What is the "Foundation Year" Programme?

The Sapienza University “Foundation Year” Programme was conceived for international students who need to complete their basic education in order to pass an admission test in Italian state universities (in a range of disciplines, i.e. Medicine, Architecture, Science, Engineering and Humanities). The programme is held in Italian and primarily addresses to students who do not meet the minimum schooling requirements outlined in current legislation for enrolment at Italian universities.
Candidates may apply for the “Foundation Year” Programme even if they already have the 12 years of schooling necessary to enrol, but wish to improve their educational or linguistic competences.
Students who successfully complete the programme will be able to apply to Bachelors or Single-cycle degree programmes at Sapienza University without having to sit the Italian language exam for Non-EU students. Attendance is mandatory for at least 75% of classrooms.

Eligible Candidates

Candidates who meet the requirements indicated below are eligible to apply for the programme:

• holding a secondary school diploma obtained abroad after 11 years of schooling;
• possess minimum B2 English language level or equivalent level .

Candidates Non-EU citizens residing abroad have mandatory to request by 30 june 2023  through the UNIVERSITALY platform (https://www.universitaly.it/), a visa for study purposes for the academic year 2023-2024  for “University enrolment” (see and https://www.uniroma1.it/en/pagina/office-students-international-degrees).

For further information about enrolment procedures visit Hello-Foreign Students Office page.

Participation to the admission procedure is conditioned under penalty of exclusion on payinga participation fee of € 200,00 within 15/06/2023

Study Options

The “Sapienza Foundation Year" Programme is made up of three parts: 1. Intensive Italian language and culture classes; 2. Curricular classes in either Humanities Art History, Contemporary History, Italian Literature, Sociology) or Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics); 3. Preparatory classes for entrance exams on three groups of subjects: Applied Sciences, Clinic Sciences, Human Sciences. Classroom activities total 400 hours, and attendance is mandatory for at least 75% of them. The final part of teaching activities includes three groups of classes on different typology of Italian university entrance tests.

Attendance is mandatory for at least 75% of them.