The “3+2” university reform has changed the traditional framework of Italian university qualifications and now prospective undergraduates have a wider range of degree courses to choose from. This organisation, following the ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System), introduces the “credit” as the unit of measurement that defines the student workload, including time spent attending lectures, seminars, independent study, examinations, etc. One credit corresponds to 25 hours of study.

Bachelor’s degrees (Laurea)
This degree gives students basic theoretical preparation and an adequate command of general scientific methods and contents, in addition to the acquisition of specific professional know-how. It requires 180 credits, which can generally be accumulated within three years. The laurea (first-cycle degree) grants access to competitions for the Italian civil service, state-regulated and non-state-regulated professions, and to second-cycle degree courses. Please visit this page for the list of Psychology Bachelor’s degrees taught in English.

Master's degrees (Laurea magistrale)
This qualification is open to graduates with a Bachelor's degree or equivalent and requires 120 credits, which can be accumulated over an average of two years. Second-cycle studies aim at providing students with an advanced level of education for highly qualified work in specific areas. The laurea magistrale grants access to competitions for the Italian civil service, state-regulated and non-state-regulated professions, research doctorate programmes and all other degree courses of the third cycle. Please visit this page for the list of Psychology Master’s degrees taught in English.

Doctoral degrees
Doctoral programmes confer the skills required to undertake research in universities as well as within the private and public sectors. Applicants must be in possession of a second-cycle Italian degree (Laurea magistrale a ciclo unico - Laurea magistrale), or an equivalent degree awarded at an officially recognized foreign academic institution. They are also required to pass an entrance examination. PhD programmes generally last three years. Please visit this page for information about doctoral degrees in Psychology.

Short specialisation degrees (Master universitari di primo e secondo livello)
These courses lead to an out-of-mainstream university qualification. They last at least one year and involve the acquisition of at least 60 credits. Short specialisation degrees in Psychology are only offered in Italian. Please visit this page for more information.

You can find additional information about the Italian education system here.