Frequently Asked Questions – Magistrale

I am interested in 2 programs. Can I apply for both in order to increase the probability of my being accepted to at least one of them?

While we understand that the decision can be difficult, we ask that all applicants choose in advance only 1 program in which to pre-enroll, as this helps us simplify the admission evaluation process.

What are the minimum academic requirements for attending the undergraduate program in Gastronomic Sciences?

The following applicants may apply to the Three-Year Undergraduate Degree Program in Gastronomic Sciences:

• Italian high school graduates – students who have a secondary school diploma obtained in Italy;
• Graduating Italian high school students – students who will obtain their high school diploma in the academic year directly preceding the one in which they are applying;
• Non-Italian high school graduates* – students who have earned a non-Italian high school degree and are eligible for university enrollment (as reported on the Declaration of Value (Dichiarazione di Valore) issued by the relevant consular authorities).
• Graduating Non-Italian high school students* – students who will obtain their high school diploma in the academic year directly preceding the one in which they are applying

All candidates must have completed a total of at least 12 years of schooling.

*Important information for applicants with a U.S. High School Diploma: According to the “Regulations on foreign students’ access to university programs”, US candidates must possess one of the following:

(1) a U.S. high school diploma and at least 3 successfully completed Advanced Placement exams in any subject
(2) Two years of college or university credit with all exams passed
For more information, please contact the Italian embassy or consulate in the United States. All non-EU candidates must enroll through the Italian consulate nearest their place of residence. Candidates should contact the Italian consulate as soon as possible to ensure sufficient time to complete the enrollment process.

*Important information for applicants with a U.K. High School Diploma:

“Regulations on foreign students’ access to university programs”, UK candidates must possess at least 6 passing exit examination grades in different disciplines of which at least 3 must be advanced or “A-level” grades.

How and where do I apply?

To begin the pre-enrollment process for any of our programs, click “Apply Now!” at the bottom of the “Admissions” page of the program that interests you.

How do I submit optional letters of recommendation?

Your letters of recommendation may be sent in either English or Italian, preferably by an academic instructor or a professional supervisor. They do not need to have a specific format, nor is there a limit to how many you can include in your application.

If the letters are paper originals written on official letterhead and signed, they can be scanned and saved as PDF documents and uploaded directly to your online application. If, however, they are unsigned and/or in Word format, they must be sent directly to segreteria@unisg.it by the person recommending you.

Do I need to obtain and submit a legalization document, such as the Declaration of Value (DV), for the qualification required to attend the program (i.e. high school diploma for the undergraduate program, Three-Year Bachelor’s for the Master, 2-Year Graduate Degree for the Doctorate) and if so, where do I obtain it?

The following legalization documents will be accepted (with issuing authority indicated in parentheses) for diplomas accredited:

– within Italy: self-certification of final grade and title (self-generated) or certificate of graduation (registrar);

– within the EU, EEA, Turkey and Switzerland: “Diploma Supplement” (registrar);

– outside of the EU, EEA, Turkey and Switzerland: “Declaration of Value” (Italian consulate) or “Statement of Comparability” (ENIC-NARIC – CIMEA);

– within the USA: Degree Verification (National Student Clearinghouse).

A digital copy of the relevant legalization document must be received by the Registrar Office no later than the first day of the Master.

For more information, please also see the Bureaucratic Procedures page of our website.

I still have to obtain my DV, but the system won’t let me proceed unless I upload it. What should I do?  

Upload a placeholder document, stating where you are in the DV process, and when you hope to obtain it.

I am a candidate for the undergraduate program and possess an International Baccalaureate rather than a high school diploma. Do I still need to obtain a DV?  

No. International Baccalaureates do not need to be verified through the DV process. However, the Register Office must still view the official version of your IB, which has been apostilled by the relevant Swiss authorities.

If I am admitted to a program, but cannot attend, can I defer my admission to a later edition of the program?  

