Academic Recognition

Source: Recognition of foreing degrees

Deadline to submit your application: May 6^th 2022

Who and when you can apply

Italian citizens, EU citizens and non-EU citizens legally residing in Italy holding a valid residence permit can apply for the recognition of their foreign degrees at the International Students Desk by submitting a recognition request exclusively via the dedicated online procedure.

Are you residing abroad?

Non-EU citizens residing abroad can apply for the recognition to the International Students Desk by contacting the competent Italian Embassy/Consulate in the country where the foreign degree was obtained. The documentation to be submitted, the period in which the request can be sent and the information to be viewed are the same as those indicated for Italian, EU and non-EU citizens legally residing in Italy.

How to apply

• The choice of the degree program by seeing the degree programs is your sole responsibility.
• If you identify more than one course of study similar to your foreign path, you can submit an application for recognition for more than one course through a separate application for each course and the payment of the contribution due for each request.
• During the academic year 2022 - 2023, you can submit your recognition request from January 18th to May 6^th, 2022, via the dedicated online procedure, attaching the following documents:
  • ID card or passport, Italian fiscal code (“codice fiscale”) and residence permit
  • High School Diploma:
    • If you hold an Italian diploma, you may provide a self-declaration of the diploma;
    • Or if you hold a foreign diploma: certified copy of the high school diploma provided with a certified translation into Italian (not required if the original document is issued in English, French or Spanish) and legalization (if required depending on the foreign country where the document was issued). Note: for access to Italian higher education, it is necessary to have a qualification obtained after at least 12 years of overall schooling. If you have a foreign upper secondary school diploma obtained after less than 12 years of overall schooling (11 or 10 years), keep in mind that additional and complementary certifications will be taken into consideration in order to fill the missing school years, in accordance with the provisions of the ministerial provisions in force, and in specific of Attachment 1. This means that only any credits/exams that have not already been used to meet the minimum requirement for admission can be recognized.
    • Applications for recognition presented by candidates applying for recognition for degree courses in Medicine and Surgery, Medicina e chirurgia and Dentistry and Dental Prosthetics who do not have 12 years of schooling will not be accepted (as indicated in the previous point) + 6 years of university, as it would be impossible for these candidates to obtain full recognition if they do not have a sufficient number of years of schooling. These candidates are invited to participate in the announcement for enrolment in years subsequent to the first of the School of Medicine published annually on the School of Medicine website.
  • certified copy of  the foreign degree, provided with certified translation into Italian (not required if the original document is issued in English, French or Spanish), legalization (if required depending on the foreign country where the document was issued), Statement of verification issued by one ENIC–NARIC centre, such as CIMEA, and one of the following documents:
    • declaration of equal value ("dichiarazione di valore") issued by the competent Italian Embassy/Consulate in the country where the foreign degree was obtained
    • statement of comparability issued by one ENIC–NARIC centre, such as CIMEA.

If you apply for the recognition of a postgraduate degree program, a certified copy of the undergraduate degree, provided with certified translation into Italian (the translation into Italian is not required if the original document is issued in English, French or Spanish), legalization (if required depending on the foreign country where the document was issued), the declaration of equal value (“dichiarazione di valore”) or the statement of comparability issued by ENIC-NARIC centres have to be included in the application.

• • certified copy of the degree program transcript of records issued by the foreign Institution/University, including marks and ECTS assigned to each exam, provided with certified translation into Italian (not required if the original document is issued in English, French or Spanish) and legalization (if required depending on the foreign country where the document was issued) or certified copy of the Diploma Supplement, provided with legalization (if required depending on the foreign country where the document was issued).

If you apply for the recognition of a postgraduate degree, a certified copy of the undergraduate degree transcript of records issued by the foreign Institution/University, including marks and ECTS assigned to each exam, provided with certified translation into Italian (not required if the original document is issued in English, French or Spanish) and legalization (if required depending on the foreign country where the document was issued) has to be included in the application.

• • degree program syllabus issued by the foreign Institution/University, provided with translation into Italian (not required if the original document is issued in English, French or Spanish).

