Student Section
Practical information on visa, enrolment procedure, accommodation, how to reach us...
Practical Information
Academic Calendar & Term dates
Key Dates | 2023/24 |
|---|---|
Semester 1 | 25 September - 14 January (PDF Schedule) |
Christmas vacation | 23 December - 6 January |
Semester 1 examinations | 15 January - 25 February |
Semester 2 | 26 February - 9 June |
Easter vacation | 28 March - 2 April |
Semester 2 examinations | 10 June - 31 July |
Re-sit examination period | 2 - 13 September |
Italian Holidays | 1 November, 8 December, 6 April, 25 April, 1 May, 2 June, 10 June, 15 August |
UAQ Schedule of Lectures
Visa information
Applying for an Italian study visa
Please notice that, before joining our programmes, you will only need to apply for one visa only at an Italian Embassy/Consulate, as Italy is the location for your first semester/year. Afterwards, while you're spending your semester(s) in Italy, you will have the chance to apply for another visa, e.g. a German one if you're spending your Semester 2 in Hamburg, at the Germany Consulate based in Rome.
Web-based visa application on Universitaly.it
Starting from Academic year 2020-2021, the visa application procedure is completely web-based. Non-EU students not living in Italy are requested to pre-enrol using the online platform called UNIVERSITALY. Once your pre-enrolment request on Universitaly.it has been approved by the University of L'Aquila, you will receive a confirmation email. After that, you will have to get in contact with the local Italian Diplomatic-consular mission for the visa request process. Please note that the university confirmation email does not automatically imply the issue of a study visa for you, which is all up to the Diplomatic mission you're in contact with, instead.
Documents required
Please get in contact with the local embassy/consulate to learn more about the specific requirements they might have in that region.
Italian Residence Permit
The InterMaths team will assist you with preparing all the required documentation, which includes a couple of forms to be filled in and, among others:
A full copy of your passport (every single page, cover included)
A copy of your health insurance card
Accommodation proof
Financial proof
Enrolment certificate
All you need to do is visit an Italian post office and withdraw the required form known as "kit permesso di soggiorno" ("soggiorno" sounds like "sojjorno"). Then, bring it to campus and we'll fill it in together!
After that, put all the required documents (including blank forms) back in the envelope, visit an Italian post office once again and complete the submission process (including payment of the required fees) with the post office clerks. After that, your application will be submitted to the L'Aquila police station ("questura" in Italian, which sounds like "kuestura") via the post office itself. Note that you may withdraw and drop your application form at any Italian post office, not necessarily the ones in L'Aquila, but the envelope must be addressed to the L'Aquila Questura, as it's the one in charge of the place where you're going to live and study.
At the end of the submission process, the clerk at the post office will hand you out three receipts, which will be considered as your temporary residence permit (always carry a copy with you whenever you're around and drop one to our Registrar's Office to confirm your enrolment).
On such receipts you'll also find the date and time of the appointment fixed for you at the L'Aquila police station (Questura) to complete the rest of the required procedures, which includes an interview for fingerprints (carry with you passport & ID-size photos). Eventually, you'll be summoned for another appointment to collect your final (plastic) permit card - the one you can see on this page.
The whole process will be complete in approximately 2 months (but it might even take longer) and will cost you around 120 euros.
Enrolment procedure
The enrolment process involves a preliminary online phase to be performed on our university info system "Segreteria Virtuale", which is usually taken care of by the InterMaths consortium.
The process consists of:
- Account registration
- Online pre-enrolment (it has nothing to do with the Pre-Enrolment on Universitaly.it to get a study visa)
- Fee payment.
CIMEA Statements of comparability
CIMEA (ENIC/NARIC network) has implemented a service of certification and comparison of Italian and foreign qualifications. The University of L'Aquila has established an agreement with CIMEA to issue statements quicker and at discounted prices for UAQ prospective students. To take advantage of such a discounted fare, follow this link.
Note that you'll only need to request a statement of comparability.
Declaration of Value (DoV)
Diploma Supplement
For further information on this topic, check out the related webpage on the UAQ site: www.univaq.it/international
Insurance
All our students, no matter if they are EU or not, must hold valid insurance covering risks related to health, accidents, death, permanent invalidity, and civil responsibility (including travel assistance) while they are outside their home country.
