Scholarship with a foreign qualification

Equivalence of a foreign qualification for scholarships is the recognition that allows those who have studied abroad to compete for scholarships and to enter university in Italy. It is a purpose-specific recognition, distinct from general academic equivalence, and rests on the comparative assessment of the qualification against the Italian one.

Scholarships in Italy with a foreign qualification: is it possible

Yes. Those who have obtained a qualification abroad may have access to scholarships and to university in Italy, provided that the qualification is assessed and recognised for the purpose required. The bodies that award scholarships, from the universities to the right-to-study bodies, require proof of the value of the qualification in the system of origin and of its correspondence with the Italian level.

Equivalence of a foreign qualification for scholarships

For many purposes, scholarships among them, an administrative equivalence procedure applies. The application is submitted to the competent administration, with the assessment of the Ministry of University and Research, and is normally concluded within ninety days. In the event of a negative outcome a review may be requested within thirty days, enclosing further documentation. It is a route distinct from academic equivalence, because it is valid for the purpose for which it is sought.

The documentation required

The file normally comprises the qualification translated by an official translator and legalised, the transcript of examinations, the documentation attesting the purpose and the Declaration of Value issued by the consular mission, required for non-EU qualifications and not needed in this form for qualifications obtained in the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland.

The role of CIMEA and the Declaration of Value

Alongside the Declaration of Value, many universities accept or require the CIMEA comparability statements, CIMEA being the Italian centre of the ENIC-NARIC network, which place the foreign qualification in relation to the Italian system. The two instruments meet different needs, and understanding which is needed for the individual scholarship or for the chosen university avoids delays. Legalisation or an Apostille under the Hague Convention completes the file for non-EU qualifications.

Deadlines and how to plan

Scholarship notices have strict deadlines and often leave no time to obtain, close to the deadline, the Declaration of Value or the statements, which take weeks. It is advisable to act in good time, to check in advance the documents required by the individual notice and to prepare the translations, so as to submit a complete file by the deadline.

The specific cases: regional scholarships, DSU, INPS and private universities

The rules change according to the body. The scholarships for the right to university study awarded by the regional bodies, the merit programmes, the INPS benefits and the scholarships of private universities or of international programmes such as Erasmus Mundus may require different documents and assessments. In every case the starting point is the same, to identify the purpose and the competent body and to prepare the proof of the value of the qualification.

Legal references: Law 148 of 2002 and the Lisbon Convention, Presidential Decree 189 of 2009 for the administrative equivalence procedures.