If your foreign university does not issue this kind of document, as an alternative you can:

• • • upload into your recognition request the degree program syllabus available on your university website and include in your application the links where the International Students Desk may verify the attached syllabus
    • ask your foreign University to provide you with the syllabus by email and attach to the recognition application the email certifying that the syllabus was officially received by your university.

• • • if you apply for the recognition of a postgraduate degree and the postgraduate degree program you attended abroad included a final thesis, a copy of your degree thesis, translated into Italian, has to be added to the application. The translation into Italian is not required if the original document is issued in English, French or Spanish. This document is not necessary if you apply for the recognition of an undergraduate degree.
  • a document explaining the grading system of your foreign university provided with translation into Italian (not required if the original document is issued in English, French, or Spanish). If the grading system is clearly explained in your transcript of records or in another document already attached in the online procedure, you don’t need a separate document.
  • recognition of foreign careers form (either in Word  or Open Office format) duly filled in and signed.
  • The University reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to request further documents if necessary for evaluating your educational background.

• If the recognition request is complete, you will receive instructions to pay the required 300€ non-refundable fixed fee (excluding any bank charges) and 16€ stamp duty for each recognition requested.
  • If you hold international protection you have to pay only the € 16 stamp duty for each recognition request.
• If the recognition request is not complete, the International Students Desk will ask you to upload all missing documents within a given deadline. Upon provision of all missing documents within the deadline, you will receive instructions for the payment.
• Once your recognition request has been submitted, please regularly check your inbox since the offices or the Professors who manage your recognition request may contact you by email for further information or clarifications.
• The outcome of the recognition procedure is communicated to the applicant's email address within 90 days from the date of receipt of the application.

Outcome of the recognition

• if you obtain total recognition of your foreign degree, you will be awarded the equivalent Italian degree upon payment of a 200€ fixed fee
• if you obtain a partial recognition of your foreign degree, you will be informed of the additional exams that would be necessary to obtain the equivalent Italian degree. If you wish to enrol at the University of Turin to obtain the equivalent Italian degree, you should enrol for a career shortening (“abbreviazione di carriera") and take the admission exam, if required by the degree program you chose.
  The recognition outcome is valid for the academic year you asked the recognition for only, therefore you will have to enrol in the same academic year as your request and no validity extension to future academic years can be granted.
  If you are a non-EU citizen residing abroad who obtained a partial recognition, please note that your enrolment will be confirmed only after following the pre-enrolment procedure via Universitaly and obtaining the required study visa.

International Students Office Contacts

Complesso Aldo Moro, Palazzina D - Via Sant’Ottavio 12, 10124 Torino

Telephone: (+39) 011 6704452

E-mail: internationalstudents@unito.it

Open by appointment only.

Source: Procedure to obtain equivalence

Deadline to submit your application: March 31^st 2022

Who can apply and when

European or non-European graduates residing in Italy in possession of a first or second level academic qualification issued by an accredited / recognized foreign university.

