Incoming Mobility | Students Opportunities
Incoming Mobility Students Opportunities
Incoming Exchange Students: study mobility at UNISA | Students Opportunities
Welcome to the University of Salerno! We are delighted to have you join our international community. Below you will find essential information to help you prepare for your study period at our university. For a quick overview of the University and campus life, please visit the following links:
NOMINATION (by the home University)
Exchange students must be officially nominated by their home university through a dedicated online platform. This process is managed by the International Relations Office of your home institution.
Nomination Deadlines:
- 1st/Fall Semester or Full Academic Year: April 1st – June 15th
- 2nd/Spring Semester: September 1st – November 15th
Once your nomination is received, the UNISA Internationalization Office will verify your eligibility based on existing bilateral agreements. If accepted, you will be contacted via email with further instructions for the online application process.
APPLICATION (by the student)
Completing the application is mandatory and it is crucial to complete it within the established deadlines. Candidates who do not complete the application within the established deadlines will not be able to participate in the Erasmus+ mobility programme at the University of Salerno.
During the application process, you must upload a valid copy of your ID card or passport.
It is not necessary to send the application form receipt to the International Office.
Application Deadlines:
- 1st/Fall Semester or Full Academic Year: April 15th – June 30th
- 2nd/Spring Semester: October 15th – November 30th
As an exchange student, you are free to select study units from different Departments at the University of Salerno. However, please ensure that you consult with your home university, as it will need to recognize the credits earned at UNISA.
All study units and exams are conducted in person, and mobility must be carried out on-site.
LEARNING AGREEMENT
The Learning Agreement outlines your study plan at UNISA and must be agreed upon with your home university and the University of Salerno. It ensures that your exams and credits will be recognized once back to your home University.
The Internationalization Office is not in charge of LA approval: you will be assigned to an Academic Tutor, that is, a Responsible Person for your Learning Agreement, who will support you in academic matters during your mobility period. A list of UNISA Academic contacts for your OLA/ LA is available at the section "DOCUMENTS AND USEFUL LINKS" at the bottom of this page. Academic Tutors are responsible for approving your OLA/LA, so please do not urge our Office to obtain approval to your OLA/LA.
For Erasmus+ students, the University of Salerno can receive your Online Learning Agreement (OLA) via Erasmus Without Paper (EWP) system. To submit your OLA, you must receive the relevant information from your home university.
If your university does not participate in the EWP network, please request a paper version of the Learning Agreement from your home university. Once it is correctly filled in, approved and signed by all parties involved, please upload it in your Esse3 Personal Area in the "Career Attachments" section.
IMPORTANT: you must upload your LA only when it is signed by all parties involved, that is, the student, the Responsible Person for the sending Institution and the Responsible Person for the receiving Institution.
If you have submitted an OLA via EWP, there is no need to upload it separately in Esse3.
Important: Learning Agreements submitted by email or those that are incomplete or inaccurate will not be accepted.
STUDY UNITS SELECTION
When selecting courses to prepare your LA/OLA, ensure the following:
- Refer to the UNISA Course Catalogue for course details (updated annually in June).
Click on the magnifying glass icon and choose between “search a course,” “search for a teaching,” or “search by offer,” depending on your needs.
To simplify your search, we recommend using “search by offer” and selecting the UNISA department you will belong to. By clicking “search,” you can see a list of all the courses offered in that academic year in that department.
Remember to filter the information selecting the academic year during which your mobility is taking place.
- For each course you intend to choose, pay attention to the following information (you will find them in the Course Catalogue, by simply clicking on the study unit of your interest):
• study unit code (it is a ten-digit number that identifies the study unit, ex: 4312200017 - LETTERATURA ITALIANA)
• study unit name
• degree program of reference
• CFU/ECTS credits
• Department
• teacher
• semester (first, second, or annual)
- Credit values:1 CFU = 1 ECTS. Study units cannot be split in modules.
- Ensure the courses you choose align with your study period (e.g. don’t choose annual courses if you are staying for one term).
- Check the evaluation criteria, as some courses may be graded with "VOTO" (from 18 to 30) or "GIUDIZIO" (Pass/Fail). See the paragraph Italian grading system for further info.
Note: Note that Courses from Degrees in Tecniche per l’edilizia e il territorio, Electrical Engineering for Digital Energy, Sicurezza Informatica e Tecnologie Cloud take place in Avellino University Center
Study unit codes, number of CFU and all other above-mentioned details must match the Course Catalogue information. Incomplete, inaccurate or incorrect OLA/LA will not be accepted.
