Academic recognition of degrees and master’s

Degrees, university diplomas and postgraduate qualifications obtained abroad are recognised in Italy through the academic route, within the competence of the universities. Alongside this, school qualifications and professional qualifications follow distinct paths, entrusted to different bodies. Identifying the correct path from the outset avoids inadmissible applications and dead time.

Recognition of degrees, university diplomas and postgraduate qualifications

Italian universities are competent for the academic recognition of foreign university qualifications. Each university assesses the comparability of the course independently, examining duration, disciplinary content, training credits and the level of the qualification. The outcome may be full recognition, admission with a shortened course or a request for additions. The assessment is individual and not automatic.

Recognition of secondary-school qualifications

Secondary-school diplomas obtained abroad are assessed by the territorially competent Regional School Offices, and not by the universities. The office verifies their correspondence with the Italian school system as to the duration of studies, subjects and level reached. Recognition may serve for enrolment at a higher level of education, for participation in selection procedures or for administrative purposes.

Recognition of regulated professional qualifications

For regulated professions competence lies with the Ministry of the sector, not the university. The Ministry varies according to the profession, the Ministry of Health for the healthcare professions, the Ministry of Justice for certain legal professions. The authority assesses the training and professional experience on their merits and may require compensation measures, such as an aptitude test or an adaptation period.

Method of work

The work begins with the legal classification of the case, to identify the correct procedure and the competent authority. There follows the technical analysis of the course of study or the professional background, with the verification of the rules, the gathering of documents and the preparation of the official translation. We take care of legalisations, apostilles, the application for the Declaration of Value and the drafting of the application. The aim is to submit a coherent and complete file that reduces the risk of rejection or of requests for additions.

How we can assist you

We offer a preliminary assessment and direct you towards the most suitable university or body according to the type of qualification, the country where it was obtained and the purpose of recognition. We follow the comparative analysis of the qualification, the verification of requirements, the preparation of documents, the official translations, the legalisations, the Declaration of Value and the submission of the application to the university.

The documents required

The complete file normally comprises the legalised original qualification, the examination certificates, the course syllabuses, the official translations and the Declaration of Value issued in the country where the qualification was obtained. Where available, the Transcript of Records and the Diploma Supplement are enclosed, which facilitate the comparative assessment.

Our experience

We have worked in the recognition of foreign qualifications for over thirty years, with an office in London, a network of partner law firms across Italy and an international clientele, in compliance with university regulations and ministerial guidance.

Legal references: Law 148 of 2002, Legislative Decree 206 of 2007 for regulated professions, Presidential Decree 189 of 2009.