International Year One in Italy: Design, Fashion and Visual Arts

• Learn in English
  • Earn University credits
  • Progress to the 2nd year of your Bachelor’s Degree

The International Year One is a program offered jointly by The Italian Academy and MADE Design School providing students with the unique opportunity to enroll in the 1st year of the Bachelor Degree program in Design, Fashion, or Visual Arts with courses taught in English. Upon completion, international students will reach an intermediate level of Italian and will gain ECTS credits to transfer to any European university or will be offered guaranteed progression to the 2nd year of the MADE Bachelor degree programs.During the program, international students also attend Italian language classes to reach the necessary level to continue with their studies, interact with the local community and work in Italy.

The best way to achieve an international mindset while earning a Bachelor’s degree in an innovative and dynamic Design Academy in Italy.

Program Highlights

• 3 tracks available:
  • Design
  • Visual Arts
  • Fashion & Textile Design
• Scholarship reserved for all students that decide to continue the 2nd and 3rd year of the Bachelor degree at MADE Program: the yearly scholarship value is a 50% waiver on International Tuition Fees.
• Option to take part in the MADE LABS International Summer School in the month of July.
• Official CILS or CELI Italian language certification upon completion of the program

The International Year One awards Italian Ministry of Education university-level academic credits and grants admission to the 2nd and 3rd years of bachelor degree programs at MADE Fine Arts and Design Academy. Alternatively, students may choose to apply for credit transfer to any other University, Fine Arts Academy, and Design School in Italy.

Pathway workshops

An integral part of the International Year One is students’ participation in workshops and labs where they can gain a first-hand experience of the application of skills sets, techniques & methodologies acquired in class.

Learning by doing is not just wishful thinking, at Made Academy is the way all classes are run.

Thanks to these activities, students can enrich their artistic portfolio and gain a diversified experience: regardless of the chosen track, career-readiness is the goal of all Bachelor's programs at Made.

The Made Labs Summer School is an unparalleled opportunity to interact with artists and designers from all over the world and to join classes with acclaimed thought-leaders in various disciplines and art.

Intensive Italian course

The Italian language course is offered as a 6-month intensive program that allows students starting at beginner levels to achieve the required intermediate (B1) or upper-intermediate (B2) level of Italian language competence required to progress into Italian-taught degree programs, to integrate into the local community and to seek job opportunities in Italian firms.

Students are taught by expert, highly qualified native Italian language instructors that implement the communicative method in the classroom to achieve the best results in all 4 linguistic skills: speaking, writing reading, and listening comprehension.

Language certification

Students take part in an intensive CILS exam preparation course, which will cover the best practices for academic writing, preparation tests with CILS past papers, and oral exam simulations led by instructors that are University of Siena CILS examiners.

The Italian Academy is a CILS exam center. Students will be able to enroll in any exam session during the academic year.

The University of Siena CILS and the University of Perugia CELI are the most broadly recognized Italian language certifications worldwide in the academic and professional world.

Top Reasons to Join the International Year One

#1 Prepares for the Italian job market

The vast majority of undergraduate degrees in Art & Design in Italy are taught in Italian. For international students, this often brings the additional challenge of learning Italian before applying to University, making it harder and time-consuming.

With the International Year One, International students can learn Italian while they are enrolled in the first year of the Bachelor's Degree, thus gaining time while adding skills that will be highly valued in the job market.

#2 Designed for International Students

Our students come from a range of countries, age groups, and backgrounds. We welcome intelligent, creative, motivated people who are interested in moving into an art and design vocation.

#3 Opens the doors to the greatest opportunities

Besides allowing you to become familiar with the language and culture of Italy while studying in your first year of an undergraduate degree, the International Year One also provides you with the opportunity to experience first-hand what University life in Italy is about, preparing you for the next big steps you will take.

About the Italian Academy

The Italian Academy provides access opportunities for international students to top ranked higher education in Italy. The Italian Academy offers university pathway and preparation programs, as well as language certifications, in partnership with prestigious Italian Universities and Fine Arts Academies.

The Italian Academy Campus is located in the city center next to the archaeological museum and park, within a short walking distance of the seafront and the island of Ortygia. The Neapolis Study Center is a historic villa that boasts over 2 acres of lush botanical garden filled with citrus trees, Mediterranean flora, century-old palms, and magnolias, as well as many other exotic trees and plants. Outdoor lessons, labs, workshops, cultural activities such as open-air movie nights and language exchange events are often held within this enchanting setting: a peaceful oasis in the heart of Siracusa, where students find themselves surrounded by history, nature and a dynamic community of international students. The Ortigia Study Center is located in the central square of Siracusa on the island of Ortigia. The center is located in the 12th century baroque Palazzo Beneventano, with classrooms overlooking the world-famous Duomo cathedral.

Classes are held both at the Italian Academy campus locations and at partner university premises.

Syracuse, Sicily

Warm-Welcoming Community

While the outgoing nature and warm hospitality of Italians are appreciated worldwide, international students living in the small and safe city of Syracuse are always surprised at the open arms to welcome they receive from local people, which helps to create the friendly and comfortable atmosphere that all our students gladly recount.

A Strategic Starting Point to Explore Italy & Europe

Syracuse is also a strategic base for those who wish to enjoy all the beauties of Sicily, just a stone’s throw away from all the other major attractions of the island: the Valley of the Temples and the Scala dei Turchi in Agrigento, Mt. Etna, the highest volcano in Europe, and the hill-top city of Taormina. It is also very easy to reach all main Italian locations: the nearby Fontanarossa Airport connects Syracuse with all major cities (Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan, Naples), daily and with low-cost flights.

The Capital of the Ancient Mediterranean World

Syracuse (Siracusa in Italian), listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a treasure trove located on the southeastern coast of the Italian island of Sicily. Over 3 millennia, it has collected a wealth of art and precious architecture, which bears witness to the passage of many glorious civilizations.

A Safe and Welcoming Community, a Lively and Dynamic City

Today the city of Syracuse is a warm-welcoming, lively city with much to offer to adventurous souls and culture vultures alike: one may choose to explore the labyrinth of narrow streets of the historical center, take a stroll around the medieval castle that overlooks the natural harbor or explore the pristine beaches and marine reserves that surround the city.

Make Friends with Local Students

Italian Academy regularly organizes cultural exchange events to allow international students to meet and make friends with local students. It is easy in a city like Syracuse to make long-lasting connections and build friendships with Italian peers. We acknowledge that engaging with locals plays an essential role in developing confidence in the spoken language.

Get In Touch!

Our team of student advisors is glad to support you every step of the way: from enrolment and visa application to departure preparations, orientation and settling into your new city and home.

Your Door into Higher Education in Italy