B2 level according to the Council of Europe, issued as part of the CLIQ quality system (Italian Quality Language Certification), which brings together the current certification bodies (University for Foreigners of Perugia, University for Foreigners of Siena, Roma Tre University, "Dante Alighieri" Society and the University for Foreigners "Dante Alighieri" of Reggio Calabria, in agreement with the Italian Cultural Institutes abroad or other institutions. These certifications can be obtained in the country of residence, in affiliated examination centres located throughout the world;
• they passed the Italian L2 test provided by CISIA, for a university or institution of higher education other than the University of Florence, with at least 33 points;
• they passed an Italian language test of at least level B2 at the University of Florence's University Language Centre.

Eu and non-Eu students with the following qualifications are also exempt from the Italian language proficiency test:

• a secondary school diploma of four- or five-year duration obtained in an Italian School abroad;
• one of the final secondary school qualifications listed in the Ministerial Provisions (see the Ministerial Provisions on the Ministry website, annex 2 pdf);
• a complementary certificate to the final title of middle school obtained in Argentina, which certifies the attendance of a course of study including the teaching, for at least 5 years, of the Italian language (Law n. 210 of 7 June 1999, Official Journal No. 152 of 1 July 1999);
• the Italian language and culture diploma awarded by the Universities for Foreigners of Perugia and Siena;
• they hold an Italian language proficiency certification, at a grade C1 and C2 level according to the Council of Europe, issued as part of the CLIQ quality system (Italian Quality Language Certification), which brings together the current certification bodies (University for Foreigners of Perugia, University for Foreigners of Siena, Roma Tre University, "Dante Alighieri" Society and the University for Foreigners "Dante Alighieri" of Reggio Calabria, in agreement with the Italian Cultural Institutes abroad or other institutions. These certifications can be obtained in the country of residence, in affiliated examination centres located throughout the world.
• a  first cycle/bachelor’s degree (laurea triennale) academic qualification obtained in an Italian university.
• a certificate of completion of a Foundation Year issued in Italian

Read more in Enrolment of non-EU students residing abroad.