Italy is a boot-shaped nation located in Europe with beautiful landscapes, ancient monuments, art, developed cities as well as a great education. Italy is home to some of the most pursued and highly developed oldest universities in the world like the University of Bologna and it draws the attention of international students every year. The tuition fees for most universities are also affordable and there are about 32,000 international students currently studying there, including exchange program students. The country is also one of the four countries which created the European Area of Higher Education.

Currently, the country has more than 500 programs that are taught in English which will, of course, be very beneficial for international aspirants. The study abroad destination has a total of 97 universities in Italy which are divided into several categories: State universities, other publicly funded universities, Private universities, and Graduate Schools. Higher education is divided into several sectors and Indian students get the option of studying there after completing their 12th.

The bachelor’s degrees last for about 3 years while master’s degrees last for mostly one year. Most publicly funded universities have a tuition fee ranging from 900 euros to 4000 euros per year while most private universities have tuition fees of 6000 euros to 20,000 euros per year. It is preferable that the students learn Italian since it will be easier to communicate with the locals as well as in the classroom.

Top Italian Universities

Usually, publicly funded universities cost anywhere between 4000 euros to 9000 euros while private universities have tuition fees of 6000 euros to 20,000 euros. The annual tuition fees for the most popular universities in Italy are given below in a table format.

Name of the university Annual Tuition Fees (INR)
Sacred Heart University 11 crores
IULM University of Milan 7 crores
University of Pavia 3 crores
University of Milan 2 crores
The Polytechnic University of Milan 2.9 crores
University of Trento 2.9 crores
University of Padua 2 crores
University of Genoa 2 crores
Ca Foscari University of Venice 1 crore
Sapienza University 73 lakhs

How to Apply to Italian Universities as an International Student?

There are different application requirements for different universities and an aspirant has to abide by all of them to apply. They should first select and shortlist the universities they are planning to apply to and then check out the application requirements. To apply to an Italian university, an international student should follow the steps mentioned below.

  • Firstly, the student should check the websites of each individual university after selecting and shortlisting the ones that they prefer. Some universities might require additional documents like a statement of purpose or multiple recommendation letters, and they should be checked accordingly.
  • Italian language tests like CILS and CELI are accepted across most universities and institutes offering courses in English and also require English proficiency test scores like TOEFL iBT, IELTS, etc.
  • After that, the student should contact the universities they are planning to apply to and ask for a prior assessment. If the student meets the admission demands of the specific university, they will receive confirmation and thus they can further submit a pre-application request to an Italian embassy in their area.
  • The Italian embassy or consulate will then submit the student’s application and documents to the Italian institution they are planning to apply to. The embassy usually publishes a list of admitted candidates at the end of August.

Language Requirements for Studying in Italy

Most English programs are offered mostly at postgraduate levels and therefore students applying for bachelor’s courses should learn Italian. There are mostly two Italian language proficiency tests accepted in universities there. They are noted below.

  • CILS- This exam is taken in Italy and the Italian Institutes of Culture all around the world.
  • CELI- This exam is taken in certified centers in partnership with the University of Perugia.

Also, universities that offer English courses accept TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, C1 advanced, or anyone out of those. The language requirements for each university should be noted by the candidate. Some of the most popular institutes in Italy and their language requirements are tabulated below:

Name of the University Language Proficiency Requirements
Sapienza University of Rome A minimum of B2 level in CEFR is required for admission.
University of Bologna A minimum of B1 level in CEFR is required for admission.
University of Padua A B2 level in Italian is required.
University of Milan TOEFL and Italian language proficiency tests are accepted.
University of Pisa A minimum TOEFL score of 90 is accepted.
University of Trento An IELTS score of 5.5 or TOEFL iBT score with no skill lower than 18 or a minimum PTE score of 42 accepted.
Polytechnic University of Milan TOEFL CBT score of 210, TOEFL iBT score of 78, TOEFL PBT score of 547, IELTS score of 6 accepted.
Polytechnic University of Turin An IELTS score of 5.5 or higher is accepted.
University of Rome A minimum IELTS score of 6.5 accepted.
University of Turin A Cambridge score of 173, PTE score of 65, IELTS score of 6.5, and TOEFL iBt score of 79 accepted.
University of Florence A 6.5 score in IELTS or 71 in TOEFl iBT is required.
Universita Degli Studi di Milano Buocca ITA- L2 test is required for admission.

