Bachelor in Philosophy, International and Economic Studies at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
Three-year English-taught bachelor at Ca' Foscari in Venice, inspired by the Oxford PPE model, combining philosophy with economics, politics, history and law. Non-EU applicants need 12 years of schooling, a pass in the online entry test and certified English at B2.
Bachelor
3 years
Venice
English
Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
Philosophy, International and Economic Studies (PIES) is a three-year, 180 ECTS bachelor's degree (class L-5 R) taught in English at Ca' Foscari University of Venice. Entry needs 12 years of schooling and at least 33 out of 80 in the university's online entry test, plus certified English at B2 to enrol. Students who qualify for the regional scholarship are exempt from fees, so it can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
Detailed entry requirements
Ca' Foscari's PIES bachelor asks non-EU applicants who need a visa for a school-leaving qualification after at least 12 years of schooling, a score of at least 33 out of 80 in its online entry test in English, and certified English at B2 to enrol. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]
School-leaving requirement
You need a secondary school qualification after at least 12 years of schooling that gives access to university study in the country where it was awarded. [3] Ca' Foscari's country rules include: [3]
- India: 12 years, with a Class 12 qualification such as the AISSC, ISC, Higher Secondary or Intermediate certificate, and the mark sheet for at least the last year.
- Pakistan: 12 years, with the HSSC or Intermediate certificate.
- Bangladesh: 12 years, with the Higher Secondary Certificate at an average of at least second division.
- Sri Lanka: GCE Advanced Level with at least an S in three subjects and at least 30% in the Common General Test.
- UK A levels: 13 years and three A levels at grade E or above. Because PIES has an entry test, two of the three must relate to the degree.
With only 10 or 11 years of schooling, you must cover the gap with passed first or second-year university exams, a foundation course completed at an Italian university, or a one or two-year post-secondary qualification related to the degree. [3]
What this means for your school results
The call sets no required school subjects and no minimum school grade for PIES: you need an eligible qualification, then a pass in the entry test. As a guide, based on the rule above:
- Usually a fit: a completed Class 12 from an Indian board, a Pakistani HSSC or Intermediate certificate, or a Bangladeshi HSC at second division or above.
- Check carefully: Sri Lankan A level results with fewer than three S grades or a Common General Test below 30%, and UK A levels where fewer than two subjects relate to philosophy, economics, politics or history.
- Often short: a school-leaving qualification after only 10 or 11 years, unless you add the university or foundation study described above.
The test is mostly reading comprehension in English, so strong English reading matters whatever your school stream. [1]
English
Certified English at CEFR level B2 or above is mandatory to enrol. You can apply without a certificate, but you cannot enrol without one, or an exemption category, by the enrolment deadline. The entry test does not count as proof of English. [2][5]
Ca' Foscari's list of recognised B2 certificates includes IELTS Academic 5.5, TOEFL iBT 72 (band 4 for tests from 21 January 2026), PTE Academic 59, Cambridge First (FCE) and Trinity ISE II. Certificates must be less than five years old. [6]
Entry test
Non-EU applicants who need a visa take a dedicated online entry test in English, set by the test provider Selexi for Ca' Foscari. [1]
- Format: 80 multiple-choice questions in 80 minutes: 50 on understanding one or more topical texts and 30 on general cultural knowledge.
- Scoring: 1 point for a correct answer, 0 for no answer and minus 0.33 for a wrong answer.
- Pass mark: at least 33 out of 80.
- Test date: each admission round has one test date, and you can only sit the test for the round in which you applied. Missing it ends the application.
You do not register for the test yourself: the provider emails instructions about a week before the test date. The test is taken from home with a computer, a smartphone and an internet connection, under remote supervision, and an online test simulator is available. [1]
Places in 2026/27
For 2026/27, 20 of the programme's 140 first-year places were reserved for non-EU students who need a visa to study in Italy. [2]
2026/27 deadlines
These dates come from the 2026/27 rounds. Applications closed at 1 pm CET on the last day. [4]
- Round 1: 17 December 2025 to 14 January 2026, entry test on 3 February 2026.
- Round 2: 4 February to 4 March 2026, entry test on 24 March 2026.
- Round 3: 25 March to 15 April 2026, entry test on 5 May 2026.
