Program Overview

Introduction to the Foundation Year in Art & Design

The Foundation Year in Art & Design is a comprehensive program designed to prepare international students for undergraduate studies in Arts and Design in Italy. This program offers students the opportunity to enhance their knowledge of the Italian language and culture while learning fundamental concepts of art, design, and architecture in Italy. The program is fully taught in English and is available in two options:

• FALL SEMESTER: September start, 9 months on-site, 660 academic hours
• SPRING SEMESTER: January start, 6 months on-site, 420 academic hours

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, students will achieve the CILS B2 level certification (Certification of Italian as a Foreign Language) and receive academic credits recognized by the Italian Ministry of Education, valid for enrollment in Italian undergraduate degree programs. The Foundation Year grants students conditional pre-enrollment in the MADE Program | Fine Arts and Design Academy in Siracusa, Sicily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Enrollment and Admission

1. Does the Foundation Year allow students to enroll in any art and design degree program in Italy? Upon completion of the Foundation Year program, students may choose to apply to any University or Design Academy in Italy, having achieved the necessary pre-requisites for linguistic competence and the minimum number of secondary school years required for application to undergraduate BA degrees in Italy. Depending on the university, students may be asked to provide additional documentation or to pass an entrance exam for admission to the program of choice. Completion of the Foundation Year program grants direct admission to the BA courses at MADE Program | Fine Arts and Design Academy in Syracuse.
2. What are the prerequisites for enrollment in the Foundation Year? Students applying to join the Foundation Year program should provide the following documents:

• Secondary school leaving certificate or diploma
• English language B1 (lower intermediate) level certificate: IELTS 4.5, Cambridge PET or equivalent

3. What are the program dates and fees?

• FALL track: 9-month on-site program: September 2025 June 2026
  • Tuition Fee: 7,500
  • Application Fee: 350
• SPRING track: 6-month on-site program: January 2026 June 2026
  • Tuition Fee: 5,600
  • Application Fee: 350

4. What are the Fee Payment deadlines?

• 1st instalment (50%) is to be paid at 30 days prior to the start date of the program
• 2nd instalment (50%) is to be paid within 60 days after the start of the program Note: Non-EU students that require a study visa should pay the 1st instalment of the Tuition Fees at least 60 days prior to the start of the program in order to receive the letter of enrolment for the Italian consulate. In the unlikely case of visa denial, the Tuition Fees are fully reimbursable.