NARIC guide on Higher Education Systems in the European Union

The said examination might therefore involve candidates who possess a school leaving certificate at upper secondary level or
who, aged over 18, have only completed compulsory education (eight years of schooling, five at primary level plus three at
lower secondary).
The entrance examination consists of some artistic aptitude tests, connected with the specialised sector chosen by each
candidate, along with a written essay and an oral exam on general cultural subjects (art history, history, Italian literature,
anthropological, astronomical and physical geography).
ISIAs (Higher Institutes for Artistic Industries)
The basic requirement for access to ISIA diploma courses is the Italian maturity diploma or an equivalent foreign
qualification. Since admission to these institutes is subject to numerus clausus restrictions, applicants also have to pass an
entrance examination, consisting a few aptitude tests related to the particular specialised area of the chosen ISIA as well as in
an oral interview on general cultural topics.
During the oral part of the examination, candidates are also requested to show and illustrate some of the artistic work they
have completed in previous years in connection with the specialised field of that ISIA.
ISEFs (Higher Institutes for Physical Education)
In order to be admitted, candidates must:
possess a diploma di maturità quinquennale or an equivalent foreign qualification;
be under 28 years of age;
successfully pass a selective entrance examination, since access is subject to numerus clausus regulations.
The number of students to be admitted to the diploma courses in physical education is fixed annually by the Ministry of
Universities ( 1 ).
The competitive entrance examination consists of: (a) a series of practical tests meant for ascertaining the candidates’
aptitudes for physical activities and sports; (b) a written essay on educational and cultural subjects of a general character; (c) a
thorough medical check-up.
When drawing up the grading list of successful candidates, the examiners’ board takes into account not only the examinees’
performance in the public competition but also their previous educational qualifications.
II.1.2. Qualifications for admission to university
On the whole, Italian USE presently appears very homogenous in respect of the legal validity of its final qualifications
granting access to university studies: actually, while vocationally-oriented USE careers were once more or less complete and
admission to university studies — if at all — was possible only in the case of certain degree courses ( 2 ), since 1969, access to
university faculties has been liberalised, meaning that all types of five-year maturità entitle students to enroll in any of the
existing degree courses, either at first or second university level.
The faculties of magistero and architettura also admit holders of diplomas awarded after a four-year course, namely maturità
magistrale, in the first case; maturità artistica-2 a sezione, in the second ( 1 ).
In order to be admitted to any other university faculty, holders of the above-quoted four-year maturity diplomas must attend
an additional secondary school year, called anno integrativo,thus completing the five-year period which is the study module
most frequently offered by the great majority of USE institutions. On completion of the one-year complementary course, they
too may enroll in any first or second level degree course of their choice.
Whereas access to first level degree courses (SDAFSs and DUs) has always been subject to numerus clausus regulations, since
1969 all entry limitations to graduate courses (CLs) have been abolished, at least at State universities.