Universitaly: pre-enrolment in Italy explained for Tunisian students

Italy is attracting more and more Tunisian students: recognised public universities, moderate fees, generous regional scholarships and proximity to Tunisia. But before packing your bags, there is an unavoidable step: pre-enrolment on Universitaly, the official portal of the Italian Ministry of University. Without it, there is no student visa. Here is how Universitaly works, in what order to do things and which documents to prepare.

The procedures are published each year by the Italian ministries (University and Foreign Affairs). Dates and some documents may change: our advisers tell you the rules in force for your intake.

What is Universitaly for?

Universitaly is the national platform that centralises pre-enrolment applications from non-EU foreign students living outside Italy. In practice:

1. you are admitted (or in the process of being admitted) to an Italian university;

2. you fill in your pre-enrolment application on Universitaly for that programme;

3. the university validates your application;

4. the Italian embassy or consulate, informed of this validation, can process your study visa application.

Universitaly therefore does not replace the application to the university: it is the step that links your admission to the visa.

Step 1: choose your programme and apply

Start by selecting the universities and programmes that match your plans: laurea triennale (3-year bachelor's degree), laurea magistrale (2-year master's degree) or laurea a ciclo unico (long-cycle programme such as medicine, pharmacy, architecture or law).

Each university has its own application portal, criteria and timetable. For English-taught programmes, many universities open applications from winter or early spring, sometimes with several rounds. Some programmes require an admission test: this is the case for medicine in English with the IMAT, which we explain in detail in Medicine in Italy: the IMAT exam explained.

The required language level depends on the programme: Italian for programmes taught in Italian, English (IELTS, TOEFL or an accepted equivalent) for programmes taught in English.

Step 2: pre-enrolment on Universitaly

Once your application has been submitted or accepted, you create an account on Universitaly and fill in the pre-enrolment application:

• personal details identical to your passport;

• chosen university and programme;

• passport photo in the required format;

• copy of the passport;

• diplomas and transcripts;

• where applicable, the admission letter or proof of application.

In principle you can only submit one pre-enrolment application per academic year. So choose the programme for which you are most certain of being admitted.

The Universitaly submission period generally opens in spring and closes during the summer. The exact timetable is set each year.

Step 3: validation by the university

The university reviews your application and validates it (or rejects it) directly on the portal. You receive a notification by email. It is this validation that allows you to move on to the visa application. Depending on the university, it can take from a few days to several weeks: submit your pre-enrolment early.

Step 4: equivalence documents

To have your Tunisian qualification recognised, the university asks you for one of the following documents (according to its rules):

• the Declaration of Value (Dichiarazione di Valore, DoV), issued by the Italian embassy, together with the translation and legalisation of the diplomas;

• or a CIMEA statement (the Italian information centre on the recognition of qualifications), increasingly accepted and sometimes preferred by universities.

Ask your university which exact document it accepts. For the general recognition rules, see our guide Equivalence of the Tunisian diploma abroad.

Step 5: the study visa

After validation, you book a visa appointment according to the arrangements set by the Italian embassy in Tunis and its service provider. Documents usually requested:

• passport valid for the whole length of the stay;

• confirmation of the validated pre-enrolment;

• proof of financial resources for the year (a minimum monthly amount is set each year by the Italian authorities);

• proof of accommodation;

• health insurance covering the stay;

• ticket or travel booking, depending on the case.

Do not book a non-refundable ticket before you have obtained the visa.

Step 6: on arrival in Italy

Within days of arriving, you must apply for your residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) using the kit available at the Italian post office, then finalise your enrolment at the university. Also remember the codice fiscale (tax number), essential for housing, a phone contract or a bank account.

What about fees and scholarships?

Italian public universities often set their fees according to family income. To benefit from this, you must provide an income file (known as the "ISEE parificato") with Tunisian documents that are translated and legalised. The same file is used to apply for the regional DSU scholarship, which can cover part of housing, meals and fees. We explain all of this in detail in Studying in Italy: public universities, DSU scholarships and cost of living.

Mistakes to avoid

• Pre-enrolling for a programme you are not sure to be admitted to.

• Waiting until summer to prepare translations and legalisations.

• Forgetting that the income documents for the ISEE and the DSU scholarship also require translations.

• Underestimating the proof of resources required for the visa.

• Not checking your inbox after submission.

How we help you

Worldwide Studies supports you from selecting universities through to the visa: application, Universitaly pre-enrolment, equivalence documents, scholarship file and accommodation. See our page Study in Italy.

Recommended timeline

1. Winter: applications to universities (several rounds for English-taught programmes).

2. Spring: translations, legalisations, application for the Declaration of Value or the CIMEA statement.

3. As soon as you are admitted: pre-enrolment on Universitaly.

4. Summer: validation, visa appointment, DSU scholarship file, accommodation.

👉 Timetables and amounts change every year and vary by university: talk to an adviser to get the up-to-date dates for your programme.