Citizens of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Ethiopia, Gambia, Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria and Uzbekistan could apply only in rounds 1 and 2. Other non-EU citizens who need a visa, including those from Sri Lanka, Nepal, the Gulf countries, the UK and the US, could also use round 3. Ca' Foscari's merit scholarships for high-achieving students could be requested only in rounds 1 and 2. [1][4]
Results came out within three weeks of each test. The 2027/28 rounds are not yet published, and the new call will set the dates. [1]
Documents and non-EU steps
You apply on Ca' Foscari's online application platform and one application covers up to two programmes. [5] Mandatory documents are your passport and the mark sheet or transcript for at least your last year of school. If you are still in your final year, you upload a provisional mark sheet and add the final qualification before the enrolment period ends. Documents not in English or Italian need a professional translation, and a missing mandatory document means the application is rejected. [1][3]
Applicants who pass the test have their school qualification checked by the International Office, which can take up to two weeks. Those who pass receive a letter of enrolment eligibility. [1]
To enrol you need one of these: a CIMEA Statement of Comparability, a declaration of value from the Italian diplomatic mission, or an ARDI Statement of Correspondence with a CIMEA Statement of Verification. Ca' Foscari strongly recommends having it before you apply. [3]
Sources and verification
Checked by the ApplyAZ admissions team against the university's official documents listed below. Entry rules can change with each new call, and we re-check them before every application.
- Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Welcome Unit, International Office. Call for applications for non-EU applicants requiring a visa with an international qualification, Bachelor's degree in Philosophy, International and Economic Studies, academic year 2026/2027. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- Ca' Foscari University of Venice. Call for applications, spring selection procedure, Bachelor's degree in Philosophy, International and Economic Studies (class L-5 R), academic year 2026/2027. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Welcome Unit. Entry requirements for applicants holding an international qualification, academic year 2026/2027. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- Ca' Foscari University of Venice. Admission rounds for non-EU applicants requiring a visa, Groups 1 and 2, academic year 2026/2027. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- Ca' Foscari University of Venice. Philosophy, International and Economic Studies programme page on the international application portal, academic year 2026/2027. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- Ca' Foscari University of Venice. Recognised English language certificates, list in use from academic year 2024/2025. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
About the programme
Philosophy, International and Economic Studies, known as PIES, is a three-year bachelor's degree in class L-5-R (Philosophy), taught in English by the Department of Philosophy and Cultural Heritage at Ca' Foscari's Humanistic campus in Dorsoduro, Venice.
It carries 180 ECTS and has limited places, allocated through the university's own admission test. Attendance is not compulsory.
Inspired by the Oxford PPE model, the degree combines philosophical and logical approaches with the social and economic sciences.
It aims to build a critical understanding of global, political and cultural issues, the ability to work with complex texts, and independent thinking.
It suits students who want to study ideas, politics and economics together rather than choose one of them.
What you will study
The curriculum links philosophy with economics, politics, history and law, and covers political, economic and anthropological themes. First-year units in 2026/27 include:
- Logic
- Classical Philosophy
- Modern and Contemporary Philosophy 1 and 2
- Introduction to Economics
- Introduction to Probability for Economics and Mathematics for Social Sciences
- Modern and Contemporary History
- Introduction to Politics
How the programme is taught
Alongside regular courses, the PIES Lectures bring international scholars and experts to discuss major global challenges from a multicultural, interdisciplinary angle. The degree includes a curricular internship in Italy or abroad and a final thesis.
Students can join the double degree with University College Groningen in the Netherlands or spend time abroad through Erasmus+ and the Overseas programme, drawing on more than 1,500 partner institutions.
Career paths
Graduates work as analysts, consultants, public relations staff or project managers in private companies, NGOs and policy-making bodies at national, European and international level, and in cultural communication. The 2027/28 programme guide also lists:
- Economic expert
- International relations expert
- Public relations consultant
- International marketing roles
- Diplomatic service and public governance roles
- Cultural mediator
The degree gives access to several Ca' Foscari master's degrees, such as Comparative International Relations.
Fees and scholarships
Non-EU students without Italian equivalence status pay a flat annual fee based on citizenship.
OECD countries such as the United Kingdom have the highest rate, and countries on the ministry's low human development list have the lowest.
With an ISEE parificato inside the Veneto regional scholarship limits (2026/27: ISEE below €26,306.25, ISPE below €43,125.94), students are fully exempt from fees, so this programme can be tuition-free for eligible students.
How to apply from outside the EU
PIES uses its own online entry test in English: 80 questions in 80 minutes, 50 on understanding topical texts and 30 on general knowledge, with a pass mark of 33 out of 80. Applicants who need a visa take the test on a dedicated date within each admission round. [1]
We apply on apply.unive.it, and one application covers up to two programmes. For 2026/27, rounds depended on citizenship: citizens of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh could apply from 17 December 2025 to 14 January 2026 or from 4 February to 4 March 2026, and most other non-EU citizens also had a round from 25 March to 15 April 2026. The 2027/28 rounds are not yet published. [4][5]
Applicants who pass the test and the check of their school qualification receive a letter of enrolment eligibility. We then complete Universitaly pre-enrolment, and you apply for the type D study visa. Enrolment also requires a CIMEA Statement of Comparability, a declaration of value, or an ARDI statement with a CIMEA Statement of Verification. [1][3]
How ApplyAZ helps
ApplyAZ is an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities. We can include this programme in a shortlist of 20 to 30 English-taught programmes that fit your profile, so your plan never rests on a single application.