Application submission period: 03/12/2021 - 31/03/2022

How to apply

• Submit the application and study documentation necessary for the assessment by completing the online application. Registration takes about 20 minutes, there is no time limit, and you can complete it in several stages. After registering, you can log in.
• Enter the foreign career for which you are applying for recognition (section STUDI COMPIUTI)
• Fill in the table with the individual courses passed, the corresponding credits and the grade obtained by clicking on the icon (≡). The data entered must correspond to what is indicated in the passed exams certificate issued by your university
• Select “Equivalenza/Equipollenza” (section SCEGLI IL PERCORSO)
• Indicate the university career of the Politecnico di Torino corresponding to the qualification for which you are applying for equivalence. It is up to you to choose the most suitable course by consulting the course catalogue.
  • It is not possible to apply for the equivalence on the course of study in Industrial Production (Degree in Industrial Production Engineering -3 years- and Master's Degree in Industrial Production and Technological Innovation Engineering -2 years -). This is a joint venture of the Polytechnic of Turin with some European universities and provides for a specific study plan that must be carried out at the partner universities, therefore admission is determined by specific agreements and by different rules compared to the other courses offered by the Polytechnic of Turin.
• Attach the necessary documents, under penalty of exclusion from the procedure:
  • A)for equivalence on the first level: high school diploma translated into Italian and legalized by the representation and relative Declaration of Value if obtained abroad or Certificate of Comparability issued by the CIMEA centre.
    This document is necessary to verify that the candidate is in possession of a valid qualification for the procedure or an academic qualification obtained at the end of an overall school career of at least 15 years (including primary, secondary and university - e.g. 11 years pre- university students + 4 or 12 years +3)
  • B) Degree diploma translated into Italian and legalized by the representation and relative Declaration of Value issued by the Italian representation in the country where the qualification or Certificate of Comparability issued by the CIMEA centre was issued
  • C) certificate of exams passed (Transcript of Records) with official translation in Italian (translation is not necessary for original certificates in English, French or Spanish). This certificate must include information on the grading system applied by the foreign university (minimum and maximum marks for passing each exam, weight of credits, etc.). If this information is not available in the exam certificate, you will need to attach an official statement from the foreign university that contains the aforementioned information
  • D) title and abstract of the degree thesis in Italian or English (both documents must be included in a single pdf)
  • E) official course programs with official translation into Italian (translation is not necessary for the original certificates in English, French or Spanish) of all the educational activities supported for the achievement of the foreign academic qualification stamped by the university with all the useful details for express the evaluation of equivalence such as: duration in hours of the course, methods of teaching delivery, methods of verification at the end of the course, assessment scale adopted. The "course program" can be accepted without the university's stamp and official signature only if it is a pdf file that can be downloaded directly from the website of the home university and with a link to the functioning website
  • F) identity card, passport and / or residence permit (if already resident in Italy)
  • All the documentation referred to in points A), B) must be translated into Italian and legalized by the competent Italian Diplomatic Representation.
• If you have the Diploma Supplement in the context of the European Higher Education Area, you are exempt from submitting:
  • the Declaration of Value
  • the Certificate of exams passed
  • the translation of the university degree
  • Note: you will still have to attach the original of the Degree Diploma.
• Finalize the payment of 60€ (in no case the amount is refundable)
• Submit your application (section RIEPILOGO E CONFERMA)

Evaluation procedure

• Preliminary formal assessment by the Incoming Mobility Office (within 30 days of the application)
• If the answer is affirmative, evaluation by the academic commission in charge of the evaluation (within 90 days)
• Result published in the assessments section of the online application:
  • In the event of a positive outcome: issue of the "certificate of equivalence" after having paid a contribution of 116.00€ (ATTENTION: the amount is in no case refundable), including the cost of the 16.00€ revenue stamp (further details will be sent by e-mail to the interested party). For communications, the University will use the e-mail address specified in the application. The methods of withdrawal of the certificate of equivalence will be communicated by e-mail
  • In the event of a negative outcome: communication of the reasons for non-acceptance.

Incoming Mobility Office Contacts

The Incoming Mobility Office is located in the main building of the Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, ground floor.

Contacts

• Ticketing Service: Applicants (with a foreign degree) available from Monday to Friday:
  • If you are already registered in our application system with an FXXXXX username please write messages from section FAQ / Ticket of your application.
  • If you are not registered yet, please follow instructions below:
    • Click on https://didattica.polito.it/segreteria/contatta/en/index.html, select STUDENTS WITH A FOREIGN QUALIFICATION and then EXTERNAL USERS – GUEST option.
    • Check the FAQ to find the topic you are interested in and, in case you need further information, follow the instructions to open a ticket with us.
• Sportello Virtual Desk: in case your situation cannot be solved by ticketing, you can request an appointment for a video call through the ticketing service.
• Campus Help Desk: through the "Reservation tool" of your Student Page it is possible to arrange an appointment with the Incoming Mobility Office in case your issue cannot be solved through the above-mentioned channels.

Please note that, due to the COVID-19 emergency management, access to Politecnico offices happens ONLY through reservation (https://www.coronavirus.polito.it/en/).

To participate in public competitions, the recognition is valid for the single competition for which it is requested.

It is necessary to fill in the appropriate form, which indicates the necessary documents and the Competent Offices to send the application to.