For any modifications to your Learning Agreement, you can make changes at the start of each semester, with approval from both your home university and UNISA.
Please refer to your home University for instructions about how to change your OLA/ LA.
Deadlines for changes to the OLA/LA:
- 1st Semester/Full Academic Year: By October 31st
- 2nd Semester: By March 31st
The Italian grading system is based on a scale of 30, with 18 being the minimum passing grade. An excellent grade may be awarded as 30 cum laude. Failed exams are not indicated in the student's final Transcript of Records, unless you specifically ask the lecturer to register this result.
Grade conversion from the Italian education system to the international education system will be stated individually for each study unit in the Transcript of Records.
Please note: some study units may use a “PASSED/ NOT PASSED” system instead of numerical grades. This kind of evaluation cannot be converted into a numerical grade.
Consult the Course Catalogue for further details on evaluation criteria as the evaluation could be:
“VOTO” = grade from 18 to 30
“GIUDIZIO” = passed/ not passed
The beginning of each term may vary depending on each Department. Uptated information will be published on each department's webpage starting in early September (for I term/ full academic year) and in early February (for II term). You can also check timetables via the UNISA Easycourse platform.
Usually:
I TERM
Lessons start in late september/ october and end in december/ january. Exams period: january/ february.
II TERM
Lessons start in late february/ march and end in may/ june. Exams period: june/ july.
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
Language certifications are not required, unless the existing bilateral agreement with your home university specifically mentions it.
However, to make the most of the lectures and your studies, you are strongly recommended to have acquired the following language levels before starting your mobility:
- Italian-taught courses: a minimum of CEFR A2 in Italian.
- English-taught courses (Bachelor’s level): a minimum of CEFR B1 in English.
- English-taught courses (Master’s level): a minimum of CEFR B2 in English.
ITALIAN LANGUAGE COURSE
The University of Salerno offers Italian language courses for incoming students. The course consists of 50 hours (5 credits). To earn credits, you must attend at least 70% of the classes and pass the final test.
If you need credits for the course and you want the result to be included in your Transcript of Records, you have to include it in your Learning Agreement. If you do not require credits, you may still participate in the course and receive a final certificate upon passing the exam.
Please note that incoming students are only allowed to enroll in one free Italian language course. If you wish to further improve your skills, you may enroll in other more advanced courses for a fee.
For further information and application, please check the dedicated webpage.
EU citizens with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) can access the Italian National Health Service (SSN) without paying any subscription. You can register with the local health authority (ASL) in Salerno to choose a general practitioner: Azienda Sanitaria Locale (ASL) Salerno 2 - Distretto Sanitario 66, Via Vernieri 14.
Non-EU citizens need to be covered by health insurance to study in Italy.
There are three options available for obtaining health coverage:
1. Purchase a private health insurance in your home country before departure. It is recommended to have the insurance policy validated by the Italian embassy and translated into Italian or English.
2. Upon arrival in Italy, you can register with the Italian National Service (SSN) for health coverage. This insurance is valid for one calendar year (from 1st January to 31st December) and costs approximately €700,00.
Required documents:
- European Health Insurance Card or other documents that prove that students have health coverage in Italy.
- Copy of ID-card or passport.
- Italian tax code (Codice Fiscale). Students who have not received thier fiscal codes from the Italian Embassy in their country of residence, may obtain their personal Codice Fiscale at the Italian Revenue Agency (Agenzia dell'Entrate) located in Via degli Uffici Finanziari, 7, 84131, Salerno.
3. Alternatively, you can choose to purchase a private health insurance after arriving in Italy. We strongly advise to thoroughly research and understand the coverage provided by each insurance option before making a purchase.
Emergency care is available at the Fisciano Campus health center free of charge for all incoming exchange students.
(additional info is included also in the section Upon your Arrival and During your stay)
Citizens coming from countries outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland wishing to stay in Italy more than 90 days must request entry visa at the Italian Embassy or Consulate in the country of residence. It is recommended to apply well in advance for the visa, as the visa process can take several months.
Find out more about the Italian regulations to enter Italy at the following website https://vistoperitalia.esteri.it/home/en, selecting "Study – Exchange and Mobility Programme" as reason of stay. For more information, please consult also the website of the relevant competent diplomatic or consular representative.
