A Guide to Education & International Schools in Italy

Jump right in:

• The Education System in New Zealand
• Preschool & Nursery
• Primary and Secondary Schools
• International Schools
• Higher Education
• Language Schools

What is the education system like in Italy?

Education in Italy is regulated at a national level by the Ministry of Education and Merit (Ministero dell'Istruzione e del Merito). Education is compulsory and free for children aged 6 to 16 and is structured into five distinct stages. After the age of 16, students can choose between academic, technical, and vocational paths. Alongside public schools, there are also private and international schools, all of which adhere to national standards.

Key facts about education in Italy

Below is a table of school levels in Italy and their corresponding ages.

Grading system:

In both primary and secondary schools, a 10-point scale is typically used, with 6 being the minimum passing grade. Students who receive a grade lower than 6 in any subject may be required to take remedial exams or retake the year.

School hours:

School hours may vary from school to school. For most primary and lower secondary schools, classes tend to be from 8:00 and 13:00, Monday through Saturday. Other schools may only run from Monday to Friday, in which case, students would have a one-hour lunch break and classes until around 16:00.

Public vs. private schools in Italy: what are the main differences?

The majority of students in Italy attend public schools, with private schools taking in as little as 10% of students in the country. If you opt for a public school in Italy, you should expect your child to learn all subjects in Italian. If you want your child to take classes in English or in another language, you should look for international schools or other private schools instead. Private schools in Italy are generally either run by religious organizations or offer alternative teaching approaches, such as Montessori or Steiner education.

One study based on OECD PISA data suggests that private schools in Italy are not necessarily better or higher in quality than public schools. In fact, when accounting for factors like student background and school location, public schools often perform just as well, in some cases better than private institutions.

Preschool and nursery

Schooling for young ones, whether you need daycare, preschool, or kindergarten, goes by different names than what you may be accustomed to.

Italy’s early childhood education system (0–6 years) is divided into two levels: asilo nido (nursery) for children aged approximately 3 months to 3 years, and scuola dell’infanzia (preschool) for ages 3 to 6. While public (municipal or state-run) options are available, many private or alternative schools operate under state supervision.

Is preschool / nursery mandatory in Italy?

In Italy, education for children aged 0 to 6 is not mandatory by law. While nursery (asilo nido, ages 0–3) and preschool (scuola dell’infanzia, ages 3–6) are both optional, they play important roles in supporting children’s early social and cognitive development. As a result, most children attend preschool to prepare for formal schooling, while many families also choose nursery to support early care and socialization.

Are there any fees?

In Italy, public nursery (asilo nido, ages 0–3) is not free. Families pay enrollment and monthly fees, but the amount depends on their income. Fees are based on the ISEE (a measure of the family’s financial situation), and many municipalities offer discounts or full exemptions for low-income families. Public preschool (scuola dell’infanzia, ages 3–6) does not have tuition fees. However, families usually pay for services like meals and transport. These extra costs may also be reduced or waived for families with low income.

Fees for private nurseries and preschools vary widely depending on the school and location. They are usually higher than in public institutions and are not based on family income. Costs can reach or exceed 700 EUR (810 USD) per month, especially in larger cities or at international schools.

Primary and secondary schools

You will find some of the best primary and secondary schools in Italy to be both public and international schools. In this section, we focus on public schools and cover international schools later in this section.

Primary school in Italy

Primary school is compulsory for all Italian or resident foreign children in Italy. Primary level starts at the age of six and lasts for five years, with children typically finishing primary school at the age of 11.

School hours for primary school may vary from school to school. The school year may be divided into two or three terms, depending on the decision of each school’s teachers’ assembly. Teaching hours are set at the national level, and parents can choose from several weekly schedules when enrolling their child: 24 hours per week, 27 to 30 hours per week (not including lunch), or 40 hours per week (including lunch). While most schools follow a Monday-to-Friday schedule, some may also offer a six-day week with classes on Saturday.

The following classes make up the mandatory curriculum: Italian, English, history, geography, mathematics, science, music, arts, physical education, technology, civic education and Catholic religion/alternative activities.

Secondary school in Italy

Secondary school in Italy is divided into two main levels:

• lower secondary education, or scuola secondaria di primo grado: between the ages of 11 and 14;
• upper secondary education, scuola secondaria di secondo grado: between the ages of 14 and 19.

Lower secondary school (Scuola media or scuola secondaria di primo grado)

This school level is the closest to elementary school and falls under the mandatory school years for all Italian or foreign resident children in Italy. The curriculum is the same as primary education, with the addition of a second language (French, or German or Spanish) and an hour of in-depth studies in literary subjects.

School hours vary by school, but classes tend to make up 30 hours per week.

**Upper secondary school (Scuola superiore or scuola secondaria di secondo grado) **

Upper secondary school in Italy lasts five years (ages 14–19), but only the first two years are compulsory. After age 16, students can choose to continue in one of three main pathways: Liceo (academic), Istituto Tecnico (technical), or Istituto Professionale (vocational). All students follow a common curriculum in the first two years, then begin specialized subjects based on their chosen track. Most students complete all five years and take the Esame di Stato (state exam), which is required for university or advanced training.

For a list of schools in Italy, visit the website of the Ministry of Education.

