Italian Language Requirements

International students taking Italian class

In order to enrol in a study programme taught in Italian, non-EU students residing abroad are required to demonstrate a B2 level knowledge of the Italian language according to the Common European Framework of Reference. Higher Education Institutions must verify the language competence for the admission to study courses taught in Italian.

At the University of Messina, the procedure for verifying the knowledge of the Italian language for students from non-European countries applying for a visa takes place through the UniME ITA-Test, which is mandatory for all study programmes taught in Italian. The UniME ITA-Test is compulsory for applicants who do not hold an internationally recognised Italian language certification accepted by UniME or who are not exempt from the test. 

Please note: only students who have applied for pre-assessment at UniME can register for the UniME ITA-Test. CISIA ITA-L2 certificates will no longer be accepted.

For more details, please refer to the sections:

  • Accepted International Italian Language Certificates
  • Exemption from Italian Language Test/Certificate

Further information about UniME ITA-Test dates and registration will be provided shortly.

Students who have already achieved one of the following recognised International Italian Language Certificates of proficiency, and with a grade not below the B2 level of the CEFR, are exempt from taking the test: 

  • PLIDA, issued by the Dante Alighieri Society;
  • CILS, issued by the University for Foreigners of Siena;
  • CELI, issued by the University for Foreigners of Perugia;
  • Certit, issued by the Roma Tre University;
  • Cecol, issued by the Dante Alighieri University for Foreigners of Reggio Calabria.

International students meeting one of the requirements listed below are exempt from the Italian language test/certificate:

  • Italian Secondary School Diploma: Students hold an upper secondary school diploma (4 or 5 years) from Italian State or officially recognised schools abroad.
  • Recognised Qualifications: Students possess one of the secondary school qualifications listed in Annex 2 of the Procedures For Entry, Residency and Enrolment of International Students and the Respective Recognition of Qualifications for Higher Education Courses in Italy valid for the A.Y. 2025/2026. 
  • Argentinian Certificates: Students have complementary certificates to the lower secondary school diploma obtained in Argentina, proving at least 5 years of Italian language instruction, in compliance with Law No. 210/1999.
  • Diploma in Italian Language and Culture: Students earned this diploma from the Universities for Foreigners of Perugia or Siena.
  • Italian Language Certificates: Students hold one of the Italian Language Certificate issued under the CLIQ quality system, with a grade not below the B2 level of the CEFR, including those in partnership with Italian Cultural Institutes abroad or other accredited entities.
  • Italian citizens with foreign qualifications, EU citizens and non-EU citizens with EU equivalent status: Detailed information is available in the corresponding section of the website International students: procedures by group | Università degli Studi di Messina.

This page is constantly updated.