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All those who intend to enrol at the University of Genoa in degree courses taught in Italian and who do not hold a high school diploma obtained in Italy must take an Italian language test to ascertain their level of knowledge of Italian.
This provision is indicated by the Ministry of University and Research of the Italian Republic, which expressly states: "Each institution independently organises a test of knowledge of the Italian language, identifying the required level, at least B2, which is compulsory for all degree and single-cycle degree courses" (institutional source).

First-time pre-registered students must pass an A2 level test in order to complete enrolment. 
Those who do not obtain at least A2 level in the test will not be able to enrol in any degree course offered in Italian at the University of Genoa.

The A2 level Italian test takes place on the same dates as the TEST TE.L.E.MA.CO. (see page https://unige.it/studenti/telemaco). 

International students must take the Italian test first and then the TEST TE.L.E.MA.CO.: whoever fails the Italian A2 test cannot take the TEST TE.L.E.MA.CO.

Whoever passes the A2 test will continue with the TEST TE.L.E.MA.CO. and in the following weeks you will receive an e-mail from the Language Skills Development Department (clat@unige.it) to register for and take the Italian Level B2 test.

To pass the Italian Level A2 test you must obtain a score of 18/25 or higher; to pass the Italian Level B2 test you must achieve at least a score of 20/25.

An example of Test A2: Test DEMO Italian A2
An example of Test B2: Test DEMO Italian B2
Both test demos are accessible only to pre-registered or matriculated students at the University of Genoa and have the sole purpose of showing the types of test: they do not provide the score obtained and give no indication either of the level of linguistic competence of those taking them or of the errors made.

A2 Test Exemption: Certifications Accepted

Students in possession of an A2 or B1 Italian language certificate issued by the University for Foreigners of Perugia, the University for Foreigners of Siena, the "Dante Alighieri" University for Foreigners of Reggio Calabria, the "Dante Alighieri" Society and - limited to level B1 - the Centro Studi Italiani of Urbania, will be exempt from the A2 level test and will be referred by the SSCL to take the B2 level test only. 
These certifications must have been taken on or after 1 January 2023 inclusive.

The procedures and dates by which the certifications must be submitted will be posted on this page shortly.

The test can only be taken once by students who have pre-registered for the first time: this means that the result of the Italian test taken is definitive and the test cannot be retaken.

If a student is favourable for A2 but not B2, he/she may enrol at the University of Genoa with an OFA, to be compensated for by attending a free compulsory Italian language course organised by the University of Genoa, at the end of which he/she will take an exam to check whether he/she has reached level B2.

Any international student with an Italian language OFA in their syllabus will have to take the Italian test until they pass it: until the OFA is cleared, they will not be able to enrol in the second year of their degree course.

All international students with an Italian language OFA in their syllabus will have to take the Italian test until they pass it: until the OFA is cleared, they will not be able to enrol in the second year of their degree course.

They will be able to take the Italian test until they pass it.

The following are exempt from the Italian test

  • those enrolling on degree coursesprovided in English
  • those who succeed the admission test for a degree course with a programmed number of places on the Italian language track
  • those who are in possession of a certificate of competence in Italian of at least level B2 among those indicated by the Ministry of University and Research of the Italian Republic (https://www.studiare-in-italia.en/studentistranieri). 
    The B2 level certifications accepted by the University of Genoa must have been obtained on or after 1 January 2023 inclusive and are those issued by the University for Foreigners of Perugia; the University for Foreigners of Siena; the "Roma Tre" University; the "Dante Alighieri" Society; the University for Foreigners "Dante Alighieri" of Reggio Calabria and the Centre for Italian Studies of Urbania by virtue of the agreement in force with the University.
  • The methods and dates by which to send the certifications will be indicated shortly on this page.

If the student obtains the certification or sends it after the date on which he/she took the test, the result of the test will be valid. 
This means that those who took the test and were found to be ineligible for A2 will not be able to enrol at the University of Genoa, even if they obtained B2 certification after the date of the test; furthermore, those who were found to be eligible for A2 and ineligible for B2 will have to attend the Italian course in which they will be enrolled and take the final exam.

Exemption from the Italian test

Pre-enrolled students exempt from the TE.L.E.MA.CO. test. (see page https://unige.it/studenti/telemaco) will take the entire test (level A2 + B2) on the dates indicated (see below, Calendar of Italian language tests a.a. 2024/2025).

An example of what the Italian A2 test for those enrolling in a.a. 2024/25 looks like will be available in June.

Italian language courses to achieve the required standard (OFA)

Go to the dedicated section on the Italian language courses and tests page.

Calendar a.y. 2025/2026

I semester

Dates reserved for pre-registered students in the 2025/2026 academic year who must also take the TE.L.E.MA.CO. test

  • test A2: the test takes place on the same dates as the TE.L.E.MA.CO
  • test B2:
    • 16 October 2025 face-to-face (time to be determined)
    • 27 November 2025 face-to-face (time to be determined)

Dates reserved for students pre-registered in the 2025/2026 academic year who do NOT have to take the TE.L.E.MA.CO.

  • 16 October 2025 in presence (timetable to be defined)
  • 27 November 2025 in presence (timetable to be defined)

Dates reserved for all students enrolled for the first time in the years prior to the academic year 2025/2026

  • 25 September 2025 in presence (timetable to be defined)
  • 27 November 2025 in presence (timetable to be defined)

Outcome of a.a. tests 2024/2025

Last update 04/07/2025