Foundation Courses

Italian language and culture, songwriting and creative writing, history of music and Italian style, music theory and ear training, music production, and specialist studies in sound engineering, electronic music, composition, applied music, jazz and pop.

The course starts at the end of October and ends in July. The Saint Louis Foundation Course combines Italian language, culture and humanities studies with intensive musical training, allowing students to develop academic, linguistic and artistic competencies simultaneously throughout the programme. While the language and humanities modules contribute to the achievement of the academic requirements needed for access to Bachelor’s degree programmes in Italy, the music curriculum provides between 300 and 400 hours of specialised training, depending on the chosen pathway. Through a combination of theoretical instruction, practical workshops and project-based learning, students acquire the technical, creative and methodological skills required to successfully undertake the admission examinations for Saint Louis First-Level Academic Programmes.

Three dedicated curricula are available:

Sound Engineering & Electronic Music

Designed for students interested in audio technologies, sound design and digital music production. This pathway provides the foundations required for direct admission to the Saint Louis First-Level Academic Programmes in Sound Engineering (Tecnico del Suono) and Electronic Music (Musica Elettronica).

Composition & Applied Music

Focused on composition techniques, orchestration, music production and music for visual media. The programme offers direct access to the Saint Louis First-Level Academic Programmes in Composition and Applied Music, with a particular emphasis on skills and methodologies related to film scoring and audiovisual production.

Jazz & Pop

Designed for aspiring performers, songwriters and contemporary musicians, this pathway develops instrumental, rhythmic and ensemble skills within modern music languages. Students may progress directly to Saint Louis First-Level Academic Programmes or enter the most advanced levels of the institution’s Pre-Academic Courses, according to their artistic profile and achieved competencies.

The Saint Louis Foundation Course comprises language, culture and writing lessons in Italian, alongside music-specific theoretical and practical activities delivered in English. To be admitted, students must have a certified level of English language knowledge of B1/B2. As far as knowledge of the Italian language is concerned, it is preferable, but not compulsory, to already possess a B1 level.

General Information

• Period: from 26 October 2026 to July 2027
• Language: Italian and English
• Language Requirements: level B1/B2 of English.
• Enrolment deadline: 24 October
• Cost: € 8,500

FIVE MAIN SUBJECTS

Italian language and culture, writing workshop, history of art, design and Italian style, specific course in photography, video, art and design.
The course starts on 26 October and ends in July. The 60 credits obtained will allow access to first-level academic courses at RUFA without having to take the entrance examination, or at any other institution (considering the general rule of the teaching and decision-making autonomy of each individual educational entity), and may not be recognised for the purposes of reducing the teaching load of subsequent degree programmes.

Discover the study Plan

(T) = Theoretical subjects – (TP) = Theoretical/practical subjects

(Rome) = Foundation Course in Rome – (Milan) = Foundation Course in Milan

The RUFA Foundation Course comprises language, culture and writing lessons in Italian, and more purely artistic RUFA lessons held in English. To be admitted, students must have a certified level of English language knowledge of B1/B2. As far as knowledge of the Italian language is concerned, it is preferable, but not compulsory, to already possess a B1 level.

General Information

• Period: from 26 October 2026 to July 2027
• Language: Italian and English
• Language Requirements: level B1/B2 of English.
• Enrolment deadline: 24 October
• Cost: € 8,500

The course starts at the end of October and ends in July. The 60 credits obtained will allow access to CAST Bachelor in Culinary Arts & Hospitality Management without having to take the entrance examination, or at any other institution (considering the general rule of the teaching and decision-making autonomy of each individual educational entity), and may not be recognised for the purposes of reducing the teaching load of subsequent degree programmes.

The CAST Foundation Course comprises language, culture and writing lessons in Italian, and practical lessons held in English. To be admitted, students must have a certified level of English language knowledge of B1/B2. As far as knowledge of the Italian language is concerned, it is preferable, but not compulsory, to already possess a B1 level. 

General Information

• Period: from 26 October 2026 to July 2027
• Language: Italian and English
• Language Requirements: level B1/B2 of English.
• Enrolment deadline: 24 October
• Cost: € 8,500