by | Oct 3, 2025

Master’s Degrees in Italy

Master’s Degrees in English: equivalence, meaning, and international recognition

Master's Degree Courses, Master's Degree Courses

In the Italian university system, Master’s Degree (second cycle degrees) represent the advanced level of academic education. Internationally, the term Master’s Degree is commonly used, with various formats such as MA (Master of Arts), MSc (Master of Science), LL.M (Master of Laws), MRes (Master of Research), etc. In Italy, these designations are often found in programs that offer international curricula, courses taught in English, and an academically recognized profile.

Master’s Degrees in Italy

This article explains what Lauree Magistrali are, how they relate to Master’s Degrees under the Bologna Process, the MIUR requirements, duration, credits, and their legal and professional value.

It is essential, especially for international students whishing to study in Italy, not to confuse the term “Master’s Degree” with “master” in the Italian context. A Master’s Degree corresponds to a Laurea Magistrale in the Italian university system, an official second-cycle academic qualification. By contrast, the term “master” in Italy is often used by universities and private institutions to refer to postgraduate specialization courses, which do not necessarily correspond to a Laurea Magistrale and have different characteristics and purposes, and often do not have legal value.

Master’s Degrees in Italy: Official Definition

According to the MIUR, a Laurea Magistrale is a second-cycle university qualification.

Key characteristics:

  • It requires a first-cycle degree (Bachelor’s degree) or an equivalent qualification for admission.
  • It typically lasts two years, for a total of 120 ECTS credits.
  • It provides advanced theoretical and practical training for highly specialized professions, research, or further academic studies (such as a PhD).
  • The qualification awarded is “Dottore Magistrale” (in English “Master’s level qualification” or “Master’s Degree”) and is legally recognized in Italy and in countries participating in the Bologna Process.

Why to Choose Master’s Degrees taugth in English in Italy

Choosing a Master’s Degree in English in Italy instead of Italian offers numerous academic and professional advantages. First of all, attending classes, taking exams, and writing your thesis in English allows you to develop advanced language proficiency, now considered essential in the global job market. In addition, English-taught Master’s programs are often designed with a strong international focus: they attract students and faculty from around the world, creating a multicultural environment that enriches the study experience and expands networking opportunities.

Another key benefit is the greater international recognition of the qualification: Master’s Degrees in Italy taught in English facilitate access to PhD programs and job opportunities abroad, as the title is immediately comparable with equivalent qualifications in countries participating in the Bologna Process. Finally, this choice can be a strong differentiator in your CV, highlighting language skills, flexibility, and openness to global environments.

Key Advantages:

  • Legally recognized academic qualification in Italy and across Europe.
  • Access to regulated professions, public competitions, and PhD programs.
  • Greater international exposure, opportunities for study/work abroad, and double degree programs.
  • Improvement of your professional profile and access to highly specialized sectors.

Bologna Process and Master’s Degree Equivalence

The Bologna Process, launched in the late 1990s, aims to harmonize university systems across Europe to facilitate mobility, degree recognition, and transparency.

Within the framework of the Bologna Process:

  • The Italian university system is structured into three cycles: first cycle (Bachelor’s Degree), second cycle (Lauree Magistrali / Master’s Degree), and third cycle (PhD).
  • The second cycle (Lauree Magistrali) corresponds to a Master’s Degree in countries that follow the Bologna Process. This means that an Italian Master’s program is formally equivalent and internationally recognized as degrees such as MSc, MA, LL.M, etc.
  • There are also single-cycle Master’s programs, which combine the first and second cycles into a continuous path (5 or 6 years) for regulated professions (e.g. Medicine and Surgery, Dentistry, Architecture). These programs award the same academic level as second-cycle degrees under the Bologna Process.

International Master’s Degrees in Italy and Corresponding Qualifications

Many Lauree Magistrali in Italy use English abbreviations in their titles for internationalization purposes:

  • MA (Master of Arts) – often used for humanities and social sciences
  • MSc (Master of Science) – in scientific, technological, and engineering fields
  • LL.M (Master of Laws) – for advanced legal studies
  • MRes (Master of Research) – research-oriented programs

These abbreviations do not change the legal nature of the qualification: if the program is officially a Laurea Magistrale according to the MIUR and is offered by an accredited university, then the degree has legal value. Courses may be taught in Italian, in English (Master’s Degrees in English), or in a mixed format.

