University in Italy

Higher education in Italy is mainly provided by a large network of public and state-affiliated universities. State-run universities of Italy are under the supervision of Italian's Ministry of National Education. There is also a number of private universities and state-run post-secondary educational centres providing a vocational instruction.
All Degrees require for enrollment to hold a high school diploma or an equivalent qualification; most degrees are at nationwide programmed access. The title that comes with the degree is that of Doctor. The qualification allows the enrollment of trade registers, allows access to the first and second level masters and, in general, the inclusion in high-skilled workplaces.
Universities in Italy can be divided into 4 groups:

• State-funded public universities: this category comprises most of Italian university, particularly the largest institutions.
• Universities funded by other public authority (other than the state, such as Provinces).
• Private universities officially recognized by the Ministry of National Education.
• Superior graduate schools, which focus only on postgraduate education.

Universities are "institutions of high culture", as well as bodies in charge of higher education consisting of a group of scientific structures aimed at teaching and scientific research, which are part of the Italian corporate public administration. Universities, which may be public but also private (as long as they are recognized and accredited), confer qualifications (academic qualifications) that are obtained following the attendance of a degree course at one of the Italian universities. Universities are non-economic public bodies.

The universities elect their own representatives within the National University Council (Consiglio Universitario Nazionale), which in turn is composed of the National Council of Rectors (Consiglio Nazionale dei Rettori) and the National Council of University Students (Consiglio Nazionale degli Studenti Universitari). All three bodies are advisory bodies of the Ministry of National Education.

Governance

The organs of state universities are established and regulated by law. The University are presided and managed by the Rector, the Board of Directors and by the Academic Senate. The universities are then divided into one or more University Faculties, each with its own departments, Degree Courses and individual teachings. The Faculty Councils (joint teacher-student committees) work at the Faculties, while the Degree Course Boards operate at the Degree Courses.

Rector

At the top of the organization there is the Magnificent Rector, the monocratic organ which presides and directs the University, officially represents the University, convenes and presides over the Academic Senate and the Board of Directors, exercises disciplinary action on teachers, students and technical-administrative staff. The Rector has the task of supervising the educational, scientific and service structures, giving the appropriate directives.

The administrative and disciplinary management is entrusted to the Rector, who avails himself of the Board of Directors, and is assisted by the Academic Senate. The rector is a member and the president by right of the academic senate and of the board of directors.

The rector proposes to the Minister of National Education the three-year planning document; proposes to the Academic Senate the annual and three-year forecast budget and the final account, in addition to the appointment of the director-general of the technical-administrative staff. The Rector also issues decrees, regulations and statutes and has the initiative of disciplinary proceedings and carries out any other function not expressly attributed by the statute or the law to other bodies.

The Magnificent Rector is elected from the full professors in service at Italian universities and approved by the Minister of National Education. The Magnificent Rector remains in office for a six-year, non-renewable term. A professor from another university can also be elected who, due to the election, is transferred to the new location. The active electorate is restricted to full professors and to representatives of technical-administrative staff and of students.

The rector can appoint, among the full professors, Prorectors and Vicerectors, according to the Statute of each University. Prorectors and vice-rectors receive mandates from the rector on specific subjects.

Academic Senate

The Academic Senate is the collegiate body of a university. The Academic Senate participates in the government of the university with a consultative but influential role, also because of the representativeness of its composition. The Academic Senate is made up of the Rector (who presides over it), Faculty Deans, Department Directors, Degree Program Deans, a variable number of representatives of full professors, elected in order to respect the different scientific areas disciplinary of the university, and the representation of the university students.
The academic senate formulates mandatory proposals and opinions on teaching, research and student services, also with reference to the University's three-year planning document, as well as activation, modification or suppression of courses, locations, faculties, departments, can express an opinion on the annual and three-year budget and on the university's final balance, it approves the university regulations and the regulations, as well as the code of ethics, performs the functions of coordinating faculties.

