Master in Development and International Cooperation Studies at Sapienza University of Rome

Detailed entry requirements

Sapienza's Development and International Cooperation Studies master asks for a bachelor's degree in class L-36 or L-37, or another degree with at least 90 CFU covering economics and statistics, law, and social and political sciences, plus English at B2 and a positive check of your requirements and personal knowledge. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]

Degree and the 90-credit rule

You qualify on the degree rule with a bachelor's degree in class L-36 or L-37 and English at B2. [1]

With a degree in another subject, you need English at B2 and at least 90 CFU in the listed sectors, spread so that your core subjects, not counting related fields, cover all three areas: [1]

• Economics and statistics: economics, economic policy, business management, statistics, economic statistics, demography and social statistics (SECS-P/01, 02 and 08, SECS-S/01, 03, 04 and 05). Related fields include public finance, applied economics, agricultural economics, economic history, mathematical methods and computer science.
• Law: public law, international law and comparative public law (IUS/09, 13 and 21). Related fields are private law and EU law (IUS/01 and 14).
• Social and political sciences: anthropology, geography, contemporary and regional history, political science, history of international relations and sociology (M-DEA/01, M-GGR/01 and 02, M-STO/03 and 04, SPS/02 to 11, 13 and 14). Related fields include foreign languages, some psychology, public health, history and moral philosophy.

Knowledge gained in a first- or second-level university master's can also count. If your profile falls short, a committee tells you through Infostud which credits to earn first through single examinations. You can take these at any Italian or foreign university, with the certificate in hand by the enrolment deadline. [1]

What this means for your transcript

The rule looks at the subjects in your degree, and all three areas must appear among your core subjects. As a guide, based on the rule above:

• Usually a fit: a BA in Political Science, International Relations, Economics or Development Studies that also includes law papers, such as constitutional or international law, and some statistics.
• Check carefully: a BA in Sociology, History or Geography, a B.Com, BBA or B.Sc. in Economics, or an LL.B., which often covers one or two areas well but may lack law, economics or statistics credits.
• Often short: a B.Tech, B.E., BCA or B.Sc. in a natural science, which rarely includes law or social science papers.

Missing credits can be made up through single examinations before enrolment. [1]

English

English at CEFR B2 or higher, shown in one of these ways: [1]

• At least one English language exam (sector L-LIN/12) at B2 or higher passed during your bachelor's degree.
• IELTS Academic 6.0 or higher, TOEFL iBT 80 or higher, Cambridge B2 First or higher, or TOEIC Listening and Reading 720 or higher.

If you do not meet this, Sapienza assigns a study requirement: a single course in English (L-LIN/12). The requirement does not apply to students from countries where English is an official language, to holders of a three-year degree or equivalent taught entirely in English at accredited institutions in the European Higher Education Area, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States or other countries on the university's list, or to holders of an International Baccalaureate, GCSE or equivalent qualification. [1]

Personal knowledge assessment

You need a three-year or five-year degree whose curriculum is consistent with the programme and includes socio-political, statistical-economic and legal skills linked to international cooperation. A dedicated committee assesses each profile, and your individual academic knowledge is judged on your degree mark or the average mark of your exams. The call does not set an entrance test. [1]

The eligibility check is requested on Sapienza's Infostud system (code 33629). Enrolment opens only after Sapienza confirms by email that both checks were successful. [1]

2026/27 deadlines

Eligibility checks opened on 2 July 2026. Non-EU applicants living abroad who need a student visa had one date: 15 September 2026. Other applicants could choose 15 October, 17 November or 17 December 2026, and 14 January 2027 was reserved for students who have graduated, or are about to graduate, from Sapienza. [1]

Applicants still finishing a degree could apply if they graduate by 19 December 2026 (other Italian or international universities) or 23 January 2027 (Sapienza). [1] The 2027/28 call sets the next dates.

Non-EU applicants living abroad

Non-EU citizens living abroad who apply for a student visa and choose the English-language curriculum must hold a pre-acceptance letter. Those choosing the Italian-language curriculum do not need one, but must pass an Italian test at B2 or hold an Italian certificate at B2 or higher. [1] For 2026/27, Sapienza's international route had these steps: [2]

• Online pre-selection on the MoveIN platform for the pre-acceptance letter, then Infostud registration to download it.
• The Universitaly study-visa request by 30 June 2026.
• Booking the eligibility check on Infostud between 2 July and 15 September 2026.
• Sending enrolment documents to the International Students' Office, then paying the first fee instalment.

