Bachelor in Political Sciences and International Relations at University of Messina
Three-year bachelor's (L-36-R) at the University of Messina with an English track in Political Sciences and International Relations, covering history, law, economics, sociology and languages. Entry needs 12 years of schooling and a B2 English certificate.
Bachelor
3 years
Messina
Multiple
University of Messina
Political Sciences and International Relations is the English track of a three-year, 180 ECTS bachelor's degree (class L-36-R) at the University of Messina in Sicily. Entry needs a secondary school diploma after 12 years of schooling, with at least 70% in Class 12 for Indian applicants, and an English certificate at B2. Fees follow the student's country group, and ERSU Messina scholarships mean the degree can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
Detailed entry requirements
Messina's Political Sciences and International Relations bachelor asks for a secondary school diploma after 12 years of schooling, with a minimum result for some countries, and an international English certificate at CEFR B2. Access is open, with a knowledge check after admission. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]
School-leaving requirement
You need a secondary school diploma obtained after 12 years of education, or a foreign qualification recognised as equivalent. [1][4] If you do not have your diploma yet, you can upload an official provisional certificate (course completion certificate) issued by your school. If your schooling lasted fewer than 12 years, you can apply with a certificate showing you passed all first-year exams at a university, or a certificate of a completed Foundation Programme. [1]
UniME's 2026/27 list of entry criteria by country names the accepted certificates and, for some countries, a minimum result: [2]
- India: the CBSE AISSCE or the CISCE ISC with at least five courses, the NIOS senior secondary certificate, or a state board certificate such as the Intermediate or Higher Secondary certificate, with at least 70%. You upload both the pass certificate and the statement of marks.
- Pakistan: the HSSC or the Intermediate Examination Certificate, with at least 70% (grade A).
- Bangladesh: the Higher Secondary Certificate, including the Business Management and Vocational versions, or a Diploma in Engineering, with grade A (70 to 100%) or a grade point of 4.
- Sri Lanka: the GCE Advanced Level with at least an ordinary pass (S) in three subjects.
- Gulf countries: the national secondary diploma, such as the Saudi Tawjihiyah, the Bahraini General Secondary School Diploma or the Omani Secondary Education Diploma.
- United Kingdom: three A levels passed with at least grade E, the Cambridge Pre-U Diploma, or a BTEC Level 3 National Diploma or Extended Diploma.
- United States: a high school diploma with three Advanced Placement exams scored 3 to 5 in subjects related to the course, or a diploma plus a passed first year of university.
UniME also weighs your previous educational background against the programme's area and the date of your qualification, and may reject a qualification it judges obsolete for the chosen programme. [2]
What this means for your school results
As a guide, based on the rule above:
- Usually a fit: Class 12 from CBSE, CISCE or a state board with 70% or more, a Pakistani HSSC at 70% or more, a Bangladeshi HSC at grade A, Sri Lankan A levels with at least S in three subjects, or three passed UK A levels.
- Check carefully: results close to the minimum, a CBSE or ISC certificate with fewer than five courses, a diploma rather than a Class 12 certificate, or a qualification awarded several years ago.
- Often short: Class 12 or HSSC results below 70%, or fewer than 12 years of schooling without a passed first university year or a foundation programme.
