5
compulsory years
Ages 6–11
Scuole primarie
YEARS 1–2
Establish basic skills
Build the essential tools for learning.
YEARS 3–5
Explore broader concepts
Connect knowledge with pupils’ experiences.
AN EDUCATIONAL PERSPECTIVE
A tradition of learning.
Education
in Italy.
Structure, Challenges
and Opportunities
FROM EARLY YEARS TO HIGHER EDUCATION15 SLIDES · 2026
02 / OverviewEDUCATION IN ITALY
A continuous journey,
from childhood to research.
Shaped by nation-building in 1859–1861, Italy has one of Europe’s oldest education systems.
10years of compulsory education
Ages 6–16
Ages 6–16
0–6
Early childhood
Optional ECEC
6–11
Primary
5 years
11–14
Lower secondary
3 years
14–19
Upper secondary
First 2 years compulsory
19+
Higher education
University · AFAM · ITS
The compulsory pathway covers primary, lower secondary and the first two years of upper secondary education.
03 / Early childhood educationEDUCATION IN ITALY
Learning begins before
compulsory schooling.
0–3
Nidi d’infanzia
Nurseries, including provision run directly by municipalities.
3–6
Scuole dell’infanzia
Free preprimary education. The entire ECEC phase is optional.
94%
Italy’s participation rate
from age 3 to primary school
90%
OECD average
Law 107/2015 introduced the integrated “0–6” system, connecting the two stages.
04 / Primary educationEDUCATION IN ITALY
Five years build the foundations
of learning and citizenship.
Primary education develops basic learning, understanding and the tools of active citizenship.
05 / Lower secondary educationEDUCATION IN ITALY
A common curriculum leads
to the first state examination.
11–14
Three years of study
All pupils follow a national curriculum. The Ministry stipulates weekly teaching hours for each subject.
END OF YEAR 3
State examination
Written papers in Italian, a foreign language, mathematics and science, followed by an oral examination.
Diploma → Upper secondary
Successful students complete the first cycle and progress to upper secondary education.
06 / Upper secondary educationEDUCATION IN ITALY
Students choose an academic,
technical or vocational pathway.
01
Licei
Artistic, classical, human sciences, linguistic, music, dance and science pathways.
02
Istituti Tecnici
Technical education combining general study and specialised knowledge.
03
Istituti Professionali
Vocational institutes focused on professional preparation.
5 years
Upper secondary schools
Ministry of Education
3–4 years
Regional vocational education
and training (IeFP)
Ages 14–16 remain compulsory; this obligation can also be fulfilled through regional IeFP courses.
07 / School types in ItalyEDUCATION IN ITALY
State education forms
the backbone of the system.
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| State school | Publicly funded; the main national provision |
| Private school | Authorised by the Ministry; national standards apply |
| Boarding school | Students live on campus |
| Single-sex school | Gender-segregated education |
| Comprehensive school | Provides education for all abilities |
Most students attend state schools and universities. The categories above describe funding, organisation or admissions and may overlap.
08 / Higher education systemEDUCATION IN ITALY
Three systems open the door
to tertiary education.
01
Universities
University institutions and their equivalents.
02
AFAM
Fine arts, music and dance.
03
ITS Academy
Higher technological education: short-cycle and bachelor’s programmes.
61
State
7
Excellence
20
Non-State
11
Telematic
University and AFAM qualifications follow the Bologna three-cycle framework. The supplied institutional breakdown totals 99 institutes; the later ANVUR report counts 100.
09 / Degree structureEDUCATION IN ITALY
Three cycles share
a European credit framework.
| Cycle | Qualification | Duration | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Laurea · Bachelor’s | 3 years | 180 CFU |
| Second | Laurea Magistrale · Master’s | 2 years | 120 CFU |
| Third | Dottorato di Ricerca · PhD | 3+ years | — |
1 CFU = 25 hours
Lectures, practical work and individual study.
60 CFU / year
Conventional full-time workload; aligned with ECTS.
Single-cycle degrees (LMcu) last 5–6 years in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, architecture, law and primary education.
10 / University lifeEDUCATION IN ITALY
A rich academic life.
Record participation.
Lectures, tutorials and consultations combine independent study with small-group guidance.
Students may live in residences or hostels. National, regional and university scholarships support access.
2,050,112
students enrolled in 2024/25
413,943
graduates
65,617
teaching staff
Figures supplied from the ANVUR 2026 Report · 100 universities
11 / Exams and assessmentEDUCATION IN ITALY
Examinations mark progress;
a dissertation completes the degree.
01 / STUDY
Attend & prepare
Lectures, classes, tutorials and independent work.
02 / EXAMINE
Written & oral
Exam sessions typically take place in winter and summer.
03 / COMPLETE
Dissertation
Final assessment includes discussion of the graduation dissertation.
Progress & resits
Passing grades are recorded. Students who fail an examination may resit it.
Academic integrity
Cheating and the use of cribs are strictly prohibited.
12 / Tuition fees and costsEDUCATION IN ITALY
Costs depend on institution,
income and the city of study.
PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES€900–4,000
Annual tuition fees
PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS€6,000–20,000+
Annual tuition fees
€700–1,100 / month
Typical living costs, depending on the city.
Financial support
Income and merit-based regional awards, university scholarships, MAECI awards and PhD funding around €16,000/year.
Fees depend on programme and declared family income. Reductions and exemptions are available; EU/EEA students may pay less.
13 / International studentsEDUCATION IN ITALY
Italy attracts a growing
global student community.
110,000
estimated international students in 2025
10% more than in 2022
Foreign upper secondary qualification holders doubled in six years to 111,566 — 5.4% of enrolments.
More programmes in English
Engineering, business, economics, architecture, computing, medicine, international relations and design.
Non-EU students
Student visa before arrival; residence permit after arrival.
14 / Challenges and reformsEDUCATION IN ITALY
Greater access still requires
greater equity.
Challenges
- 1 in 10
- 18–24-year-olds leave school early; almost 47% face educational disadvantage in the South and Islands.
- 28%
- Tertiary attainment among ages 25–34, below the OECD average.
- 36%
- Secondary teachers are aged 55+.
Regional competence gaps and gender stereotypes limit equity and girls’ STEM choices.
Reform priorities
- New upper secondary National Guidelines (2026).
- Second-cycle final examination reform (2025).
- Reported 30% foreign-pupil class cap (2026); €17.5m for integration.
- €2.1bn for digital devices and laboratories in 100,000 classrooms.
Policy dates and statistics follow the supplied presentation material.
15 / CONCLUSION
Rooted in history.
Looking forward.
Italy’s education system combines regional diversity with a wide range of pathways — from preschool to doctoral research.
ACCESS
Bologna alignment and English-taught programmes strengthen international appeal.
INVESTMENT
PNRR investment and reforms aim to improve outcomes and reduce regional divides.
TRADITION
Strength in arts, humanities and sciences continues to attract learners worldwide.
EDUCATION IN ITALY — STRUCTURE, CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES