Master in Languages of Asia and North Africa for Business and International Cooperation at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice

Detailed entry requirements

The degree has Arabic Countries, China, Japan and Southeast Asia curricula. The international English-taught listing covers the Southeast Asia curriculum with Thai as its study language. Its provisional 2027/28 conditions are distinguished from the broader programme and 2026/27 local admission procedures below. Sources were reviewed on 6 October 2026.

Southeast Asia curriculum: prior Thai study and 42 eligible credits

The international listing requires a recognised minimum three-year bachelor’s degree and academic study relevant to this curriculum. At least 42 ECTS or equivalent must comprise 36 in Chinese and South Asian languages/literatures specifically in the Thailand area, plus 6 in the listed related subjects. This is prior Thai-related preparation, not a programme starting Thai from the beginning. [1, 2]

The additional 6 credits can be in geography, law, linguistics/glottology, modern-language didactics, East Asian archaeology/art/philosophy, Asian languages/literatures, Eastern/South-Eastern Asian history, anthropology, contemporary history, economics/business, political science, sociology/communication, international relations, or African/Asian history and institutions, within the sectors listed by the university. The Teaching Committee maps transcripts and CV to the required fields. [1, 2]

The reviewed international listing does not publish a universal numerical CGPA cutoff for this curriculum. It requires coherent prior study and adequate preparation assessed from your transcript and CV. The 70% rule used by another Ca’ Foscari programme is not part of this listing. A motivation letter specifically for the Southeast Asia curriculum is mandatory. [1]

Other curricula: distinct language-credit distributions

The broader admission webpage requires at least 42 CFU overall, with curriculum-specific allocations. It recognises one CFU as one ECTS. The Thai requirement applies to Southeast Asia, rather than to every curriculum in the degree. [2]

• China: 36 CFU in L-OR/21, including at least 24 in Chinese language, plus 6 in the permitted related fields. [2]
• Japan: 36 CFU in L-OR/22 in the Japan area, including at least 24 in Japanese language, plus 6 in the permitted related fields. [2]
• Arabic Countries: 24 CFU in L-OR/12 Arabic language/literature plus 18 in the specifically listed related sectors, which additionally include Hebrew, history of Islamic countries, Armenian/Caucasian/Mongolian/Turkish studies and Persian. [2]
• Southeast Asia: 36 CFU in L-OR/21 in the Thailand area plus 6 in the related sectors. The university lists M-GGR/01,02; IUS/01,02,13,14,21; L-LIN/01,02; L-OR/20-23; M-DEA/01; M-STO/04; SECS-P/01,02,07,08; SPS/04,06-08,13,14 as eligible related sectors for this curriculum. [2]

Personal preparation, 90/110 local presumption and possible interview

The committee evaluates linguistic, cultural, historical and social-science preparation using the academic CV and records. The broader local webpage generally presumes suitable preparation for an L-11 modern languages/cultures or L-12 linguistic-mediation graduate, or equivalent, with a final grade of at least 90/110. Candidates not meeting both conditions are assessed through their CV and studies; the committee may request an additional interview. This presumption is not a published universal CGPA cutoff in the Southeast Asia international listing. [1, 2]

Missing curricular credits must be completed before enrolment through suitable bachelor’s-level single courses at Ca’ Foscari or another accredited institution. A recognised degree and good English alone do not remove the chosen curriculum’s prior Asian-language study requirements. [2]

Recognised foreign degree and country-specific qualification rules

For admission to a master’s degree, the qualifying award must be equivalent to an Italian bachelor’s degree: at least three years, 180 ECTS or equivalent, issued by an accredited institution and normally permitting further academic study in its home system. The Welcome Unit checks the award’s eligibility before the Teaching Committee assesses academic preparation. Not every qualification called a bachelor’s degree meets these conditions. [1, 3, 4]

Country examples in the official qualification guide include: India, at least a three-year Honours bachelor’s degree, at least a four-year professional bachelor’s degree, or a Pass/General bachelor’s plus a postgraduate bachelor’s or two-year master’s; Pakistan, a three-year Honours bachelor’s, at least a four-year professional bachelor’s, or a two-year Pass bachelor’s plus a two-year postgraduate bachelor’s; China, an academic Benke bachelor’s with both degree and graduation certificates. Provide transcripts for all years. These examples concern recognised award types; the programme-specific CGPA condition is separate. The university assesses other systems and combinations individually. [3]

Ca’ Foscari treats one CFU as one ECTS. For qualifications from education systems outside the Bologna framework, the Teaching Committee assesses course workload and content when comparing credits. We map your transcript, credit or contact-hour information and any requested syllabi for the committee, rather than assuming that a home-university credit equals one ECTS. [2, 3]

English B2: certificates, scores and exemptions

English at CEFR B2 is mandatory by the enrolment deadline for this programme. You can apply while the language certificate is pending, but cannot complete enrolment without accepted evidence or a documented exemption. The international application does not include a university English assessment test. The general university policy separately offers fee-paying CLA courses/tests; those are not a substitute for submitting the required evidence in the application or enrolment tasks. [1, 2, 6]

