Recognition of Academic Qualifications: A Clear Overview between Italy, Malta, and Europe.

The recognition of academic qualifications is a key element in promoting mobility, professional development, and access to higher education. In an increasingly interconnected European context, understanding how this process works is essential for students, professionals, and workers who wish to move, study, or practise their profession in another country.

Although this article refers to information specific to Italy, the general aspects are applicable to other European countries.

1. The European Legal Framework

The most important legal foundation is the Lisbon Recognition Convention, adopted in 1997 and dedicated to the recognition of academic qualifications within the European region. It establishes that signatory states must recognise qualifications issued in other countries unless substantial differences can be demonstrated.

Both Italy and Malta are parties to the Convention, ensuring a framework of transparency and cooperation in academic recognition.

In Italy, the Convention was implemented through Law 148/2002, which harmonised internal procedures and assigned responsibility for recognition to universities and competent administrations.

Later, Law 15/2022 updated the procedures by introducing greater flexibility, particularly for doctoral-level qualifications and for direct recognition by Italian institutions.

At the European Forensic Institute our programmes are officially accredited by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA). Our qualifications are fully aligned with both the Maltese and the European Qualifications Frameworks (EQF), ensuring broad recognition across Europe and beyond.

Additionally, Malta is one of the 55 member countries of the ENIC-NARIC network, which facilitates the recognition of qualifications among participating countries.

2. Why is Recognition Requested?

If you study abroad or even apply for an opportunity in another country, there are several reasons why a person may need the evaluation of a foreign qualification:

Academic purposes: access to university courses, master’s programmes, doctoral studies, or requests for credit recognition and shortened study paths.

Non-academic purposes: participation in public competitions, internships, or other administrative procedures.

Professional purposes: the practice of a regulated profession, recognition for employment purposes, or access to professional registers or professional bodies.

3. What “Accredited Institution” Means

A crucial aspect concerns the validity of the institution that issued the qualification.

An accredited institution is recognised by its state as part of the official higher education system.

According to the Lisbon Recognition Convention, recognition of a qualification is possible when the issuing institution meets this prerequisite.

The European Forensic Institute is a licensed higher education institution by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA), Licence No. 2018-014. EFI holds the necessary accreditation to ensure the comparability and portability of qualifications in accordance with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF), with our bachelor’s programmes aligned to EQF Level 6 and our master’s programmes to EQF Level 7.

Although in Europe there are three main processes for the recognition of university qualifications, as mentioned earlier: academic recognition (for continuing studies), professional recognition (for practising a regulated profession), and administrative or employment recognition (for public employment or administrative purposes), there are also several instruments used to evaluate, compare, and facilitate the recognition of foreign academic qualifications.

4. The four main instruments commonly used in Europe include:

• Diploma Supplement, which provides a standardised description of the qualification, including the level, content, and context of the studies completed.
• ENIC-NARIC Network, the European network of national information centres that support the recognition of academic qualifications and provide guidance on different education systems.
• European Qualifications Framework (EQF), a common reference framework that allows the comparison of qualification levels across European countries.
• National evaluation services, such as CIMEA in Italy or equivalent bodies in other countries, which provide official assessments regarding the level, authenticity, and comparability of foreign qualifications.

Before starting a recognition process, it is important to determine which type of recognition applies to your situation, depending on whether your objective is to continue your studies, access a regulated profession, or use your qualification for employment or administrative purposes.

5. Main Recognition Procedures in Italy

As a European Forensic Institute alumnus/alumna or future graduate, since your degree was or will be issued in Malta by a private higher education provider accredited by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA) under Licence No. 2018-014, if you need recognition of your qualification in Italy, you may need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Confirm which documents are required.

Italy, as a signatory to the Lisbon Recognition Convention (LRC), should recognise qualifications issued by accredited institutions unless substantial differences are identified.

Step 2: Obtain an Apostille (if required)

·      Italian authorities or universities may request that your degree certificate be legalised with an Apostille.

·      In Malta, Apostille certifications are issued by the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade (MFET).

·      More information: https://foreignaffairs.gov.mt/en

·      This service is also available through the EFI Shop under our Certification and Legalisation Service.

Step 3: Obtain an Official Translation (if required)

• If your degree certificate and transcripts are in English, Italian authorities may require an official translation into Italian.
• This must be completed by: a sworn translator in Italy, or a certified translator recognised by the Italian consulate in Malta.

Step 4: Choose the Recognition Process in Italy

Depending on your purpose (academic, professional, or employment), you may choose one of the following pathways:

1. Dichiarazione di Valore (DoV) – issued by the Italian Consulate in Malta.
2. Direct recognition by Italian universities or employers
3. Recognition for Non-Academic or Professional Purposes
4. CIMEA
5. Validation of competencies 

a) Declaration of Value (Dichiarazione di Valore)

This is a document issued by Italian consular authorities in the country where the qualification was obtained. Italian Consulate in Malta

Although it is not a recognition itself, it provides essential information such as the level, duration, admission requirements, and value of the qualification within the local education system.

To obtain it, the following documents are usually required:

• original diploma
• transcripts of records
• official translation
• legalisation or apostille

b) Direct Academic Recognition

This is carried out by Italian universities and AFAM institutions (Higher Education in Arts, Music and Dance), based on the submitted documentation.

It may allow:

• access to degree programmes
• shortening of study programmes
• equivalence with an Italian qualification

c) Recognition for Non-Academic or Professional Purposes

In these cases, responsibility lies with state administrations, such as:

• The Ministry of University and Research
• The Presidency of the Council of Ministers
• other ministries responsible for specific sectors (for example, the health sector)

d) The Role of CIMEA in Italy

CIMEA is the Italian National Information Centre for the recognition of qualifications.

It plays a strategic role in supporting citizens and institutions by providing:

• Statements of Comparability, which compare a foreign qualification with Italian ones
• Statements of Verification, which confirm the authenticity of a qualification
• databases and tools useful for recognition procedures
• a dedicated service that facilitates obtaining the Declaration of Value

e) Professions and the Legal Sector

Those who wish to work as technical consultants, expert witnesses, or in specialised professions may need specific forms of recognition.

In the legal sector, for example, there are national registers and professional associations that require continuous professional development and validation of competencies, such as the official lists of court technical consultants and expert witnesses.

Conclusion

The recognition of academic qualifications is a complex but essential process to ensure mobility, transparency, and quality in education and professional practice. European regulations, national accreditation systems, and the strategic role of institutions enable students and professionals to move between Italy, Malta, and the rest of Europe with greater certainty and clarity.

The European Forensic Institute’s programmes are fully aligned with both the Maltese Qualifications Framework (MQF) and the European Qualifications Framework (EQF), ensuring the comparability and recognition of qualifications across Europe and beyond, including in the 55 member countries of the ENIC-NARIC network.

This article complements an internal European Forensic Institute webinar. If you are an EFI student and would like to watch it, please contact student.support@eufor.eu