Every international student in Italy meets the same surprise sooner or later: an exam result that reads "28" or "30 e lode", and no idea whether to celebrate. The Italian university grading system works differently from the letter grades or percentages used in most countries, and understanding it early makes a real difference to your confidence and your results. This 2026 guide explains how grades, credits and exams work in Italy, how your marks convert abroad, and how to aim high from your very first exam session.
Italian university grading system: how the 30-point scale works
Each university exam in Italy is graded on a scale from 0 to 30, but only marks from 18 upward count as a pass. An 18 means you scraped through, 24 to 26 is a solid average result, 28 and above is excellent, and 30 is the maximum. Above even that sits the famous 30 e lode (30 with honors), awarded only for truly outstanding performance and decided by the examining professor.
There is no fixed curve: your grade reflects the professor's judgment of your preparation, not your rank among classmates. In theory everyone in the room could earn 30, and in practice professors use the full range of the scale. This makes each point meaningful, and it means consistent study is rewarded more than last-minute cramming.
CFU credits: the currency of your degree
Grades are only half the story. Italian degrees are built on CFU (Crediti Formativi Universitari), the Italian version of ECTS credits. A full academic year equals 60 CFU, a three-year bachelor's degree (laurea triennale) requires 180 CFU, and a two-year master's (laurea magistrale) requires 120 CFU. Each course carries a set number of credits based on its workload, and you earn them by passing the exam.
Credits matter for scholarships too: DSU Toscana awards and many merit-based benefits require you to earn a minimum number of CFU each year. Falling behind on credits can cost you funding, so plan your exam schedule as carefully as your study plan. If you are still preparing your application, our guide for international students in Italy walks through everything to arrange before you arrive.
How exams actually work in Italy
Oral exams
The oral exam (esame orale) is the classic Italian format and often surprises newcomers. You sit with the professor, sometimes in front of other students, and answer questions on the course material for 15 to 30 minutes. It tests understanding and the ability to argue a point, not just memorization. Professors appreciate structured answers: state your thesis, support it with examples, and conclude clearly.
Written and mixed formats
Many courses now use written exams, especially in scientific and technical subjects: open questions, exercises, or multiple choice, sometimes followed by a short oral confirmation. Some professors let you split an exam into a written part and an oral part on different dates. Always check the course page at the start of the semester so the format never catches you off guard.
Exam sessions and attempts
Exams are organized into sessions (sessioni): winter (January to February), summer (June to July) and autumn (September). Each course usually offers several exam dates (appelli) per year, and if you fail or reject a passing grade, you can try again at the next date. Rejecting a low passing grade to aim higher is allowed and common, but use it wisely: every attempt costs study time you could spend on other exams.
Converting Italian grades for the world outside
When you apply for jobs or further study abroad, your Italian grades need translation. There is no single official conversion table, but the most widely used equivalents are roughly: 30 e lode and 30 correspond to an A or first-class honors, 27 to 29 to a B+ or upper second class, 24 to 26 to a B or lower second class, 21 to 23 to a C, and 18 to 20 to a D or bare pass. Universities abroad are familiar with the Italian scale, and your Diploma Supplement, issued with your degree, explains the system in standard European format.
Your final degree mark uses a different scale: out of 110. It combines your weighted exam average with the evaluation of your final thesis, and the top mark is 110 e lode. Employers in Italy read this number carefully, so a strong thesis can lift your entire academic record.
Tips to succeed in the Italian exam system
Start with the professor's own materials: lecture slides, suggested readings and past exam questions are the closest thing to a map of what will be asked. Attending lectures matters more than in many other systems, because oral exams often follow the professor's emphasis and examples. Form a study group early: explaining topics to others is the fastest way to prepare for an oral exam.
Book your exam dates strategically across the session instead of clustering everything in the same week, and keep an eye on your CFU progress each semester so scholarship requirements stay on track. If you struggled with the entrance stage, revisit our overview of Italian university admission tests to see how selection works before the grading even begins.
Start your journey at UVT
The Italian university grading system rewards depth, consistency and the courage to defend your ideas out loud. Once you understand the 30-point scale, the CFU rhythm and the exam sessions, you can plan your studies with confidence instead of guessing. If you are ready to begin, apply to UVT and take your first exams in the heart of Tuscany.
