The MAECI Language Requirement (Italian CILS/CELI, English)

Italian, or English?

What sets the language condition is your programme’s teaching language. Italian programmes run in Italian or English — some bilingual; applying to an Italian-taught one means certifying the Italian, to an English-taught one the English. The first step, then, is fixing the target programme’s language. With the English-taught master’s spreading, Italy is studiable without Italian at all — though the language visibly eases the daily life and widens the programme choice.

What level is required?

For the Italian-taught programmes, generally B2 — B1 can suffice at some bachelor’s or particular programmes, while the advanced ones can want C1; for the English-taught, generally a B2-equivalent level (a set IELTS/TOEFL score). The exact level moves by programme and by university — check the MAECI bando and the target programme’s own condition both. The level matters to the scholarship’s eligibility and to the university’s admission alike: aim at the higher of the two.

The Italian certificates: CILS and CELI

The most widely accepted official Italian certificates are the CILS (University of Siena) and CELI (University of Perugia) exams — both grading against the European framework (A1–C2), both accepted broadly by the Italian universities and institutions; the PLIDA (Dante Alighieri) is a recognised option besides. The exams run through the Italian Cultural Institute and the authorised centres. Which suits you is on our CILS/CELI/PLIDA page.

The English certificates

The English-taught programmes generally want an internationally recognised result — IELTS or TOEFL — with some universities recognising their own attestations or equivalents; the minimum score moves by programme. Watch the certificate’s validity: the results generally hold for a limited period, so sit the exam at the right point of the calendar. Some candidates can take an exemption on a prior English-taught education — confirm with the target university whether that holds.

The preparation strategy

Meeting the condition on time takes early planning. The target programme’s language and level fixed, prepare for the certificate exam well ahead and pick a sitting that puts the result in hand before the deadline. Learning Italian, the steady course plus constant exposure (reading, listening) is the productive road — the Italian Cultural Institute offers the courses and the exams both. The language certificate in hand, finish the sworn translations of the diploma and transcript and the file stands complete.

The exam calendar and the validity

The certificate exams run on set calendars, and the results take time to arrive — plan the sitting backwards from your deadline. The Italian certificates (CILS, CELI) are generally treated as holding indefinitely; the English exams’ results (IELTS, TOEFL) hold for a limited period, generally two years — taken too early, the English certificate can lapse before the application. The right timing is the result valid on the day; and check the centres’ registration dates in advance too, because the seats fill.

The exemption cases

Some candidates can be exempted on their prior education: graduates of an English-taught bachelor’s can be excused the English certificate at some universities, and the same logic can run for the Italian-educated. But the exemption rules move by university and programme, and are never automatic — take written confirmation from the target university that your exemption claim is accepted. Trusting an exemption and skipping the certificate is the risky reading; where possible, hold a certificate anyway.

The practical road for Turkish students

The most practical road: the target programme fixed, settle the language early. Aiming at an English-taught programme, take a valid IELTS/TOEFL at the right time; at an Italian-taught one, start the Italian early and prepare for CILS or CELI — the Italian Cultural Institute offers the course and the exam both. The language certificate ready, complete the file with the other documents’ translations. The condition met on time is the application’s most-tripped step secured.

Aim at the level early

The language condition is the application’s most-postponed and most critical step at once. The level required (mostly B2) taking time to reach, start the preparation the moment the target programme is fixed: for Italian, a steady course and constant practice show visible progress within months; for English, measure the current level with a mock exam and close the gaps. The level aimed at early is the file finished on time — and the Italian education and daily life started better prepared. The language is not a condition alone but the foundation of a successful student life.

Match the certificate to the rest of the file

The language certificate carries meaning only beside the file’s other parts: the diploma, the transcript, the statement of intent and the required translations must all stand valid and complete on the day. Plan the exam’s result date and the other documents’ lead times (the apostille and the sworn translation above all) together — one document late, and the whole application can slip. The file’s parts gathered onto one timeline is no step overlooked; the certificate then sits as the fitting piece of a finished, consistent application.

Frequently asked questions