Online Degree, Online Courses and Distance Learning in Italy

In Italy, online and distance learning covers two very different things. At university level it means the telematic universities (università telematiche): legally recognised private universities that teach online and award bachelor's and master's degrees with the same legal value as those of State universities. Outside the university system, it means online courses run by private schools, most often Italian language lessons for students who cannot travel to Italy or want to keep studying after a course there.

This page explains how both work, what they cost and what to check before enrolling.

Telematic universities

Italian law lists telematic universities as one of the four types of university. According to Eurydice (2024), the Italian university system has 99 institutions, including 11 recognised private telematic universities. Teaching takes place through e-learning, but exams and the defence of the final thesis must take place in person, so students need to travel to one of the university's exam centres.

Like all Italian universities, telematic universities go through accreditation: an initial accreditation, then a periodic review, normally every five years, by ministerial decree based on an evaluation by ANVUR, the national agency for the evaluation of universities and research. The Ministry of Universities and Research (MUR) publishes the list of all recognised institutions.

Degrees and credits

Online degrees follow the same structure as campus degrees. Credits (CFU) are equivalent to ECTS: a bachelor's degree (laurea) requires 180 CFU and a master's degree (laurea magistrale) 120 CFU. Some telematic universities also assess credits from earlier university study; Università Telematica Pegaso, for example, offers to evaluate exams taken at another university.

Online language and short courses

Private schools in Italy offer online courses that do not lead to an academic degree. SpainExchange lists one school in this category: the Accademia del Giglio in Florence, a school of fine arts and Italian language. Its online Italian course is a one-to-one programme for students who cannot come to Italy or who want to continue with their teachers after a stay in Florence. Lessons are available at all levels, from beginner to advanced, and can include preparation for the CILS and CELI certificates of Italian. Students receive a certificate at the end of the course; this is a school certificate, not an academic qualification.

Admission and requirements

Telematic universities apply the same entry requirements as other Italian universities: a secondary school diploma, or an equivalent foreign qualification, for a bachelor's degree, and a first-cycle degree for a master's degree. International students should check the language of each programme and plan for travel to in-person exams. Online language courses usually require only a fast internet connection, a webcam and a microphone.

Costs

Fees at telematic universities are set by each university. Pegaso, for example, advertises reduced annual fees from €1,550 for some bachelor's programmes. For online Italian lessons, the Accademia del Giglio charges €20 for a 30-minute lesson and €30 for a 45-minute lesson, plus a €45 enrolment fee.

How to choose an online programme

• Recognition: check that the university appears in the MUR list of recognised institutions
• Exams: where the exam centres are and how often exams are held
• Language: whether the programme is taught in Italian or English
• Qualification: an academic degree or a school's own certificate
• Total cost: annual fees, enrolment fees and travel to exams

Frequently asked questions

Is a degree from an Italian online university valid?

Yes, if the university is legally recognised. Degrees from recognised telematic universities have the same legal value as degrees from State universities.

Can I study at an Italian telematic university without going to Italy?

Teaching is online, but exams and the final thesis defence take place in person, so you need to travel to an exam centre.

How many telematic universities are there in Italy?

According to Eurydice (2024), there are 11 recognised private telematic universities among the 99 institutions of the Italian university system.

Can I learn Italian online with a school in Italy?

Yes. Some language schools, such as the Accademia del Giglio in Florence, offer one-to-one online lessons for all levels, including preparation for CILS and CELI exams.