Documents Required for Studying in Italy

Some universities have their specific set of requirements which must be checked thoroughly before applying. There are additional requirements as well, which must be verified and materials should be submitted accordingly. In general, the following documents are required for admission to Italian universities.

  • A valid identity document and a passport of the student.
  • Academic transcripts of the applicant from all the institutes they have studied
  • Scorecards including results of local or national high school examinations
  • The university application form must be filled with all the relevant details and then submitted.
  • A detailed study program explaining all the subjects taken by the student.
  • A professional CV/Resume is required.
  • Financial documents containing bank statements or sponsorship letters
  • Language proficiency test scores must be provided.
  • Letters of recommendation from academic teachers.
  • A letter of motivation or a statement of purpose.
  • A portfolio is required in the case of architecture, urban planning, and design applicants.
  • Standardized test scores like SAT/ACT can be submitted even though they are optional and master’s programs require GRE/GMAT scores.
  • Master’s applicants should provide a bachelor’s degree from their former institution in their home country.
  • Video interviews or auditions can be required in the case of some programs.
  • Work experience is optional but is recommended in business programs.

Students can also include mention of their other achievements and build a strong CV in general to increase their chances of being selected. Details of participation in sports, art-based programs, community projects, social service, etc can also highlight the application of the individual.

Top Italian universities: Application Deadlines

Usually, the application deadlines for Italian universities differ, but from mid-April to mid-May, students are advised to contact the embassy in their home country to receive a letter of Academic eligibility and sustainability. Following that, in August, the embassy puts up a list of all the accepted candidates for the selected programs and students take the language tests as well as other additional tests during this period. In September, the decision is finalized, after which students can start making travel arrangements and looking up on-campus or off-campus housing. A table containing information about the topmost Italian universities as well as their application deadlines is given below:

Name of the University Application Deadline
University of Bologna First admission intake- From November 25 2021 to January 20, 2022, Second admission intake- From January 21, 2022 to March 24, 2022 Third admission intake- From march 25, 2022 to June 30, 2022 Fourth admission intake- From July 1, 2022 to September 1, 2022
University of Sapienza Pre-selection applications are currently open
University of Padua First call- 2nd November to 2 February Second call- 2 March to 2 June
University of Trento Round 1- Early December Round 2- Early February Round 3- Mid March Round 4- Early May
University of Naples Frederico May 31, 2022
Polytechnic University of Milan September intake first call- 15 February 2022 September intake second call- 20 April 2022
University of Rome Tor Vergata January 31, 2022
Vita Salute San Raefelle University December 16
Polytechnic University of Turin Admissions are currently open
University of Florence Summer application- May 1 Fall application- August 1 Spring application- December 15
University of Turin January 12 May 11 May 20
University of Pavia Opening starts at April 15, 2022, Phase 1- April 15 to June 30 2022 Phase 2- August 29 to September 9 2022

Italian Student Visa

An international student who wishes to study in Italy will need to acquire a student visa from the Italian embassy or consulate in their home country. To get a more detailed idea of how to get a student visa, one can also visit the MAECI website and provide the necessary details. A student belonging to a Non-European country will also have to get hold of a residence permit which will grant them the permission to stay in the country beyond a period of 3 months. If they do not wish to get a permanent residence, they can apply for a temporary residence which will be renewed every year.

To apply for an Italian student visa, the student should schedule a visa interview around 4 to 6 weeks in advance at the Italian embassy or consulate in their home country. It is ideal for someone to apply for a student visa around 3 months before their arrival in Italy, since the processing time of the application may take 1-3 weeks and sometimes even longer.