Recognised certificates must be submitted within five years of achievement, clearly attest the achieved level, and satisfy the four-skill evidence rule. A failed higher-level exam is not automatically accepted as proof of a lower level. The current university table gives the following B2 bands and qualifications; accepted higher CEFR qualifications can also demonstrate the required minimum. [5, 6]

• IELTS: B2 score band 5.5-6.5. TOEFL iBT: B2 band 72-94 on the old scale, or 4-4.5 for examinations taken on or after 21 January 2026. [5]
• PTE Academic: B2 band 59-75; Cambridge First/FCE; Trinity ISE II; Pearson General Level 3; Oxford Test of English B2; LanguageCert International ESOL Level 1; Gatehouse Classic Level 1; and British Council Aptis ESOL General or Advanced at B2. The table also recognises specified Ca’ Foscari CLA certificates at B2.2. [5]
• Exemption routes include an entire school or university qualification taught in English in Italy or abroad; qualifying completed study or at least one college year in a country where English is the medium of instruction; or a full secondary-school exchange year taught in English. Document the exact route. [6]
• Specified Italian foreign-language or linguistic-mediation degrees can also qualify when they include the required three-year English-language study path. A generic degree title or an unsupported statement that you speak English does not establish this exemption. [6]

International application documents and pending graduation

• Valid passport; eligible European applicants may use an identity card. Non-European applicants residing in Italy or the Schengen Area must provide the applicable residence permit or documented renewal/first-request receipt. [3]
• Transcripts covering every undergraduate year, including an official provisional transcript if still studying; a CV; and a motivation letter specifically addressing this programme. Include every additional mandatory task shown in the application. A missing mandatory document leads to immediate rejection. [1, 3]
• Provide your institution’s official CGPA grading scale, which the university highly recommends for accurate comparison. The Teaching Committee may request detailed course descriptions or syllabi. The reviewed checklist does not impose a universal reference-letter requirement. [1, 3]
• If degree or transcript documents are not in English or Italian, upload the originals or verified copies together with professional English or Italian translations. The translation must display the sworn translator’s signature/stamp or the translation agency’s letterhead. [1, 3]
• Applicants awaiting a final qualification may submit the permitted provisional documents, including their translations, and must provide the final version by the applicable enrolment deadline. An offer may be conditional on graduation, missing subject credits or language evidence. [3, 4]

Application priorities, fee and latest published intake information

International qualifications use the university’s Apply platform regardless of citizenship. A single application may rank up to two programmes: the first choice is assessed first and the second is assessed only if admission to the first is refused. Submit only one application in one round for the academic year; priorities cannot be reordered after submission. One application covers up to two programmes, and the application fee must be settled before submission unless an approved exemption applies. [3, 4]

The current programme listing explicitly labels its 2027/28 admission information provisional, to be confirmed in autumn. At the review date it displays no active application deadline. The central webpage still describes 2026/27 rounds, which opened on 17 December 2025 and depend on applicant category. That opening date, the local Italian-degree evaluation dates and the pending 2027/28 calendar are not interchangeable. We follow the programme’s active category-specific round once published. [1, 4]

The application fee exemption policy covers specified prior Ca’ Foscari students, previous exchange/visiting/free-mover students and applicants with official refugee status within Schengen. Supporting evidence and the prescribed exemption code must be submitted at least seven working days before the round deadline. [4]

Final documents, conditional offers and study-visa applicants

A letter of enrolment eligibility does not by itself complete enrolment. Provide the final bachelor’s diploma and full transcript with required translations, accepted language evidence, any programme-specific conditions and an accepted qualification-comparison document. Alternatives are CIMEA Comparability; a Declaration of Value; an ARDI Statement of Correspondence together with CIMEA Verification; or an eligible international-model Diploma Supplement from an EHEA institution. If more than one award was used to establish entry eligibility, the university requires the corresponding evidence for each. Some documents are optional at initial application but mandatory at final enrolment. [3, 4, 7, 8]

Non-European applicants who require a study visa must obtain university eligibility, complete Universitaly pre-enrolment for the exact accepted programme, follow the visa procedure, and provide the study visa for enrolment. Eligible non-European residents using the European-equivalent route instead provide a valid residence permit allowing university enrolment. Citizenship, residence and permit type determine the procedure; a foreign degree alone does not determine whether a visa is required. [7, 8]

For 2026/27, the visa-dependent enrolment page gives an absolute final deadline of 18 December 2026. The European/equivalent page gives 30 September 2026 for open-access master’s enrolment, extended to 18 December with a late fee. These are enrolment dates for 2026/27, not confirmed application or enrolment deadlines for 2027/28. Scholarship deadlines can be earlier. [7, 8]