Because UniME also weighs how your stream relates to the programme's social sciences and humanities area, we check your subjects before you apply. [2]
English
You need an international English certificate at CEFR level B2 or higher, issued by a recognised institution. [3][6] UniME accepts: [3]
- IELTS 5.5 or higher, valid for two years from the test date
- TOEFL iBT 72 or higher, valid for two years from the test date
- Cambridge English B2 First or higher
- PTE General Level 3 (B2) or PTE Academic with at least 59
You are exempt if you are a native English speaker from one of the countries UniME lists, including the UK, the USA, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand; if you hold a degree taught entirely in English from one of those countries; or if you hold an International Baccalaureate Diploma taught entirely in English. [3]
A school English-medium letter from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka or the Gulf is not on the exemption list, so applicants from these countries usually need one of the certificates above. [3]
Selection and knowledge check
Access is open: there is no selective entrance exam. [4] UniME evaluates your application documents, and the International Mobility Unit decides whether your qualification meets the entry requirements. Incomplete applications, or those that do not meet the entry or language requirements, are rejected. [1][2]
The knowledge needed for the degree is checked with a CISIA test. For the English track this is the Test-HUM, taken in person in Messina; Italian TOLC tests are not valid for English-taught degrees. [4][7] For 2026/27, 8 correct answers out of 30 avoided additional learning obligations (OFA) in the logical-linguistic area. If you do not pass, you clear the OFA in the first year; if you do not clear them, you are enrolled again as a first-year student. [4][7]
2027/28 application calls
For 2027/28, UniME runs three calls for non-EU applicants who need a study visa: [1]
- Early Bird: 1 to 20 December 2026, only for applicants who already hold their final academic documents and a declaration of value or CIMEA statement of comparability.
- Second call: 2 February to 19 March 2027.
- Third call: 8 April to 8 May 2027.
UniME may close a call before its deadline, depending on the number of applications. One application can cover up to two programmes, and once an application is submitted no documents can be added. For 2026/27, the Universitaly deadline was 15 September 2026. [1]
Documents and non-EU steps
For the pre-evaluation you upload: [1]
- Your secondary school diploma, or a provisional certificate, and your transcript of records.
- A university entrance exam certificate, if your national education system requires one.
- A passport with at least 18 months of validity remaining.
- Your English certificate.
Documents must be in English or officially translated into Italian, and any translation must come with the original-language document. [1]
If your application is evaluated positively, you receive an admission letter with instructions for Universitaly pre-enrolment. UniME confirms your acceptance on Universitaly only when your documents are valid and correctly uploaded, and this starts the visa process. Enrolment is confirmed only with a valid type D study visa issued for UniME and an administrative check of your admission documents. [1]
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.
- University of Messina, international students website. Application and admission: pre-evaluation application calls and admission requirements, academic year 2027/28. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Messina. Specific entry requirements for qualifications awarded by non-Italian educational institutions (list of entry criteria by country), academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Messina, international students website. English language requirements, undated. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Messina, Political Sciences and International Relations degree programme (L-36-R). Entry requirements, objectives and career outcomes, undated. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Messina. Fees and funding: tuition fees for international students by country group, effective from academic year 2025/26. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Messina. Bachelor's degree in Political Sciences and International Relations, programme brochure, undated. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Messina. Prior learning assessment: entry tests and OFA minimum thresholds for open-access degree programmes, academic year 2026/27, and Test-HUM information page. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
About the programme
Scienze politiche e delle relazioni internazionali is a three-year bachelor's degree (laurea, class L-36-R) worth 180 ECTS, run by the Department of Political and Juridical Sciences of the University of Messina. It is taught in Messina and has two tracks: one in Italian and one in English, called Political Sciences and International Relations.
The degree gives multidisciplinary training in history and politics, international law and economics and society. It aims to build the ability to plan and carry out operational strategies in European and international settings, and it puts strong weight on languages. It suits students who want to work on international affairs, European policy or development cooperation.
What you will study
The 2026/27 plan for the English track moves from the foundations of economics, law and history in the first year to international law, political theory and international economics in the second, and to globalisation and EU law in the third. Supplementary teaching credits let you add subjects of your choice, and French and German language exercises run through the degree.
- Year 1: Sociology, Principles of economics, Early modern history, Public law and Private law (8 ECTS each)
- Year 2: Contemporary history, International law and human rights, History of political thought, International economics and Political theory
- Year 3: Sociology of globalisation, European Union law, History of international relations and Political science and international relations
- Languages: French and German exercises, plus an 8 ECTS foreign language course (French or German) in the third year
- Stage or internship (6 ECTS) in the second year
- Final dissertation (6 ECTS)
Career paths
The official graduate profile is a technician working in national, European and international organisations and institutions. Graduates can work in EU liaison offices, take part in EU-funded projects or move into development cooperation. Sectors named by the university include:
- European and international governmental organisations
- NGOs working on human rights and sustainable development
- public administration at every level
- private companies and social cooperatives
- migration management centres and peace and cooperation organisations
Fees and scholarships
UniME sets yearly fees for international students by the group their country belongs to, a rule in force since 2025/26. India is in Group B. [5] The regional body ERSU Messina runs an income-based scholarship call each year, with accommodation and meals; eligible students can apply, and ERSU decides awards.