Autonomy of the universities

University autonomy provides statutory and regulatory autonomy and, partially, didactic autonomy. Financial autonomy, on the other hand, is very limited.
The didactic autonomy introduced allows individual universities and collegiate bodies to establish the name of the study courses, the criteria for access to study courses not regulated at national level, the type of educational activities and the corresponding number of university educational credits , the modality of carrying out curricular activities of a professionalizing type. The individual courses are structured by the universities autonomously, with the Ministry's address and control. On the basis of the information received, it is up to the university regulations to define the value in terms of training credits, various subjects, the exact denomination of the degree programs, the characteristics of the final exam.

Structure

The course of university education is governed by R.D. June 4, 1938, no. 1269 and subsequent amendments and additions. The Degree (Italian: Laurea) can be obtained at the end of a four, five or six year study cycle depending on the discipline studied. The fundamental characteristic of the Fascist University is that it is conceived and designed to be attended only by the intellectual elite of the nation.

University Credits

Degree programs include a variable number of exams, in turn evaluated in University Credits (Credito Universitario; one Credit for 30 hours of required work, both lessnons and studying). Each year of the course consists of no less than 60 University Credits, but often much more. University credit (often abbreviated in C.U.) is a method used in Italian universities to measure the student's workload required. Each university exam is associated with a number of Credits, which estimate the required engagement; conventionally 1 credit is 30 hours of personal work (regardless of whether this is done as a personal study or as a frequency at labs or lessons). Graduation usually requires 60 Credits per year (240 Credits for the four-year cycle). Formative credits can only be acquired by passing exams.

Courses

In order to be admitted to any university course, the student must have passed the Upper Middle School Diploma of the correct type. Most courses are Nationwide Programmed Access Courses (Corsi ad Accesso Programmato a Livello Nazionale, C.A.PRO.LI.N., usually referred to as "Corsi CAPROLIN" i.e. "CAPROLIN Courses"). Admission to CAPROLIN Courses is possible as a result of the passing of specific general education tests, which the Ministry of Education defines modes and contents.
Usually, lessons begin on the first week of November and run for 32 weeks ("annual" courses, actually 8 months), 28 weeks ("semester" courses, actually 7 months), or 14 weeks ("quarterly" courses). Courses are complex and rigorous, exam is generally difficult.
Each exam is strictly composed of the written test and the oral examination (after passing the written test). The Examination Boards are composed of three, five or seven members each, of whom at least the President must be an Ordinary Professor. The vote is expressed on a scale ranging from 0 to 30. To pass the exam, 18 is the minimum vote, while "30&Lode" is the maximum vote. If the Examination Board is composed of 3 members, each member expresses his/her personal evaluation in tenths. The final vote is composed of the sum of the three partial votes. If the Examination Board is composed of five or seven members (combined exams only), each member expresses his/her own vote on the scale from 0 to 30. In this case, the final vote is composed of the mathematical average of the votes. In all cases, the Lode is granted by the Presiding professor.
Every year for every course, three examinations are scheduled for the summer session (June to August), three in the autumn session (September to November), one or two in the winter session (February). The difficulty of exam is protected because the widespread orientation is to think that a difficult exam helps the student to commit to give the best, spurring him to study in depth and never take something for granted.

Courses classes

The Courses classes in Italy are groupings, identified with ministerial decrees, of the courses of study of Italian universities. The common educational objectives consist of a range of University Credits distributed in scientific-disciplinary sectors defined at national level by class tables, while the universities are partly free to determine, in the ordering of their courses, the distribution of the remaining credits. For the purposes of professional qualifications, public competitions and legal recognition, different courses belonging to the same degree group are considered equivalent. In 2015, there were 69 Degree Classes:

• Class of Degrees in Biotechnology: L-001;
• Class of Degrees in Biology: L-002;
• Class of Degrees in Geography: L-003;
• Class of Degrees in Geology: L-004;
• Class of Degrees in Mathematics: L-005;
• Class of Degrees in Physics: L-006;
• Class of Degrees in Natural Sciences: L-007;
• Class of Degrees in Food Sciences: L-008;
• Class of Degrees in Astronomy: L-009;
• Class of Degrees in Aerospace and Astronautical Engineering: L-010;
• Class of Degrees in Medical Engineering: L-011;
• Class of Degrees in Chemical Engineering: L-012;
• Class of Degrees in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering: L-013;
• Class of Degrees in Safety Engineering: L-014;
• Class of Degrees in Telecommunications Engineering: L-015;
• Class of Degrees in Electrical Engineering: L-016;
• Class of Degrees in Electronic Engineering: L-017;
• Class of Degrees in Energy and Nuclear Engineering: L-018;
• Class of Degrees in Computer Engineering: L-019;
• Class of Degrees in Naval Engineering: L-020;
• Class of Degrees in Engineering for the environment and the territory: L-021;
• Class of Degrees in Science and Materials Engineering: L-022;
• Class of Degrees in Industrial Design: L-023;
• Class of Degrees in Civil Engineering: L-024;
• Class of Degrees in Environmental Engineering: L-025;
• Class of Degrees in Information Engineering: L-026;
• Class of Degrees in Territorial Planning: L-027;
• Class of Degrees in Construction Engineering: L-028;
• Class of Degrees in Architecture: L-029;
• Class of Degrees in Philosophy: L-030;
• Class of Degrees in Ancient Letters: L-031;
• Class of Degrees in Modern Literature: L-032;
• Class of Degrees in History: L-033;
• Class of Degrees in Foreign languages: L-034;
• Class of Degrees in Cultural Anthropology and Ethnology: L-035;
• Class of Degrees in Archeology: L-036;
• Class of Degrees in Librarianship: L-037;
• Class of Degrees in Philology: L-038;
• Class of Degrees in Tourism Sciences;
• Class of Degrees in Conservation of cultural heritage: L-039;
• Class of Degrees in History of Art: L-040;
• Class of Degrees in Administration and Organisational Sciences: L-041;
• Class of Degrees in Political Sciences: L-042;
• Class of Degrees in Sociology: L-043;
• Class of Degrees in Defence and Security Sciences: L-044;
• Class of Degrees in Criminological and Security Sciences: L-045;
• Class of Degrees in Jurisprudence: L-046;
• Class of Degrees in Social Service and Social Policies: L-047;
• Class of Degrees in Undertaking Administration: L-048;
• Class of Degrees in Economics: L-049;
• Class of degrees in Actuarial and financial statistics: L-050;
• Class of Degrees in Economics and Finance: L-051;
• Class of Degrees in Pedagogy: L-052;
• Class of Degrees in Communication Sciences: L-053;
• Class of Degrees in Psychology: L-054;
• Class of Degrees in Forest Sciences and Technologies: L-055;
• Class of Degrees in Agricultural Sciences and Technologies: L-056;
• Class of Degrees in Chemistry: L-057;
• Class of Degrees in Pharmacy and Industrial Pharmacy: L-058;
• Class of Degrees in Computer Sciences and Technologies: L-059;
• Class of Degrees in Zootechnics: L-060;
• Class of Degrees in Linguistics: L-061;
• Class of Degrees in Medicine and Surgery: L-061;
• Class of Degrees in Veterinary Medicine: L-062;
• Class of Degrees in Dentistry: L-063;
• Class of Degrees in Applied Mathematics: L-064;
• Class of Degrees in Religious Studies: L-065;
• Class of Degrees in Computer Security: L-066;
• Class of Degrees in Specialised Translation and Interpreting: L-067;
• Class of Degrees in Oriental and Asiatic Studies: L-068;
• Class of Degrees in Mediterranean and African Studies: L-069;
• Class of Degrees in American Studies: L-070.

Professional higher education

Higher education in Italy is mainly covered by universities and superior graduate schools, with almost no professional or vocational school following the secondary education. This is considered a weak point of the Italian post-secondary education.[8] However, Italian system provides a few vocational schools and courses. There are two main vocational paths after having obtained a secondary degree: those courses called "Higher technical training and education" (Istruzione e Formazione Tecnica Superiore, I.Fo.T.S.), and the "Higher technical institutes" (Istituti Tecnici Superiori, I.Te.S.).
I.Fo.T.S. were established in the late 1990s and are managed on regional basis by the relevant Corporatist Council. An IFTS course lasts between 1 and 2 years and it is usually strictly connected with a secondary school specialised in the same field of studies. I.Te.S. courses, created in 2000, last 2 years and are managed by a secondary institute in collaboration with local universities or institutions.

