ARCHITECTURAL STUDIES IN ITALY
(Course offered in Milan and Rome)

PREPARATION COURSE FOR ARCHITECTURAL STUDIES IN ITALY

The SCUOLA LEONARDO DA VINCI preparation course for architectural studies in Italy is intended for those students who, due to the "Numerus Clausus" in their own country, are unable to enter the University faculty of architecture of their own country.

To be admitted to an Italian university, students must pass an entrance exam (Italian language, scientific sub-jects). These examinatins are held inf September at the faculty chosen by the applicant.

1. Students from EU-member countries may apply for the entrance exam, from July on, directly at the University in Italy selected by the applicant. Requirements for enrollment: the upper high school qualification must be translated, authenticated and provided with a "Certificate of equivalence of qualification" (dichiarazione di valore), issued by the Italian Consulate in their country.
2. Students from other countries must apply to the entrance exam in April/May at the italian consular delegation in their country. Before attending the entrance exam (scientific subjects) students must pass an Italian language proficiency test.

You will find the email-addresses of all Italian Consulates on the following web site: http://www.esteri.it/MAE/EN/Ministero/Rappresentanze/

SCUOLA LEONARDO DA VINCI is among the first schools that offer preparation courses for architectural students. During our thirty years of experience we have put together a program which in its composition corresponds to the official program of the entrance exams. In our courses, the main emphasis is put on the language tuition and a thorough preparation in the various examination subjects.

In the preparation course the students are taught by highly qualified and experienced lecturers. Purpose of the courses is not only to successfully pass the entrance exams at university, but, thanks to a careful tuition of many examination subjects of the first university year, to enable the students to immediately take up their studies at the university.

During the last thirty years we have prepared several hundred students to successfully pass the entrance exams for Italian universities.

We are at your disposal for any further information.

PROGRAM OF COURSES

ITALIAN LANGUAGE PROGRAM:

The aim of this language program is to provide foreign students wishing to study architecture in Italy with the knowledge of the Italian language necessary to be able to participate in our special courses and to pass the university entrance examination.

The language courses are divided into various levels and last between 4 and 16 weeks, depending on the program.

Course structure

1. Beginners' course
2. Basic course
3. Intermediate course
4. Advanced course
5. Diploma course
6. Perfection course

1 level of ability = 4 weeks tuition

At the beginning of each program, those students who already have some knowledge of the Italian language will do a written test, be interviewed and will then be assigned accordingly to the respective levels.

Further information about our Italian language courses:

Starting dates: every 2 weeks
Duration: from 2 to 24 weeks
Lessons: 4 per day, 20 per week
Tuition: on all 6 (monthly) ability levels
Class size: maximum 12 participants in each class
Dates: please click here
Prices: please click here

DEGREE PROGRAM IN ARCHITECTURE:

The purpose of this course is to provide future architectural students the special scientific vocabulary needed to pass the university entrance examination and to participate without difficulty in the lectures and the advanced tutorial classes of the first year of university.

Linguistic abilities are developed enabling the participant to understand a scientific subject, to discuss it and to express his opinion in writing about it. Furthermore, the student is instructed on how to find his way through the relevant literature and to interpret it properly.

Participation in this course requires a good knowledge of the Italian language, corresponding to the level which our students usually reach after a 4-month stay at our school (80 lessons per month).

The following subjects will be taught in the individual subjects:

• General elements of the history of architecture;
• Vaults and arches;
• Perspective;
• The Cupola;
• Architectural orders;
• Architectural restoration.

SCIENCE AND TECNQUES OF CONSTRUCTION

• Light intensity and illumination;
• Material states;
• Load bearers and beams;
• Traditional materials;
• Reenforced concrete.

ART HISTORY

• Classical period: Period of the kings (753 - 509 B.C.), Republican Period (509 - 27 B.C.), Imperial Period (27 B.C. - 476 A.D.), and the Paleo Christian Period (V - VII centuries A.D.) in Rome;
• Byzantine period (VI - VII centuries A.D.), Ravenna (St. Apollinare and St. Vitale);
• Romanesque period (XI - XIII century), Lombardy and Emilia Romagna;
• Gothic period (XIV century), Siena (Palazzo pubblico, Piazza del Campo), Venice (Doges Palace) and Lucca (Church of St. Frediano);
• The Renaissance (XV century): Brunelleschi, Donatello, Masaccio: Florence (Strozzi Palace, Rucellai Palace, Medici Riccardi Palace);
• Mannerism Period (XVI century): Michelangelo and Bramante: Florence (the Medici Chapels) and Rome (St. Peter's Basilica);
• Baroque Period (XVII century): Rome (St. Agnes in Agone and the Rivers Fountain in Piazza Navona);
• The Neoclassical Period (XIX century): Antonio Canova (the sepulchral monuments of the popes) and Giuseppe Valadier (Piazza del Popolo).

