In conformity to the 1999 reform, Italian university studies are organised on 3 cycles.

I. First cycle

Undergraduate studies consist in Corsi di Laurea-CL (1st degree courses) aimed at guaranteeing undergraduate students an adequate command of general scientific methods and contents as well as specific professional skills.

General access requirement is the Italian school leaving qualification (Diploma di Superamento dell'Esame di Stato conclusivo dei corsi di Istruzione Secondaria Superiore), awarded on passing the relevant state examinations, after completion of 13 years of global schooling; also foreign comparable qualifications may be accepted. Admission to individual degree courses may be subject to specific course requirements.

First degree courses last 3 years. The Laurea-L (1st degree) is awarded to undergraduates who have earned 180 credits.

II. Second cycle

Graduate studies include
1) Corsi di Laurea Specialistica-CLS;
2) Corsi di Specializzazione di 1° livello-CS1;
3) Corsi di Master Universitario di 1° livello-CMU1.

CLS are aimed at providing graduates with an advanced level of education for the exercise of a highly qualified activity in specific areas. Access to CLS is by the Italian 1st degree (L) or a foreign comparable degree; length is 2 years.

The final degree, Laurea Specialistica-LS (2nd degree), is awarded to graduates who have earned a global amount of 300 credits, including those of the 1st degree that have been recognised for access to the CLS (max. 180); besides, the drawing up of an original dissertation is also compulsory. A limited number of CLS regulated by specific EU directives (CLS in dentistry, human medicine, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, architecture) share the following different features: access is by the Italian school leaving diploma or a foreign comparable qualification; admission is always subject to entrance exams; length is 5 years (human medicine takes 6 years).

CS1 are devised to provide the knowledge and abilities needed for the practice of highly qualifying professions; they may be established exclusively in application of specific Italian laws or EU directives. Access is by a Laurea (1st degree) or a foreign comparable degree; admission is subject to the passing of a competitive examination; course length varies between 2 and 3 years. The final degree, called Diploma di Specializzazione di 1° livello-DS1 (1st level specialisation degree) is conferred to graduates who have earned 300-360 credits globally, including those of the 1st degree that have been recognised for access to the CS1.

CMU1 consist in advanced scientific courses or higher continuing education studies, open to the holders of a Laurea-L or a foreign comparable degree; admission may be subject to additional conditions. Course length is min. 1 year. The degree as Master Universitario di 1° livello-MU1 (1st level university master) is awarded to graduates who have earned 60 credits at least. III.

III. Third cycle

Postgraduate studies consist of the following typologies of degree courses:
1) Corsi di Dottorato di Ricerca-CDR (research doctorate programmes);
2) Corsi di Specializzazione di 2¡ livello-CS2 (2nd level specialisation courses);
3) Corsi di Master Universitario di 2¡ livello-CMU2 (2nd level university master degree courses).

CDR aim at training postgraduates for very advanced scientific research or for professional appointments of the highest consequence; they envisage the use of suitable teaching methodologies such as updated technologies, study periods abroad, stages in specialistic research centres.

Access is by an Italian 2nd degree (LS) or a foreign comparable degree; admission is subject to the passing of very competitive exams; official length is min. 3 years; the drawing up of an original dissertation is necessary for the awarding of the 3rd degree called Dottorato di Ricerca-DR (research doctorate).


CS2 are devised to provide postgraduates with knowledge and abilities as requested in the practice of highly qualifying professions; they may be established exclusively in application of specific Italian laws or EU directives. Access is by an LS (2nd degree) or by a foreign comparable degree; admission is subject to the passing of a competitive examination; course length is normally 1 year, except for all CS2 of the health sector which may take up to max. 5 years.

CMU2 consist in advanced scientific courses or higher continuing education studies, open to the holders of an LS or a foreign comparable degree; admission may be subject to additional conditions. Studies take min. 1 year. The degree (Master Universitario di 2° livello-MU2) is awarded to postgraduates who have earned min. 60 credits.

Classes of Degree Courses: educational contents of individual degree courses are autonomously determined by universities. Individual institutions, however, when establishing a CL or a CLS, have to adopt a few general requirements fixed at national level in relation to groups (classi*) of similar degree courses; such national requirements may not bind more than the 2/3 of each curriculum.

* Degree courses sharing the same educational objectives and the same fundamental types of teaching-learning activities are organised in groups called "classi di appartenenza" (classes of degree courses).

University Educational Credits: degree courses are structured in credits (crediti formativi universitari). A university credit corresponds to 25 hours of work per student, time for personal study included. The average annual workload of a full time student is conventionally fixed at 60 credits.