Master’s Degrees in English: Internationalization

In recent years, many Italian universities have introduced Master’s Degree programmes taught in English to attract international students and prepare graduates with global competencies.

Key characteristics:

  • Teaching delivered entirely or predominantly in English, with materials, exams, and sometimes even international tutors.
  • Opportunities to obtain double degrees, in partnership with foreign universities (joint or multiple degree programmes).
  • The qualification awarded is equivalent to a Laurea Magistrale in Italian and has legal value in Italy.

Practical Examples of Master’s Degrees in Italy

Here are some examples of Master’s Degrees in Italy taugth in English currently offered in Italy:

  • University of Pisa: Master’s Degree programmes taught in English with international pre-enrolment procedures.
  • University of Florence: international Master’s programmes held in English.
  • University of Padua: detailed overview of the university system and recognition of the Laurea Magistrale as a Master’s qualification.
Master’s Degrees in Italy

Admission Requirements for Master’s Degrees

To be admitted to a Laurea Magistrale (equivalent to a Master’s Degree), you need:

  • A first-cycle degree (Bachelor’s degree) or an equivalent recognized qualification.
  • In some cases, specific requirements related to your previous degree, such as minimum ECTS credits in relevant subjects or selection tests (for limited-access programmes).
  • If the programme is taught in English, proof of English proficiency may be required (international certifications such as TOEFL, IELTS, etc.).

Duration, Credits, and Structure

  • Standard duration: 2 years for Lauree Magistrali that are not single-cycle programmes.
  • Required credits: 120 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) for second-cycle programmes, added to the typical 180 ECTS of a Bachelor’s degree, for a total of 300 ECTS (or more in the case of single-cycle programmes).
  • Single-cycle Master’s Degrees: 5 years (300 ECTS) or 6 years (360 ECTS) for certain regulated professions (e.g. Medicine, Architecture, Law).

Legal Value and International Recognition

The Laurea Magistrale (or equivalent Master’s Degree) benefits from:

  • Legal validity in Italy, recognized by the MIUR and ministerial regulations. It is required for public competitions, regulated professions, and PhD programmes.
  • European recognition thanks to the Bologna Process, which harmonizes academic qualifications across participating countries. This means that an Italian Master’s graduate can have their degree recognized abroad, participate in Erasmus programmes, double degrees, and joint degrees.

Differences Between a Master’s Degree, Professional Master, and University Master

It is important to distinguish between them:

  • Laurea Magistrale (Master’s Degree): a second-cycle academic qualification, legally recognized, required for PhD programmes, public competitions, and regulated professions.
  • University Master: a postgraduate course (first or second level) offered by universities, but it does not always correspond to a Laurea Magistrale; it is a complementary/specialization path, not a second-cycle academic degree.
  • Non-university / professional “Master”: organized by private institutions, it does not grant a Laurea Magistrale; it does not have legal value for public competitions or professional qualifications, but it can still be useful from a professional perspective.

FAQ – Master’s Degrees in Italy

How are Lauree Magistrali Called in English?

Italian Lauree Magistrali are generally translated into English as a Master’s Degree, a definition internationally recognized within the academic system based on the Bologna Process. This term refers to a second-cycle qualification, following a Bachelor’s Degree, and represents an advanced level of university education.

However, it is important to make a key distinction: the term Master’s Degree refers to an official academic programme equivalent to the Italian Laurea Magistrale, whereas the term “master” in Italy can also indicate postgraduate specialization courses that do not award an equivalent academic qualification. In the international context, this ambiguity does not exist: a Master’s Degree is always a recognized university qualification.

Master’s Degrees may have specific names in English depending on the field of study. For example:

  • Master of Science (MSc) for scientific, technical, or economic disciplines
  • Master of Arts (MA) for humanities and social sciences
  • Master of Engineering (MEng) for engineering
  • Master of Business Administration (MBA) for management and business

In Italy, universities often use these designations directly in English-taught programmes, especially to attract international students. Understanding this terminology is essential for those who wish to study or work abroad, as it facilitates degree recognition and the comparability of educational pathways.

What Are Single-Cycle Master’s Degrees?

