The official instructional courses are pub. lic, except the practical exercises and the ex perimental demonstrations which the teachers may limit to those who are enrolled in their courses.
A distinction is made between students and those who attend the lectures (uditori). The students, at the close of their studies, have the privilege of obtaining the academic degrees, conferred by the faculty or school to which they belong; the studies pursued by the utfitori, on the other hand, are of no value in obtaining an academic degree. In order to matriculate, students must have obtained the diploma of graduation granted by a lyceum, or some other equally valuable certificate according to the gen eral regulations, or the special regulations of the faculty or school, concerning admission to the various courses of study. Under specific conditions laid down by Art. 12 of the General Regulations, both foreigners and Italians may matriculate, or continue their studies in the Italian universities, even though not natives or sons of Italian citizens, having or having had their usual domicile hi foreign countries.
In the various faculties, or schools, there are held special examinations and examinations for certificates, for bachelor's degrees, and for diplomas according to the special regulations. The special examinations and the examinations for certificates are held in two sessions; the first begins on 16 June; the second on 16 Octo ber. The examinations for the degree of bachelor and for diplomas are held during the scholastic year at certain times appointed by the Council of the Faculty. All the examina tions are public.
Every scholastic year a competition is opened between the young bachelors of the various universities and the institutes for higher in struction dependent on the Ministry of Public Instruction for a sum of money (scholarship) intended to place them in a position to perfect themselves in their studies at a national or foreign university, or to undertake a course of travel for the sake of study.
The entire course in the faculty of medicine and surgery is completed in six years, whereas the complete course of study lasts only four years in the faculties of jurisprudence of phys ical sciences and of philosophy and literature.
Schools of Teachers.— To the faculties of philosophy and belles-lettres, physical science, and of mathematical and natural science are annexed schools of teachers, whose object is to perfect the alumni in the art of teaching philosophic, literary and scientific discipline in the lyceums, in the gymnasiums, in the technical and normal schools and in the technical insti tutes. These are presided over by a director
nominated by the Ministry for three years. The lectures they hold are private. The school of teachers annexed to the faculty of philosophy and belles-lettres inchides four thipartmenti, and requires a two-year attendance of each stu dent who is enrolled in it.
Royal Normal High School of Pisa.— The Royal High School of Pisa deserves particular mention whether it be on account of Its special discipline, or on account of its importance. 'Its object is to prepare and equip for the position of professor or teacher of intermediate schools.' It was established in Pisa by the Grand Duke, 28 Nov. 1846; or, to speak more correctly, re-established. For already at the end of 1813, by a Napoleonic decree (29 Jamb. ary) there was established in this city an ancillary of that Normal School of Paris which was rebuilt by the same Napoleonic govern ment in 1808 on the site of the ancient French Normal School, founded in 1795 under the supervision of the Convention. The govern ment of the school is entrusted to a council of managers presided over by the rector of the University of Pisa. The director of the school is chosen by the Minister of Instruction from among the professors in ordinary of the faculty of philosophy and belles-lettres and front -that of mathematics, physics and natural science of the same university.
Schools of Pedagogics.—By a royal decree of 1 Feb. 1906, there was established near the Royal University of the Kingdom (in the faculty of belles-lettres and philosophy) a course of higher studies (in proficiency) for the licentiates (graduates) of the normal schools with the view of preparing them for the position of school inspector and school prin cipal. The course covers two years, but may be completed in one year by anyone who, in addition to the requirements of the enrolment has also obtained a bachelor's degree or a diploma in Italian literature, history, peda gogics, conferred by the royal higher female institutes in Rome and Florence.