Incoming Mobility | Students Opportunities

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.

LEARNING AGREEMENT APPROVAL

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.

LEARNING AGREEMENT (LA) OR ONLINE LEARNING AGREEMENT (OLA) ?

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.

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 teacher,” depending on your needs.

  To simplify your search, we recommend using “search by teaching” 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.

CHANGES TO THE LA/ OLA

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: By October 31st
• 2nd Semester: By March 31st

THESIS RESEARCH DURING MOBILITY AT UNISA

During your international mobility period at UNISA, you may carry out thesis research activities, provided that this is agreed upon and formally approved by both your Home University and UNISA, and clearly indicated in your Learning Agreement.

Thesis research activities at UNISA must be previously arranged with your designated UNISA Academic Tutor or with another academic supervisor indicated by them. Students are strongly advised to contact the relevant academic supervisor well in advance to define the research objectives, methodology, expected outcomes, and number of ECTS credits to be awarded.

In order to obtain the registration of the ECTS credits awarded for thesis research:

• At the end of the research period, the UNISA Academic Tutor will issue a formal statement certifying the activities carried out, including the number of ECTS credits awarded.
• This certification will be sent to the Internationalization Office.
• The activity will then be recorded in your Esse3 student record and will appear in your Transcript of Records (ToR).

Please note that the recognition of credits is subject to prior approval in the Learning Agreement and must comply with the academic regulations of both institutions.

NOTE: Thesis research is not selectable during the online compilation of the study plan. Students must contact the Internationalization Office in order to have this activity manually registered in their Esse3 academic record (libretto).

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.

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

More info about Residences

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 mobility)

Student Entry Visa

A student entry visa is the authorisation that allows non‑EU citizens (i.e., citizens of countries outside the European Union and the Schengen Area) to enter, transit through, or stay in Italy. Visas are issued exclusively by the Italian Embassies or Consulates in the applicant’s country of residence.

• For short stays (up to 90 days), please verify whether your nationality is exempt from the visa requirement.
• For stays longer than 90 days, a national visa type D is always required. Upon arrival in Italy, you must apply for a residence permit within 8 working days.

The standard processing time for study visas is approximately three months, as indicated by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland do not require a visa and follow the same rules as EU citizens.

For detailed information on Italian entry regulations, please consult the official portal:  Il visto per l'Italia (select “Study – Exchange and Mobility Programme” as the reason for stay). You should also refer to the website of the competent Italian Embassy or Consulate in your country.

Universitaly Portal

According to the procedures established by the Italian Ministry of University and Research, non‑EU exchange students who require a visa MUST submit their application through the online platform Universitaly.

Students must:

1. Register on the Universitaly portal (Step 6).
2. Select Erasmus+ or the relevant study/traineeship programme under Kind of Application.
3. Indicate the Italian Embassy/Consulate where they intend to apply for the visa.
4. Complete and submit the online application.

The University of Salerno will validate only the applications of students who have already completed the mobility application on the UNISA Esse3 platform. Once validated by UNISA, the Universitaly system automatically forwards the information to the selected Italian diplomatic authority.

Students will receive a notification from Universitaly and will find a PDF Summary available for download in their personal area. This document must be attached to the visa application submitted to the competent Embassy or Consulate.

Documents Required for a Study Visa and Other Useful Information

Applicants must prepare the following documents (the list may vary depending on the Embassy/Consulate):

• recent passport‑size photograph on a white background
• valid passport, expiring at least three months after the visa end date
• proof of suitable accommodation in Italy
• health insurance valid in Italy
• proof of financial means, approximately EUR 470 per month of stay

It is strongly recommended to request an Italian Tax Code (codice fiscale) from the Italian Embassy or Consulate before travelling to Italy. The codice fiscale is essential for many administrative procedures, including opening a bank account, signing a rental contract, registering with the Italian National Health Service, etc.

Otherwise, you will need to apply for it at the Agenzia delle Entrate (Italian Tax Office) once you arrive in Italy.

Attention: The only official tax code is the one issued by the Agenzia delle Entrate or by an Italian diplomatic representative abroad. The codes generated by Esse3 or Universitaly are not official, but automatically generated by an informatic system – thus, provisional.

If needed, we recommend opening an online bank account before departure (with debit/prepaid card and IBAN/SWIFT codes), as opening a bank account in Italy may require additional time and documentation.

(Additional information is available in the section Upon Your Arrival and During Your Stay.)

Further Information

For more details on study visas, please consult:

• the official visa portal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI): Il visto per l'Italia
• the website of the competent Italian Embassy or Consulate

Upon arrival in Italy, remember that you must apply for a residence permit within 8 working days (for further info, see the section Upon Your Arrival and During Your Stay).

Incoming Non‑EU Exchange Students Already Residing in a European or Schengen Country

Short Stays (up to 90 days)

Non‑EU students already residing in an EU or Schengen country who enter Italy for a stay of less than 90 days must submit a Declaration of Presence (Dichiarazione di Presenza) to the local Questura (Police Headquarters) within 8 working days of arrival.

Stays Longer Than 90 Days

You may enter Italy without a visa for a stay exceeding 90 days only if all the following conditions are met:

• you are regularly enrolled at a university in a European Union or Schengen Area country
• you hold a valid residence permit for study purposes issued by an EU/Schengen member state, covering the entire duration of your mobility period and renewable in the issuing country
• you are participating in a European mobility programme (e.g., Erasmus+) or in a mobility activity carried out under an international agreement with the University of Salerno

Upon arrival in Italy, you must visit the Questura within 8 working days to submit the Declaration of Presence (Dichiarazione di Presenza).

For any doubts or specific cases, please contact the Italian Embassy or Consulate in the country where you currently reside or study. They are the competent authorities for confirming individual entry and stay requirements.

Letter of acceptance

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:

-  correctly completes the application in Esse3

-  registers in Universitaly.

The Office will then upload the acceptance letter directly in the Universitaly portal, during the validation process of the registration.

Please note: the dates indicated in your Acceptance Letter refer to the general duration of the semester - from the Welcome Day to the official end date of the semester. However, the actual start and end dates of your exchange mobility - which will be reported on your final Certificate of Stay - may differ, depending on the real period of your physical presence at our university for academic purposes (i.e. exams).

(additional info in the section At the end of your mobility)

The University of Salerno promotes the Buddy System, an institutional program designed to foster cultural exchange and mutual support between international incoming students and local students enrolled at the University. The aim of the project is to encourage interaction among students from diverse academic and cultural backgrounds, promoting integration, collaboration, and personal growth within the university community. Read more on the dedicated webpage.

The University of Salerno organizes a Welcome Day at the beginning of each semester to help incoming students settle in. 

For the II term of the academic year 2025/26, the International Relations Office is going to meet Incoming Students for a Welcome Day on Tuesday 17th February 2026 at 9:00 am at the Aula delle Lauree "N. Cilento" – Building C1 (check the campus map here). During this session, you will receive important information regarding your stay at UNISA, so don’t miss it!