To gain access to their courses in Italian, Italian Universities and Academies require a B2 level certificate. The most widely accepted certifications are CILS, CELI, PLIDA and ROMATRE. Most Universities require this certificate among the documents required for enrolment, while other Universities leave 3-4 months from the start of the course to present the certificate. We recommend to check directly with the University of your choice.
CILS - Certificate of Italian as Second Language
The CILS (Certificazione di Italiano come Lingua Straniera) certification is an internationally recognized qualification for proficiency in the Italian language. It is awarded by the University for Foreigners of Siena, Italy.
The certification is designed for non-native speakers of Italian who want to assess and validate their proficiency in the language and it is widely accepted by academic institutions, employers, and government bodies in Italy and other countries as evidence of the candidate’s Italian language proficiency. It serves as a valuable credential for those seeking to study, work, or live in an Italian-speaking environment.
CILS is divided into different levels, ranging from A1 (beginner) to C2 (proficient), following the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Each level assesses the following language skills:
- listening
- reading comprehension
- written production
- oral production
- grammar and ability to handle the structures of communication in Italian
All Scuola Leonardo da Vinci locations are certified centres for sitting the CILS exam: to register or for more information, please visit: