Sunday, September 19, 2010

Foreigners can now apply for admission to Italian universities


Foreigners living abroad who would like to come to Italy for university studies can now apply for pre-enrolment for the next academic year.


They can submit applications at the Italian Embassies in their home countries.The deadline for submitting applications will be established by each Embassy, so it is advisable to check with the Embassy in one’s home country. In July, the Embassies will forward the applications to the chosen universities.In August the universities will publish the list of students admitted  for Italian language test or for admission test to faculties with a limited number of students. These tests are normally done in September.

Candidates can come to Italy with student visas and if they pass the language or admission test, they'll be fully enrolled to the chosen university.Each university has already published the number of places reserved for foreign students in each Faculty. You can consult the website of the Ministry of University to find out where there are higher chances of being admitted. Here's the link:http://offertaformativa.miur.it/studenti/elenco2010/.  

Please note that the above procedure is only applicable to non-EU foreigners who are still living abroad. Non-EU foreigners already living in Italy legally can in fact enrol at any university under the same conditions as Italian citizens. They of course must have certificates (even those obtained in their home countries) allowing them to enrol for university studies.

Details on Italian language test for EC long-term residence permit


The Government has confirmed that from December, immigrants who would like to apply for the EC long-term residence permit (Carta di Soggiorno) will be required to pass an Italian language test.Candidates will be required to prove that they have Lower intermediate level (A2) knowledge of Italian language.Here’s what Lower intermediate level (A2) knowledge of Italian language means according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment (CEFR).

What does Lower intermediate level (A2) knowledge of Italian language mean?

Listening: 
 I can understand phrases and the highest frequency vocabulary related to areas of most immediate personal relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local area, employment). I can catch the main point in short, clear, simple messages and announcements.

Reading: 
I can read very short, simple texts. I can find specific, predictable  information in simple everyday material such as advertisements, prospectuses, menus and timetables and I can understand short simple personal letters.
.
Spoken Interaction: 
 I can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar topics and activities. I can handle very short social exchanges, even though I can't usually understand enough to keep the conversation going myself.

Spoken Production: 
I can use a series of phrases and sentences to describe in simple terms my family and other people, living conditions, my educational background and my present or most recent job.

Writing: 
 I can write short, simple notes and messages. I can write a very simple personal letter, for example thanking someone for something.

"Contratto a progetto" holders can convert student permits into work permits



A non-EU foreigner living legally in Italy can convert his Permit of Stay for studies or professional training into one for self-employed work, even if he has a “Contratto a progetto” (working for a project contract), the Immigrations Department of the Ministry of Labour has said.

Having received so many questions about this issue in the last months, the Immigrations Department of the Ministry of Labour decided to issue a special note confirming that student holders of “Contratto a progetto” can also convert their permits into self-employed work permits.