General
- What is a “Dichiarazione di Valore in Loco” (DV), what do I need it for?
The “Declaration of Value” is a document of an informative nature that describes the foreign qualification in question and provides every useful piece of information to allow the relevant Italian authorities to evaluate the qualification itself for the purposes of its recognition in Italy. The Declaration of Value does not imply any recognition, equivalence or approval of the qualification to which it refers. - How can I contact you?
You can contact us by email at this address: scuole.londra@esteri.it - Where can I find the required documents to request a DV?
The list of necessary documents related to school, academic or professional qualifications to request a Declaration of Value can be found on our online page at the following link - Where can I download the form to request a DV?
The application form can be downloaded here - How can I obtain an Italian equivalence (equipollenza) of my qualification?
The responsibility for declaring the equivalence (called “Equipollenza”) of foreign qualifications to similar Italian ones lies with the relevant Italian authorities (Ministry of Education, Ministry of University and Research (MUR), Provincial School Offices, Universities, etc.) based on the type of qualification you hold.
The procedure for the recognition of British qualifications in Italy, for both pursuing your studies (school / university) and for work, requires the “Dichiarazione di Valore” by the relevant Italian Consulate. The Consulate, therefore, only deals with issuing, at the applicant’s request, the “Dichiarazione di Valore” necessary to complete the procedures in Italy outlined above. - I live in the UK but I have obtained my degree in a country other than the UK. Can I request a Declaration of Value from the Italian Consulate in London?
No, this is not possible. The Qualifications Office of this Consulate can issue a “Dichiarazione di Valore” only if the British qualifications/professional qualifications have been issued by officially recognised secondary education/academic institutions or professional bodies. Here are two examples:
Case 1: I studied at The British School, New Delhi (India) and I achieved three A levels (which fall under the British school system).
For the DV you have to contact the Consulate General in London and not the Italian Embassy in New Delhi.
Case 2: I studied in London at HULT International Business School and obtained a Bachelor in Business Administration (which falls under the US university system).
For the DV you have to contact the Italian Consulate in Boston. Although HULT International Business School qualifications are accredited in United Kingdom by Ashridge Business School on the basis of a strategic alliance, their programme of studies are based on the US university system (NECHE) and not on the British University system.
- I need to enrol at an Italian University and I didn’t receive the Secondary Certificates issued by the Examining Body, they will be available in September/October: Can I still request the DV?
No, the DV can only be issued with the final “Certificates” therefore we cannot accept Provisional Results or Predicted Results. - I have a qualification from the University of Glasgow, how do I request a Declaration of Value?
Qualifications obtained in Scotland or Northern Ireland fall under the jurisdiction of the Consolato Generale d’Italia in Edimburgo. - I hold a Bachelor/Master/PHD obtained with “University of Manchester”, “University of Leicester”, “University of Liverpool”, where do I apply for the Declaration of Value?
The Consulate of Italy in Manchester is competent for the issuing of Declaration of Equal Value for those qualifications obtained in the following Counties: Cheshire, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Durham, East Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Merseyside, North Yorkshire, Northumberland, Nottinghamshire, Rutland, Shropshire, South Yorkshire, Staffordshire, Tyne and Wear, West Midlands, West Yorkshire, and Isle of Man.
Postage
- Do I have to include a prepaid envelope?
If the applicant wishes to receive the DV and related documentation at a UK address, they will need to include a pre-paid A4 size envelope (preferably Special Delivery) when submitting the application.
If the applicant wishes to receive their DV and related documentation at a non-UK address (including Italy), the shipping costs will be calculated according to the country of destination. In this case, you can include a plain (not padded) non-prepaid A4 envelope, complete with the recipient’s address at the time of submitting the application. - Which postal service can I use to send the documentation?
The choice of the postal service is at the complete discretion of the applicant. It is advisable to opt for a tracked delivery, so you will be able to track and trace the documents sent at any time and verify their correct delivery. - Which address should I send the request to?
Please send the request, with all the necessary documentation, to the following address:
Ufficio Titoli di Studio
Consolato Generale d’Italia
“Harp House”, 83/86 Farringdon Street,
EC4A 4BL London. - Will I be notified when you receive my application with the documentation?
Given the high number of requests, it is not possible for us to notify each applicant of the receipt of their package upon delivery by the post office or a courier. For this reason, we invite you to use a tracked delivery, which allows you to independently verify the delivery. - The shipment appears to have been delivered to the Consulate. Why haven’t I received any communication from you?
Given the high number of requests, it is not possible for us to notify each applicant of the receipt of their package upon delivery by the post office or a courier. Generally, the first communication that the applicant receives from us is an email with our request for payment of consular fees and/or shipping costs. This, however, takes place several days after delivery, within the processing time period of approximately 30 days.
Payment
- Can my DV be free-of-charge?
