The Qualifications Office only issues “Dichiarazioni di Valore” (Declarations of Value, DV) of qualifications – issued by recognized educational institutions (schools, colleges, and universities) or professional bodies – that fall under the British education/university system and that are based in this Consulate General catchment area (Scotland and Northern Ireland).
To have your foreign qualifications recognized in Italy, whether to continue your studies (school/University), or for work purposes, you will need to contact the relevant Italian Consulate, who will issue a “Dichiarazione di Valore”.
The “Declaration of Value” is a document of an informative nature that describes the foreign qualification in question and provides every useful piece of information to allow the relevant Italian authorities to evaluate the qualification itself for the purposes of its recognition in Italy.
The Declaration of Value does not imply any recognition, equivalence, or approval of the qualification to which it refers. It will be up to the relevant Italian institutions (Ministry of Education, Uffici Scolastici Provinciali, Universities, etc.) to subsequently declare if a foreign qualification has a similar Italian equivalent: this is called “equipollenza” (equivalence/certificate of comparability).
How to apply for a Declaration of Value
Applications for a Declaration of Value can be submitted by post only, sending all the relevant documents to the following address:
Ufficio Titoli di Studio
Consolato Generale d’Italia
Italy House
20-22 East London Street
Edinburgh – EH7 4BQ
Processing times for a Declaration of Value
All applications will be processed within 30 days from receiving all the documents listed below, pursuant to relevant legislation (Section 2, paragraph 2, Law 241/1990). Such time limit may be extended, should the office require further information, clarification, or additional documents to process the application. Incomplete applications will not be processed and they will be returned to the applicant.
NOTE: It is NOT possible to apply for a Declaration of Value paying the priority fee for a service to be provided within 24 hours, because the Qualification Office may need to involve third parties in processing the application and it cannot guarantee their turnaround times.
Which documents do I need to submit?
1) Application form (click HERE) duly filled and signed (handwritten signature). The applicant must provide post and phone contacts;
2) copy of a valid identity document (passport or national identity card);
3) Verified and certified copy of the original Degree Certificate legalized by means of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office apostille – Note: Please DO NOT send to the Consulate General original certificates; rather apply for a true certified copy of the original at a notary public/solicitor, to be legalised by means of apostille afterwards.
First, a verified and certified copy of the original title must be obtained through a UK-based (not necessarily Scotland- or Northern Ireland-based) notary public or solicitor
For solicitors and notaries public in Scotland click HERE
For solicitors and notaries public in Northern Ireland click HERE
The verified and certified copy of the original document must be sent to the Legalization Office of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) to be legalized by means of an apostille; for further details click HERE
Note: The British government recently introduced the electronic apostille (e-apostille). It is possible to legalize the degree or qualification certificate by means of e-apostille, only if that has been issued by the school or university in a digital format. In such case, the digital file in non-editable format (i.e. PDF) with digital signature(s) and e-apostille must be sent per e-mail at edimburgo.scuole@esteri.it, with the subject line “Name, Family name + certificate for Declaration of Value”.
Based on information available, e-apostille is applicable for the purpose of the Italian Declaration of Value only to some degrees recently issued by the University of Strathclyde. Should you have any doubt, please contact the office.
It is NOT possible to use e-apostille on a scan of the hardcopy of the degree or qualification certificate issued by the school or university in a paper format.
4) According to your qualification, copy of one of the following documents:
– For SQA/professional qualifications: Letter of attendance issued by your School/College specifying:
a) name, surname and d.o.b. of the applicant
b) the dates of registration of the student
c) the normal legal duration of the course
d) explanation of the grading system
– For University qualifications: Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR) or academic transcript, specifying:
a) name, surname, d.o.b. of the applicant and date of first enrollment of the student at the University
b) normal legal duration of the degree course
c) whether the course included a period of study abroad and if so, where this took place
d) whether the qualification included a dissertation or the presentation of a project
e) explanation of the grading system
– For PhD diplomas: Letter/Academic Statement from University Department or Faculty specifying:
a) name, surname and d.o.b. of the applicant
b) normal legal duration of the course
c) whether the studies were full time or part time
d) whether the course comprised periods of research or work internship
e) entry requirements (whether Bachelor/Master/Honours degree etc.).
5) (if the documents are to be returned to an address in the UK): a self-addressed pre-paid envelope (“Special Delivery” recommended).
Payment methods
If due (reasons for applying for a Free-of-charge service are set in the next paragraph), the payment of the relevant consular fee for the Declaration of Value shall be made either:
- by postal order made payable to the “Italian Consulate General”; please, write your name on the back of it; or
- asking to be contacted per e-mail by the Qualification Office, when the application is being processed. The communication (from the e-mail address edimburgo.scuole@esteri.it) will include the bank account details and the exact amount to be transferred. The applicant must reply by attaching the confirmation of the bank transfer.
Please check HERE the updated consular fee (art. 66n TC).
Free-of-charge service
The Declaration of Value is issued free of charge only if it is issued to continue the studies in Italy.
The service is free of charge for those who will attach proof of pre-enrollment, letter of acceptance or registration with the Italian University; for all foreign nationals, regardless of where they reside, and Italian nationals residing in Great Britain who can enclose proof of residence at the time of their request (for example AIRE registration, copy of their utility bills, council tax payment, bank statement).
For employment purposes, there is always a charge for this service, both for Italian and foreign nationals.
Certificate translation
The Qualifications Office does not require the translation neither of the certificate, nor of the attached documents, for the purpose of the Declaration of Value.
The Consulate does not offer a translation service. If required for any other purpose, the Consulate can certify only the translation of the certificate into Italian language, jointly with issuing the Declaration of Value. If required, in addition to the documents mentioned above, it is necessary to attach:
1) Application form (click HERE) duly filled and signed (handwritten signature)
2) Translation of the certificate into Italian language
3) payment of the relevant consular fee for translation into Italian (art. 72a TC) – check the latest consular fees HERE. A unique payment, including both consular fees, is recommended.
Return of documents
If the documents are to be returned to an address in the UK, the self-addressed pre-paid envelope to be included in the application will be used (see point 5 above)
If the documents are to be returned to an address outside the UK, an international tracked service or an international courier and are to be organised by the applicant. In this case, the Qualifications Office will contact the applicant with further instructions, when the Declaration of Value will be ready.
For any other information please send an email to the following email address: edimburgo.scuole@esteri.it
Should the answer be already available on this web page, the inquiry will not be answered.