Education in Italy is under the government control. The Ministry of Education provides financial support for schools at all levels and strict control of education in private schools. It develops training programs and arranges competitive examinations to fill teaching positions in all public schools. Although most of the universities and other higher education institutions provides the state have broad autonomy in organizational sense and freedom of curriculum. To maintain a high level of education for most professions introduced mandatory state exams.
In Italy, there are several levels of education:
- Pre-school education
- Secondary education
- Higher Education
- Scholarships for Foreign Students
Pre-school education
In three years, young Italians are given to kindergarten (scuola maternal), where for three years they are prepared for school. Children learn in groups of 15-30 by the method of the famous educator Maria Montessori. After it children from kindergarten go to primary school.
Secondary education in Italy
Primary School from 6 to 11 years
Primary school is divided into two stages – scuola elementare 1 and 2. Both of these steps are free for all. At the end of primary school, students take a written and oral examination. According to their results is issued a certificate of completion of primary school (diploma di licenza elementare). At this stage, learning reading, writing, drawing, arithmetic, music – these items are required by the desire to study a religion. Curricula usually include also the study of a foreign language.
The average junior school (scuola media), from 11 to 15 years
At this stage, students study the Italian language, history, geography, mathematics, science, foreign language, art and music.
Central High School from 15 to 18-19 years
At this stage, students decide whether they should learn from the regular program and prepare for university entrance, or to combine their studies with vocational training.
Option 1:
The student decides to continue studies on the regular program. In this case, students continue education in high schools, whose main task is to prepare the student for admission to the University. High schools are divided by the profile:
- Classic high schools
- Technical high schools
- Humanities lyceums
- Language high schools
- Arts high schools
Choosing one or another user’s profile, the student is actually determined his future profession. In general, most high school graduates to enter a university.
Option 2:
Students in addition to the school receive a profession. Get this kind of education can be in the so-called “institutions” or colleges. Upon completion, students receive a high school diploma (diploma di maturita) and a certificate of qualification.
Higher education in Italy
From 18-19 years.
The system of higher education in Italy is represented by universities, technical universities, university colleges and academies.
- The first stage of higher education – C. D. U. (Corsi di Diploma Universitario) – equivalent bachelor’s degree. Training lasts three years and consists of a mandatory additional items and practices.
- The second stage of higher education – C. L. (Corsi di Laurea). Lasts 4 to 5 years, depending on the specialty. Medicine and pharmacy study 6 years.
- The third stage of higher education – Corsi di Dottorato di Ricerca, DR and Corsi di Perfezionamento – research doctoral programs and post-graduate courses of specialization, or professional skills. It can take both at the university and in the specialized schools – Scuole di Specializzazione. Upon completion of the diploma or a doctorate.