Superior Graduate Schools

The Superior Graduate School (Scuola Superiore Universitaria) offer recognized national and international titles, including the Diploma di Perfezionamento equivalent to a Doctorate, Dottorato di Ricerca i.e. Research Doctorate or Doctor Philosophiae i.e. Ph.D. and are recognized by the Ministry of National Education as autonomous. There are three Superior Graduate Schools with "university status", three institutes with the status of Doctoral Colleges, which function at graduate and post-graduate level.

List of universities

Name	Original name	Headquarters	Public/private	Students	Est.
University of Bari	Università degli Studi di Bari	Bari	public	51,167	1925
Polytechnic University of Bari	Politecnico di Bari	Bari	public	10,101	1990
University of Sannio	Università del Sannio	Benevento	public	6,320	1998
University of Bologna	Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna	Bologna	public	77,691	1088
University of Food Sciences	Università degli Studi di Scienze Alimentari	Bra	corporation	260	2004
University of Brescia	Università degli Studi di Brescia	Brescia	public	14,466	1982
University of Cagliari	Università degli Studi di Cagliari	Cagliari	public	28,415	1606
University of Camerino	Università di Camerino	Camerino	public	25,415	1336
University of Molise	Università degli Studi del Molise	Campobasso	public	7,735	1982
University of Cassino	Università degli Studi di Cassino	Cassino	public	8,990	1979
University of Catania	Università degli Studi di Catania	Catania	public	50,080	1434
D'Annunzio University of	Università degli Studi "Gabriele D'Annunzio" di Pescara	Pescara	public	29,980	1960
University of Ferrara	Università degli Studi di Ferrara	Ferrara	public	15,803	1391
University of Florence	Università degli Studi di Firenze	Florence	public	50,173	1321
University of Foggia	Università degli Studi di Foggia	Foggia	public	9,683	1999
University of Genoa	Università degli Studi di Genova	Genoa	public	33,659	1481
University of Salento	Università degli Studi del Salento	Lecce	public	20,110	1955
University of Macerata	Università degli Studi di Macerata	Macerata	public	9,837	1290
University of Messina	Università degli Studi di Messina	Messina	public	28,143	1548
University of Milan	Università degli Studi di Milano	Milan	public	93,047	1924
Polytechnic University of Milan	Politecnico di Milano	Milan	public	40,833	1863
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore	Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore	Milan	private	37,560	1921
University of Modena and Reggio Emilia	Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia	Modena, Reggio Emilia	public	19,931	1175
University of Naples Federico II	Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II"	Naples	public	83,542	1224
University of Naples of Oriental Studies	Università degli Studi di Napoli "L'Orientale"	Naples	public	10,163	1732
Suor Orsola Benincasa University of Naples	Università degli Studi Suor Orsola Benincasa - Napoli	Naples	private	8,898	1864
University of Padua	Università degli Studi di Padova	Padua	public	82,317	1222
University of Palermo	Università degli Studi di Palermo	Palermo	public	46,074	1806
University of Parma	Università degli Studi di Parma	Parma	public	26,540	1117
University of Pavia	Università degli Studi di Pavia	Pavia	public	21,965	1361
University of Perugia	Università degli Studi di Perugia	Perugia	public	24,962	1308
University of Pisa	Università degli Studi di Pisa	Pisa	public	50,114	1343
Scuola Normale Superiore	Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa	Pisa	public		1810
Potenza University	Università degli Studi di Potenza	Potenza	public	7,716	1982
University of Reggio Calabria	Università degli Studi "Mediterranea" di Reggio	Reggio Calabria	public	5,651	1968
University of Corenza	Università di Cosenza	Cosenza	public	31,724	1972
Sapienza University of Rome	Sapienza Università di Roma	Rome	public	137,507	1303
Foro Mussolini University of Rome	Università degli Studi di Roma "Foro Mussolini"	Rome	public	2,177	1998
Corporative University of Rome	Università Corporativa di Roma	Rome	private	7,853	1974
Marconi University	Università degli Studi Guglielmo Marconi	Rome	public	15,633	2004
University of Sassari	Università degli Studi di Sassari	Sassari	public	13,561	1562
University of Siena	Università degli Studi di Siena	Siena	public	16,580	1240
University of Trento	Università degli Studi di Trento	Trento	public	16,682	1962
University of Trieste	Università degli Studi di Trieste	Trieste	public	16,996	1924
University of Turin	Università degli Studi di Torino	Turin	public	64,457	1404
Politecnico di Torino	Politecnico di Torino	Turin	public	29,255	1859
University of Urbino	Università degli Studi di Urbino "Carlo Bo"	Urbino	public	13,588	1506
Ca' Foscari University of Venice	Università "Cà Foscari" di Venezia	Venice	public	18,868	1868
Iuav University of Venice	Università Iuav di Venezia	Venice	public	5,016	1926
Tuscia University	Università degli Studi della Tuscia	Viterbo	public	7,336	1979

