The Accademia Italiana, founded in 1984, is one of the most prestigious university level Institutes for fashion, design and photography. It has headquarters in Florence and in Rome. The AI is the only private fine arts university in Florence and in Tuscany authorized to offer Bachelor's degree programs in Fashion, Design and Photography leading to degrees recognized by the MIUR (Italian Ministry of Education - D.M. n. 76 del 04/02/2013 and successive). The AI Rome has the same kind of accreditation. The AI also offers bachelor’s degrees accredited by important UK universities, masters programs and short courses. The Accademia Italiana also offers the possibility of attending an integrated program leading to double academic award (first level academic diploma recognized by MIUR and UK Bachelor's Degree). A new study opportunity involves the recent activation of special intensive one-year programs in Fashion Merchandising and Retail Design. Exchange programs are available with important universities in the USA and throughout the world, as well as affiliated programs in Asia