For enrolment, holders of a foreign degree provide the original degree certificate and transcript with sworn translations into Italian or English, plus a CIMEA statement of comparability and verification or a declaration of value from the Italian diplomatic mission. A Diploma Supplement can replace the declaration of value if it contains all the information needed and is legalised or apostilled. [2]

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.

1. Sapienza University of Rome, Faculties of Political Science, Sociology and Communication, Economics, and Arts and Philosophy. Admission procedure with assessment of entry requirements and personal knowledge, Master's degree programme in Development and International Cooperation Sciences (LM-81), academic year 2026-2027, Infostud code 33629. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
2. Sapienza University of Rome, International Students' Office. Admission and enrolment procedures for international students, academic year 2026-2027. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
3. Sapienza University of Rome, Development and International Cooperation Sciences study plan, Political, Economic and Social Studies curriculum, 2026 cohort. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
4. Sapienza University of Rome, Development and International Cooperation Sciences programme pages (degree class, languages, duration, faculty, department and international experiences); the university notes that the 2026-2027 catalogue is being updated. Reviewed 8 October 2026.

What bachelor's degree do I need for Sapienza's Development and International Cooperation master?

A bachelor's in class L-36 or L-37, or a degree in another subject with at least 90 CFU in the listed sectors, where your core subjects cover economics and statistics, law, and social and political sciences. You also need English at B2. [1]

Is there an entrance exam?

No test is set in the call. A committee checks that your degree fits the programme and judges your academic knowledge on your degree mark or exam average. If your background falls short, it can assign single examinations to pass first. [1]

What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?

English at B2. Accepted proof is an English exam at B2 in your bachelor's, IELTS Academic 6.0, TOEFL iBT 80, Cambridge B2 First or TOEIC Listening and Reading 720. Students from countries where English is an official language, and some English-taught degrees, are exempt, so we check how this applies to your file. [1]

When is the deadline for non-EU students?

For 2026/27, non-EU applicants living abroad who needed a student visa submitted the Universitaly request by 30 June 2026 and had one date to request the eligibility check: 15 September 2026. The 2027/28 calendar is not yet published. [1][2]

Can I apply before I graduate?

Yes, if you graduate in time. For 2026/27, applicants finishing a degree at another Italian or international university had to graduate by 19 December 2026. [1]

I have a BA in Political Science or a B.Com. Can I apply?

Possibly. A Political Science BA often covers the social and political area and some law, but you also need economics or statistics credits. A B.Com usually covers economics and statistics but may lack law and political science. We check your transcript against all three areas. [1]

Is the programme taught in English?

It has two curricula. Political, Economic and Social Studies is taught in English and the other curriculum is in Italian. Non-EU visa applicants on the English curriculum need a pre-acceptance letter, while those on the Italian one need Italian at B2. [1][3]

Is there a double degree?

Yes. The programme includes an international study track leading to an Italian-Kazakh double degree. Students can also use Erasmus+ for study or traineeships and apply for scholarships to carry out part of their thesis research abroad. [4]

Can someone handle my whole application to Development and International Cooperation at Sapienza?

Yes. ApplyAZ, an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities, checks your transcript against Sapienza's rules for this programme, handles the application and Universitaly pre-enrolment, helps you file the DiSCo Lazio 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 Development and International Cooperation?

A recognised Indian bachelor's, such as a BA in Political Science, Economics or Sociology, can meet the rule if it holds 90 credits whose core subjects cover economics and statistics, law, and social and political sciences, and you also need English at B2. The steps are MoveIN pre-selection for a pre-acceptance letter, Universitaly pre-enrolment and the eligibility check. [1][2] 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 Development and International Cooperation are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: MoveIN pre-selection and pre-acceptance letter, Universitaly pre-enrolment, then the eligibility check and personal knowledge assessment, 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 Development and International Cooperation are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: MoveIN pre-selection and pre-acceptance letter, Universitaly pre-enrolment, then the eligibility check and personal knowledge assessment. 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 Development and International Cooperation are the same whatever your nationality, and your degree is assessed like any other foreign qualification. Non-EU applicants who live abroad follow the same route: MoveIN pre-selection and pre-acceptance letter, Universitaly pre-enrolment, then the eligibility check and personal knowledge assessment, 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.