MATHEMATICS

• Algebra; relative numbers, powers, polynomials, system of linear and quadratic equations, geometric and arithmetic sequences, logarithms;
• Trigonometry: definition of sine, cosine, tangent, formulas of addition, subtraction, multiplication and bisection of arguments;
• Geometry: circle and sphere, calculation of perimeter, surface and volume, theory of the triangle with regard to congruence, division and calculation of angles into degrees and radiants.

PHYSICS

• Fundamental examination of mechanics; motion, velocity, acceleration, substance, gravity, action and reaction, laws of gravity, pendulum, work, power, simple machines, fluids and their law;
• Basic knowledge of acoustics, optics, theory of heat (thermology), thermodynamics, electric and magnetic phenomena such as electrostatics, flow of current, electrolysis, effect of joule, magnetism and electromagnetism;
• Synthesis of matter; various kinds of rays; X-rays, gamma-, alpha- and beta-rays.

HISTORY

History of Italy from the end of the Second World War to today, including the history of economic, political and social thoughts:

• The world divided;
• Decolonization and the Third World;
• Italy after Fascism;
• Detente and Control;
• Italy from the Economic Miracle to the Crisis of the First Republic;
• The Second Republic.

GEOGRAPHY

• Italy from North to South;
• The regions of Italy;
• Terrain, natural resources above and below ground, geomorphology, urban and rural settlement.

OUR PREPARATION COURSES FOR ARCHITECTURAL STUDIES:

Architecture I
The program is suitable for those students who do not have any knowledge of the Italian language and who therefore must prepare themselves intensively in Italian to be able to pass the university entrance exam where the various subjects will be examined in the new language.

Linguistic preparation: 5 months
Preparation for the exam in architecture: 1 month
Total number of lessons: 540 lessons
Dates: please click here
Prices: please click here
Course Number: 351

Architecture II
This program is appropriate for those who have some knowledge of Italian, especialli for students who already attended the beginner level.

Linguistic preparation: 3 months
Preparation for the exam in architecture: 1 month
Total number of lessons: 300 lessons
Dates: please click here
Prices: please click here
Course Number: 352

Architecture III
The program is for students who have completed the basic and elementary levels of the Italian language and so are able to attend an intermediate level.

Linguistic preparation: 3 months
Preparation for the exam in architecture: 1 month
Total number of lessons: 380 lessons
Dates: please click here
Prices: please click here
Course Number: 353

Architecture IV
This program requires an high intermediate knowledge of the Italian language.

Linguistic preparation: 2 month
Preparation for the exam in architecture: 1 month
Total number of lessons: 300 lessons
Dates: please click here
Prices: please click here
Course Number: 354

Architecture V
This program requires an advanced knowledge of Italian. The course provides revision and perfection of the language, preparing the student for the preparation course in architecture.

Linguistic preparation: 1 month
Preparation for the exam in architecture: 1 month
Total number of lessons: 220 lessons
Dates: please click here
Prices: please click here
Course Number: 355

Architecture VI
To be able to attend this program the student must have a very good knowledge of the Italian language. The program provides exclusively an intensive preparation in the specific subjects of the university entrance exam.
Linguistic preparation: not offered, as very good knowledge of Italian is a prerequisite for this course.

Preparation for the exam in architecture: 1 month
Total number of lessons: 140 lessons
Dates: please click here
Prices: please click here
Course Number: 356

ACCOMMODATION:

If requested, we can provide lodgings for our students. The following kinds of accommodation are available:

• With a family, single or double room with breakfast or half-board
• Apartment, single or double room with use of kitchen

Accommodation costs: please click here

DATES AND PRICES 2007 CLICK HERE

• Initial test and interview
• Course material
• Certificate of attendance
• Information and assistance in administrative matters

CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION:

Please send the application form directly to our Leonardo da Vinci Center in Rome. Together with your application, you have to send a deposit of 20 % of the total course fees. The deposit will be deducted from the total amount. Upon receipt of the confirmation the balance has to be paid at least 21 days before the beginning of the course. For late enrollments (i.e. less than 21 days) the entire amount must be paid at once. All payments may be made by International Post Money Order or by International Bank Cheque, sent directly to the secretariate of the school. If you transfer sums via bank, you will be charged for your transfer costs (ca. 25 Euro). Payments may also be effected by credid card (see application form).

The course can be cancelled only by means of a registered letter, telegramme, fax or e-mail to the school in Rome. If cancellation is made more than 21 days before the beginning of the course, the school will refund the total amount, retaining only 50 % of the deposit. If cancellation is notified later, the school will keep the entire deposit which - within 12 months after the original course starting date can be credited for a future course.

By signing the registration for, the participant accepts the "General Conditions of Participation for Architectural studies".

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