Do I need to give an Italian language test for studying abroad for a Master's?
No, you do not need an Italian language test if your Master's is taught entirely in English, where IELTS or TOEFL cover admission instead. If your program is taught in Italian, you must provide a B2-level certification such as CILS, CELI, or PLIDA, since many English-taught options exist.
Whether you need an Italian test comes down entirely to your program's language of instruction. You can skip it completely for an English-taught Master's, but you will need a formal certificate if your chosen course is taught in Italian.
Italian Test Requirement by Program Type
| Program Language | Italian Test Needed | What You Submit Instead |
|---|---|---|
| English-taught Master's | No | IELTS or TOEFL, usually 5.5 to 6.5 overall |
| Italian-taught Master's | Yes, typically B2 | CILS, CELI, PLIDA, or CISIA ITA-L2 |
Recognized Italian Certifications
- CILS, Certificate of Italian as a Foreign Language
- CELI, Certificate of Knowledge of Italian Language
- PLIDA, issued by the Dante Alighieri Society
- Institutional tests run directly by some universities, such as CISIA ITA-L2
Even in an English-taught track, basic Italian is not legally mandatory for your student visa, but learning a few phrases makes daily life easier once you arrive.
My Advice
Open the admissions portal for your specific Italian Master's course and check its language of instruction before you invest time in Italian classes. If the track is English, spend your energy on IELTS or TOEFL; if it is Italian, start building toward B2 through CILS or CELI well before your application deadline.
Can you skip IELTS with your MOI or 12th English marks?
Check your waiver options free with an Italy admissions expert.
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