No. We can keep your application dossier on file, but you will need to re-apply, even if you have been admitted to the same program in the past.

I am a non-EU student applying for a study visa. The Italian consulate requires me to provide proof of health insurance. How do I satisfy this requirement?  

Should you be admitted to the program, your admission letter will contain a line confirming that your health insurance will be covered by the University. Should the consulate request a detailed policy, please contact the Registrar Office at segreteria@unisg.it.

I am a non-EU student applying for a study visa. For when should I time my appointment at my nearest Italian Consulate?  

Such students should book an appointment with the relevant consular representative even prior to their admission to the program in order to complete the pre-enrollment and visa request processes successfully and within the necessary time frame. Your appointment should be a date 2 to 3 weeks following the publication of the admission rankings. This will give the University time to confirm payment of your deposit, and for you to receive the original copies of your admission letters.

I will be attending the undergraduate program. Should I study Italian prior to my arrival?  

Yes. We strongly encourage all non-native Italian-speaking undergraduate students to hone their language skills as much as possible prior to their arrival. Whether through classes or private instruction in your home country, or through language intensive courses in Italy, possessing at least an elementary understanding (A1/A2-level) of Italian prior to your arrival in Pollenzo will profoundly enrich your experience in Italy, both personally and academically.

Lessons and activities in the undergraduate program are in English and Italian. Most lessons are in English the first year, with simultaneous translation provided from Italian to English. The second and third years of the undergraduate program are taught in Italian.

What Italian language learning opportunities exist in or around Bra?  

Please find here all language school listings for the Bra area.

Does the University offer on-site housing?  

No. Students must find and finance their accommodation on their own, the costs for which are not included in university fees. That said, the University does provide limited assistance to incoming students by circulating notices when apartments become available, and posting apartment advertisements on bulletin boards around campus. The aforementioned ads are also posted on our student housing blog.

For a snapshot of living costs in Bra, please see “Relocating to Bra: Planning Your Move” on the Bureaucratic Procedures page of our website.

Where do students usually decide to live?  

Most students choose to reside in Bra, as it is well connected to Pollenzo by local bus, as well as the surrounding Piedmont region via public transportation. Bra has a population of around 30.000 inhabitants and is located around 5km from Pollenzo.

What are daily living costs in Bra like?  

For a snapshot of living costs in Bra, please see “Relocating to Bra: Planning Your Move” on the Bureaucratic Procedures page of our website.

I will be coming to Italy with my children. Is it possible to enroll them in school in Italy?  

Yes. Non-EU students can request permits of stay “per coesione familiare” for family members upon their arrival in Bra, provided they have the minimum economic means requested by Italian Immigration Authorities for maintaining themselves and their family financially for the entire period of study.

For non-EU citizens, the permit of stay for study allows UNISG students to enroll their children in school in Bra. Enrollment requests can only be made once UNISG students have established their domicile in Italy. Students can request permits of stay “per coesione familiare” for family members upon their arrival in Bra. Contact the Italian consulate processing your study visa for more information, or the Registrar Office. European citizens

EU-citizens need only transfer their residence from their home country to Italy, which can be done at the Bra Hall of Records or “Ufficio Anagrafe”.

I am married, and my spouse would like to come live in Italy while I complete a UNISG program. Is this possible?  

Yes. Students can request permits of stay “per coesione familiare” for family members upon their arrival in Bra provided they have the minimum economic means requested by Italian Immigration Authorities for maintaining themselves and their family financially for the entire period of study.

EU-citizens need only transfer their residence from their home country to Italy, which can be done at the Bra Hall of Records or “Ufficio Anagrafe”.

For more information, please see “Establishing your legal status in Italy” on the Bureaucratic Procedures page of our website.

When do students have holidays?  

The main holiday blocks for the year occur in late December/early January, and in August for summer break. Additionally, students may have a few days free around Easter.

