Recognition of foreign academic degrees

Italian citizens, EU citizens and non-EU citizens legally residing in Italy may apply for the recognition of foreign university degrees or foreign PhD degrees.

Under Law No. 148/2002 (Ratification and implementation of the 1997 Lisbon Convention), Italian universities may recognise study cycles and periods completed abroad, as well as foreign qualifications, for the purpose of admission to higher education, continuation of university studies, and the awarding of Italian academic degrees.

Each official application for the recognition of a foreign university degree submitted to the University is evaluated by the relevant Board of the Degree Course, which carries out a substantive assessment of the qualification and the documentation provided.

The Board of the Degree Course may decide to:

Universities are not responsible for the recognition of professional qualifications obtained abroad. For further information, please consult the CIMEA website.

Article 1, paragraph 28-quinquies, point 3.2 of Law No. 15/2022 has also extended to universities the authority to recognise foreign PhD degrees.

It is therefore possible to apply to the University of Pisa for the direct recognition (equivalence) of a foreign PhD degree, through a formal evaluation procedure aimed at awarding an equivalent Italian third-cycle qualification, which has full legal validity throughout the national territory.

Each official application is examined by the relevant Board of the PhD Course, which carries out a substantive assessment of the qualification and documentation submitted and may decide to:

Recognition of foreign university degrees

Consult the required documentation and application procedures

Recognition of foreign PhD degrees

Consult the procedure, required documentation and application procedures

Visit the official website of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs