First-cycle programmes are provided by universities, by the institutes of the Higher education for the fine arts, music and dance (Alta formazione artistica, musicale e coreutica – AFAM) and by the Higher technological institutes (ITSs or ITS Academies). For further details on the types of institutes please refer to the relevant section.

Universities and AFAM institutions offer bachelor's programmes (ISCED 6) corresponding to 180 ECTS credits (DM 270/2004, DPR 212/2005). Programmes offered by universities and AFAM institutes are designed to provide students with an adequate mastery of methods, a general scientific knowledge and artistic techniques, as well as the acquisition of professional competences in a specific field of studies. For further details on the curriculum please refer to the relevant section.

At the end of the relevant three-year programme, university students are awarded a bachelor's degree called laurea, whereas the qualification awarded to AFAM students is called Diploma accademico di primo livello (first-level academic degree). For further details on certifications please refer to the relevant section.

Higher technological institutes (Istituti tecnologici superiori – ITS Academies) offer both short-cycle and bachelor's programmes, corresponding to the ISCED 5 and ISCED 6 levels respectively. Programmes at ITSs have the purpose of training high level technicians with strong competences in new technological sectors that are strategic for the economic development and competitiveness of the country. At the end of a short-cycle programme, students obtain a qualification called diploma di specializzazione per le tecnologie applicate, while those ending a tree-year bachelor programme obtain a diploma di specializzazione superiore per le tecnologie applicate.

All the qualifications issued in the Italian education and training system, both State and Regional, are referenced to the NQF (pp. 85-89) that corresponds to the EQF. Qualifications issued by universities and AFAM institutions are also described in the Italian qualification framework of Higher education (QTI).