The IMAT application for a non-EU student can be confusing to understand and figure out. In this article, we will summarize all of the different steps of the application process and answer any questions you may have.
1)Pre-enrollment
When the pre-enrollment date of the IMAT is released by the end of March, the first step to do is going to your local embassy or consulate.
For educational degrees and legalisation: You must contact the embassy that is responsible for the jurisdiction where the certificate was awarded.
For Visa application: You must contact the embassy responsible for the jurisdiction where you are legally residing.
- If you are a non-EU candidate living in your own country, you should go to the Italian embassy or consulate in your country.
- If you are a non-EU candidate residing in a different country than your original one, you must go to the embassy in that country.
Your local embassy will tell you what documents and papers to prepare, which is important because the paperwork and requirements are different from country to country.
Declaration of Value (DoV)
This document represents several pieces of information, including: the highest level of education you have completed, the number of years you were in formal schooling at any level, and an academic transcript. It must be translated into Italian, and needs to be certified by a notary to legally ensure that the information provided is true. You must prove that you have completed 12 years of education, and are thus eligible to apply to study medicine in Italy. It is issued by the consulate of the country the institution is based on.
Form A:
This form is to complete your registration in your first choice university, and will have all of your details, as well as a summary of all the documents you are providing. You need to fill out this form with your first choice university and sign it. If you do not know how to fill it out, just ask the person who is handling your case in the embassy.
Other:
- Pictures of you
- Copy of Passport
2) Registration for the IMAT exam
- Make a Universitaly account once the MUR announces the date for the IMAT registration.
- Pay for the IMAT exam online through this account which can have different costs depending on the currency.
- Select one of the available test centres around the world to complete the exam in. If you wish to do the exam in Italy, you must pick your first choice. This is really important.
You will receive two emails that are very important. One of the emails will be sent to the email address you filled out when you created your Universitaly account, and confirms that your registration for the exam has been successful, with the details of the time, place and test centre you have chosen. You will receive the second email to the email address you provided when paying for the IMAT exam (email of the card holder), and will confirm that you have successfully paid for the test.
3) Enrollment and Visa
After the results are out and you have scored high enough, your first choice university will send you an email informing you that you have been accepted into their Medicine in English degree. You will need to follow their instructions closely as the process will change from university to university. However, it usually goes along the lines of scanning certain documents. They might ask for other Italy specific documents, but that’s usually what the pre-enrollment is for. (Gathering all of your documents so you can enroll faster and complete your visa application with no more issues). You then pay the fees of that university online and will officially be enrolled into an Italian Medical School.
You will then go to officially apply for your student visa at your embassy or consulate, while keeping your university updated on the process. It’s recommended that even after you pay your fees you contact them and inform them, that in order to get your visa you will need a period of time. The universities are quite understanding about non-EU applicants and the time frames required for visa applications.