The Master is a 2nd-cycle degree, but it does not give access to 3rd cycle programmes. An Italian Master is therefore different from a Master’s Degree in English speaking countries (which roughly corresponds to an Italian 2nd Level Degree Course).

Master's Programs (1st and 2nd level) are designed with the purpose of offering highly specialised courses, which are aligned with the changing demands of the business world.
The Master's degree program is not only an opportunity for recent universiyy graduates, but also a chance for individuals who have already entered the business world to improve their technical knowledge and to build on their professional achievements. The opportunities are even greater for individuals wishing to continue their university studies further, since each master's degree carries at least 60 university credits that may go towards other courses (first level degree courses), master (second level degree courses) or doctoral degrees at universities in Italy and elsewhere in Europe.

For more info, please read here.

Master Universitario di 1° livello (MU1)

Classification: 2nd cycle university degree; it may be either academic in nature or, more often, professionally-oriented.
Aim: provide graduates either with advanced scientific knowledge in a given field or with further professional education and training for better occupational opportunities.
Access: by an Italian 1st degree (Laurea-L3), or a comparable foreign one.
Admission: often by selective procedures, on the decision of the master programme director.
Workload: min. 60 ECTS credits
Length: min. 1 year
Subject sectors: most of the sectors covered by the 5 main subject areas.
Course structure: curricular articulation is decided upon autonomously by individual universities.
Degree: Diploma di Master Universitario di 1° livello (University Master-1st level degree)
Title: Master Universitario di 1° livello (University Master-1st level).
Professional openings: the same occupational sectors as those available to L3 graduates. Private and public employers generally appreciate the further academic/professional competences MU1 holders have acquired; e.g. in public competitions for L3-based posts within the civil service, applicants who additionally hold an MU1 are attributed additional scores.

Master Universitario di 2° livello (MU2)

Classification: 3rd cycle university degree; it may be either academic in nature or, more often, professionally-oriented.
Aim: provide postgraduates with a higher level of academic education in a given field, or with higher professional education and training for better occupational opportunities.
Access: by a Laurea Specialistica (LS), or a comparable foreign degree.
Admission: often by selective procedures, on the decision of the master programme director.
Workload: min. 60 ECTS credits.
Length: min. 1 year full time.
Subject sectors: most of the sectors covered by the 5 main subject areas.
Course structure: curricular articulation is determined autonomously by individual universities.
Degree: Diploma di Master Universitario di 2° livello (University Master-2nd level degree)
Title: Master Universitario di 2° livello (University Master-2nd level).
Professional openings: the same occupational sectors as those available to LS graduates. Private and public employers generally appreciate the higher academic/professional competences MU2 holders have acquired; e.g. in public competitions for LS-based posts within the civil service, applicants who also hold an MU2 are attributed additional scores.