An insurance card will also be necessary to apply for a residence permit.
Erasmus Mundus (EMJMD) students (either scholarship holders or not)
Prior to their arrival, they will receive from the InterMaths consortium an insurance card covering risks related to health, accidents, death, permanent invalidity, and civil responsibility, as per the minimum requirements set out by EACEA
Other students (enrolled in the RealMaths or MathMods programs).
- Non-European students must ensure they hold valid insurance fulfilling the requirements established by local authorities in the country where they will be studying that will enable them to obtain a visa, a residence permit, and enrolment at university. Note that requirements may vary a lot from country to country even within the Schengen area. Generally speaking, such insurance must offer coverage of medical costs for min. 30,000 EUR, as well as risks related to health, accidents, permanent invalidity, urgent health attention and/or emergency hospital treatment or even death, including possible repatriation for medical reasons.
- EU students, on the other hand, won't need to purchase any additional private insurance if they don't think they need one, as long as they hold a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
Though you may get an Italian residence permit even by providing cheap insurance, we encourage everybody to ensure that the insurance coverage you are about to purchase is as comprehensive as possible.
Note that some of the options listed below, though officially valid throughout the Schengen area, may not be sufficient to obtain a visa/permit when you are going to spend a semester in another country, in Germany or Austria for instance. Please double-check before completing your purchase for a whole year or more, and contact the related staff at our partners in advance, because in other countries than Italy, they might require that you purchase a more comprehensive one and/or even public health insurance to obtain a visa/permit and even to seek enrolment at their university.
All the below-listed companies offer insurance that complies with the minimum requirements to obtain an Italian residence permit. Once again, though they are all officially valid within the Schengen area, they might not be enough to obtain visa/residence/enrolment in other countries.
- AON
[AON 24/7 emergency assistance: # +31 (0)10 44 88 260] - Expat & Co
- Protrip-World by DrWalter
- Waitaly This is the cheapest option BUT note that it is not EACEA compliant (thus, not valid for Erasmus Mundus students), but it is still valid to obtain an Italian residence permit to attend other programmes, like RealMaths for instance.
[Waitaly 24/7 emergency assistance via Europ Assistance # 800046421 (toll free from Italian phones only)
or # +39 0258286966]
Housing options in L'Aquila
Our university hasn't got its own halls of residence, though there is one in town managed by the Abruzzo Regional Agency for Education, aka A.D.S.U. However, as L'Aquila is undergoing huge reconstruction after the 2009 earthquake, we strongly suggest you opt for renting a flat from private owners. The cost per person ranges from 200 to 350 euros per month depending on several factors, e.g. shared or private rooms, utility bills included or not, and area. By the way, living near the campus (the area is in a suburb in west L'Aquila known as Coppito) can be cheaper but this means living away from the city life (events, nightlife, restaurants...).
Lately, a new student hall has opened up in town - it's known as Camplus. It is a private one, with no relation whatsoever with our university, but it is ideally located in the heart of the city centre, it can be booked online in advance and their fares include Wi-Fi, cleaning, maintenance etc. Check out their website to submit your application and find out more.
Temporary accommodation in L'Aquila & Useful links
ADSU Hall of Residence
ADSU (Abruzzo regional agency for education)
Adverts on Univaq.it
FB group
How to get to L'Aquila
Rome Fiumicino
Rome Ciampino
Additional coach services (operated by T.U.A., aka as A.R.P.A. and Itabus) are available from the "Tiburtina train station" (Stazione Tiburtina) located in East Rome. But that means you'll have to first get on a train/bus/undeground from the airport to get to the "Tiburtina train station", which will take you one hour or so, at least. So, we strongly suggest you use the other option above, as those coaches will be departing right from inside the aiport parking area.
Lastly, be informed that a bunch of European cities are also connected to the Abruzzo Airport in Pescara, located at about 100 km to the east of L'Aquila.