According to the new procedure implemented by the Italian Ministry of University, non-EU exchange students who need to apply for a visa must do it through an online platform called UNIVERSITALY.
Students need to register on UNIVERSITALY (step 6), select the Erasmus+ or other kind of study or traineeship program in the Kind of Application field, specify the Italian representative (Embassy/Consulate) in their country where they will apply for a visa, and fill in the online form.
The University of Salerno will only accept and validate applications from students who have completed the application procedure on the UNISA platform (Esse3). After the application validation by the University of Salerno, the Universitaly platform will automatically transmit the information to the Italian representative abroad.
NOTE - Acceptance Letter
Students with non-EU citizenship may need an acceptance letter for VISA purposes. The International Office will be able to issue an acceptance letter once the candidate:
(additional info in the section At the end of your stay)
If you are a non-EU student, but you fall into the following situation:
- you are enrolled at a university in the European Union (Schengen Area) and
- you have a residence permit for study purposes issued in a member country of the European Union (Schengen Area) which covers the entire mobility period and which is renewable in the country where it was issued and
- you participate in a European mobility programme or you carry out a mobility under an international agreement of the University of Salerno
you must find out if you need a visa or not at the Visa Office of the Italian Embassy in the nation where you now live and study.
It is strongly recommended to ask for the issuance of an official Italian Tax Code (codice fiscale) at the Italian Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence. The “codice fiscale” (or Italian tax code) is required to carry out a wide range of activities in Italy, such as opening a bank account, signing a tenancy agreement, registering with the Italian National Health Service (additional info is included in “Upon your Arrival and During your stay” section).
All the above-mentioned documents, along with other papers detailed in the section Upon your Arrival and During your stay -> Special Requirements for non-EU students, will enable students to apply for a residence permit (Permesso di soggiorno), which is compulsory and must be completed within eight working days of their arrival in Italy. The fee for the permit of stay is approximately €147.00 (including revenue stamp and operating costs).
The University of Salerno organizes a Welcome Day at the beginning of each semester to help incoming students settle in.
For the I term of the academic year 2025/26, the International Relations Office is going to meet Incoming Students for a Welcome Day on Thursday 18th September 2025 at 10:00 am at the Aula delle Lauree di Ingegneria "V. Cardone" – Building E1 (check the campus map here). During this session, you will receive important information regarding your stay at UNISA, so don’t miss it!
You can check information about how to reach the University of Salerno and all the Campus facilities is in the Campus Life webpage.
The start date of your mobility period corresponds to that of the Welcome Day. On this occasion, you will be asked to register your presence; then, you will get your certificate of arrival on the spot. If your University requires a specific template, you will be asked to visit the UNISA International Office in the following days to get it signed. Please bring with you a printed copy of the form.
In case you are not able to attend the Welcome Day or you arrive before this day (up to one week before the Welcome Day) or later, you have to visit the UNISA International Office as soon as you arrive in Salerno to register your arrival and get your certificate of arrival signed. If your University requires a specific template, please bring with you a printed copy of the form.
Check UNISA International Office opening hours and useful contacts here.
Citizens coming from countries outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland wishing to stay in Italy more than 90 days must request entry visa at the Italian Embassy or Consulate in the country of residence.
It is highly recommended to contact the diplomatic offices well ahead of time, as procedures and documentation vary according to the type of visa required.
For more information, please consult:
- the online visa portal on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI): http://vistoperitalia.esteri.it/home.aspx
- the website of the relevant competent diplomatic or consular representative
PERMESSO DI SOGGIORNO (RESIDENCE PERMIT)
The residence permit is a document issued by the Questura (Police Headquarters) authorising the legal presence of foreign nationals on Italian soil until its expiry date.
Within eight working days upon arrival, citizens coming from countries outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland wishing to stay in Italy for more than 90 days must apply for a Permit of stay (Permesso di soggiorno) through the Post Office located on Fisciano Campus by getting the so-called “Kit”.
To complete the application you must attach the following documents:
- 2 copies of the page of your passport containing your personal information
- 2 copies of the page of your visa for Italy
- copies of the pages of your passport containing stamps/other visas
- Photocopy of your Codice Fiscale (Tax code)
- a €16.00 revenue stamp (can be purchased at a Tabaccheria)
- Confirmation of your accommodation
- Copy of the Health and Accident Insurance policy
We recommend checking the list of required documents at the post office before submitting your application. DO NOT include original documents in the envelope—only photocopies—but bring your passport with you.
