Italy's Marco Polo and Turandot Programs: 2027/28 Deadline Has Passed; 2028/29 Deadlines to Be Announced
The Italian Embassy in China has released the pre-enrollment arrangements for the 2027/28 and 2028/29 academic years under the Marco Polo and Turandot programs. The deadline for the 2027/28 academic year passed in August 2026, while the deadlines for the 2028/29 academic year are July 30 or August 31, 2027. This article summarizes the language and Gaokao score requirements, along with the visa deadlines for university registration.
Students planning to apply to Italian universities through the Marco Polo or Turandot programs should note a key deadline: pre-enrollment for the 2027/28 academic year closed in August 2026. Applications are now open for the 2028/29 academic year, with deadlines on July 30, 2027 (for the 11-month language course) and August 31, 2027 (for the 10-month language course). Additionally, students who have applied through the regular channel and received pre-enrollment confirmation from their university must submit their visa applications for the 2026/27 academic year by November 30, 2026. Below is a clear breakdown of the timelines and requirements based on information published by the Italian Embassy in China and the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR).
What Are the Two Programs?
The Marco Polo program is for comprehensive universities, while the Turandot program is for higher education institutions in art and music (AFAM). Chinese students use these programs to obtain entry visas, first taking a 10- or 11-month Italian language course in Italy, and then enrolling in their reserved degree programs at Italian universities.
The Embassy notes that pre-enrollment information for the 2027/28 and 2028/29 academic years has been published on the Universitaly website, covering all eligible institutions within the Italian higher education system.
Pre-enrollment Deadlines
| Academic Year | 10-Month Language Course | 11-Month Language Course |
|---|---|---|
| 2027/28 | August 31, 2026 (Closed) | August 7, 2026 (Closed) |
| 2028/29 | August 31, 2027 | July 30, 2027 |
The deadline is earlier for the 11-month language course. For the 2028/29 academic year, the deadline for the 11-month course is July 30, 2027, about a month earlier than the 10-month course. This means students currently in their second year of high school, planning to go to Italy after the 2027 Gaokao, will generally need to complete their pre-enrollment within a month or two after the exam.
Language Requirements
- At least A2 before departure: Students applying for the 2027/28 and 2028/29 academic years must achieve an A2 level in Italian (minimum requirement) before arriving in Italy. This level must be obtained through a certified Italian language course with a total duration of no less than 180 hours.
- Language courses in Italy: Courses must be at least 100 hours per month and will issue a language proficiency certificate upon completion. The goal is to help students reach and consolidate a B1 level, and the curriculum must include Italian culture or professional Italian language content.
- Choosing a language school: Students can choose courses offered by the University for Foreigners of Perugia, the University for Foreigners of Siena, Roma Tre University, the Dante Alighieri Society, or the University for Foreigners of Reggio Calabria. Alternatively, they can choose the on-campus language center of their pre-selected university, or an off-campus language institution commissioned, certified, and contracted by the university.
During pre-enrollment, in addition to filling in the university, major, and campus, students must also specify their language training school and whether they are taking the 10-month or 11-month course.
Gaokao Score Requirements
| Application Track | Score Requirement |
|---|---|
| Comprehensive Universities (Marco Polo) | Gaokao score of at least 400/750 |
| Undergraduate Programs at Higher Art Institutions (Turandot) | Gaokao score of at least 300/750, and an average score of at least 400/750 when combined with the art exam score |
The Embassy's original text also mentions that for undergraduate registration at higher art institutions, the score is calculated as the sum of the Gaokao score and the art exam score. Each university publishes its admission majors and quotas on its official website; specific details are subject to the university's announcements.
How to Pre-enroll
All pre-enrollments must be completed on the Universitaly website. Universitaly is the only official and free pre-enrollment portal for the Italian Ministry of University and Research. Applicants must select "Marco Polo / Turandot" as the reason for their visa application on the website, fill in the information, and send it to the pre-selected university. The university will then verify and confirm the application in accordance with the MUR's "Procedures for the Entry, Stay, Enrollment, and Recognition of Qualifications of International Students for the 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 Academic Years."
After completing pre-enrollment, students should apply for their visa according to the student visa document checklist published by the Embassy and fill out the forms designated by the Embassy.
Regular Channel: Visa Deadline for "Enrollment at a University"
Students applying directly for undergraduate or master's programs in Italy without using the Marco Polo/Turandot programs must also pre-enroll on Universitaly first. After receiving confirmation from the university, they can apply for the "Study - Enrollment at a University" visa. The MUR's procedural documents stipulate:
| Academic Year | Visa Application Deadline |
|---|---|
| 2026/27 | November 30, 2026 |
| 2027/28 | October 31, 2027 |
A few things to note:
- Only for degree programs: This deadline applies to undergraduate (Laurea), master's (Laurea Magistrale), and first- and second-level degrees at art institutions, including single-cycle degree programs.
- No unified deadline for other programs: There is no unified deadline for Master's degrees, PhDs, Erasmus, single courses, or foundation courses, but visa applications must not be submitted later than the start of the course.
- Universities may set earlier deadlines: Each university will specify on its official website the latest date by which students must submit their visa applications for each program. This date may be earlier than November 30 or October 31. Please refer to the university's official website.
- Pre-enrollment does not guarantee a visa: The MUR explicitly states that university confirmation of pre-enrollment does not guarantee an appointment for a visa at the Embassy, nor does it guarantee that a visa will be issued. The Embassy will also assess whether the student has any "immigration intent."
When submitting the visa application, in addition to the standard documents for a study visa, students must submit the summary receipt (RIEPILOGO) generated by the platform after university confirmation, as well as notarized educational documents (translated into Italian and authenticated), a Declaration of Value, or a certificate issued by CIMEA.
Advice for Students at Different Stages
- Enrolling in 2026/27 and already have university confirmation: Check the visa submission deadline on the university's official website, compare it with the general deadline of November 30, and book your appointment as early as possible.
- Planning to use Marco Polo/Turandot for 2028/29 enrollment: You can start arranging your Italian language courses now to ensure you complete at least 180 hours and reach A2 before departure; at the same time, evaluate your target universities based on the Gaokao score requirements.
- Wanting to enroll in 2027/28 but missed Marco Polo/Turandot: You can look into the language and admission requirements for the regular channel, or re-plan for the 2028/29 academic year.
This article is for informational purposes only. For visa and admission details, please refer to the latest announcements from the Italian Embassy in China, Universitaly, and the official websites of each university.
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