Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a unitary parliamentary republic within the European Union, located in Southern Europe. To the north, it borders France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia along the Alps.

A PhD, or Doctorate of Philosophy, is the highest degree awarded in many academic fields. Generally requiring a research project and dissertation, as well as several years of study, a doctorate degree qualifies the holder as an expert in a chosen field.

Part-time learning allows one to obtain a degree or qualification even if one cannot attend school on a full-time basis. One can learn at one's own pace, gradually accumulating credits that count towards a final qualification.