AFAM
Acronym of Alta formazione artistica, musicale e coreutica (Higher education for the fine arts, music, and dance). The AFAM system groups all institutions offering higher education programmes in the arts, music, and dance sectors: Academies of Fine Arts, the National Academy of Drama, Higher institutes for Artistic Industries (ISIA), Conservatoires, the National Dance Academy and officially recognised music institutes. Afam institutions have legal status and statutory, teaching, scientific, administrative, financial, and accounting autonomy. AFAM institutes organised programmes and release qualifications within the Bologna structure, i.e. programmes of the first, the second, and the third cycle, Bachelor, Master and Doctoral studies respectively.
CFU
Acronym of credito formativo universitario. CFUs are the credits given at completion of each university course. The CFU is a measure of the volume of study work, including individual study, required from the student to acquire knowledge and skills in the educational and training activities foreseen by the courses of study. Each credit is equivalent to 25 hours of full-time study and one year is equivalent to 60 credits. 1 CFU corresponds to 1 ECTS credit.
CFA
Acronym of credito formativo accademico. CFAs are the credits given at completion of each Higher education for the fine arts, music, and dance (Afam) programme. The CFA is a measure of the volume of study work, including individual study, required from the student to acquire knowledge and skills in the educational and training activities foreseen by the courses of study. Each credit is equivalent to 25 hours of full-time study and one year is equivalent to 60 credits. 1 CFA corresponds to 1 ECTS credit.
CPIA
Acronym of Centro provinciale per l’istruzione degli adulti (Provincial centre for adult education). CPIAs are the main providers of adult education, together with upper secondary schools. CPIAs are public institutions, financed with public funds, organised in local networks. They have the same level of autonomy as state schools, i.e. they have their own premises, staff and collegiate bodies. They provide first-level adult education courses, i.e courses leading to a lower secondary certification and to the certification of competences in compulsory education, as well as literacy courses and Italian language courses for foreign adults.
Diploma accademico
General term indicating the qualification issued in the Higher education for the fine arts, music, and dance (AFAM) system. The first level of Diploma accademico is issued at the end of a first-cycle programme, while the second level of Diploma accademico is issued at the end of a second-cycle programme; the Diploma accademico di formazione alla ricerca is finally issued at the end of a third -cycle programme.
Diploma di perfezionamento o Master
Diploma issued by institutes belonging to the Higher education for the fine arts, music, and dance (AFAM) system at completion of higher education courses aiming at meeting the cultural needs of in-depth studies in certain study sectors as well as of professional refreshing or requalification and lifelong learning needs. Holders of a second-level academic diploma can have access to the courses leading to attain this qualification that last at least 1 year (60 credits). The term 'Master' does not refer to the second-cycle qualification of the Bologna process (Master degree).
Diritto-dovere
Term indicating the right/duty of all to receive education and training for at least 12 years or until the obtainment of a certificate within 18 years of age.
IFP
Acronym of Istruzione e formazione professionale (Vocational education and training). The IFP system is under the responsibility of the single Regions. It is organised into three and four-year courses for those who have completed the first cycle of education and wish to complete their compulsory education in the vocational training system or receive a three-year qualification by their 18th year of age (known as right/duty - diritto/dovere). The courses are organised by accredited training agencies or upper secondary schools. At the end of regional courses, learners receive a qualification that gives them access to second-level regional vocational courses or, under certain conditions, short-cycle courses at higher education level.
ITS
Acronym of Istituto tecnico superiore (Higher technical institutes). ITSs are highly specialised technical schools established to meet the demand of new and high-level competences coming from the labour market, both in the public and private sectors. Courses focus on the organisation of services, local bodies and productive sectors undergoing deep technological innovations due to the globalisation of markets. They are organised according to the priorities indicated by the economic planning at regional level. Courses are accessible to holders of an upper secondary education qualification and lead to the qualification of ‘Higher technician’ (Diploma di tecnico superiore). ITSs offer short-cycle non-university tertiary education).
Laurea
Qualification issued by universities at completion a first-cycle programme (3 years of studies corresponding to 180 credits) and after successfully passing the final exam. It has academic value and does not qualify to work freelance in one of the regulated professions. It gives access to the qualifying State exam required to enrol in the relevant register.
Laurea specialistica/magistrale
Qualification issued by universities at completion of a second-cycle programme (2 years of studies corresponding to 120 credits, or the number of years foreseen for single-cycle programmes corresponding to or 300-360 credits) and after successfully passing the final exam. It has academic value and does not qualify to work freelance in one of the regulated professions. It gives access to the qualifying State exam required to enrol in the relevant register.
Liceo
General term indicating general upper secondary education institutes lasting five years, for students aged between 14 and 19 years old. There are six different types of liceo specialising in: arts, classical studies, sciences, music and dance, foreign languages, human sciences.
Master universitario
Certificate issued by universities, after completion of scientific specialisation courses. The minimum length of courses is 1 year (60 credits). First-level courses can be accessed by holders of a Laurea, while second-level courses can accessed by holders of a Laurea Magistrale. The term 'Master' does not refer to the second-cycle qualification of the Bologna process (Master degree).
Scuola paritaria
Non-State school that, at certain conditions, is recognised by the State as having the same status of State schools and is authorised to issue qualifications having the same legal value as those issued by the latter. This type of school is described in more details in the sections on private education and private education funding.