This procedure is not relevant in the case of “competitions” referring to restricted professions (i.e. school teacher) or in the case of access to PhD programmes.
The body responsible for this procedure is the Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri - Dipartimento della Funzione Pubblica - UOLP - Servizio per le assunzioni e la mobilità (Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 116 - 00186 Roma, e-mail: sam@governo.it, Certified e-mail: protocollo_dfp@mailbox.governo.it)

It is possible to download online the Form for the request for comparability of a foreign qualification of an academic nature and compulsory fill it out in block capitals.

Necessary documents:

• Photocopy of identity document
• Photocopy of the competition announcement to which you intend to participate
• Authentic copy of the foreign qualification (authentic copy means a photocopy of the original document accompanied by a self-certification pursuant to Art. 46-letter l, m,n, of D.P.R. 28 December 2000, n.445)
• certified copy of the foreign qualification translated (4) and legalized (5) with attached declaration of value;(6)
• certified copy, translated and legalized, of the study plan, passed exams and relative marks (which is issued by the University)
• copy of the EU Residence Permit for long-term residents (former EC residence card)

(4) “Official translations” are those (source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs):

• of a translator who has a pre-existing qualification or in any case competent person whose oath of fidelity of the translated text to the original text is certified in the Court;
• of the diplomatic or consular representation of the country in which the document was formed, operating in Italy;
• of the Italian diplomatic or consular representation in the country where the document was created.

(5)Legalization must be carried out before the competent Italian diplomatic authority is requested to issue, on the title itself, the Declaration of value on site.

On the other hand, if the country that issued the degree has signed the Hague Convention (5 October 1961), the so-called "Hague Postilla" must be affixed to the qualification (Aja Apostille).

The stamp with the Apostille must be placed on the document before requesting the competent Italian diplomatic authority to issue the Declaration of value in loco on the title itself. You are exempted from the obligation to legalize the study document or the Hague Apostille only if:

A) the institution that issued the degree belongs to one of the countries that signed the European Convention of Brussels of 25 May 1987 (Belgium, Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy);

or

B) the qualification was issued by German institutions (following the Italian-German Convention on the exemption from the legalization of public documents)

(6) The declaration of value is issued by the Italian Diplomatic-Consular Representation competent for the territory in the State to which the qualifications refer.

It is possible to evaluate foreign qualifications for pension-related purposes, for the inclusion of the relative period of study. The recognition of the qualification is provided by MIUR, regardless of the citizenship held.

This request should be presented directly to the relevant authority (i.e., INPS - the State Pension authority), attaching the following documents:

1. qualification, translated and legally certified;
2. transcript of exams taken, with relative translatio;
3. documentation testifying to the purpose for which the qualification recognition is being requested;
4. Declaration of Value (Dichiarazione di valore): this document is not necessary for qualifications from countries inside the EU, EEA/EFTA and the Swiss Confederation).

The relevant administration will send the documentation to MUR which will issue a final ruling within 90 days and will transmit it both to the administration and to the interested party. Should the evaluation of the foreign qualification be negative, it is possible to present a motion for re-examination by producing further documentation within 30 days of notification of the final decision.

It is possible to have foreign qualifications evaluated for enrollment at Job Centres. The recognition of the qualification is provided by MIUR, regardless of the citizenship held.

This request should be presented directly to the relevant authority (i.e., Job Centre), attaching the following documents:

1. qualification, translated and legally certified;
2. transcript of exams taken, with relative translation;
3. documentation testifying to the purpose for which the qualification recognition is being requested;
4. Declaration of Value (Dichiarazione di valore): this document is not necessary for qualifications from countries inside the EU, EEA/EFTA and the Swiss Confederation).

The relevant administration will send the documentation to MUR which will issue a final ruling within 90 days and will transmit it both to the administration and to the interested party. Should the evaluation of the foreign qualification be negative, it is possible to present a motion for re-examination by producing further documentation within 30 days of notification of the final decision.

It is possible to utilise foreign qualifications for access to traineeship or internship required for certain regulated professions. This evaluation is performed by MUR, with input from the National University Council and the national Board or Association of the specific professional category, should it exist. The recognition of the qualification is provided by MUR, regardless of the citizenship held.

