The first division is between: public schools  that are financed by the state, private schools to whom students pay taxes and peers that are not managed by the State and have total freedom from the point of view of cultural and educational orientation. Equality schools can be run by secular or religious bodies and, unlike public schools, they have no obligation of secularism. The programs of both these types of schools follow the regulations that come directly from the MIUR (Ministry of Education, University and Research). The qualifications awarded by parity or private schools are 100% equivalent to those awarded by state schools.

Let’s now see the phases:

1) Nursery

Attendance is not compulsory in the following category and is divided into:

– nursery: frequented by children from 0 to 3 years

– nursery school: attended by children from 3 to 6 years old

From 6 to 16 years of age, compulsory education begins as established by law and begins with:

2) Primary or Elementary School

This school is attended by students aged 6 to 11: it lasts 5 years. In this period,

boys and girls learn to write and read, and learn the first information of history, geography, mathematics, Italian grammar, science, music and gymnastics and for a few years also English and computer science, while the study of religion is optional (public school).

3)  Junior High School

This phase lasts 3 years and involves students aged 11 to 13. During this period, students deepen the subjects learned in elementary schools and, at the end of the course, they must take an evaluation exam consisting of:

• written test in Italian
• written test of mathematics
• written language test
• oral exam consisting in the presentation of a course on a specific topic that includes all the subjects studied.

4) High School

It lasts 5 years and involves students aged 14 to 19, but boys and girls can drop out of school by the age of 16. Students can choose from 3 types of high schools, based on their goals:

“Liceo”: offers a more theoretical and oriented training towards the continuation of university studies and, depending on the subjects studied, it can be of different types:

– classical (Latin, Greek and Italian)

– scientific (mathematics, physics and science)

– linguistics (English and foreign languages)

– technological (information technology)

– artistic (art),

– musical (music).

Technical-professional institute: where the study is accompanied by the learning of technical-practical skills, suitable for insertion into the world of work in sectors such as:

– economy

– tourism

– technology

– agriculture

– health care professions

ITF (Vocational education and training): in which more practical, professional skills are learned. Some of the works these institutes focus on are:

– plumber

– Electrician

– hairdresser

– beautician…

At the end of high school you must take another test called the maturity exam (or state exam) divided into 3 written parts and 1 oral, the passing of which allows you to obtain the baccalaureate, thanks to which you can access the university.

5) University

In Italy,  University Education sector is highly developed and there are valid and numerous alternatives both public and private. It is divided into:

First cycle: or also called a three-year degree and lasts three years. The choice offered is varied:

– scientific faculties (mathematics, physics, astrophysics, chemistry …),

– humanities (literature, philosophy, languages, cultural heritage …)

– techniques (architecture, engineering, economics…).

Second cycle: also known as a master’s or specialist degree, it generally lasts 2 years and is the continuation of a three-year one, to guarantee those who choose it a higher degree of specialization in their field.

However, there are some courses (Law, Pharmacy, Building Engineering, Architecture etc.), which last 5 years (Medicine 6) and are called “Single-cycle degree courses”.

Third cycle: dedicated to the most ambitious and includes:

– master: generally short study paths, created to give the possibility (to those who wish) to deepen specific aspects concerning the discipline studied during the first two cycles.

– PhDs: these are more theoretical paths, suitable for those who want to build a career in the academic world or work in research.

There are also other alternatives such as specialization courses, summer programs, tailor-made masters for workers and much more depending on the university considered.

Access to universities in Italy is easy, numerous scholarships are offered and most of the faculties are open-ended or with many places. The only faculty that requires a greater effort is Medicine, whose admission requests far exceed the available places, in fact the admission competition is on a national basis with high scores.

In 2015, with Law 107 of July 13, 2015 promulgated during the Renzi government, the tasks and powers of school administrators, seen as “educational leaders”, were elevated.

Regarding students, the possibility is introduced to customize the study plan, depending on the study or work objectives and if provided for by the home institution. School-work alternation is made compulsory for students from any institution, not just technical institutes.