Getting to campus
Our programmes are coordinated and hosted by D.I.S.I.M. (Department of Information Engineering, Computer Science, and Mathematics) located on the Coppito campus in via Vetoio - West L'Aquila. The Coppito campus also hosts other departments (biology, chemistry, physics, medicine) and, most notably, the main city hospital (in Italian ospedale). Keep that in mind whenever you will be asking for directions, as everybody knows where the hospital is.
Local buses are operated by A.M.A. For more information and timetable see hereThe webpage is in Italian, but all you need to do is enter the word "ospedale" or "Università - Polo Coppito" in the search box.
Number 1 or 2U Bus are very likely the ones you'll need most, as they connect our campus to the bus station at the Hotel Amiternum, the "L'Aquilone" shopping centre, as well as the main terminaus/bus station (known as Collemaggio or Terminal) in the old city centre.
Travel Links
About L'Aquila
The City of L'Aquila in brief
- Reasonable cost of living
- A town of artistic interest
- Safe and quiet but also a lively university town
- Direct buses to Rome in little more than 1 hour
- Three popular ski resorts nearby as well as three national parks
- Sandy beaches at a short distance
L'Aquila is an Italian city with about 70,000 inhabitants and around 20,000 university students. It is the capital of the Abruzzo region and it is conveniently located 100 km (62 miles) east of Rome. The city is on a hill at 720 m (2365 ft) above sea level and is surrounded by mountains, most notably to the north by the Gran Sasso range, which includes the highest peaks (up to 2,900 m) of the Apennines, with several small lakes, trails and mountain climbing routes as well as deep caves. Within the province of L’Aquila there are also two national parks (Parco Nazionale Gran Sasso Monti della Laga and Parco Nazionale della Majella).
The city itself is full of history, traditions, beautiful buildings (like the Spanish Fortress) and churches (most notably, the Collemaggio Basilica). There are also a lot of good restaurants, pubs and places where students get together at night (most remarkably, on Thursdays and Saturdays). The city is also the home of L'Aquila Rugby - this team won the Italian championship five times.
For more practical and historical information about L'Aquila, click here.
Living costs
A student will spend approximately 500 euros a month:
- around 200-300 euros for accommodation and related expenses (gas, electricity bills, Internet...);
- about 300 euros for meals (reduced fares or even free access to canteen available in L'Aquila if you're awarded a Regional Grant), transports (a monthly bus pass in L'Aquila costs around 30 euros), books, sports centres and the like.
Canteen at the Math Department (Coppito campus)
Location: car park of our Department (opposite the "Coppito 1" building, main entrance).
Opening time: 12.30 pm - 2.30 pm Mon-Fri
Main university canteen
Open for lunch and dinner even at week-ends
Location: premises of the ADSU Regional Office (Località Casermette /S.S. 80 – 67100 L’Aquila), at just 2 minute's walking distance from the Hotel Amiternum (first stop for coaches arriving from Rome).
Free Time
Aquilasmus
Aquilasmus is an official student association, part of ESN (Erasmus Student Network). Aquilasmus offers several services to Erasmus students, like organizing parties, trips, international dinners, cine forums and more. Take a look at their website, join their Facebook group and check out their Instagram page to get to know other international students and be involved in their activities.
Bars, restaurants, pubs & clubs, discos
Although several buildings in the old city are still to be reconstructed after the 2009 earthquake, dozens of bars and clubs have proudly reopened their doors. You will find lots of students hanging out mostly on Thursday nights (knonw as university night) and Saturday nights. Just ask the taxi/bus driver to drop you at "Fontana Luminosa" (the big fountain near the castle) and walk into the main road "Corso Federico II". You'll see that most people gather in a small square a few steps ahead near "via Garibaldi".
Cinemas
- Movieplex, Via Leonardo Da Vinci, Pettino, L'Aquila (25 mins walk from the Math Dept.)