Obtaining the permit of stay is mandatory for stays longer than 90 days and costs approximately €147.00, including the revenue stamp and operating costs.
After making the payment, you will receive the following:
- a receipt from the Post Office with the PASSWORD code needed to check the status of your application online. Carry this receipt with you at all times as it proves your legal status in Italy until you receive your electronic residence permit
- a letter with the details (date and time) of your appointment at the Immigration Office of the Questura to complete the procedure.
When you go to the Immigration Office of the Questura for your appointment (interview and fingerprinting), you must bring:
- 4 passport-size photographs
- the original copies of the documents you sent with the Kit
- your passport
- the receipt for the residence permit application
After 3 to 4 weeks, you will receive a text message with the details of your appointment to pick up your residence permit at the Immigration Office. You can also check the here to find out if your residence permit is available for pickup.
CODICE FISCALE (TAX CODE)
The tax code (Codice Fiscale) is a fiscal identification code, comprised of letters and numbers, that identifies citizens when dealing with Italian public Authorities and other Administrations. It is a required code for many official documents, private contracts, opening a bank account and money transfers. More info here.
Applying for the Fiscal Code in Salerno:
- Download the application form
- Complete the form with accurate information.
- Visit the tax authorities office in Salerno, located at VIA DEGLI UFFICI FINANZIARI 7 - 84100 SALERNO. It is advisable to schedule an appointment for the application process. To do this, please click on "Prenota un appuntamento" (Book an appointment) through the link and follow the instructions provided. Please note that it could take one-two weeks.
- Bring the following documents with you:
- A scanned copy of your passport.
- If applicable, a scanned copy of the visa page.
Please note: We strongly recommend obtaining your tax code from the Italian consular authorities in your country of residence before arriving in Italy. This will save you a lot of time.
HEALTH INSURANCE
Citizens coming from countries outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland are required to possess health insurance (or a health insurance payment receipt) when applying for the residence permit in Italy.
There are three options available for obtaining health coverage:
- Purchase a private health insurance in your home country before departure. It is recommended to have the insurance policy validated by the Italian embassy and translated into Italian or English.
- Upon arrival in Italy, you can register with the Italian National Service (SSN) for health coverage. This insurance is valid for one calendar year (from 1st January to 31st December) and costs approximately €700,00.
- Alternatively, you can choose to purchase a private health insurance after arriving in Italy. We strongly advise visitors to thoroughly research and understand the coverage provided by each insurance option before making a purchase.
Assistance in finding accommodation
Private rented rooms
For accommodation, students can be assisted in finding suitable private rented rooms through the International Students’ Associations “AEGEE-Salerno” and “Erasmus Students Network (ESN-Salerno)”.
UNISA Halls of Residence
Incoming students may also apply for a room in the on-campus and off-campus Halls of residence.
UNISA Halls of Residence are not managed by the University of Salerno but by a regional public body called Azienda per il Diritto allo Studio Universitario della Regione Campania (ADISURC).
A limited number of rooms are available for incoming students and accommodation cannot be guaranteed for all applicants.
Applications for paid accommodations can only be submitted by October 31st each year, for mobility in both the first and second semesters, by sending an email to residenzecra2@adisurcampania.it.
Accommodation fees range from € 249 to € 315 per month per person, including utility bills, depending on the different available options.
For detailed information and availability, please contact residenzecra2@adisurcampania.it
Courses are usually organised in two semesters. Semester dates:
1st semester:
- Starts in September/ October
- Ends in December/ January
- Examinations: January/ February/ March (resit examinations)
2nd semester:
- Starts in February/ March
- Ends in May/ June
- Examinations: June/ July/ September (resit examinations)
Most courses last one semester, but there are also courses that last for the whole academic year.
The beginning of each term may vary depending on each Department. Uptated information will be published on each department's webpage starting in early September (for I term/ full academic year) and in early February (for II term). You can also check timetables via the UNISA Easycourse platform.
Holidays:
- 21st September: Patron Saint of Salerno (San Matteo)
- 23rd December – 6th January: Christmas break
- 25th April: Italian Liberation Day
- 1st May: Labour Day
- 2nd June: Italian Republic Holiday
Extension is mandatory to attend courses and take exams after the official ending of the exchange period, i.e. beyond period initially communicated at the time of nomination.