This request should be presented directly to the relevant authority, attaching the following documents:

1. qualification, translated and legally certified;
2. transcript of exams taken, with relative translation;
3. documentation testifying to the purpose for which the qualification recognition is being requested;
4. Declaration of Value (Dichiarazione di valore): this document is not necessary for qualifications from countries inside the EU, EEA/EFTA and the Swiss Confederation).

The relevant administration will send the documentation to MUR which will issue a final ruling within 90 days and will transmit it both to the administration and to the interested party. Should the evaluation of the foreign qualification be negative, it is possible to present a motion for re-examination by producing further documentation within 30 days of notification of the final decision.

It is possible to utilise foreign qualifications for the award of scholarships and other benefits disbursed or recognised by public administrations. The recognition of the qualification is provided by the relevant authority, further to the opinion of MUR, regardless of the citizenship held.

This request should be presented directly to the relevant authority, attaching the following documents:

1. qualification, translated and legally certified;
2. transcript of exams taken, with relative translation;
3. documentation testifying to the purpose for which the qualification recognition is being requested;
4. Declaration of Value (Dichiarazione di valore): this document is not necessary for qualifications from countries inside the EU, EEA/EFTA and the Swiss Confederation).

The relevant administration will be responsible for the foreign title evaluation, further to the opinion of MUR. Should the evaluation of the foreign qualification be negative, it is possible to present a motion for re-examination by producing further documentation within 30 days of notification of the final decision.

Italian administrations can evaluate qualifications awarded by institutions of a European Union country, in cases of processes in which the holding of a qualification, specialized course, certificate of professional experience and any other diploma for the certification of required competences is required.

The relevant administration evaluates the similarity of qualifications or certificates acquired in other European Union member States, or in States adhering to the Agreement of the European Economic Area or in the Swiss Confederation upon the previous acquisition of a positive judgement on the part of MIUR.

It is possible to evaluate foreign qualifications for the public selection of external staff. The qualification of recognition is provided by MIUR, regardless of the citizenship held.

They are those that may practise without the need for holding a specific qualification. These professions are open without bias to both Italian and foreign qualification holders.

Anyone who wishes to practise a non-regulated profession in Italy and who holds a foreign qualification has no need to obtain legal or formal recognition to join the Italian job market.

Examples of professions which are NOT regulated: those including advertising, communication, various artistic and musical sectors (ex. interior designer, actor, dancer, composer, orchestral conductor, musician – instrumentalist, designer, fashion designer, artist, director, stage designer, sculptor, etc.), linguistic services (interpreters and translators), marketing, and many others besides.

It could prove useful to attach a document describing the characteristics of the foreign qualification: this allows a potential employer to understand it better.

They are those whose practice is regulated by national legislation. The law establishes both the minimum qualification necessary and the further requisites of training in the practice of the profession (for ex. internship and/or State exam for a professional license) and the norms of the professional code of ethics.

The practice of such professions is protected by law and is limited exclusively to persons qualified according to the specific legislation for the type of regulated profession.

Those who hold a foreign professional qualification need the recognition of the competent Italian authority in order to legally practise the corresponding profession in Italy.

“Professional qualification” means the title which allows the practice of a specific regulated profession in the Country which issued it.

Italy recognises foreign professional qualifications (the so-called professional recognition) by applying:

• community legislation to qualifications emanating from the EU; directives, which define the recognition of the foreign profession: the competent Italian authority may subordinate recognition to compensatory measures (aptitude test or adaptive internship);
• directives, for qualifications emanating from outside the EU, through which the possibility of professional recognition via compensatory measures for non-EU qualifications is foreseen.

To exercise one of the regulated professions in Italy, it is necessary to send the Application form for information on recognition of professional qualifications  exclusively via e-mail to centroassistenzaqualifiche@politicheeuropeee.it

For further information kindly consult the following website: https://www.politicheeuropee.gov.it/en/activity/recognition-of-professional-qualifications/

The Italian authorities charged with undertaking professional recognition and the relative professions under their jurisdiction are indicated below (this is not a complete list).

