Italian higher education is structured in a binary system, consisting of two main articulations:
- the university sector
- the non-university sector.
At present, the university sector is made up of 89 university institutions which are classified in:
- 58 State universities
- 17 non-State universities (legally recognised by the State)
- 2 universities for foreigners
- 6 higher schools specialised in postgraduate university studies
- 6 telematic universities.
The non-university sector includes 4 education typologies with their institutions:
- higher schools of design: polytechnics for the arts, academies of fine arts, higher institutes for applied arts, music conservatories and recognised music institutes, higher institutes for musical and choreographic studies, national academies
- higher education in language mediation: higher schools for language mediators
- higher integrated education (FIS): programmes of higher technical education & training (IFTS)
- a few specific fields (e.g. archiving, diplomatics, restoration, military studies, etc.) which, along with their respective institutions, fall under the supervision of ministries other than that of Education.
Types of Institutions
Italian higher education (H.Ed.) institutions at university-level consist of:
- universities
- institutions of the Afam system, specialised in the arts and music; they include fine arts academies (ABAs), higher schools of design (ISIAs), national academies and schools (dance, drama, cinema), music conservatories, recognized musical institutes
Types of Programmes and Degrees
A) The institutions quoted above may offer 1st, 2nd, 3rd cycle programmes and degrees.
1st cycle:
Programmes
Universities Corsi di Laurea - CL
AFAM institutions Corsi di Diploma Accademico di 1° livello - CDA1
Degrees
Universities Laurea - L/L3
AFAM institutions Diploma Accademico di 1° livello - DA1
2st cycle:
Programmes
Universities Corsi di Laurea Specialistica / Magistrale - CLS/CLM
Corsi di Laurea Specialistica / Magistrale a ciclo unico - CLSu /CLMu
Corsi di Master Universitario di 1° livello - CMU1
AFAM institutions Corsi di Diploma Accademico di 2° livello - CDA2
Degrees
Universities Laurea Specialistica / Magistrale - LS/LM
Laurea Specialistica /Magistrale a ciclo unico -Lsu /LMu
Master Universitario di 1° livello -MU1
AFAM institutions Diploma Accademico di 2° livello - DA2
3st cycle:
Programmes
Universities Corsi di Dottorato di Ricerca - CDR
Corsi di Specializzazione di 2° livello - CS2
Corsi di Master Universitario di 2° livello -CMU2
AFAM institutions Corsi di Dottorato, di Specializzazione, di Perfezionamento (not yet available)
Degrees
Universities Dottorato di Ricerca - DR
Diploma di Specializzazione di 2° livello - DS2
Master Universitario di 2° livello - MU2
AFAM institutions Diplomi di Dottorato, di Specializzazione, di Perfezionamento (not yet awarded)