If you want to extend your exchange period you need to get the approval of both your Home University and your UNISA Academic Tutor.
To this extent, your Home University should provide you with a dedicated form, to be properly filled in and signed by both your Home University and your UNISA Academic Tutor.
You will then have to send the signed form to incomingstudents@unisa.it in a PDF format AND upload it also in your Esse3 personal area in the Career Attachments section (instructions available at the section DOCUMENTS AND USEFUL LINKS at the bottom of this page).
Exams take place at the end of each course, during the established period and on the established dates. They must be taken in person (not virtually) and it is not possible to arrange different dates.
Exams can consist in a written or oral test, or both.
You can check exam sessions in bacheca appelli.
PLEASE NOTE: we suggest you do not book your flight back home if the exam date is not confirmed. Exam dates might be postponed in exceptional, unpredictable occasions.
Below you will find some very important information:
- it is mandatory to sign up online for the exams, or you will not be allowed to take them
- you must sign up for an exam usually between 30 and 7 days before the date of the exam (different for each Department)
- incoming exchange students can only participate in “sessione ordinaria”. You cannot participate in “sessione straordinaria”.
- Italian grading system: min 18 – max 30 (may be also PASSED/ NOT PASSED instead of a mark. This kind of evaluation cannot be converted into a numerical grade.
Consult the Course Catalogue for further details on evaluation criteria as the evaluation could be:
“VOTO” = grade from 18 to 30
“GIUDIZIO” = passed/ not passed
- you have to bring with you your ID card or passport the day of the exam, as the identity of the candidates must be verified by the Examination Committee
- failed exams are not registered in the ToR, unless you ask the Professor to register this result at the end of the exam
- if you do not sit an exam or withdraw, the related CFU/ ECTS will not be registered in the ToR
- after any exam, you have to accept (or reject) the grade using Esse3 – Bacheca esiti.
Instructions on HOW TO SIGN UP FOR EXAMS and HOW TO ACCEPT/ REJECT EXAM RESULTS can be found at the bottom of this page, at the section DOCUMENTS AND USEFUL LINKS.
Should you encounter any difficulties in signing up for the exams (i.e. “matricola pari/dispari”, “resto 0/1/2”, etc.), use the HELPDESK and write a ticket to the SEGRETERIA STUDENTI of the Department where the subject is taught, including all necessary information (your matricola, your full name, the study unit code and name of the exam, exam date, name of the professor…)
Remember to write your ticket within the established deadlines for exam booking, or it will not be possible for you to take the exam.
For students with special needs, the "Diritto allo Studio" office can provide support.
Their services include:
- Assistance with administrative formalities
- Preparation of teaching materials for students who cannot use printed materials
- Computer aids and study support
- Dedicated equipment and furnishings for classes.
More information can be found on the dedicated webpage.
- Ambulance service: 118
- Police: 113
- Carabinieri: 112
- Fire brigade: 115
At the end of your exchange mobility at the University of Salerno, you are required to get two essential documents: the Certificate of Stay and the Transcript of Records.
Please make sure not to leave without completing this process.
To obtain your Certificate of Stay, you must come in person to the International Office after completing all your scheduled exams. On that occasion, we will sign and stamp your certificate. Check UNISA International Office opening hours and useful contacts here.
Please note: the mobility period must reflect the actual period of physical presence at our university for academic purposes. For this reason, the official end date of your mobility must correspond to the day after (or up to 5 days after) your last exam. In no cases the end date can be later than 31st July.
To facilitate the process, bring the certificate provided to you upon your arrival or any other form required by your home University.
Your Transcript of Records (ToR) will be sent by email to both you and your home university between 2 and 4 weeks after the official end of your mobility, or once all your exam results are registered in Esse3.
Please note the following:
- Failed exams are not included in the ToR unless you explicitly request the professor to record the result at the end of the exam.
- If you do not take an exam or withdraw, the corresponding CFU/ECTS will not appear in the ToR.
- If you do not accept a grade immediately after the exam, it will not be registered and will not appear in the ToR.
- Grade conversion (from the Italian grading scale to your university's system) will be shown individually for each course.
- Some courses use a "PASSED / NOT PASSED" system instead of numerical grades. These evaluations cannot be converted into a numeric grade.