List of regulated professions and competent authorities

Ministry of Health

https://www.salute.gov.it/portale/riconoscimentoQualifiche/homeRiconoscimentoQualifiche.jsp?lingua=english

Professions: Allergologist; Pathologist; Biologist; Chemist; Dermatologist and Venereologist; Dietician; Educator; Hematologist; Pharmacist; Physiotherapist; Geriatrics; Dental hygienist; Nurse (pediatric); Speech therapist; Doctor/Specialised Doctor; Veterinarian; Dentist; Midwife; Optician; Chiropodist; Psychologist; Psychotherapist; Audiometrician; Acoustic aid technician; Cardiovascular pathophysiology technician; Environmental and workplace prevention technician; Psychiatric rehabilitation technician; Neurophysiopathology technician; Orthopedic technician; Biomedical laboratory sanitary technician; Medical radiology sanitary technician; Childhood neuro- and psychomobility therapist; Veterinarian.

Ministry of Justice

https://www.giustizia.it/giustizia/it/mg_2_4_1.wp

Professions: Agriculture and foresty advisor; Agricultural technician; Social worker; Specialist social worker; Actuary; Junior Actuary; Lawyer; Agricultural biotechnologist; Agronomist; Accountant / Tax advisor; Geologist; Junior geologist; Surveyor; Journalist; Junior civil engineer; Civil and environmental engineer; Information systems engineer; Junior information system engineer; Junior industrial engineer; Industrial engineer; Intermediary; Assistant agronomist; Construction environment and territory Industrial Engineer; Chemical Industrial engineer; Electric and Automation Industrial Engineer; Mechanical and Energetic Efficiency Industrial Engineer; Informatics Industrial Engineer; Food technologist.

Ministry of Education

https://miur.gov.it/web/guest/riconoscimento-professione-docente

Professions: Secondary school teacher; Primary school teacher; Kindergarten teacher; Childcare worker.

Ministry for Universities and Research

https://www.miur.gov.it/libera-circolazione-dei-professionisti

Professions: Junior architect; Architect; Curator of the Architectural and Environmental Heritage; Landscape architect; Junior Planner; Land Planner; Research staff in Italian universities and public research bodies.

Ministry of Labour

https://www.lavoro.gov.it/temi-e-priorita/ammortizzatori-sociali/focus-on/riconoscimento-delle-qualifiche/Pagine/Recognition-of-Qualification.aspx

Professions: Civil thermal plants technician; Installation of ventilation equipment; Labour law expert; Aesthetician.

Ministry of Economic Development

https://www.mise.gov.it/index.php/en/single-digital-market/recognition-of-foreign-professional-qualifications

Professions: Hairdresser; Wholesale intermediary; Real estate agent; Chartered loss adjuster; Pest controller; Car mechanic; Consultant on industrial property; Electrician; Intermediary for purchase; Forwarding agent; Laundering; Retail or food and beverage administration (food sale, restaurants, bars etc.).

Ministry of Interior

https://www.poliziadistato.it/articolo/4075db7e78cd31e0162111238

Professions: Persons in charge of security checks in entertainment venues and public places (bouncers); Special security guard; Private Investigator or corporate investigator employed by a private investigation agency; Persons in charge of safety checks in sports venues (stewards); Owner of a private investigation agency or corporate investigation agency; Owner of a private surveillance agency.

Ministry of Tourism

https://www.ministeroturismo.gov.it/professioni-turistiche/

Professions: Tour manager; Travel agency manager; Tourist guide.

Ministry of Culture

https://professionisti.beniculturali.it/18/recognition-of-foreign-professional-qualifications

Professions: Restoration of cultural heritage; Cultural heritage restoration technician.

Ministry of Sustainable Infrastructure and Mobility

Professions: Warden; Driving school teacher; Driving school instructor; Third-category seafarers - Local traffic and coasting fishing personnel.

Sports office

https://www.sport.governo.it/it_old/attivita-istituzionale-e-internazionale/recognition-of-professional-qualifications/presentation/

Professions: Medium mountain guide; Mountain guide; Volcano guide; Ski instructor.