The University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo (UNISG) and the University for Foreigners in Siena (UNISTRASI) have initiated their collaboration by launching the Foundation[...]

A preparatory study period in Tuscany and Piedmont is offered for students who plan to enroll in the three-year Gastronomic Sciences and Cultures course at the University of Pollenzo

From the academic year 2024-2025, international students, primarily from countries with less than 12 years of schooling (a prerequisite for enrollment in an Italian university degree course), will benefit from a unique collaboration between UNISG and UNISTRASI of Siena. The Foundation Year program is explicitly designed to prepare these students for the three-year degree course in Gastronomic Sciences and Cultures.

The University for Foreigners in Siena introduced an annual preparatory study program called Foundation Year in the 2018 - 2019 academic year. This program is for international students looking to bolster their academic pathway before enrolling in Italian universities.

During the Foundation Year, students can acquire a solid foundation in linguistic, didactic, philological, literary, historical, and artistic studies, as well as disciplines relevant to future university courses. The University of Siena, an institution specializing in preparatory training for entry into Italian university courses, has also initiated a track in Gastronomic Sciences in partnership with the University of Pollenzo.

This track, designed for future gastronomes, is a 9-month course from October to June. It aims to provide a strong understanding of the Italian language while laying the groundwork for future studies in culinary arts.

The course is split into two parts: the first part, from October to March, consists of six months of language and cultural training at UNISTRASI in Siena. The second part, from March to June, includes three months at Pollenzo, where students are introduced to Gastronomic Sciences.

The quarterly course at UNISG includes subjects like oenogastronomic tourism, food systems and ecology, Agroecology and sustainable agriculture, plant production, and sensory analysis.
It also features hands-on activities such as educational visits and tasting sessions at agri-food and wine companies in the Langhe and Piedmont region.

Students wishing to join the Foundation Year have several options with varying fees, depending on their current or desired language proficiency.

For more information, you can also write to: [email protected]

The complete description of the Foundation Year program and its specifics is available on this page

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