Separate 2026/27 evaluation procedure for Italian qualifications

The programme’s admission page gives three requirements-evaluation sessions: 7 April-4 June 2026, with results on 25 June; 6 July-20 August, results on 10 September; and 1 October-17 November, results on 4 December. All applicants with a bachelor’s degree obtained in Italy must submit the relevant evaluation request; foreign qualifications use the international procedure and its distinct deadlines. These are the published 2026 dates. [2]

For the local evaluation upload a signed degree/examination self-certification, or a signed enrolment/examination self-certification if graduating later; a CV; available language evidence; and any requested syllabi or useful additional documents. Records must identify the university, degree class and title, graduation details or pending status, examinations, subject sectors and credits. Graduands state their weighted average in place of the final degree grade. Save the application confirmation code used to identify evaluation results. [2]

Positive evaluation is required before enrolment. The programme page gives 1 July-30 September 2026 as the ordinary enrolment period and 1 October-18 December as the additional period. Late enrolment carries a surcharge, with the stated exemption for eligible autumn-session graduates. Obtain missing curricular credits before enrolment through suitable bachelor’s-level single courses at Ca’ Foscari or another accredited institution. Credit-recognition requests have a separate procedure and should be made concurrently where applicable. [2]

Teaching language and Italian requirements by curriculum

The Southeast Asia international listing is English-taught, with Thai language study, and requires English B2 by enrolment. Non-Italian students on an entirely English-taught curriculum normally obtain 3 CFU in Italian during their degree unless they document B1 proficiency or another accepted exemption. [1, 9]

For an Italian-taught curriculum, the central policy requires non-EU international students to demonstrate Italian B2 at enrolment through an accepted certificate, the university’s written/oral assessment or a documented exemption. This Italian condition is distinct from English B2 and the curriculum-specific Chinese, Japanese, Arabic or Thai academic-credit requirements. [2, 9]

Sources and verification

1. Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Apply: Languages of Asia and North Africa for Business and International Cooperation, Southeast Asia curriculum, provisional 2027/28 information; reviewed 6 October 2026. Publication date is not stated.
2. Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Languages of Asia and North Africa for Business and International Cooperation, Southeast Asia curriculum: Admission and enrolment, current webpage with 2026/27 procedural dates; reviewed 6 October 2026.
3. Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Entry requirements for applicants with an international qualification, current webpage; reviewed 6 October 2026.
4. Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Preliminary evaluation of international qualifications, last updated 30 September 2026.
5. Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Recognised Certifications, last updated 23 September 2026.
6. Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Master’s Degree Programmes: Language requirements, last updated 23 September 2026.
7. Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Enrolment for non-European students who require a visa, 2026/27 guidance, last updated 23 September 2026.
8. Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Enrolment for European students and equivalent, 2026/27 guidance; reviewed 6 October 2026.
9. Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Italian language competence, last updated 23 September 2026.

Is prior Thai study required for the English curriculum?

Yes. Southeast Asia requires at least 42 ECTS or equivalent: 36 in Chinese/South Asian languages and literatures in the Thailand area, plus 6 in eligible related subjects. It builds on prior Thai-related academic preparation.

Do all curricula require Thai credits?

No. China requires its Chinese-language allocation, Japan its Japanese allocation, and Arabic Countries its Arabic allocation. The 36-credit Thailand-area requirement applies specifically to Southeast Asia. Select the curriculum before checking your transcript.

Is there a fixed 70% CGPA requirement?

The reviewed Southeast Asia international listing does not state one. It assesses relevant credits and personal preparation from transcript and CV. The broader local webpage’s 90/110 presumption has additional degree-field conditions and allows individual assessment.

Is an interview possible?

Yes. The broader admission webpage allows the Teaching Committee to assess preparation through an additional interview. A tailored motivation letter, CV and full transcripts are required for the international application.

What English evidence do I need?

English B2 by enrolment: a recognised four-skill certificate submitted within five years, or a documented exemption. Current B2 bands include IELTS 5.5-6.5, TOEFL iBT 72-94 or the new 4-4.5 band, and PTE Academic 59-75.

Where do foreign-degree applicants apply?

Use Ca’ Foscari’s international Apply procedure and select the intended curriculum. One application can rank up to two programmes. The reviewed Southeast Asia listing labels its 2027/28 information provisional; final dates depend on the published applicant-category round.

Can someone handle my whole application to Languages of Asia and North Africa at Ca' Foscari?

Yes. ApplyAZ, an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities, checks your transcript 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 Languages of Asia and North Africa?

Indian applicants need a recognised degree of at least three years and 180 ECTS or equivalent: a three-year Honours bachelor's, a four-year professional bachelor's, or a Pass/General bachelor's plus a postgraduate bachelor's or two-year master's [3]. The Southeast Asia curriculum also needs 42 ECTS, 36 of them in Thailand-area language and literature, and English B2 by enrolment [1]. We prepare your Apply application and Universitaly pre-enrolment. 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 Languages of Asia and North Africa are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: international application on the Apply platform, eligibility 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 Languages of Asia and North Africa are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: international application on the Apply platform, eligibility 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 Languages of Asia and North Africa 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: international application on the Apply platform, eligibility 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.