Italian language competence

Non-Italian students enrolling in English-taught degree programmes or curricula

If you are a non-Italian student enrolled in a degree programme or curriculum taught entirely in English, you are required to obtain 3 CFU credits of Italian language study unless you already possess at least a B1-level of proficiency in Italian (the only exception is the bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Innovation and e-Tourism, which requires 6 CFU credits of Italian language study; for information regarding course formats and required levels, please contact the Scientific Campus).

How to obtain your Italian language credits (CFU)

The 3 Italian language credits must be obtained by attending a free Italian language course provided by the University Language Centre (CLA).
To determine the appropriate course level (A1, A2, or B1), you must take an in-person placement test at the University Language Centre (CLA).
Alternatively, after enrolment you may obtain one of the recognised Italian language certifications.
If you are a graduate of Ca’ Foscari’s Foundation Year and successfully completed 72 credits during the programme, you will be entitled to have the 3 CFU credits of your Italian language course (or the 6 CFU credits if you are enrolled in the Hospitality Innovation and e-Tourism bachelor’s degree) registered as already completed in your study plan.

Exemption categories and recognized certifications

You are NOT required to attend the Italian language course at the CLA if:

In these cases, your study plan will be adjusted, shifting the CFU credits originally associated with the required Italian language course to a different educational activity.

  • You have already carried out a full year of study for which the only language of instruction was Italian.
  • You have carried out a period of study abroad in Italy that lasted 12 months or more and involved taking and passing a course taught in Italian.
  • You have passed a B1-level Italian course offered by our University Language Centre, another Italian university or a Società Dante Alighieri school that involved at least 50 contact hours.
  • You have carried out a period of study abroad in Italy that lasted 12 months or more and involved taking and passing a course taught in Italian.
  • You have successfully completed a Foundation Year programme at an Italian university that required demonstrating the acquisition of a B1-level knowledge of Italian.
  • You have successfully completed the Marco Polo programme.

Applicants holding an international entrance qualification must upload their language certification or documentation proving their eligibility for exemption as part of their application for admission on apply.unive.it before enrolment.

Applicants holding an Italian entrance qualification must provide their language certification or documentation proving their eligibility for exemption during the enrolment request procedure.

Any students who obtain a recognized language certification AFTER enrolment must send it to the Student Administration Unit by submitting a support request, selecting the category “Carriera studenti e laurea/Esami” and attaching the certification.

Non-EU international students enrolling in Italian-taught degree programmes

If you are a non-EU student enrolling in an Italian-taught bachelor’s or master’s degree programme, you must demonstrate Italian language proficiency at B2 level at enrolment stage.

Recognised language certifications

Assessment test

Each year, between March and October, the University organises online test sessions to assess B2-level Italian language proficiency.
The test is free of charge and intended for non-EU international applicants holding an international entry qualification who wish to enrol in degree programmes taught in Italian. The assessment includes a written test and an oral interview.
Applicants who pass the test receive a confirmation letter certifying their Italian language level. This document is valid for enrolment purposes at Ca’ Foscari University and may also be used to demonstrate language proficiency during the student visa application process, where required.

Further details are available on apply.unive.it for applicants submitting an application for a degree programme taught in Italian.

Exemption categories

You are not required to submit a recognised Italian language certification or take the University’s assessment test if you belong to one of the following exemption categories:

  • You have attended at least one year of secondary school in Italy.
  • You have completed at least one year of mobility during secondary school studies conducted in Italian.
  • You have obtained a University degree in Italy or abroad from a programme taught entirely in Italian.
  • You have attended and passed a University Language Centre (CLA) course at Ca' Foscari University of Venice at the B2 level or above.
  • You have attended and passed a course of at least 50 hours at B2 level or above at the language centre of another university.
  • You belong to one of the exemption categories outlined in the ministerial guidelines “Procedures for entry, residency and enrolment of international students and the respective recognition of qualifications for higher education courses in Italy [ITA]”;
  • You have successfully completed the Foundation Year programme at Ca’ Foscari University and achieved at least a B1 level of Italian language proficiency (the B2 level must be achieved by the end of the first academic year).
  • You have successfully completed the Marco Polo programme and obtained one of the recognized certifications at B1 level or above (B2 level must be achieved by the end of the first academic year).

To obtain the exemption, you must upload the relevant documentation as part of your application on apply.unive.it before enrolment.

Last update: 14/05/2026