ACCESS TO THE ITALIAN MEDICINE COURSE 2025: all you need to know about the reform and new “filter semester”

The Reform to access Medicine in Italian 2025 and the filter semester

Did you hear? From the 2024/2025 academic year , there will be a radical change in how admission to the Italian medical, dental, and veterinary degree programs will be conducted. The traditional multiple-choice quiz test will be replaced by a new system based on an open-entry filter semester , followed by a national merit ranking.

We know there is a lot of confusion about this; it’s also challenging for us, but we have tried to delve into all the official papers to get clarity as far as we can. Here is all the news confirmed so far and what to expect in the upcoming months

What changes: end of the Italian entrance test, filter semester arrives

The new access mode provides:

• Free enrollment in the first semester of courses in Medicine, Dentistry, or Veterinary Medicine;
• Dual enrollment requirement: in addition to the filter semester, students will also have to enroll in another related degree program (in biomedical-related, health-related, pharmaceutical-related, or veterinary-related fields); enrollment in the second-choice degree program will be free;
• The filter semester will be devoted to three basic science subjects (biology, chemistry, physics), on which standardized exams with uniform evaluation criteria throughout the country will follow, replacing the Italian entrance test;
• During the semester, there will be two exam sessions (so there should be two attempts for each of the three exams);
• The exams will simultaneously be held like real national tests throughout Italy, with uniform questions and evaluation criteria.

Based on the results of these exams, a national ranking will be drawn up, determining who can proceed to the second semester of medical school in Italian.

How dual enrollment and university choice work

• Students will be able to take two degree courses at the same time, even at different universities , and at no additional cost.
• The “filter semester” enrollment will be possible a maximum of three times in a lifetime.
• At the time of university enrollment, it will be necessary to indicate a list of at least five universities in order of preference. Allocation will be based on ranking and available places.

Universities will also be required to accommodate supernumerary students and ensure educational delivery , including through supplementary modes; universities will be able to choose whether to deliver in-person or online training .

What if you do not pass the ranking?

Those who fail to get into Medicine:

• They will be able to continue in the other degree program in which they had enrolled;
• CFUs (university credits) acquired during the filter semester may be recognized, at least for common subjects.

It will still be possible to try again to get into Medicine by re-enrolling for the semester the following year.

When will the final decree arrive?

• The Council of Ministers (CoM) preliminarily approved the legislative decree on March 28th, 2025.
• This will be followed by passage through parliamentary committees and then back to the CoM for final approval.
• Three subsequent implementing ministerial decrees are to be done by summer to define: The specific subjects of the filter semester; The evaluation criteria; The list of alternative courses in which it will be possible to enroll; The number of CFUs and the right to benefits such as scholarships.

What happens to English-language medical courses and private universities?

• The reform will not be applied to English-language medical courses (IMAT).
• Private universities will also not be affected by the reform for the academic year 2024/2025, but this may change in later years.

In these cases, the current selection mode through testing will remain in place.

How to tackle preparation for Medicine in Italian 2025

We know that keeping motivation high during a time of uncertainty is not easy. But starting to study right away is essential, even if we do not yet have all the precise information about how the selection process to enter Medicine will take place.

What we already know, however, is that subjects such as Chemistry, Biology and Physics will be central, whatever the assessment format. As Minister Bernini pointed out during the HighEst Lab’s opening event in Turin on December 11th, students “will study Chemistry, Biology and Physics, and it will be on that basis that they will be evaluated to enter Medicine or other pathways in the area of medical sciences.”

Our formative offer

Our courses are designed to adapt quickly to every possible evolution of the admission system. We follow all incoming changes closely – and often in advance – so that we can always offer you the most up-to-date and adequate preparation.

We have analyzed and tested different selection models, investing time, energy, and expertise to be ready for anything: whether it’s multiple-choice tests, university exams, or a mix of the two, we know how to guide you step by step toward your goal.