Admission to Italian Universities is possible only if the student holds a Diploma di scuola secondaria superiore ("A" Levels/Higher School Certificate) gained after 5 years at a high school, or a recognized School Certificate gained abroad.

In most cases, a test to ascertain the student's initial level of competences is compulsory.

Foreign students or Italians arriving from secondary school studies abroad are admitted once their qualifications have been judged suitable.
Enrollment is open at all public Universities, except for the Faculties of Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science and at "Libere Università", but some courses have a quota.