Theatres
- TSA Teatro Stabile dell'Aquila
- Auditorium del Parco (near the Spanish fortress/castle)
Music
Being L'Aquila ideally located in central Italy, you'll have lots of opportunities to visit Italy's top destinations: Rome, Naples, Pompei, Sicily, Florence, Venice, Verona, Milan, Turin, to mention just a few. The easiest and most convenient way to reach any of these destinations is from the bus/train stations in Rome, where you can get to by TUA/ARPA coach or Flixbus from L'Aquila (either from the bus station "Collemaggio" or from the Hotel Amiternum). Some destinations (Bologna, Venice, Verona to the North or the whole beautiful Apulia region in Southern Italy - most notably the Salento Peninsula) are more easily accessible from Pescara train station, where you can get to by TUA/ARPA coach from L'Aquila bus station or even by train (you'll have to change trains in Sulmona). Recently, most popular Italian cities have also been connected to L'Aquila by direct coaches (Flixbus).
And, if you're into art, don't miss out the opportunity to visit Rome museums for free on every first Sunday of every month!
Short excursions around L'Aquila
Amiternum archeological site
On the way to Pizzoli (west L'Aquila) you may stop by and visit the stunning archaeological site of Amiternum, an ancient Italic town founded by the Sabines and conquered by the Romans in the 3rd century B.C.!
The site features an amphitheatre, a theatre, public baths as well as an aqueduct.
For more information and opening times, visit this link.
Gran Sasso and other ski resorts
Gran Sasso is Italy's second highest mountain (2,912 m asl). From the bus station in L'Aquila you can catch a number M6 bus (free shuttle buses at weekends!) bound for Assergi/Fonte Cerreto (1150 m above sea level), which is the base of the cableway that will take you to Campo Imperatore (around 2100 m asl). Campo Imperatore is a ski resort where you'll also find an astronomic observatory, a hotel (where Italian dictator Mussolini was held captive), an alpine garden, lakes and several breathtaking trails. The cableway may not be available all year round (it's usually closed in summer). Anyway, if it's closed, you may still decide to get to Fonte Cerreto to go on a hiking trip: there are several amazing hiking paths starting there!
If you are into skiing, there are another 2 popular ski resorts at a short distance from L'Aquila, with better facilities than Campo Imperatore:
- Campo Felice: see here- Ovindoli: see here
Stiffe Caves (Grotte di Stiffe)
Another place worth visiting in the neighbourhood is Stiffe (the nearby village is called San Demetrio dei Vestini), located at only 18 km from L'Aquila. The tour of these spectacular caves takes about one hour, but do not go there between November and April, as they may be closed because of the high water level inside. According to its official website, there are two buses going there every day from Collemaggio bus station in L'Aquila: one leaving at 8.15 am, the other one at 2 pm. Click here for details.
Lake Campotosto (Lago Campotosto)
Located at about 1,300 m asl, this lake is part of the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park. It was created back in the 1940s to produce electric power. In winter the lake gets almost completely frozen, while in spring and summer, lots of people get there for canoeing, windsurfing, bird-watching, fishing (a permit is usually required) or just for picnicking. The road around the lake is ideal for walking or cycling. Several hiking paths connect Campotosto to nearby villages like Capitignano, Montereale and Amatrice. Click here for more information. The easiest way to get there is by catching an ARPA bus from Pizzoli to the village of Capitignano, then walk up to the lake, but it is going to be a 1-hour hike up to the lake and could be a bit strenuous for some. If you wish to get straight to the lake, you'll have to first get to the bus station in Collemaggio (L'Aquila city centre), then catch a TUA/ARPA bus to "Lago Campotosto".
Marmore Waterfalls (Cascata delle Marmore)
Marmore waterfalls are a man-made waterfall created in ancient times by Romans. Its total height is 165 m (541 feet), making it the tallest man-made waterfall in the world. Its source is a portion of the waters of river Velino (the rest of the river flows into a hydroelectric power plant), after flowing through Piediluco Lake near the community of Marmore. It pours into the valley below formed by the river Nera. Its flow is turned on and off based on a specific schedule, to satisfy the needs of tourists and the power company alike. Tourists try to be there the moment the gates are opened to see the powerful rush of water.
How to get there: catch a train from L'Aquila to Terni (a town in the nearby region called Umbria), then board a special bus called "Marmore link" which will take you from the Terni train station to the waterfalls in 20 minutes.
