What is the Foundation Year?
The Foundation Year is a preparatory course. It helps students get ready for university in Italy, including the University of Pavia. All classes are taught in Italian.
Who is it for?
This program is for students who do not have the 12 years of schooling needed for an Italian university. It is also for students missing any other requirements for their degree.
Is the Foundation Year a restricted-access program?
No, there is no entrance exam. We accept students in the order they apply. It is best to apply early.
Is the Foundation Year Program online or in person?
The Foundation Year is an in-person program. The University of Pavia allows only students who are waiting for their visa to attend classes online from their home country. In the event of a visa refusal, it will no longer be possible to continue attending classes online, and your enrollment will be withdrawn.
What are the courses offered by the Foundation Year Program?
The program includes a 400-hour Italian language and culture course (October–June) and 300 hours of discipline-specific courses, all taught entirely in Italian. The discipline-specific courses are based on the study area selected by the student — Humanities, Science & Medicine, or Social Sciences (February–June).
Will I get a certificate upon completion of the Foundation Year Program?
After you successfully complete the entire program, you will receive an official Foundation Year certificate. This certificate is very important. It proves that you have met the 12-year schooling requirement and are ready for a degree program at the University of Pavia. The certificate also replaces the mandatory Italian language test at Pavia, so you will not have to take that separate exam.
In what language are the courses taught?
All the courses are entirely taught in Italian.
I can not speak any Italian. Will I still be able to follow along with classes?
Yes. The program is designed to make sure your Italian is at the right level. The first part of the course focuses entirely on language training. This way, you will be ready when your subject-area courses start in February. The Italian language course will then continue along with your subject courses until June.
Is it possible to work a part-time job while attending Foundation Year classes?
We strongly advise students not to work a part-time job during the Foundation Year. The program is an intensive, full-time course, and attendance at all classes is mandatory. It is very difficult to manage both work and your studies successfully.
While students over 18 with a Type D Visa are legally allowed to work up to 20 hours per week, you will likely find that the program's schedule makes this impossible.
How can I apply?
First, fill out and submit the online application form through our "Apply" portal. You will then need to upload all the required documents, which are listed just below this section. The final step is to pay the 35€ application fee.
What documents do I have to submit along with the application form?
- A scanned copy of your passport photo/personal information pages;
- A scanned copy of your High School Diploma, accompained by an official translation in Italian or English by Apostille/legalization;
- A scanned copy of your high-school senior year transcripts, accompained by an official translation in Italian or English and by Apostille/legalization;
- A scanned copy of the "Declaration of Value" which must be released and signed by the Italian embassy/consulate of the student's country of residence. Alternatively, you can request Statement of Comparability from the CIMEA Institute by clicking here.
- Italian language certificate (not mandatory, only if you have already taken an Italian language proficiency test)
I don’t have all the required documents; can I still submit my application?
Yes, you can. However, you must submit the missing documents by September 15, 2026. Failure to provide the required documents by the deadline will result in exclusion from the program.
What is the application deadline for 2026-2027 Foundation Year Program?
You can find the application calendar here
Can I submit my Foundation Year Program application even if i have not received my High School Diploma yet?
Yes, you can. However, along with your application, you must include a letter from a representative of your high school stating when you are expected to receive your diploma.
Your high school diploma must then be submitted online or sent via email to foundationyear@unipv.it no later than September 15, 2026.
Failure to provide the required documents by the indicated deadline will result in exclusion from the program.
Can I submit the missing documents after submitting my application?
Yes, as long as you send the missing documents via email to foundationyear@unipv.it by September 15, 2026.
After being admitted to the Program, what are the next steps?
Once you receive the acceptance letter, you should:
- Wait for the email containing the credentials to complete the registration in the Student Area of the University of Pavia website
- Complete the enrollment process according to the instructions sent
- Pay the first installment of the tuition fee
At the bottom of the page you can find a detailed instructions on how to make the payment.
If you are a non-EU citizen, after receiving the acceptance letter, you must pre-enroll on the UNIVERSITALY platform. When you receive the confirmation, you will need to contact the Italian embassy/consulate in your country of residence and apply for a student Visa.
How can I obtain a Student Visa?
Once you received the acceptance letter and the confirmation of your pre-enrollment on UNIVERSITALY platform, you will need to contact the closest Italian embassy in your country of residence and apply for a student visa. They will provide you with all the information on how to apply.
Will I receive an “invitation letter” to apply for my Student Visa?
No. You will only receive our acceptance letter, which will allow you to request and apply for a Student Visa.
How and when can I proceed to the pre-enrollment?
You will receive all the necessary instructions for pre-enrollment once you have been admitted to the program. Therefore, you can proceed with pre-enrollment only after receiving your acceptance letter.
Can I apply for the Foundation Year Program even if I do not know any Italian?
Yes. The program is also suitable for students with no prior knowledge of the Italian language.
Is the Foundation Year Program suitable for me if I am interested in Medicine as my University major?
Yes. One of the study areas offered in the Foundation Year Program is Science & Medicine. Choosing this area will also help you prepare for the admission exam required for entry into this major.
How much is the tuition fee for the Foundation Year Program?
The tuition fee for the Foundation Year Program for the 2026–2027 academic year is €5,000, divided into three installments:
- First installment: €1,000, to be paid within 10 days of receiving the notification of your application’s acceptance.
Please note: the first installment is non-refundable. - Second installment: €2,000, to be paid by June 30, 2026
- Third installment: €2,000, to be paid by July 31, 2026
The tuition fee includes:
- University fees
- Liability insurance
- Tutoring
- Access to University services (libraries, student discounts, and other facilities)
Are there any scholarships or discounts for Foundation Year students?
No, there are not because the Foundation Year is not a University course.
What are the refund and cancellation terms?
- The first installment is non-refundable under any circumstances.
- A refund of 75% of the amounts paid for the second and third installments will only be granted in the case of a visa refusal, provided that:
- The refund request is submitted by January 31, 2026.
- A document from an Italian embassy or consulate confirming the visa refusal is included.
- Refund requests submitted after this date will not be considered. In the event of a visa refusal, students will no longer be allowed to attend classes online, and their enrollment will be canceled.
- For students still waiting for their visa, the inability to attend online classes due to significant time zone differences will not be considered a valid reason for a refund.
How can I find an accommodation for my stay in Pavia?
After being admitted to the Program, feel free to reach out to us for some information that could help you find an accommodation.
If I successfully complete the Program, will I automatically be enrolled in a undergraduate degree program ?
No. The Foundation Year is a preparatory course. Successfully obtaining the Foundation Year certificate does not automatically guarantee enrollment in an undergraduate degree program. However:
- You will have met the minimum requirements for admission to a university program at the University of Pavia.
- You will not be required to take the Italian language proficiency test typically administered to international students for university entry.
You will still need to apply for the undergraduate degree program of your choice. If the program is restricted-access, you will be required to take the admission exam necessary for that specific program or major.
You will be considered an EU student.
What courses will I be eligible to take at the University of Pavia after successfully completing the Foundation Year Program?
You can find our courses offer here
Please note that attendance is mandatory. In order to be admitted to the final exams and maintain their enrollment, all our students must reach an 85% attendance rate on each course of the Program, not cumulatively. Failure to meet the attendance requirement will result in the termination of the student's academic career, with no refund or fee reduction, and in case of the students awaiting a visa the Italian embassy or consulate will be notified, the pre-enrollment will be withdrawn.