The UniME Foundation Course (UFC) is an intensive and comprehensive preparatory programme designed specifically for international students. This bridging course is tailored to help meet the official academic requirements for enrolment in Italian higher education while strengthening the language proficiency and core disciplinary knowledge necessary for a successful university career.
Specifically designed for international applicants who have completed fewer than the 12 years of global schooling required by Italian law, UFC offers a seamless path to future studies. Successfully completing the programme grants direct admission to open-access Bachelor's Degree programmes at UniME.
Furthermore, for those aiming for a career in healthcare, the curriculum is structured to provide rigorous preparation for the highly competitive entrance examination (IMAT) for the prestigious Medicine and Surgery Degree Programme.
The programme is delivered in a hybrid format. Students will begin their journey during the first semester with remote, online classes, studying from home while finalising their visa arrangements. For the second semester, the attendance will be on campus in Messina for in-presence lessons, with a full immersion in university life.
All enrolled students are guaranteed accommodation during their stay, which is conveniently arranged at the Villa Amalia compound.
UFC programme makes fully eligible to apply for a student visa and subsequently obtain an Italian residence permit for study purposes.
Applicants must hold a final qualification that grants access to academic-level higher education in the country where it was issued.
- Minimum GPA required: Grade Point Average (GPA) of 70%
- English language requirements: Applicants must hold a CEFR B2 level certificate or higher issued by one of the following bodies: IELTS; TOEFL; Cambridge Assessment; Pearson Education, unless they belong to one of the categories exempt from the International Language Certificate. For further details, please visit the dedicated page English Language requirements
Total: 60 equivalent credits over 2 semesters.
1st Semester – 28 equivalents credits
- Italian Language and Culture (Levels A1/A2) - 16 ECTS
- English Language - 6 ECTS
- Critical Thinking - Reasoning on Text and Data- 6 ECTS
2nd Semester – 32 equivalent credits
Students must choose 4 elective courses of 8 equivalent credits each from the following options:
- Statistics
- Computer Science
- Economics and Business
- International and European Law
- Political Institutions
And
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Suitable also for IMAT Test Preparation |
We are committed to supporting students at every step of their journey. All enrolled students will be guided by a tutor to select the most suitable subjects for the second semester based on the specific degree programme students plan to pursue.
Scientific Coordinator: Prof. Giacomo Fiumara
Contacts: foundationcourse@unime.it
📌Applicants wishing to enrol in the UniME Foundation Course are required to submit their application online through the UniME Application Portal within one of the following application windows:
- 1st Call: 23–31 July 2026 (by 11:59 pm CEST)
- 2nd Call: 27 August–7 September 2026 (by 11:59 pm CEST), subject to the availability of places.
📌Further information on the application process, entry requirements, and key deadlines can be found in the UFC 2026/2027 Application Call Document attached below.
Upon successfully passing all the scheduled examinations within the study plan, students will receive the official final certificate of completion of the UniME Foundation Course. This credential certifies that you have met the minimum academic requirements necessary to access Bachelor’s and Single-Cycle Master's degree programs in Italy.
UFC graduates will benefit from a direct exemption from the entry assessment tests required for admission to any open-access Bachelor’s Degree programme at the University of Messina. Furthermore, for those aiming to pursue medical studies, the program provides the essential scientific and logical foundational knowledge required to confidently sit the IMAT (International Medical Admissions Test) for English-taught Medicine and Surgery programmes.
To secure and maintain your enrollment in the UFC, the tuition fees are divided into three installments, to be paid according to the following deadlines:
- First Instalment: €1,000 due within 7 days of receiving your official UFC Admission Letter. Please note that this payment is mandatory to secure the place and is strictly non-refundable, including in the event of a visa refusal.
- Second Instalment: €2,000 due by October 5, 2026. In alignment with programme policies, this fee is non-refundable, regardless of the outcome of your visa application.
- Third Instalment: €2,000 due by January 30, 2027.
Minor international students applying with a standard Italian study visa are not automatically assigned a public guardian by Italian authorities.
For minor students, the family is fully responsible for appointing a guardian (soggetto affidatario), and the guardianship must be arranged before starting the visa application process.
How to Identify a Guardian in Italy
If the student’s family does not have direct contacts in Italy, the following options are available:
- Relatives or family friends
The most common solution is to appoint someone who lives permanently in Italy and meets the legal requirements. - Student residences or colleges
Some private or religious residences may act as guardians, based on a formal agreement with the parents. - Specialized agencies
Professional organisations can provide guardianship services, including administrative and legal support for minor students.
Documents for Visa Application
The following documents are typically required:
- Travel consent and guardianship authorisation signed by the parents.
- Copy of the guardian’s passport and/or residence permit.
- Proof of accommodation (rental contract, property ownership, or residence registration).
- Notarial declaration of acceptance of guardianship.
- Confirmation of recognition by the Italian Juvenile Court.
- Guardian’s flight reservation (if required, on the student’s travel date).
- Copies of parents’ or legal guardians’ ID documents.
- Student’s birth certificate, translated into Italian and legalised/apostilled.
Important Disclaimer
The University provides this information for general guidance only.
It can offer basic indications on guardianship procedures and visa documentation, but does not provide legal advice or direct assistance in the process.
Students of the UniME Foundation Course are guaranteed accommodation at Villa Amalia for the entire duration of their classes in Messina, during the second semester of the academic year.
This historic residence, part of the prestigious Villa Pace complex, serves as a hub of excellence and institutional representation for the University of Messina. Located along the northern riviera in the characteristic seaside village of Pace, the property stands out for its immediate proximity to the sea and its spectacular panoramic views over the Strait. Immersed in a lush botanical park that ensures privacy and tranquility, the villa offers a scenic natural and architectural setting, ideal for study and academic integration.
Today, Villa Amalia fulfills a clear educational and institutional mission. In addition to hosting the residential services and classes for the Foundation Course, it is the dedicated venue for the courses, seminars, and scientific initiatives of the University's School of Excellence. Thanks to a careful functional restoration and the availability of on-site lodging for visiting professors and researchers, the villa has established itself as an ideal location for hosting workshops, conferences, and international scientific and cultural networking events.
