introductory year (60 ECTS)

Starting in October 2025, PISAI – the Pontifical Institute of Arabic and Islamic Studies – will initiate an Introductory Year aimed at those who wish to enrol in the Licentiate in Arabic and Islamic Studies but who do not yet have the language requirements.
This is a unique opportunity to acquire the basics of the Arabic language and approach the culture, religion and thought of the Arab-Islamic world.

Course objectives
This course prepares the candidate for access to the Licentiate in Arabic and Islamic Studies, the academic degree issued by the Holy See, which corresponds to the Italian Laurea Magistrale in Languages and Literatures of Asia and Africa (class LM-36), in accordance with the Decree of Correspondence between Italian Academic Degrees and those of the Holy See, published in 2024.

Who is it aimed at?
• Students with or without a bachelor’s degree
• People interested in the Arabic language and interfaith dialogue
• Future applicants for the Licentiate who need the first two language levels

Course Structure - Two Progressive Semesters (can be taken separately)

1st Semester (October - January)
Objective: A1 (CEFR) level
• Literacy and phonetics
• First grammatical structures
• Basic conversation and comprehension
• Elements of Arabic-Islamic culture

2nd Semester (February - June)
Objective: Level A2 (CEFR)
• Development of vocabulary and grammar
• Reading and production of simple texts
• Thematic and cultural insights
• Language workshops with original texts

Why choose the PISAI?
• The only Pontifical Institute entirely dedicated to Arabic and Islamic Studies
• Immersive and personalised teaching method
• International and interreligious community
• Direct access to the Licentiate (corresponding to the Italian LM-36 degree)
• Founded in 1926 and internationally recognised as a centre of excellence

For information and pre-registration:
info@pisai.it or 0658392611