Editing Academic degree (section)

==== Italy ====
{{see also | Higher education in Italy}}

In Italy access to university is possible after gaining the ''Diploma di Maturità'' at 19 years of age, following 5 years of study in a specific high school focused on certain subjects (e.g. ''liceo classico'' focused on classical subjects, including philosophy, ancient Greek and Latin; ''liceo scientifico'' focused on scientific subjects such as maths, chemistry, biology and physics but also including philosophy, ancient Latin and Italian literature; ''liceo linguistico'' focused on foreign languages and literature; ''istituto tecnico'' focused on practical and theoretical subjects such as mechanics, aerospace, shipbuilding, electronics, computer science, telecommunications, chemistry, biology, fashion industry, food industry, building technology, law and economics). After gaining the diploma one can enter university and enrol in any curriculum (e.g. physics, medicine, chemistry, engineering, architecture): all high school diplomas allow access to any university curriculum, although most universities have pre-admission tests.

In 2011, Italy introduced a qualifications framework, known as the ''Quadro dei Titoli Italiani'' (QTI), which tied together, in a three-level system, both the new qualifications introduced as part of the [[Bologna Process]] and the older, pre-Bologna qualifications and which covers qualifications from university institutions and higher-education institutions for fine arts, music and dance (AFAM institutions).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hubmiur.pubblica.istruzione.it/alfresco/d/d/workspace/SpacesStore/488f990c-b3a7-43cb-8fac-9f1bc8b37ccd/TitoliItaliainglese.pdf|title=Italian Qualifications Framework|publisher=Ministry of Education, University and Research|access-date=25 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010215701/http://hubmiur.pubblica.istruzione.it/alfresco/d/d/workspace/SpacesStore/488f990c-b3a7-43cb-8fac-9f1bc8b37ccd/TitoliItaliainglese.pdf|archive-date=10 October 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> In addition to academic degrees, many professional qualifications are tied to the QTI at the different levels.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.quadrodeititoli.it/quadrotitoliprofessionali.aspx?IDL=2&qtp=182|title=Professional titles (licences)|access-date=25 September 2016|publisher=Ministero dell'Istruzione, dell'Università e della Ricerca}}</ref>

The first level, tied to the first cycle of the Bologna Process, covers the ''[[laurea]]'' (bachelor's degree) in universities and the ''Diploma accademico di primo livello'' in AFAM institutions.<ref name="QTI new quals">{{cite web|url=http://www.quadrodeititoli.it/Index.aspx?IDL=2|title=Italian Qualification Framework for the Higher Education|access-date=25 September 2016|publisher=Ministero dell'Istruzione, dell'Università e della Ricerca}}</ref> The older qualifications that map to this level are the ''Diploma universitario'' and the ''Diploma di scuole dirette a fini speciali (SDAFS)'' from universities, and the ''Diploma di Conservatorio'', ''Diploma di Istituto Musicale Pareggiato'', ''Diploma dell'Accademia di Belle Arti'', ''Diploma dell'Istituto Superiore delle Industrie Artistiche (ISIA)'', ''Diploma dell'Accademia Nazionale di Danza'' and ''Diploma dell'Accademia Nazionale di Arte Drammatica'' from AFAM institutions.<ref name="QTI old quals">{{cite web|url=http://www.quadrodeititoli.it/titolistudio.aspx?IDL=2|title=Framework of qualifications awarded under the previous system|access-date=25 September 2016|publisher=Ministero dell'Istruzione, dell'Università e della Ricerca}}</ref> The ''laurea'' is obtained after three years of study (180 ECTS credits) and confers the academic title of ''dottore'';<ref name="QTI new quals"/> the older university qualifications at this level took two to three years, with the three-year courses conferring the title of ''dottore''.<ref name="QTI old quals"/>

The second level, tied to the second cycle of the Bologna Process, covers the ''laurea magistrale'' and the ''laurea specialistica'' of university institutions, and the ''Diploma accademico di secondo livello'' of AFAM institutions.<ref name="QTI new quals"/> The old ''Diploma di laurea'' is mapped to this level.<ref name="QTI old quals"/> The ''Laurea magistrale'' and the ''laurea specialistica'' are obtained after two further years of study (120 ECTS credits) and give the academic title of ''dottore magistrale''.<ref name="QTI new quals"/> The old ''Diploma di laurea'' took four to six years but was accessed directly from school, with a possible reduction by one year for those with a related ''diploma'' and also granted the title of ''dottore magistrale''.<ref name="QTI old quals"/>

The third level, tied to the third cycle of the Bologna Process, covers the ''Dottorato di ricerca'' from university institutions and the ''Diploma accademico di formazione alla ricerca'' from AFAM institutions.<ref name="QTI new quals"/> The old ''Dottorato di ricerca'' and ''Diploma di specializzazione'' are tied to this level.<ref name="QTI old quals"/> The ''Dottorato di ricerca'', under both new and old systems, takes a minimum of three years after the ''laurea magistralie/specialistica'', and gives the academic titles of ''Dottore di Ricerca (Dott. Ric.)'' and PhD.<ref name="QTI new quals"/><ref name="QTI old quals"/> The old ''Diploma di specializzazione'' took two to six years and gave the academic title of ''Specialista''.<ref name="QTI old quals"/>

Universities in Italy offer a number of other qualifications, including the ''Master universitario di primo livello'' (1 year/60 ECTS credits, 2nd cycle qualification) and the ''Master universitario di secondo livello'' (1 year/60 ECTS credits, 3rd cycle qualification), continuing from the ''laurea'' and the ''laurea magistrale/specialistica'', respectively. These do not give access to the PhD. The ''Diploma di specializzazione'', which is offered in a few specific professions, takes two to six years and gives the title of ''specialista''. The ''Diploma di perfezionamento'' is a university certificate, aimed at professional training or in specific fields of study, which usually takes one year; it is not allocated a level in the framework.<ref name="QTI other quals">{{cite web|url=http://www.quadrodeititoli.it/altrititoli.aspx?IDL=2|title=Other qualifications|access-date=25 September 2016|publisher=Ministero dell'Istruzione, dell'Università e della Ricerca}}</ref>

AFAM institutions may offer the ''Diploma di perfezionamento o Master'' and ''Diploma accademico di specializzazione''. These are one-year and two-year qualifications, respectively, and may be offered at the second cycle or third cycle level, distinguished by adding ''(I)'' or ''(II)'' after the qualification name. Higher schools for language mediators offer the ''Diploma di mediatore linguistico'', a first-cycle degree that takes three years (180 ECTS credits), and which gives access to the ''laurea specialistica''. Specialisation institutes/schools in psychoterapy offer the ''Diploma di specializzazione in psicoterapia'', a third-cycle qualification that takes at least four years and requires a ''laurea magistrale/specialistica'' in either psychology or medicine and surgery, along with professional registration.<ref name="QTI other quals"/>