International schools

Some of the best international schools in Italy can be found in bigger cities, like Rome, Milan, or Naples. These schools are ideal for international students looking to learn a universal curriculum in a language other than Italian. The most common international schools teach in English, specifically British curricula, but you can also find American, French, and German schools and even a Japanese school in the country.

If you wish to enroll your child in an Italian state school later on, some international schools offer bilingual programs and follow the national curriculum so your child can take national exams.

Enrollment requirements for international schools?

Some international schools offer education levels from preschool to upper secondary education, between three and 19 years of age. Enrollment requirements will largely depend on the school, so you may need to contact them one by one. However, it is a good idea to have a few documents on hand whenever enrolling your kid in a new school. This includes transfer papers from previous schools, vaccination bulletins with all the required vaccines in order, and any language test that may be needed to certify the child’s language skills.

Admission often includes assessment of school reports and may also involve interviews or assessment tests.

What are the fees for international schools in Italy?

International school fees in Italy vary widely depending on the city, school, and education level. On average, annual tuition ranges from around 6,000 EUR (6,970 USD) to over 26,000 EUR (30,200 USD), with higher fees typically charged at the secondary level. You may also have to pay extra costs for registration, transport, and materials.

Here is a list of some of the top schools in the country, by language:

British Schools in Italy

• The British School of Milan – Sir James Henderson
• International School of Naples (ISN)
• The English International School of Padua
• St George’s International School (Rome)

French Schools in Italy

• Lycée International Victor Hugo (Florence)
• Lycée Stendhal (Milan)
• École Française de Naples Alexandre Dumas
• Lycée Ffrançais Jean Giono (Torino)
• Lycée Chateaubriand (Rome)

German Schools in Italy

• German School Rome
• Deutsche Schule Mailand (Milan)
• Deutsche Schule Genua (Genoa)

Catholic Schools in Italy

Catholic schools make up a big part of private schools in Italy. Parents may opt for these schools if they want their children to receive a more religious-centered education. Catholic schools may also offer extra subjects besides the national mandatory curricula, and longer school hours, which some parents may prefer. Some of these are also boarding schools.

• Cicognini National Boarding School, in Prato
• Istituto San Leone Magno, in Rome
• Gonzaga Institute, in Palermo
• Istituto Champagnat, in Genoa
• Leo XIII Institute, in Milan
• Social Institute, in Turin

Higher education

Italy is home to some of the oldest and most respected universities in Europe. Several Italian universities regularly appear in international ranking, so if you’re looking for a high-quality university, Italy is a great place to study, both for its academics and cultural experience.

How to enroll in university as a foreign student in Italy

If you’re an EU citizen or already live in Italy, you can apply directly to your university of choice.

Non-EU students living outside Italy must complete a pre-enrollment via the University portal. Once you receive the “Letter of eligibility for enrolment”, you should apply for a student visa.

You’ll generally need to submit the following documents for university applications:

• secondary school/ high school diploma
• transcripts
• letter of motivation
• CV
• recommendation letter
• language proficiency certificate
• passport photographs

The university you will apply to may have an admission test or an interview, and the exact documents required by each university vary, so contact the school you are applying to for more information.

How much does it cost to study in Italy for international students?

The cost of studying in Italy as an international student varies depending on the type of university and program. Public universities are generally affordable, with tuition ranging between 900–4,000 EUR per year, depending on the course and the student’s income. Highly ranked public universities may charge more, but costs rarely exceed 5,000 EUR.

Private universities, on the other hand, are significantly more expensive, with fees typically ranging between 6,000–20,000 EUR per year.

For visa purposes, international students must show proof of financial means, usually around 6,000 EUR per year, or about 500 EUR per month, to cover living expenses during their stay. You can look for scholarships to study in Italy on the website of the Ministry of Education.

What are the top universities in Italy?

Several Italian universities are consistently ranked among the top 10 in the country and within the top 500 globally. Some of the most prestigious institutions include:

• Sapienza University of Rome
• University of Padua
• University of Naples Federico II
• University of Bologna
• University of Milan
• Polytechnic University of Milan
• University of Pisa

Language schools

Attending a language school to learn Italian is one of the best ways to integrate into the local culture.

How to choose the right language school

When choosing an Italian language school, look for one with qualified, native-speaking teachers and official accreditation from the Italian Ministry of Education (MIUR) or recognized bodies like ASILS. It's also important to consider the flexibility of course options; some schools offer intensive, part-time, or evening classes to suit different schedules. Additional features like cultural immersion activities, conversation practice, or excursions can deepen your learning experience and help you integrate more easily into Italian life.

Italian language certifications: CILS and CELI

If you're learning Italian and want to earn an official certificate to prove your language level, two well-known options are CILS and CELI. These exams are recognized across Italy and internationally. CILS (Certificate of Italian as a Foreign Language), offered by the University of Siena, and CELI (Certificate of Knowledge of the Italian Language), from the University for Foreigners of Perugia, both assess your skills from beginner (A1) to advanced (C2). They are often required for university admission, job applications, or even citizenship.

How much do Italian language courses cost?

The cost of attending an Italian language school varies depending on the city, course type, and duration. It typically ranges from 200 EUR to 1,500 EUR per week. Private lessons are more expensive, usually costing between 20–50 EUR per hour. Schools in larger cities like Rome, Milan, and Florence tend to be pricier, while smaller towns may offer more affordable options. Some schools may also charge registration or material fees.