About the Program

The Direct Enrollment in a local Italian university offers students the unique opportunity to gain a truly immersive experience in Italian culture and in the European style of education. Students will take courses with Italian and international students at one of Perugia’s prestigious universities – the Università per Stranieri or the Università degli Studi di Perugia. As Umbra students, participants will also benefit from the same comprehensive services offered (orientation, help desk, 24/7 e-phone, cultural activities, etc.). Students may enroll for the Spring Semester or Full-Year Program only.

Language Review and University Preparation

Each semester begins with an intensive Italian language preparatory course prior to starting courses at the Universita’ per Stranieri di Perugia. This period is dedicated to improving language skills and introducing students to the European university setting. Italian language tutorials will be held weekly and led by Umbra professors at the Umbra Institute. All-year students will attend this credit-bearing Prep Program in September/October and spring semester only students will attend the Prep program in January/February.

Program Calendar

Full-Year Program (September – June)
September – Arrival & Language Review Program
October – Semester One Classes Begin
December – Classes End
January/February – Semester One Final Exams
March – Semester Two Courses Begin
May – Classes End
June – Exam Session
End-of-June – Departure

Spring Semester Program (January – June)
late-January – Arrival & Orientation
February – Language Immersion Program
March – Elective courses begin
May – Classes End
June – Exam Session
End-of-June – Departure

What is the Università per Stranieri?

The Università per Stranieri is one of two Italian universities in Perugia. Despite its name, it is not a university dedicated exclusively to foreign students, but to all things which make Italy attractive to foreigners (stranieri) in general. As such, it offers majors in International Communications, Digital Humanities, Made-in-Italy Food and Hospitality, and other subjects to students from all over Italy, while also focusing on training those Italian students who want to become teachers and professors of their native language and culture all over the world. The origins of the university go all the way back to 1925, though, when a royal decree established it to be a school for the promotion of the Italian language to foreigners, and indeed until today the university also hosts students from all around the world in their renowned Italian language and culture programs.

What is the Università degli Studi di Perugia?

The University of Perugia is one of the most ancient universities in Italy, it was founded in 1308. Today, research, education, and consulting activities in the various disciplines are organized in 14 Departments, with about 25,000 students, 1,100 professors, researchers, and 1,100 staff members. Nowadays, the University of Perugia offers a vast array of degree programs, which cover nearly all fields of study authorized by the national Ministry of Education, University and Research. The University’s teaching faculty combines a long and solid tradition of excellence with a commitment to innovation and an interdisciplinary approach that ensures students the synergies needed for the acquisition of flexible educational training based on a mixture of skills and abilities. Post-graduate degrees are offered in top-rated specialization schools and doctoral programs, as well as a variety of masters programs in various academic disciplines.

Courses Available

Each Department of the Università di Perugia publishes a list of the courses activated for the academic year (Fall and Spring semesters). Below are the links of the Università website to some of the most frequently requested departments: Courses are available each semester according to the Italian academic calendar. Please note that courses’ offering vary each semester. If you need assistance specifying classes for a course approval form, information about available courses, or if you have general questions about the Direct Enrollment Program, please contact an Umbra Advisor and we will contact you!

Departimento
di Lettere

Courses in art history, history. literature and foreign Languages, art history, History of Art

Courses Offered

Dipartimento di Filosofia e Scienze Sociali

Courses in philosophy, the social sciences, education and pedagogy.

Courses Offered

Dipartimento
di Economia

Courses in business administration, economics, management and marketing.

Courses Offered

Dipartimento di Scienze Politiche

Courses in political sciences, international relations and related disciplines.

Courses Offered

Student Quote:

“Direct Enrollment offers a degree of cultural integration that I did not think was possible. There is no better way to appreciate Italian culture and learn Italian than by spending hours every day with Italian students in their environment. It is one thing to learn Italian in a classroom, but to have that knowledge tested each day by interacting with Italian University professors and peers is challenging, but also incredibly rewarding. I will always cherish the memories I have and the individual I have become as a result.”

Edward Besse, University of Scranton

Proficiency and Admission Requirements

Students should have a minimum of four semesters of Italian language courses and have achieved a B2 proficiency in Italian based on the Common European Framework.

The Umbra advisor will arrange a remote call (zoom, skype) between you and Umbra’s professors to evaluate your language proficiency and respond to any questions you might have about the program. In some cases, a letter of recommendation from an Italian professor at your home institution can substitute the call, however, Umbra highly recommends a live session as a way to get to know faculty and staff who will be supporting you through your experience.

This particular Direct Enrollment program is designed for motivated and mature students who are interested in immersing themselves fully in the Italian culture and university educational system.

Student Housing & Meals

Students will continue the immersion experience by living with Italian and/or international students in shared apartments. This placement will further improve language proficiency and ensure that Italian is the primary language spoken both at home and at school. It also allows students to experience university student life in Italy with peers from the same University. Apartments come with fully-equipped kitchens for cooking at home and all students will have access to the University cafeteria which offers wonderful meals – this is Italy after all – at low cost.

Extra-Curricular Activities

Program participants have access to all social and sports activities offered by the Università, which include the Chamber Music Group, University Musical Association of Perugia (Agimus), University Social Center (concerts, shows, plays, exhibitions, and Italian films are shown; students can participate free of charge in the events and can also exhibit their artistic works), excursions (weekend trips organized by the Università to important Italian cities and historical and artistic monuments of Perugia and Umbria), and sports (all students have access to the University Sports Centre of Perugia, the CUS, which organizes athletics, basketball, soccer, swimming, judo, tennis, cycling, volleyball, etc.).

All students receive an ESNP Card (Erasmus Student Network Perugia) for access to all activities, socials, group travel and field trips, local discounts, and more!