SIE

Dates and arrival

Arriving on Campus

Programme dates

  • Orientation: Monday, September 30th - Friday, October 4th, 2024
  • First trimester: October 7th - December 20th, 2024
  • Winter break: December 21st, 2024 - January 12th, 2025
  • Second trimester: January 13th - March 28th, 2025
  • Spring break: March 29th - April 6th, 2025
  • Third trimester: April 7th - June 20th, 2025

Foundation Year students receive comprehensive pre-departure arrival information and assistance with the visa process, and upon arrival will find out how to access students services at Ca’ Foscari such as fully equipped libraries (open late), student cafeterias, campus-wide wifi, the buddy programme for international students, and more.

Teaching

Our Foundation Year is offered completely on Campus with face-to-face classes and additional online content and support. Each course will have a Moodle page detailing course information, contacts, and activities.

Should students have documented difficulties with travel or delays to visa requests, they should contact the programme management and may be authorised to arrive late. We strongly encourage students to arrive in Venice at the beginning of the program in October, as the learning experience is much greater immersed in the city and the culture.

Visa requirements

If you pay the first instalment on time (and the task is resolved within your application) the School will be able to confirm that you are enrolled in the programme, and you will then be able to proceed with your visa application.

Please note that enrolment in the Ca' Foscari Foundation Year for students from non-EU countries is only completed when they receive the visa. Your visa needs to be requested once you have been accepted and have received your letter of eligibility, by pre-enrolling through the Universitaly portal.

Housing

We have a limited number of places at the Santa Marta Residence reserved for Foundation Year students and will send information on how to request one of the places to you as soon as the application process is over, around late June/early July.

Accommodation in Venice can seem limited, and hard to find, but if you are well-prepared and and get organised early, there are a lot of options available. If you wish to receive information on all accommodation options our Housing Office can assist you for a small fee: find out more on Housing and canteens webpage.

Residence permit

All non-EU students staying in Italy for longer than 90 days are required to apply for a Residence permit (Permesso di soggiorno). You will need to prepare your documents and apply at the Post Office as soon as you arrive. You will then be given an appointment at the Questura (Police station).
For further information see the webpage Students: your stay, insurance, transport, or contact immigrationteam@unive.it.


Budget

Living expenses

Your weekly grocery shop will be around 40-50 euros, but if you wish to eat out, that will cost around 10 to 30 euros per meal.

In terms of transportation, getting around Venice is always best if you go on foot, but you can take the vaporetto (public transport by boat) for €9,50 (for a 75 minute trip). Alternatively, you can register for the transport pass "Venezia Unica card" for all public transport (bus, tram, vaporetto) which normally costs €100, but with special discounts applying to students under the age of 26, you can buy it for €20. More information is available onVenezia Unica City Pass webpage.

Accommodation can be expensive in Venice, so we strongly advise you to come prepared with a budget that allows you to cover your rent for the entire programme.

Working while studying

Seeing as the Foundation Year programme is not a university level programme, there are no specific funds to support Foundation students, as they are not yet enrolled in a degree programme. While we understand some students may choose to work during the programme, we do not encourage it because lessons can be planned at any point during the day, from 8:30 AM to 7 PM, and the workload for this programme is intensive.

We therefore strongly recommend students to come to Venice with the necessary funds for covering all expenses once they arrive.