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How does the programme operate in Italy?  

The Language Assistants Programme is a bi-lateral mobility programme. We work with our partner organisations, the central Ministry for Education in Italy, Il Ministero d’Istruzione, dell’Università e della Ricerca (MIUR) and the Education Department in Trentino Alto-Adige to send English Language Assistants to primary and secondary schools in Italy.  

Am I eligible?

To be a Language Assistant in Italy, you must:

You may be asked to provide a medical certificate upon starting your assistantship in Italy. This is a requirement of our partner organisation, and they will inform you if one is needed. Once your post is confirmed, we will provide a template for your medical certificate, if required. You will need to go to your GP in the UK and ask them to certify your general health. Some GPs may charge for a full examination if they deem this necessary.

When will I start my placement? 

Posts in Italy will run from 1 October 2025 until 31 May 2026. 

How many posts are available in Italy? 

Every year there are approximately 40 posts available in Italy. We prioritise applications from undergraduates who are studying Italian at a UK university and for whom it is compulsory to spend a year abroad. However, we also welcome applications from final year undergraduates, graduates and those that have followed other academic or career pathways. 

Competition for posts in Italy is high. It is therefore likely that we will have to operate a waiting list and that we will be unable to confirm many posts for final year undergraduates and graduates before July. 

Will I need a visa? 

Language Assistants going to Italy who do not have an EU passport apply for a Long Stay ‘Study Mobility and Exchange programs’visa (Type D).This applies to all potential applicants, including non-students.

Applicants should be prepared to apply for their visa independently and to invest a significant amount of time into the process.The process of obtaining your visa can continue until just before your arrival in Italy in October. 

Applications for the visa are made through VFS Global. You should not apply until you have been instructed to do so by our team.  

For more information, view our Italy destination guide at the end of the page. We will provide more detailed visa guidance closer to the time.  

What are the costs involved?  

Applicants should also be aware that there are significant costs associated with the visa process and moving to Italy. However, these costs should not come all at once as they will occur at different stages of the process, from visa application to arrival in Italy.  Costs are likely to include:  

  • Visa application including administrative fees (approx. £250) 
  • Travel costs to and from visa centre 
  • Travel costs to Italy 
  • Accommodation costs including initial temporary accommodation and deposit for permanent accommodation in Italy 
  • International Child Protection Certificate (£90) 
  • Residency permit costs on arrival (£50 -100) 
  • Costs for initial few months – You may not receive your first payment until late November, so you will need sufficient funds for this time. Previous assistants have recommended budgeting for at least two months without pay.  

 As part of your visa appointment applicants are required to provide evidence to show they can support themselves financially while in Italy. In many cases, applicants are required to provide evidence of up to £8,000 in their bank account or alternatively nominate a family member as a financial sponsor.  Costs will vary depending on individual circumstances. Visa requirements can also change at short notice, and the British Council cannot be held responsible for any changes to the visa process or to the approximate costs listed above which have been intended as a guide only.  We encourage you to read section 8.3 of the Italy destination guide at the end of this page for more information on monthly allowances and recommended budgeting in Italy. 

How many hours will I be an assistant in my school(s) per week? 

Language Assistants in Italy can expect to spend approximately 12 hours per week assisting with English learning. Please be aware that the number of hours and your specific timetable can vary depending on the region and institution that you are allocated to. 

What type of institution will I be assisting in?

The majority of posts available in Italy are in secondary schools, although a small number are available in primary schools.

How much is the allowance? 

You will receive a monthly allowance of around €850 net per month. Some schools may offer meals and accommodation, with salaries adjusted accordingly. The status of this allowance is similar to a borsa di studio (scholarship or grant) which makes it appropriate for all candidates to apply for a study visa. 

You will receive a higher rate of around €1,100 per month if you are placed in the region of Trentino Alto-Adige due to the higher cost of living. 

Please note that our overseas partners are ultimately responsible for setting the allowance that assistants receive. This amount should therefore be treated as indicative and may be subject to change. 

What holidays will I have?

In Italy the academic calendar generally runs from September to June. Typically, assistants can expect to receive the same school and national holidays as their institution.  

Holidays vary by region and sometimes institution, however as an indication, you may receive: 

  • between one and two weeks off at Christmas
  • around five days off at Easter

Please note that these dates are not confirmed, but have been provided to help give you an idea of what the academic calendar may look like.

Your institution will give you full details of your term dates and any public holidays when you begin your post.  

Where can I go in Italy?

Assistantships are available in the following regions of Italy:

  • GROUP A: Trentino-Alto Adige - Basilicata - Calabria - Molise - Sardinia - Sicilia - Umbria
  • GROUP B: Abruzzo - Campania - Friuli - Marche - Piemonte - Puglia
  • GROUP C: Emilia Romagna - Lazio - Liguria - Lombardia - Toscana - Veneto.

If you wish to express an area preference, you must choose one region from Group A, one from Group B and one from any of the three groups. We recommend you research possible destinations thoroughly before applying.

The number and location of posts available vary each year, and we cannot guarantee that there will be posts in each of the regions above. Applicants must therefore be flexible and be prepared to receive a placement that does not match their preferences. 

Emilia Romagna, Lazio, Lombardia and Toscana are the most popular first-choice regions, so competition for these locations is high.

In Trentino Alto-Adige, languages other than Italian are spoken. In the province of Alto-Adige, German is predominantly spoken, whereas in the province of Trentino, Italian is predominantly spoken. We usually have around 5-10 posts in this region, and in recent years these have been in the Italian-speaking and German-speaking regions, however there is the possibility that we will have placements in the Ladin-speaking valleys. Candidates studying for a joint degree in German and Italian may be particularly interested in these posts. Please clearly indicate in the section 'Reasons for your preference' whether you are applying for a post in the predominantly Italian, German or Ladin-speaking regions.

I'm a current or former Language Assistant in Italy – can I apply again?

Due to the limited number of posts available, you cannot take part in the programme more than once.

Where can I get information about my placement from?

The guide for Language Assistants in Italy 2024-25 is available to download in PDF format below. This information has been provided for reference and is subject to change each year. Updated guidance for Assistants going out on placement in 2025-26 will be available in summer 2025.

Updated on 08/11/2023.