How to apply from outside the EU
For this degree you need a secondary school diploma from 12 years of schooling, with a minimum result for some countries, and a B2 English certificate. [1][2] We apply on the UniME application portal: for 2027/28 the calls for visa applicants run from 1 to 20 December 2026 (Early Bird, only for applicants who already hold final documents and a declaration of value or CIMEA statement of comparability), from 2 February to 19 March 2027 and from 8 April to 8 May 2027. One application can cover up to two programmes. [1]
If you are admitted, your admission letter explains the next steps: we register you on Universitaly, UniME confirms the acceptance once your documents are checked, and you then apply for a type D study visa. Enrolment is confirmed only with a valid study visa and an administrative check of your documents. [1]
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 Messina's entry rules for this programme.
- We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose.
- We prepare and submit your pre-evaluation application on the UniME portal 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 Political Sciences and International Relations at Messina?
A secondary school diploma after 12 years of schooling. UniME's 2026/27 entry criteria set minimums for some countries: 70% in Class 12 for India, 70% in the HSSC for Pakistan, grade A or a grade point of 4 in the HSC for Bangladesh, and at least S in three A level subjects for Sri Lanka. [1][2]
Is the degree taught in English?
The degree has an Italian track and an English track called Political Sciences and International Relations. UniME lists the English track among its English-taught programmes, and applicants to it need an English certificate at CEFR level B2. [2][4]
Is there an entrance exam?
No selective exam: access is open. New students on the English track take the CISIA Test-HUM in person in Messina. For 2026/27, 8 correct answers out of 30 avoided additional learning obligations (OFA), which otherwise must be cleared in the first year. [4][7]
What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?
In most cases, yes. You need a B2 certificate such as IELTS 5.5, TOEFL iBT 72, Cambridge B2 First or PTE Academic 59 or higher. Native speakers from listed countries such as the UK and USA, and holders of an English-taught IB Diploma, are exempt. [3]
When is the deadline for non-EU students?
For 2027/28 there are three calls for visa applicants: an Early Bird call from 1 to 20 December 2026 for applicants who already hold final documents and a declaration of value or CIMEA statement, then 2 February to 19 March 2027 and 8 April to 8 May 2027. [1]
Can I apply before I receive my school diploma?
Yes, if your school issues an official provisional certificate (course completion certificate), you can upload it instead of the diploma. The Early Bird call is the exception: it is only for applicants who already hold their final documents. [1]
How do the fees work?
UniME sets yearly fees by country group, a rule in force since 2025/26. Bangladesh is in Group A, and India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are in Group B. [5] ERSU Messina scholarships mean the degree can be tuition-free for eligible students.
What jobs can graduates do?
The university's profile is a technician in national, European and international organisations. Named sectors include EU and international bodies, NGOs working on human rights and development, public administration, private companies, migration management and international cooperation.
Can someone handle my whole application to Political Sciences and International Relations at Messina?
Yes. ApplyAZ, an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities, checks your school results against Messina'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 Political Sciences and International Relations?
Class 12 from CBSE, CISCE, NIOS or a state board with at least 70% meets UniME's 2026/27 entry criteria for India, and you need an English certificate at B2, such as IELTS 5.5. The steps are the UniME pre-evaluation application, the admission letter and Universitaly pre-enrolment. [2][3] 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 Political Sciences and International Relations are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: online pre-evaluation application, admission letter 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 Political Sciences and International Relations are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: online pre-evaluation application, admission letter 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 Political Sciences and International Relations 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 pre-evaluation application, admission letter 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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