International Foundation Year in Italy

Choose from five specialized pathways:

• Engineering & I.T.
• Architecture
• Business, Economics & Social Sciences
• Medicine & Life Sciences
• Design, Fashion & Art

Each track includes subject-specific preparation and admission test training (e.g., TOLC-I, ArchED, IMAT), guiding students toward their target university programs in Italy.

The duration of the International Foundation Year program at The Italian Academy is 9 months (Fall intake: September–June or Winter intake: January–September). It includes:

• 600 hours of Italian language and culture
• 300 academic hours of track-specific subjects, entirely taught in English

The Foundation Year is designed in line with the standards set by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR) and supports students in meeting the academic and linguistic requirements for university admission in Italy. The program equips students with strong preparation in their chosen track and provides targeted entrance exam training.

The Foundation Year program is offered in partnership between the Italian Academy and Kore University or ABADIR Academy, depending on the chosen track. The Italian Academy provides the student services, housing, language training and academic support for students enrolled in the program.

Students receive a Certificate and Academic Transcript issued by Kore University of Enna (protocol n. 12794 of July 7th 2023) for successful completion of the Foundation Year BESS (Business, Economics and Social Sciences), MLS (Medicine and Life Sciences), EAIT (Engineering, Architecture and IT) academic tracks. Students that complete the DFA (Design, Fashion and Art) track receive a Certificate and Academic Transcript issued by MADE Fine Arts Academy.

The Foundation Year Certificate attests:

• the complete course list and number of contact hours completed by the student
• the fulfilment of mandatory schooling and academic minimum requirements necessary to be admitted to degree programs at Kore University and other Italian Universities as defined by the MUR – Italian Ministry of University. Italian and international universities generally accept the Foundation Year certificate to fulfil their schooling minimum requirements, however, students should review this acceptance directly with the admissions office of the university of interest.

Students that obtain the Foundation Year certificate are still required to pass the national Admission Test to enroll in “closed number” degree programs in Italian universities.

Students that choose to take the CILS Italian language Exam during their program will also receive the University for Foreigners of Siena B1 or B2 language certificate, based on successful achievement.

All track-specific courses of the International Foundation Year are taught entirely in English.

To view admission requirements for the Foundation Year check our application page.

To view admission requirements for the Foundation Year check our application page.

The total cost of the Foundation Year program is divided into three manageable installments. Each installment includes a portion of the tuition and housing fees. The first installment also includes the one-time enrollment fee.

Total Program Costs:

• Tuition Fee: €7,500
• Housing Fee: €110 per Week (for the shared bedroom in the shared apartment)
• Enrollment Fee: €400 (one-time fee)

Yes, we know that finding a place to live in a new country can be a challenge, so The Italian Academy guarantees housing for every enrolled student. To make your transition as smooth as possible, we manage all placements within our network of student residences and comfortable shared apartments.

Underage students (minors) Students who have not yet reached 18 years old at the time of their application can apply for the Foundation Year program provided they will turn 18 by June 30th of the year of program completion. Underage students who are admitted to the programme are required to send extra documentation:

• Consent form for admission signed by both parents
• Official nomination of a legal guardian residing in Italy for the duration of the Foundation Year programme until they reach legal age
• Parents’ ID
• Legal guardian’s ID
• Delegation form for requesting an Italian taxpayer’s code (codice fiscale)

A Foundation Year can be relevant for students who completed at least 11 years of schooling, need to reach the academic or language level required by an Italian institution, or want structured preparation for a competitive admission test. Whether it is necessary depends on the applicant’s qualification and the requirements of the receiving university.

The brochure lists three Fall 2026 application rounds: April 30, June 30 and August 30, 2026. EU applicants may be considered on a rolling basis after the third round, subject to availability. Non-EU students should apply early because Universitaly and visa processing can require several months.

Universitaly is the official portal managed by the Italian Ministry of University and Research. Non-EU students applying from outside Italy use it for the pre-enrolment procedure required before submitting a study-visa application. The process begins after the student receives the official Enrollment Letter.

Cancellation in case of visa denial:
A full refund of all fees paid to the Academy is offered to the student if the visa denial is communicated in writing before the program start date (bank transfer fees are covered by the student).

Cancellation of enrollment by the student:
The Application fee is non-refundable. In case the student gives notice of postponement, the student may start the program at a later date without being charged the Application fee. Cancellation must be made in writing. In the case of any refunds bank transfer fees are covered by the student. The cancellation fee deadlines following will apply:

• Any cancellation notice received more than 30 days prior to the start date of the course: tuition and housing fees paid to the Academy will be refunded.
• Any cancellation notice received less than 30 days prior to the start date of the course: 25% of tuition and housing fees are withheld as a cancellation penalty; the remaining fees paid to the Academy will be refunded.
• Between the start date of the course and 30 days after the start date of the program: 50% of tuition and housing fees are withheld as a cancellation penalty; the remaining fees paid to the Academy will be refunded.
• More than 30 days after the start date of the program: there will be no refund of tuition fees or housing fees.

Cancellation of Enrollment by the Academy:
The Academy may cancel a student’s enrollment up to 30 days before the course start date should the minimum number of enrolled students to the course not be achieved. In this case the Academy will provide full refund of any fees paid and provide the option of postponement of the program enrollment for the next intake.

The Academy may cancel a student’s enrollment should the student breach any of the rules outlined in the Academy student code of conduct document or if their behavior is deemed unacceptable. If a student’s enrolment is canceled by the school due to breach of student code of conduct or student contracts signed with the Academy, there will be no refund of any fees paid.

Students can apply for an Italian Type D Study Visa only after completing the following steps of the application process:

• Completion of the application form
• Signing the Program Agreement and any additional required documentation
• Payment of the Application Fee and 1st Installment of the Tuition Fees.

Students will receive an official Letter of Enrolment to be submitted with the required documentation to the Italian Consulate in their country. Students are encouraged to complete their applications and apply for their visa as early as possible, as some consulates may require extended periods of time (up to several weeks) to issue the visa depending on the time of year.
NB. The Letter of Offer issued upon review by the admissions committee of the students eligibility for the program is NOT valid for visa application purposes.

No, scholarships are not offered for the Foundation Year program itself. All students must pay the full tuition, enrollment, and housing fees as outlined in the payment schedule.

However, students who successfully complete the Foundation Year may become eligible for dedicated scholarships or tuition reductions when enrolling in selected Bachelor’s programs at our partner universities:

• ABADIR Design Academy: Students from the DFA track may benefit from direct progression with a tuition fee scholarship when applying to ABADIR’s undergraduate programs in design and visual communication.
• Kore University of Enna: Foundation Year graduates who choose to continue their studies at Kore may be considered for special tuition scholarships offered by the university.

Students who are 18 or older and have a type D Visa are permitted to work up to 20 hours a week. However, due to the full-time commitment and mandatory attendance required by the Foundation Year Program, holding even a part-time job might not be feasible.