Would it be feasible for me to work part-time during the program to help finance my studies?  

Given the full-time nature of our programs, it would be a challenge to work alongside your studies, though not impossible. Some of our students do work evenings and weekends. Non-EU students may legally work up to 20 hours per week. The University does not offer on-campus employment opportunities.

Is UNISG accredited?  

Yes. This link will bring you to the Ministerial Decree which certifies our status as a nationally-recognized institution.

What would be the actual degree I would earn, should I attend the undergraduate program?  

Our undergraduate program in Gastronomic Sciences is a recognized three-year degree equivalent to a Bachelor, whose curriculum is codified by the Ministry of Education.

I am currently attending another undergraduate program and want to transfer to UNISG. Are my credits transferable?  

Given our University’s unique course of study, credits from other institutions are rarely transferable. Generally, students who transfer from other undergraduate programs, even those studying Food Technology and Sciences, must begin their studies over from Year I at UNISG.

How does UNISG assist students in finding internship and job opportunities?  

Our dedicated Career Center (career@unisg.it) works directly with students over the course of their studies, acting as an important resource for our students, offering career workshops, coaching sessions, skill assessments, and seminars in career design, as well as organizing Career Days featuring both Italian and international companies.

We also assist our students in locating internship opportunities that will help them discover their professional path, even providing some employment support following graduation. In this way, our Career Center staff  maintains contact with alumni beyond the conclusion of their studies, fostering a strong and active alumni network worldwide.

I am a non-EU student. Is it possible to remain in Italy to explore job opportunities following the conclusion of my studies?  

Yes. Current legislation allows non-EU students to request a permit of stay for the purpose of seeking employment.

For a snapshot of living costs in Bra, please see “Relocating to Bra: Planning Your Move” on the Bureaucratic Procedures page of our website.

Are your programs recognized internationally by both institutions of higher learning as well as employers?  

Yes. For more information including employment statistics, please visit our dedicated career webpage: career.unisg.it

Is housing included in university fees?  

No. Students must find and finance their accommodation on their own.

What assistance do you provide, if any, in locating appropriate housing?  

The Academic and Registrar Office currently provides limited housing assistance by circulating emails from both students leaving their apartments, as well as landlords in Bra seeking tenants, as well as furnishing online real estate agency contacts in Bra and the surrounding area.

For a snapshot of living costs in Bra, please see “Relocating to Bra: Planning Your Move” on the Bureaucratic Procedures page of our website.

Are study trip costs included in university fees?  

Yes, the University covers all organized expenses, including flights, accommodation, and meals as indicated by the study trip program.

Can I work alongside my studies?  

Given the full-time nature of our programs, it would be a challenge to work alongside your studies, though not impossible. Some of our students do work evenings and weekends. Non-EU students may legally work up to 20 hours per week. The University does not offer on-campus employment opportunities.

What scholarship opportunities are made available by the University?  

At the undergraduate level, we offer partial and full university fee exemptions, as well as housing and lunch service scholarships. For more information, please refer to the “Financial Aid & Scholarships” section of the Three-year Undergraduate Degree Program.

What financing opportunities are available through the University?  

Students who are both Italian citizens as well as long-term Italian residents may apply for “bridge loans” through our partner banking institutions: Banca Intesa Sanpaolo and Banca Sella. For more information, please contact Riccardo Allocco at amminstrazione@unisg.it.

I am an American candidate interested in applying for US Financial Aid. Is UNISG recognized in the US?  

Yes. We are recognized as a foreign US university. This allows US students to apply for financial aid in the form of FAFSA subsidized and unsubsidized loans through the Department of Education. See the Federal Student Aid website for more details. Our school code is G41391.

We have also had US veterans attend our programs with funds earned through Veterans Affairs, along with Americorps candidates.

How does the University’s health coverage work?  

Please see the “Student Health: Health Insurance & Medical Assistance” section of the Bureaucratic Procedures page of our website.