International qualifications

International qualifications: how to apply for recognition

International students holding a foreign qualification may apply for recognition by submitting a ‘richiesta di equipollenza’ (Application for Equivalence).

Applications for recognition may be submitted once a year, between 1 and 28 February.

Before submitting your request for recognition, please read carefully all the information on this web page, as well as consulting the CIMEA website.

Please note this application is for study purposes only: recognition of foreign academic qualifications for other purposes (e.g. participation in public competitions or access to regulated professions) must be requested from other State administrations. Further information can be found at: https://www.cimea.it/pagina-procedure-riconoscimento-titoli

Areas of Study eligible for Recognition:

Applications for the recognition of international qualifications can be submitted only in the following areas:

• Literature and Arts
• Communications
• Sports Sciences
• Science and Engineering

For all other areas (Economics, Education, Philosophy and Social Work, Law, Medicine and Surgery), it is not possible to apply for recognition. Students may enrol in their chosen degree programme and subsequently apply for recognition of prior learning (i.e. for modules already completed abroad).

For information on this procedure, please contact the University offices responsible for your area: https://www.univr.it/it/corsi-di-studio

How to apply for recognition

Applications for recognition can be submitted for Bachelor’s or Master’s degree programmes only, and must be completed through the ElixForms online procedure, available between 1 and 28 February.

Please find below the list of documents you will need to upload via the ElixForms online procedure:

- Copy of an identity document (ID or passport);

- Residence permit (only for non-EU citizens treated as equivalent);

- Qualification required for admission to the degree programme for which recognition is requested:

• High-school diploma, if you are applying for recognition of a Bachelor’s or a Single-cycle degree;
• a Bachelor’s degree, if you are applying for recognition of a Master’s degree.

The qualification must be accompanied by:

• an official translation into Italian or English;
• Legalisation;
• Declaration of Value (Dichiarazione di Valore) issued by the competent Italian Embassy or Consulate.

- Foreign academic qualification for which recognition is requested, with official translation into Italian or English, legalisation, and Declaration of Value issued by the competent Italian Embassy or Consulate.

- Transcript of records issued by the competent university, listing all examinations passed, together with an official translation into Italian or English and legalisation, or a Diploma Supplement (if available).

- Official exam programmes (syllabi) for the year of enrolment, issued on the University’s letterhead, together with an official translation into Italian or English. (Note: legalisation of the syllabi is not required.)

Please note:

• a CIMEA Statement of Comparability (Attestato di Comparabilità CIMEA) may be used in place of a Declaration of Value;
• a CIMEA Statement of Verification (Attestato di Verifica CIMEA) may be used in place of Legalisation.

For qualifications obtained in the 55 countries adhering to the Lisbon Convention, comparability certificates can be downloaded directly and free of charge through the ARDI – Automatic Recognition Database Italia. In such cases, only the verification of the authenticity of the qualification is required.

The service can be accessed at: DIPLOME.

List of countries exempt from legalisation

The list of countries whose documents are exempt from legalisation is available at: https://prefettura.interno.gov.it/it/prefetture/spezia/legalizzazione-documenti

International protection holders

International protection holders may apply for a Declaration of Value at: Ufficio IV della Direzione Generale per la Diplomazia Pubblica e Culturale (DGDP).

Administrative procedure and fees

The service is managed by:

• Admissions Office

Once the online procedure has been completed, the Admissions Office, after verifying that the application is complete, will schedule an appointment with the applicant for:

• verification of the original documents;
• preparation of the payment form for the non-refundable fee of €300 (including stamp duty), to be paid via