Adapted from Wikipedia
Gran Sasso National Laboratory
From the official web-site
The Gran Sasso National Laboratory is one of the four INFN laboratories. It is the largest underground laboratory in the world for experiments in particle physics, particle astrophysics and nuclear astrophysics. It is used as a worldwide facility by scientists, presently over 900 in number, from 29 different countries, working at about 15 experiments in their different phases. It is located between the towns of L'Aquila and Teramo, about 120 km from Rome. Go to www.lngs.infn.it for more details and guided tours.
Beaches on the Adriatic coast
There are many amazing sandy beaches on the Adriatic coast at only 1 hour-ride from L'Aquila. The easiest one to get to is Giulianova. All you have to do is get to the bus station in L'Aquila and buy a ticket at the TUA/ARPA office on the -2 floor. Get off at Giulianova Stazione (train station) and walk to the beach, it's just a few steps away. Alternatively, you can catch a Gaspari bus to another well-renowned seaside resort: San Benedetto del Tronto.
Other popular places are Alba Adriatica, Pineto, Pescara and Vasto. Pescara is by the way Abruzzo's largest city, with lots of shops, clubs and great nightlife, too. Just get to the main train station (Pescara Centrale, 2 hours away from L'Aquila, change trains in Sulmona; or just get there by TUA/ARPA bus). Outside the train station, you'll find yourself in the city centre with lots to do and see on the promenade that will take you right to the beach!
Calascio Fortress (Rocca Calascio)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocca_Calascio
How to get there: get to the bus station in Collemaggio (L'Aquila city centre), then catch a TUA/ARPA bus to Calascio (check out the TUA/ARPA website)
Find your nearest open pharmacy
Sporting facilities
CANADA' Fitness Club [link]
WHERE. Coppito, campus of the Math Dept., just 2 minutes' walking distance from our teaching buildings. MAP
DETAILS. Access to the area with weights machines ("sala pesi") costs only 15 euros/month (the average fare in other gyms is 40 euros) - a free trial pass is also available. You can join extra courses like pilates, yoga, zumba, fitbox, body pump, as well as reserve the outdoor fields. Check timetables and fares from the url.
CUS - Centro Universitario Sportivo [link]
WHERE. Statale 17 Bis (aka "Centi Colella", on the way from L'Aquilone Shopping Centre towards the Hotel Amiternum - around 20 minutes walking distance from our department, but mind the traffic! Or just board AMA bus no. 2 or 19 from our department)
DETAILS. Large university sports centre with several halls and rooms for most popular sports (fitness, spinning, judo, climbing etc.), including outdoor fields (football, volleyball, rugby, tennis, etc.). Reduced fees for university students.
Piscina Comunale L'Aquila [link]
WHERE. Viale Ovidio 3 - L'Aquila (city centre, close to the castle)
DETAILS. City pool offering reduced fees for university students.
Circolo Tennis L'Aquila [link]
WHERE. Viale Ovidio 1 - L'Aquila (city centre, close to the castle)
SKI Resorts
Campo Imperatore [link]
Campo Felice [link]
Ovindoli [link]
L'Aquila Rugby [link]
WHERE. Strada Statale 17 Ovest, Centi Colella, L'Aquila (opposite the main Post Office)
L'Aquila football (soccer) Team [link]
There are quite a few private gyms (and swimming pools too) across the city, just google "palestra l'aquila" or "piscina l'aquila"
Library in Coppito
(biblioteca in Italian), ground floor, Coppito1 building, DISIM (Math Dept.)
Open: Mon-Thu: 8.30 am – 7 pm, Fri: 8.30 am - 2 pm
The first time you enter the library you will be asked to register. So, bring with you an ID document and your student card.
More details can be found here
Library in the Department of Humanities (downtown, old city centre, address: viale Nizza 14)
Opening hours:
Mon - Fri: 8.30 am - midnight!
Sat: 9 am - 5 pm
Sun: 3 pm - 8 pm
Study & Computer rooms
You can find study rooms in the Canadà centre, which is at 2 minutes' walk from the main teaching building (aka Coppito1), (Math Dept).
There you'll also find a bar, a gym and a computer room, too.
Click here to view a map
Click here for their Facebook page