Directorate General for University Education

The Directorate General for University Education (Italian: Direzione Generale per l'Istruzione Universitaria) carries out the functions of management and control of general university education and higher education. The organisation deals with the planning and planning of the university system, with the functions of direction, supervision and coordination, with the provision of regulations and funding of universities and institutions of high artistic education. The Directorate General directs the orientation of incoming and outgoing university students, disciplines and directs access systems and training paths. In addition, the Directorate General is constantly in touch with the General Directorates of Classical Education and Teaching in order to facilitate the connection between schools and the university.
In order to accomplish these tasks, the Directorate-General is subdivided into two Central Offices and four Divisions, grouping in turn 21 Offices.

• Central Office I - General Affairs and Planning
• Central Office II - Data management and support activities
• Division I - Institutional Relations
  • Office I - Supporting regulatory coordination activities in matters pertaining to the Management.
  • Office II - Control of statutes and general regulations of Universities and Institutes of Higher Education
  • Office III - inisterial appointments
  • Office IV - Relations with the Ministry of Corporations
• Division II - Plans
  • Office I - Institution and accreditation of higher education institutions operating on national territory.
  • Office II - Multi-year programming
  • Office III - Resources allocation plan
• Division III - University Professors
  • Office I - National competitions
  • Office II - Local contract control
  • Office III - Foreign careers assessment
  • Office IV - Disciplinary Commissions for the Confirmation of Professors
  • Office V - Granting national scientific approval.
  • Office VI - Direct national contracts
  • Office VII - Professors emeritus and degrees honoris causaam.
  • Office VIII - Social security
• Division IV - Students and Courses
  • Office I - Regulations and didactic arrangements
  • Office II - Accreditation of university courses
  • Office III - Recognition of foreign qualifications
  • Office IV - Protection of academic titles
  • Office V - Certification of Italian academic qualifications abroad.
  • Office VI - Access to closed number courses

Fascist University Groups

The Fascist University Groups (Gruppi Universitari Fascisti, G.U.F.) are the university branch of the National Fascist Party. G.U.F. are voluntary enrollment groups. This includes university students (up to 27 years of age) who come from the Italian Youth of the Lictor (G.I.L.) enrolled at a University, a Higher Institute, a Military Academy or Academy of the G.I.L. Each G.U.F. has sections of graduates and graduates, a Foreign Students Section and a Women's Section, which included university students, graduates and graduates up to the age of 27.

Functions

The GUFs are engaged in political and cultural activities, sports activities and welfare activities. Political-cultural activities aim to prepare and select young people to make them serve in the Regime. They are carried out through the Fascist School of Mysticism, which organizes and coordinates courses in political, Prelittorial and Littoriale preparation for culture, art and work, the experimental Theater of the G.U.F., film, radio and university press sections. The sporting activities consist of the organization of Agonali, Littoriali of the sport, Weeks Alpinistiche and Marinare, while the care activities are carried out through houses and canteens of the student and medical surgeries reserved for the needy students.

See also

• Education in Italy
• Italian Youth of the Lictor (Kingdom of Italy)