Italy education system

Italian Education System

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Italian Education System: Basic Information
The Italian education system is divided into two main cycles, the first cycle begins at the age of six, after the nursery school. It is compulsory and lasts for 8 years. There are 5 years of primary school and three years of first grade or lower secondary school. At the end of this first cycle students can continue their education in upper secondary schools (high schools) which are comprised in the following categories: classical (liceo classico), scientific (liceo scientifico), linguistic (liceo linguistico) and artistic (liceo artistico); Teacher Training Schools (Istituto Magistrale), technical education (istituti tecnici), vocational education (istituti professionali). At the basis of recent reforms which are to be enforced, as an alternative students can attend a vocational training course or do an apprenticeship. As regards post graduate education a reform of the Italian university system has introduced two training cycles: a three-year degree and a specialist degree.

Primary school – Scuola elementare - is compulsory for children aged between 6 and 11 years: children may attend public or private schools.

Lower or first grade secondary school (Scuola Media) is compulsory from 11 to 14 years. There is a final examination to be taken.

Italian Education System: Changes in the Works
The main changes concerning the Italian school system regard the second cycle. There will be two main areas – upper secondary schools (high schools) and vocational schools. After 15 years of age, a student can chose to continue studying and attend a secondary school or do an apprenticeship. After attending a vocational school students may attend a fifth school year in order to take an exam necessary to higher education, attend an IFTS course (Istruzione e Formazione Tecnica Superiore – Upper Technical Training and Education) or enter the job market.

Italian Education System: University
If you want to enter an Italian university for your higher education you should have taken the final exam of upper secondary schools and have an high school diploma. EU citizens must have an high school diploma and take an Italian exam if they want to study in an Italian university. Your diplama has to be approved by the Italian consulate of your country.

If you need more details about education in Italy you may consult some websites such as www.educationitaly.org for any questions, www.study-in-italy.it for higher education or the website of the Department for Education www.miur.it for general and updated news.

More information on the italian Education System to come.

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