For eligible students who start with us, a named person owns each stage, from A to Z:
- We check your school results against Ca' Foscari's entry rules for this programme.
- We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose.
- We prepare and submit your online application in the right admission round, and Universitaly pre-enrolment.
- We help you declare your family income for reduced fees and file your regional DSU scholarship application at the right time and in the right format.
- We prepare your visa file.
With operations in all 20 Italian regions, we follow each region's scholarship rules and deadlines as they change. The university decides admission, the region decides the scholarship and the consulate decides the visa, so no one can promise an outcome. You pay in milestones, and every service you pay for is either delivered or its fee is refunded (terms apply).
Programmes at Italian public universities can be tuition-free for eligible students. Check if you are eligible and book a one-to-one consultation session with one of our Italy experts, or see how ApplyAZ works.
Questions and answers
What school results do I need for PIES at Ca' Foscari?
A secondary school qualification after at least 12 years of schooling that gives access to university. From India, a Class 12 certificate such as CBSE, ISC or a state Higher Secondary meets this rule, with your final-year mark sheet. There is no minimum school grade: entry depends on passing the PIES test. [1][3]
What is the PIES entrance test?
An online test in English set for Ca' Foscari: 80 multiple-choice questions in 80 minutes, 50 on understanding topical texts and 30 on general knowledge. Wrong answers cost 0.33 points, and you need at least 33 out of 80 to pass. Each admission round has one test date. [1]
What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?
Certified English at B2 is mandatory to enrol, though you can apply without it. Ca' Foscari's recognised list includes IELTS Academic 5.5, TOEFL iBT 72, PTE Academic 59 and Cambridge First, or you can use an exemption category. The entry test does not count as proof. [2][6]
When is the deadline for non-EU students?
For 2026/27, citizens of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh could apply from 17 December 2025 to 14 January 2026 or from 4 February to 4 March 2026. Most other non-EU citizens also had a round from 25 March to 15 April 2026. The 2027/28 rounds are not yet published. [4]
Can I apply before I finish Class 12?
Yes. If you are in your final school year, you apply with a provisional mark sheet or transcript and upload your final qualification before the enrolment period ends. [3]
I studied Science or Commerce in Class 12. Can I apply?
The call and Ca' Foscari's rules for Indian Class 12 certificates do not name a required stream. What counts is passing the entry test, which is mostly reading comprehension in English plus general knowledge. UK A level students need two of their three A levels related to the degree. [1][3]
How many places are there for non-EU students?
For 2026/27, 20 of the 140 first-year places were reserved for non-EU students who need a visa to study in Italy. [2]
Is there a double degree?
Yes. PIES offers a double degree with University College Groningen in the Netherlands, and students can also study abroad through Erasmus+ or the Overseas programme.
Can someone handle my whole application to PIES at Ca' Foscari?
Yes. ApplyAZ, an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities, checks your school results against Ca' Foscari's rules for this programme, handles the application and Universitaly pre-enrolment, helps you file the regional DSU scholarship application at the right time and in the right format, and prepares your visa file, for eligible students. Start by checking your eligibility.
I'm applying from India. What is the route into PIES?
Ca' Foscari asks for 12 years of schooling, so a Class 12 certificate such as CBSE, ISC or a state Higher Secondary meets the school rule. You then need at least 33 out of 80 in the PIES online entry test, and certified English at B2 to enrol. In 2026/27, Indian citizens could apply only in the first two rounds. Then come the eligibility letter and Universitaly pre-enrolment. [1][3][4] Indian students apply for the type D study visa at the Italian embassy or consulate that covers their state, such as New Delhi, Mumbai or Bengaluru.
Is the route different from Pakistan, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka?
No. The academic rules for PIES are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: online application, the PIES online entry test, the letter of enrolment eligibility and Universitaly pre-enrolment, then a type D study visa from the Italian mission for their country of residence. Read our guide for students in Dhaka.
I live in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman or Bahrain. Where do I apply for the visa?
At the Italian embassy or consulate responsible for the country where you legally live, after Universitaly pre-enrolment. The academic rules for PIES are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: online application, the PIES online entry test, the letter of enrolment eligibility and Universitaly pre-enrolment. Read our guides for Dubai, Riyadh and Doha.
I studied or live in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. What is the route?
The academic rules for PIES are the same whatever your nationality, and your school results are assessed like any other foreign qualification. Non-EU applicants who live abroad follow the same route: online application, the PIES online entry test, the letter of enrolment eligibility and Universitaly pre-enrolment, then a type D study visa from the Italian mission for where they live. Read our guides for students in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
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