Italy ditches high-stakes med school entrance exams
In a landmark shift for higher education, Italy has scrapped its traditional admission tests for Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary courses. Starting 23 June 2025, prospective students can enrol directly in a new “Open Semester” without taking the once-feared one-day entrance exam. This unprecedented reform, announced by the Ministry of University and Research, aims to reduce stress, foster academic inclusion and realign selection with real-world performance over time.
The “Open Semester” explained
Rather than sit a single admission test, all registered candidates will attend their chosen first semester of study beginning autumn 2025. Key features include:
- A fully accessible introduction to courses in Medicine & Surgery, Dentistry & Dental Prosthetics, or Veterinary Medicine;
- Core lectures and labs in Chemistry, Physics and Biology over six months, open to every enrollee;
- Mandatory attendance records to ensure engagement and provide early academic support;
- Guided study groups led by university tutors to monitor progress and prevent drop-off.
This hands-on approach allows students to sample real coursework before final selection, promoting learning rather than memorisation under exam pressure.
National ranking exams decide final admission
At the end of the Open Semester, candidates take a set of national exams covering their three core subjects. These tests will:
- Assess understanding and practical skills gained during the semester;
- Rank students according to merit, ensuring transparent and fair placement;
- Allocate final course slots based on exam results and declared university preferences;
- Provide detailed feedback, helping students identify strengths and areas to improve.
By separating enrolment from evaluation, the new system aims to reduce last-minute cramming and promote deeper, sustained learning.
How to register and choose your path
Registration opens on 23 June 2025 via the national portal UniVersitaly and closes at the end of July. When applying, candidates must:
- Select their preferred university for the Open Semester;
- Indicate a “fallback” related degree course (for example, Biomedical Sciences or Biotechnologies) in case they do not pass the final exam;
- Rank up to 10 alternative universities and courses to maximise their chances of placement;
- Provide high school transcripts and personal details for verification.
Applicants are advised to prepare well in advance by gathering documents and researching course offerings to make informed choices.
Why Italy’s minister calls it a “national Erasmus”
Minister Anna Maria Bernini describes the reform as Italy’s own “national Erasmus” programme, emphasising inclusivity and experiential learning. She notes:
- Openness: removing barriers to entry so that every motivated student can start medical studies;
- Support: providing mentoring and tutoring to guide students through challenging foundational subjects;
- Flexibility: allowing students to discover their true vocation before committing long-term;
- Quality assurance: using national exams rather than a one-shot test to evaluate readiness.
The ministry believes this dual-phase model will reduce dropout rates and improve overall academic performance by focusing on continuous assessment.
Student benefits and potential challenges
For students, the reform brings clear advantages:
- Reduced pressure: no single day of high-stakes testing ;
- Early exposure: real medical labs and lectures inform career decisions ;
- Skill building: development of laboratory techniques and scientific thinking from day one ;
- Fallback options: alternative courses keep academic ambitions on track.
However, the reform also raises questions:
- Universities must manage larger cohorts in the Open Semester and ensure adequate resources ;
- Students may commit time and fees before knowing their final admission outcome ;
- The consistency of national exams across regions must be closely monitored to maintain fairness ;
- Coordination between high schools and universities is essential to prepare incoming students.
University perspectives and resource planning
Universities across Italy are gearing up for a surge in enrolments:
- Infrastructure investments to equip extra lab and lecture spaces ;
- Recruitment of additional tutors and academic staff for mentoring programmes ;
- Development of online support tools to track attendance, assignments and feedback ;
- Partnerships with hospitals and clinics to integrate practical experiences.
Administrators see the reform as an opportunity to align training with international best practices and to strengthen Italy’s position in global medical education rankings.
Preparing for the new selection era
Prospective students should take proactive steps to succeed:
- Review fundamentals: brush up on Chemistry, Physics and Biology through summer courses or online platforms ;
- Visit university open days: explore facilities and meet academic staff to gauge the learning environment ;
- Form peer study groups: collaborate with classmates to tackle challenging concepts early on ;
- Develop study routines: adopt time management and note-taking strategies suited to university lectures ;
- Stay informed: follow Ministry updates and connect with student forums for the latest news.
With registrations looming, Italy’s bold reform promises to reshape medical admissions, offering a model that other countries may soon watch closely and emulate.