The DV is issued free of charge, only if you request it to pursue your studies in Italy. For work-related reasons, the service is subject to a fee, both for Italian and for foreign citizens. - How can I prove that I request my DV to pursue my studies in Italy?
For example, you can submit proof of registration at any university or higher education institution (e.g.: application for “enrolment”, or a letter certifying “enrolment”).
PLEASE NOTE (only for Italian citizens abroad): you must present proof of residence (e.g., registration with AIRE, registration and payment of utilities, presentation of the council tax payment, bank statement) and proof of registration with the Italian university. - How much does a DV cost?
The cost of a “Declaration of Value” corresponds to articles 66N and 72A of the consular fees. In addition, postage fees (which vary depending on the destination) must be added, if the applicant wishes to receive their DV and related documentation at a non-UK address (including Italy). Please consider these figures as indicative and subject to possible changes in the Consular Tariff. - When do I have to pay?
The payment can only be made after the office has reviewed your application and supporting documentation.The exact amount to be paid (in accordance with the rates in force) will be communicated via email directly to you. - Can I pay before submitting my DV application?
The consular fees can only be paid after the request has been reviewed by the office. - How can I make the payment?
The payment can only be made by bank transfer. - Where can I find information to make the bank transfer?
All the necessary information will be sent to the interested parties via email. - Can I pay in Euros or any other currency than the one requested (Pounds Sterling)?
Payments to the Consulate General of Italy in London can only be made in Pounds Sterling (GBP). Euros or other currencies are not accepted.
TRANSLATION
- What do you mean by translation of the qualification?
We mean the translation of the “degree certificate/certificate/diploma”, for example, a Bachelor, a Master, etc. - Do I have to provide a translation of the diploma/qualification?
A translation from English to Italian is required for the following:
academic qualifications: Bachelor, Master, MPhil, PhD, as well as Postgraduate Certificate of Education / Bachelor of Education, including QTS and Induction certificates,
professional qualifications.
The translation of secondary school qualifications (G.C.S.E., Advanced Subsidiary and Advanced Level) is not required. - Is it necessary to translate the Transcripts, the Diploma Supplement, the letter of attendance, or other documents other than the diploma/degree certificate?
No, it is not necessary to translate these documents.
PLEASE NOTE: Those who apply for a DV of a Postgraduate Certificate of Education/Bachelor of Education, accompanied by QTS and Induction certificates, are also requested to provide the translations of the latter in addition to the translation of the PGCE certificate. - The Italian Authorities asked an official translation of my Diploma Supplement (or of the Transcript / Syllabus / Letter of attendance or other documents than the final qualifications) certified by the Consulate. How can I obtain it?
This Consulate does not carry out certified translations. It is possible to obtain a sworn translation (“Traduzione giurata/asseverata”) for the above documents by contacting a sworn translator (“Traduttore giurato”) directly in Italy. Any law court (tribunale) in Italy has a list of “sworn translators” which is part of the so-called “Albo dei Consulenti Tecnici d’Ufficio” – literally “Register of consultants of the law court”) that you can consult. - Is it necessary to provide you with a “certified” translation of my degree/certificate?
No, a “certified” translation is not necessary for the purpose of obtaining a Declaration of Value. You may submit a simple translation of it which will be certified by the Qualifications Office. - Do I have to ask for a professional translation of my degree/certificate?
This is not necessary for the purpose of obtaining a Declaration of Value”. The translation of the degree/certificate alone can be done by the interested party or by third parties, as long as they have adequate skills in the Italian language. - I have already sent you a translation. Why was I requested to provide another one via email?
An editable Word format translation is needed in case your translation requires further editing or because it needs some corrections. - Do you confirm receipt of payment?
Given the high number of requests that we process daily, we usually do not write to the interested parties to confirm receipt of payment. If this does not reach us within 15 days, we will contact you. - Can I have a receipt/invoice?
We do not issue receipts/invoices for the payment of consular fees.The revenue stamps affixed to the documents are proof of payment of the consular fees and show the amount paid (in Pounds Sterling).
CERTIFIED, VERIFIED AND LEGALISED COPIES OF RECOGNISED BRITISH QUALIFICATIONS
- Is it possible to request the verified and certified copies of the original certificates from a non-UK-based “Notary Public”?
No, the copies of the original certificates must be verified and certified by UK-based Notaries. Once the verified and certified copy of the document has been obtained from the “Notary Public”, it must be legalised by means of the apostille issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). - Can I send you my original degree/certificate/diploma legalised with an apostille?
We strongly advise against the circulation of the original diplomas as they are unique copies and, if lost, cannot be reproduced. We therefore invite you to follow the correct procedure to produce a verified, certified and legalised copy of the degree/certificate/diploma. - I have submitted a certified copy of my qualification executed by an official of an Italian municipality/Italian Is it valid for the purpose of applying for a Declaration of Value?
No, this type of certification cannot be accepted for the purpose of issuing a Declaration of Value because it cannot be legalised by means of an FCDO apostille.