Master in Global Food Law: Sustainability Challenges and Innovation at University of Parma

Detailed entry requirements

Parma's Global Food Law master asks for a bachelor's degree, ideally in law, political science, economics, social sciences or social work, English at B2 and, for degrees from outside Italy, a successful interview with the admission committee. Graduates of other fields need a mark of at least 100/110 or equivalent, 24 law credits and 6 economics credits. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]

Degree and mark requirements

These rules come from the course regulations in force since 2025/26, and the 2026/27 enrolment page repeats them. [1][2]

You need a three-year university diploma, a first-level degree or a four-year degree. Applicants with a foreign qualification need at least a bachelor's degree (EQF level 6). [1][2]

• Listed fields with a mark above 100/110: graduates of the Italian classes in law (LMG/01), legal services (L-14), administration and organisation (L-16), business economics and management (L-18), economics (L-33), political science and international relations (L-36), social sciences for cooperation, development and peace (L-37), social work (L-39) and gastronomic sciences (L/GASTR), with a final mark above 100/110 or an equivalent mark, are admitted automatically, apart from the English requirement.
• Listed fields with a lower mark: graduates of these classes with a mark below 100/110 have a check of their personal preparation.
• Other fields: within the yearly intake limits, graduates of other classes can be admitted with a mark of at least 100/110 or equivalent, at least 24 CFU in law subjects (private, comparative, commercial, economic, agricultural and food, labour, constitutional and public, administrative, tax, international, EU and criminal law, law and religion, and philosophy of law) and at least 6 CFU in economics subjects (political economy, economic policy, applied economics, business economics, business management and organisation). [1]

The 2026/27 international portal gives preferential access to applicants with a bachelor's in law, political science, economics, social sciences or social work. [3]

What this means for your transcript

For a degree from outside Italy, an admission committee compares the content of your courses with the programme's subject areas, so it reads your subjects, not just your degree title. [1] As a guide, based on the rule above:

• Usually a fit: a law degree such as an LLB, BA LLB or BBA LLB, which sits in the preferred fields and covers the law subject areas.
• Check carefully: a BA in Political Science, Economics, Sociology or Social Work, or a B.Com or BBA. These are close to the listed fields, but the committee checks your course content and your final mark.
• Often short: a B.Tech, B.E., B.Sc. or BCA, which rarely includes 24 credits in law and 6 in economics.

Your final mark also counts: the Italian benchmark is above 100 out of 110, and the committee decides what counts as an equivalent mark. [1]

English

Non-native speakers need English at CEFR B2 or higher. [1]

• Certificates accepted on the 2026/27 portal: IELTS 5.5 or higher, TOEFL 69 or higher, Cambridge FCE or CAE, or certificates from City and Guilds (Pitman), Edexcel or Pearson, EDI (LCCIEB) and Trinity College London. [3]
• Exemptions: native speakers, and students who completed at least one year of education in English, shown by an English Proficiency letter from the university or a Medium of Instruction (MOI) document. [1][3]

Italian is not required for admission, but students must pass an Italian language test before graduating. [3]

Selection and interview

There is no written entrance test. For degrees obtained outside Italy, the admission committee checks whether your previous courses match the programme's subject areas, and admission depends on passing an interview with that committee. [1][2]

For 2026/27 there were 50 places for non-EU students who need a visa, including 3 for Chinese students under the Marco Polo project. [2]

2026/27 deadlines

For 2026/27, non-EU applicants who needed a visa applied through the university's international admissions portal in two windows: 15 January to 6 April 2026, and 4 to 26 June 2026. The 2027/28 dates come with the next call. [2]

Documents and non-EU steps

The 2026/27 portal asked for: [3]

• a valid passport
• your academic transcript or marksheet
• your school-leaving certificate or academic qualification, if already obtained
• a CV and a motivation letter
• an English certificate or exemption letter

Diplomas and transcripts must be official and in Italian or English, or come with official translations. Legalised documents are not needed to apply. A €30 one-time fee covers up to 3 registration requests per call. After you arrive in Italy with your visa, you hand in your original documents in person at the student office to complete enrolment. [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.

1. University of Parma, Department of Law, Politics and International Studies. Course regulations of the Master's degree in Global Food Law: Sustainability Challenges and Innovation (class LM/SC-GIUR), in force from academic year 2025/26. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
2. University of Parma, Global Food Law programme website: enrolment procedures and deadlines, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
3. University of Parma, international admissions portal for students requiring a visa: Master's degree in Global Food Law: Sustainability Challenges and Innovation, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.

What bachelor's degree do I need for Parma's Global Food Law master?

A bachelor's degree, ideally in law, political science, economics, social sciences or social work. Graduates of other fields need a mark of at least 100/110 or equivalent, at least 24 credits in law and 6 in economics. [1][3]

Is there an entrance exam?

No written test. If your degree is from outside Italy, an admission committee compares your courses with the programme's subject areas, and admission depends on passing an interview with that committee. [1][2]

What English level do I need? Is IELTS 5.5 enough?

You need English at B2. The 2026/27 portal accepted IELTS 5.5, TOEFL 69, Cambridge FCE or CAE, among other certificates. Native speakers and students with at least one year of English-taught study, shown by an English Proficiency or MOI letter, are exempt. [1][3]

When is the deadline for non-EU students?

For 2026/27, non-EU applicants who needed a visa had two windows: 15 January to 6 April 2026, and 4 to 26 June 2026, for 50 places. The 2027/28 dates come with the next call. [2]

I have a B.Com, BBA or B.Tech. Can I apply?

A B.Com or BBA is close to the economics and business fields, but the committee checks your course content and mark. A B.Tech is often short, as it rarely includes the 24 law credits and 6 economics credits other graduates need. [1]

Is it taught in English? Do I need Italian?

Yes, it is taught in English, and the thesis is written and defended in English. Italian is not required for admission, but you must pass an Italian language test before graduating. [1][3]

What careers does Global Food Law lead to?

It trains public officials, legal advisers to profit and non-profit companies and to the professions, and experts in food law, sustainable development and innovation. [1]

Can someone handle my whole application to Global Food Law at Parma?

Yes. ApplyAZ, an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities, checks your transcript against Parma's rules for this programme, handles the application and Universitaly pre-enrolment, helps you file the ER.GO Emilia-Romagna 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 Global Food Law?

A recognised Indian bachelor's in law, such as an LLB or BA LLB, or in political science, economics, social sciences or social work, is in the fields Parma gives preferential access to. Other degrees need at least 24 law credits and 6 economics credits. Expect an interview with the admission committee and English at B2. The steps are the admissions portal application, the interview and Universitaly pre-enrolment. [1][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 Global Food Law are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: admissions portal application, an interview with the admission committee, the acceptance decision 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 Global Food Law are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: admissions portal application, an interview with the admission committee, the acceptance decision and Universitaly pre-enrolment. Read our guides for Dubai, Riyadh and Doha.

I'm applying from the UK, US, Canada, Singapore or Malaysia. Is anything different?

The academic rules are identical. Non-EU applicants who live abroad, including citizens of these countries, follow the same route: admissions portal application, an interview with the admission committee, the acceptance decision and Universitaly pre-enrolment, then a type D study visa. Read our guides for London, New York, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.