ADMISSIONS  REQUIREMENTS

a. Invitation

The programme of the CICS at the Gregorian University  is particularly appropriate for those who intend to play a leadership role in communications in the Church, or who want to teach in a seminary or a Catholic university.  The possibility of doing an interdisciplinary Licentiate or Doctorate in Social Sciences with specialization in communication provides a comprehensive combination of courses which blend theory, research and practise. This allows the student to develop analytic and critical skills which helps   them understand and appreciate the role of communication and media in these changing times. 

It is crucial that students have a solid working knowledge of Italian as most courses are taught in Italian. The student may do examinations (written or oral) and write papers and theses in any of the five official languages of the Gregorian (Italian, English, French, Spanish, German and Portuguese).  In the summertime, there are opportunities in and around Rome to do one- or two-month courses in the Italian language

 b. Application Form

Send this form to the CICS well in advance. In due time, you will be informed if you are accepted for admission. After receiving word of your admission, you will complete the documents required for pre-registration.)

• Surname, name:

•  Full address.

• Telephone:

•  E-mail address:

•  Academic training completed, degree obtained, mark list, other examinations last passed    (photocopies of transcripts to be sent via email or as hard copy)

• Send whatever other documents (certificates, articles and books you have written)  that help you  earn  your eligibility to admission.

•  Why do you want to study communications at an Ecclesiastical university? (Answer in 500 words) 

A detailed letter of reference from your recommending authority
(only bishops\provincials\ generals etc)

c. Pre-Registration for CICS courses.

Pre-Registration for Courses at the Gregorian University

According to the procedure established by the Congregation for Catholic Education (official document n.1343/2001, 9 December 2003) the documents for pre-registration that the student not belonging to a country of the EEC- Schengen) must provide are:   

• Copies of the most recent University degrees obtained (photocopies are also accepted);

• A presentation by the student testifying as to why they want to attend the course, countersigned by the Ordinary of the Diocese of the student, or by the Provincial or Superior if the student is a member of a religious congregation;

The student must provide a document guaranteeing financial responsibility for tuition, food, lodging, medical care.  This can take the form of a declaration of responsibility or a certificate of  “presa in carico” (taken in charge) from the agency sponsoring the student, signed by the Chancellor of the Diocese, or by the Rector of Prefect of Studies of the College or Seminary or Convent where the student will reside.  In the case of a self-sustaining student, the declaration of responsibility is to be signed the relative or the individual who is providing the lodging and food. The declaration can also take the form of the certification of a scholarship from an agency external to the Gregorian, such as Renovabis, Kirche in Not, Propaganda Fide, Auxilium etc.)  On this declaration there must be the “nulla osta” stamp of the Ordinary of the Italian diocese to which the student belongs, or of the sponsoring agency.  In the case of the self-sustaining student, at the foot of the document, there must be the approval signature or stamp of the Ordinary of the student’s diocese of origin.  For the student belonging to a Religious congregation, a letter from the General, Provincial or Superior will suffice (See Ordo Anni Academici).

A certificate of scholarship fees, addressed to the Gregorian University from the student’s sponsor, from an external agency (Renovabis, Kirche in Not, Propaganda Fide, Auxilium etc) or from the Ordinary sponsoring the student.

In the absence of such documents the request for pre-registration will be denied by the Segreteria Generale (Office of the Registrar). 

 d.  Documents required for registration in the  CICS

 (once you have obtained a Visa from the Italian government)

·        A curriculum studiorum from the University where the student has studied; an original transcript of all the courses taken and of the grades obtained;

·        A letter of reference from an ecclesiastical authority (Bishop, Provincial Superior, Parish Priest, and in certain cases, a Professor in the University in which the student has studied,

·        A detailed Curriculum vitae including all relevant personal details, along with any academic work that has been published.  To the CV, please attach the photocopy of the page of the passport which includes the student’s personal data, and the student visa (for those who are not citizens of the EEC).

·        A letter in which the candidate explains why they wish to study at the Pontifical Gregorian University. In this letter, the student should describe any experience they have had in the area of communications media, an indication of the area the wish to pursue for their specialization in their studies in the CICS, and some idea of the work they would like to do in the future.

These documents must be presented to the Director of the CICS and they will be kept in the student’s file; they will be used to orient the student’s study programme for the Diploma, the Licentiate or the Doctorate.

It is possible that the Segreteria Generale (Registrar’s Office) of the University require similar documentation from the student, for their archives.

e. Formal Registration Sessions

To apply for any of the degree options or for further information on scholarships, write to:

The Director
The Center for Interdisciplinary Communication Studies
Pontifical Gregorian University, Piazza della Pilotta, 4
00187 Rome - Italy
telephone: +39-06-6701-5393              fax: +39-06-6701-5413