About us

A professional approach to language education

At CIELS, language learning is supported by practical activities, workshops, simulations and professional-oriented teaching.

The teaching staff includes academics and professionals from the relevant fields. This approach allows students to connect theoretical knowledge with practical applications and real professional contexts.

Study languages and professional specializations

A distinctive element of the CIELS educational model is the combination of foreign languages and professional specialization.

English is compulsory. Depending on the programme and academic year, students can study additional languages including French, German, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese and Russian. Optional language opportunities may also be available according to the programme and regulations.

The three-year degree programme combines language education with professional subjects and practical activities. Students can choose from different areas of specialization according to their interests and professional goals.

A teaching model built around professional skills

CIELS combines three complementary dimensions:

Languages
Foreign-language learning develops communication, translation and mediation skills.

Specialization
Students connect language education with a specific professional field.

Practice
Workshops, simulations, case studies and internships help students apply what they learn.

This model allows students to build an academic pathway that connects linguistic competencies with professional interests.

A learning community connected with academia and professional practice

CIELS combines academic teaching with contributions from professionals working in different fields.

The institution’s educational activities include workshops, seminars, conferences, international guest lectures and recruitment events. These activities complement the degree programmes and create additional opportunities for students to engage with professional and international perspectives.

Learning through practice

Language education at CIELS is designed to go beyond classroom theory.

Students work with translation and interpreting techniques, professional exercises, simulations and workshops. Depending on the chosen programme, activities can include written translation, dialogue interpreting, consecutive and simultaneous interpreting, audiovisual translation and technologies supporting translation and interpreting.

The curriculum also incorporates contemporary technologies, like Artificial Intelligence, machine learning and Computer-Assisted Translation among the tools and subjects integrated into selected study pathways.

Internships and professional experience

Internships are an important connection between academic education and the professional environment.

The institution has more than 400 agreements with organisations, partners and companies for professional experiences. The curricular internship is included in both the L-12 and LM-94 pathways, with the specific structure depending on the programme.

This practical dimension supports the development of professional skills alongside academic and linguistic preparation.

International opportunities at CIELS

International experience is another component of the CIELS educational model.

The institution reports agreements with more than 65 European and non-European academic institutions through its Erasmus+ network. Students can apply for international study opportunities through the relevant calls and may also access Erasmus+ Placement opportunities for professional experiences abroad.

Areas of specialization

The CIELS educational offer includes areas such as:

• Security and Social Defense – Criminology
• Business Management for Internationalization of Business
• International and Diplomatic Organizations
• Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations
• Tourism Management and International Trade
• Applied Intercultural Language Mediation
• Dubbing, Multimedia Communication and Translation
• Culinary Arts and Hospitality
• Business Communication, Finance and Tourism Management

The master’s degree programme in Strategic Communication includes specializations in conference interpreting, digital business and internationalization, specialized translation, audiovisual translation, dubbing, text adaptation and subtitling.

Degree programmes and academic pathways

CIELS offers different levels of education for students and professionals who want to develop language and specialized skills.

The L-12 programme is a three-year, 180-CFU degree and the LM-94 programme is a two-year, 120-CFU degree.

CIELS has campuses in Padua, Brescia, Bologna and Palermo. Each location provides teaching and study spaces designed to support academic and practical activities.

Padua

The Padua campus includes classrooms, interpreting and computer laboratories, study areas, a library and spaces for extracurricular activities. The campus is surrounded by an approximately 11,000 m² park.

Brescia

The Brescia campus is located in the Tre Torri business centre and includes teaching and study spaces. The facility has also been expanded to provide additional areas for students.

Bologna

The Bologna campus is located close to the railway station and the city’s cultural centre. It includes classrooms, a library and a simultaneous interpreting laboratory.

Palermo

The Palermo campus includes classrooms, laboratories, study areas and spaces for extracurricular activities. The location covers approximately 1,113 m² and includes interpreting facilities and a language laboratory.

CIELS is designed for students who want to connect foreign languages with a specific professional direction.

The model is particularly relevant for students interested in international communication, translation and interpreting, international business, diplomacy, marketing, tourism, audiovisual communication or other professional areas included in the CIELS educational offer.

The CIELS model in brief

• Founded in 2010
• Established by Ministerial Decree of 31 March 2010
• L-12 three-year Language Mediation degree programme
• LM-94 two-year Strategic Communication master’s degree programme
• Four campuses: Padua, Brescia, Bologna and Palermo
• Foreign-language training combined with professional specialization
• Workshops, simulations and practical activities
• More than 400 internship agreements
• More than 65 academic agreements for international mobility