There are several documents that a student needs to carry to the visa interview. They are stated below:

  • Recent passport size photographs.
  • Acceptance letter from the Italian university.
  • Visa application fee receipt which is 50 euros.
  • A valid travel document that should extend beyond 3 months of the student’s stay period in Italy.
  • A valid passport.
  • Proof that the student has already made accommodation arrangements before arriving in the country.
  • Financial proof for showing they can pay the tuition and living expenses which is at least 900 euros per month.
  • A paid health insurance of about 150 euros for the first year of studies.
  • Academic transcripts, degrees, and diplomas from all institutes attended in their home country.
  • Proof of language proficiency can be Italian language or English proficiency test scores.
  • Paid health insurance of about 150 euros for the first year of study.
  • Additional requirements like recommendations, statement of purpose, work history, etc.

After the interview is conducted, the authorities will let the student know if any additional documentation is required. Once all the formalities are completed, and the student is accepted for a student visa in Italy, they will be contacted and given one.

Scholarships for Studying in Italy

Studying abroad can be a costly affair for most students but luckily, Italy is one of those countries which are more affordable compared to others. Most publicly funded universities have a tuition fee ranging from 900 euros to 4000 euros per year while most private universities have tuition fees of 6000 euros to 20,000 euros per year. Even so, there is a range of financial aid and scholarships which can be availed by international students to ease the educational expense even further.

There are scholarships that cover tuition fees as well as living costs. Scholarships mostly depend on the student’s merit, therefore it is advisable for international aspirants to maintain a stellar academic record to be considered for them. There are also federal work-study opportunities as well as loan options that students can use to pay off their fees while studying at an Italian university. Some of the most popular scholarships meant for international students, their eligibility criteria, and the amount covered are listed below.

Name of the scholarship Eligibility criteria Amount covered
EDISU Piemonte scholarships International students enrolled in bachelor's, master’s, phD courses enrolled in University of Piemonte should meet the merit and economic requirements. The amount varies based on several criteria.
Bologna University study grants for international students Students who have enrolled in the master’s program at the university of Bologna. A total of 11,059 euros and full tuition fee waivers.
University of Pavia International Scholarships for Developing country students Students from developing countries who maintain a notable academic record. About 8,000 euros.
Bocconi Merit international awards Students who have enrolled in an eligible bachelors or Master of Science program at Bocconi Half to full tuition waiver worth up to 12,000 euros per year for bachelor’s program and upto 13,000 euros per year for Master of Science program
Politecnico de Milano Merit-based scholarships for international students Students with a stellar academic record in the Master of Science program at Politecnico de Milano 5,000 euros to 10,000 euros plus full tuition waiver
Politecnico di Torino international scholarships Students belonging to academic programs such as Engineering and Architecture The amount varies based on several factors
University of Cattolica international scholarships International students are eligible for this scholarship The scholarship covers 30% of the total tuition fees of the student
University of Padova Scholarships for all degree courses Low-income students with a noticeable academic record The scholarship consists of money and services such as accommodation, meals etc
Scuola Normale Superiore phD scholarships Students pursuing phD Full tuition fee waiver and cost of living relaxation

Jobs after Studying in Italy

International students can apply for jobs after studying in Italy. Mainly, only phD and master’s degree students can apply for a temporary residence permit once the program is over. It is important to have a job after the extension period ends in 6 to 12 months and students also have the option of applying for an internship for upto 12 months. For obtaining a work permit after studying in Italy, international students will require a ‘permosso di lavoro’.

The average pay in Italy can be around 1300 euros for 14 months based on the academics and experience one has. Some of the best fields international students can pursue a job are given below:

Job field Average gross monthly salary by survey
Administration 1,988 euros
Agriculture, food industry 1,802 euros
Banking 2,941 euros
Chemical industry 2,370 euros
Customer support 2,043 euros
Economy, Finance, Accountancy 2,677 euros
Electrical and power engineering 2,484 euros
Human Resources 2,742 euros

Overall, it can be implied that Italy is an ideal place for pursuing higher education for international students. The art, history, and culture of the country combined with the commendable quality of education provide an appropriate platform for students from all over the globe to explore their academic as well as non-academic feats. Apart from the presence of affordable education, breathtaking landscapes and museums, appreciable campus facilities, and topnotch quality of academics, Italy presents countless opportunities for global exposure and a very prosperous future for all students.