Single-cycle Master’s Degrees are university programmes that do not include a separation between a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree, but instead follow a single continuous path lasting 5 or 6 years. This model is designed for specific disciplines that require long, structured, and professionally qualifying training.

In Italy, the main single-cycle Master’s Degrees include:

  • Medicine and Surgery (6 years)
  • Dentistry and Dental Prosthetics (6 years)
  • Veterinary Medicine (5 years)
  • Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology (CTF) (5 years)
  • Law (5 years)
  • Architecture (5 years)
  • Primary Education Sciences (5 years)

These programmes directly award a qualification equivalent to a Master’s Degree, without the intermediate step of a Bachelor’s Degree. From an international perspective, these degrees are also considered equivalent to a Master’s Degree, despite their different structure.

Admission to single-cycle programmes is often regulated by entrance exams, especially for nationally limited-access courses such as Medicine or Dentistry. At the end of the programme, in many cases, students also obtain professional qualification or are eligible to take state exams.

This type of degree is particularly suitable for students who already have a clear career goal from the beginning of their university journey.

What Is Meant by Lauree Magistrali?

Lauree Magistrali represent the second level of the Italian university system and are the natural continuation of a Bachelor’s Degree. They are advanced academic programmes, typically lasting 2 years, designed to provide specialized and in-depth knowledge in a specific field.

From a regulatory perspective, Lauree Magistrali are part of the system introduced through the reform inspired by the Bologna Process, which harmonized academic qualifications across Europe. The standard structure includes:

  1. Bachelor’s Degree (3 years)
  2. Master’s Degree (2 years)

The main objective of a Laurea Magistrale is to develop advanced analytical, theoretical, and practical skills, preparing students for both the qualified job market and further academic paths, such as a PhD.

Lauree Magistrali cover a wide range of fields, including economics, engineering, sciences, humanities, law, and social sciences. Each programme belongs to a specific degree class, defined by the Ministry of University and Research (MUR), which sets the learning objectives and minimum academic requirements.

It is important to emphasize that a Laurea Magistrale is an official academic qualification, recognized at both European and international levels, and distinct from Italian “university master’s programmes”, which have a different structure and purpose.

Do Lauree Magistrali Still Exist?

Yes, Lauree Magistrali (Master’s Degrees) still exist and are a fundamental part of the Italian university system. They represent the second cycle of higher education, following the Bachelor’s Degree, and are fully aligned with the Bologna Process.

Today, they remain one of the main academic pathways for students who want to obtain an advanced qualification, access PhD programmes, or pursue highly specialized careers.

Italian universities continue to offer a wide range of Lauree Magistrali, both in Italian and in English, with increasing emphasis on internationalization and global recognition.

How to You Access Lauree Magistrali in Italy?

Access to Lauree Magistrali in Italy generally occurs after obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent qualification. However, admission is not always automatic: each university sets specific requirements that may vary depending on the programme.

The main admission criteria include:

  • A relevant academic background: the Bachelor’s Degree must belong to a class consistent with the chosen Master’s programme.
  • Curricular requirements: a minimum number of ECTS credits in specific subject areas.
  • Assessment of personal preparation: this may include interviews, tests, or evaluation of the final Bachelor’s grade.

Some programmes, especially those with limited places or high demand, require selection through entrance exams or ranking lists. For international students, language certification (Italian or English, depending on the programme) is often required.

The admission process may include:

  • Submitting an online application
  • Uploading academic documents
  • Evaluation by the university
  • Possible interview or test
  • Final enrolment

For non-EU students, it is also necessary to complete pre-enrolment via the Universitaly portal and obtain a student visa.

Gaining access to a Laurea Magistrale therefore requires careful planning, but it represents a key step in building a strong and competitive academic and professional path.

Lauree Magistrali, equivalent to Master’s Degrees under the Bologna Process, represent the most robust academic pathway for those who want to achieve advanced skills, obtain a legally recognized qualification, and work both in Italy and abroad. When choosing a Master’s programme, make sure to check:

      • that it is academic and recognized by the MIUR;

      • that the programme is supported by qualified faculty and solid infrastructure;

      • the number of ECTS credits and the duration;

      • the availability of English-taught programmes if you aim for internationalization;

      • that the qualification has value for your professional or academic goals (public competitions, regulated professions, PhD).

Sources:

You may also be interested in