Study in Italy

Entry requirements depend on the level and programme. Undergraduate applicants normally need a recognised secondary-school qualification that gives access to higher education. Postgraduate applicants need an appropriate previous university degree.

Institutions assess foreign qualifications and may ask for translated, legalised or formally verified academic documents. Some applicants may also need a Declaration of Value or documentation from CIMEA.

Students who require a study visa normally complete their official pre-enrolment application through the Universitaly portal, following the admission process specified by their chosen institution. The institution evaluates and validates the pre-enrolment application.

Some programmes have restricted admission and require an entrance examination or an additional selection process.

Students must demonstrate sufficient proficiency in the language in which their programme is taught.

English-taught programmes commonly expect approximately B2-level English or equivalent evidence. Accepted qualifications and test scores vary by institution and programme.

Italian-taught programmes generally require adequate Italian proficiency, commonly around B2 level. Universities may accept recognised certificates or conduct their own language assessments.

Always check the exact language requirements with the institution before applying.

September and October are the main university intake months in Italy. Some private institutions, specialist schools, foundation programmes and postgraduate courses also offer January or February starts.

Application and Universitaly pre-enrolment deadlines vary by institution. Restricted-access programmes may have separate entrance examination dates. There is no single application deadline for all Italian universities.

Fees vary by institution, programme and financial circumstances.

As a general guide, public university tuition is often approximately €900–€4,000 per year, while private institutions commonly charge approximately €6,000–€20,000 or more per year.

Many public universities assess fees partly against family income. The calculation method and supporting documents differ between institutions and individual circumstances. Specialist private schools, particularly in fashion and design, may charge substantially more.

Confirm the current fee and any available reductions directly with the institution.

A useful starting budget is approximately €700–€1,100 per month, depending on the city, accommodation and lifestyle. Students in more expensive locations may need a higher budget.

Milan is among Italy’s more expensive student cities. Smaller cities and some destinations in central and southern Italy can be more affordable. Accommodation is often the biggest expense, so begin researching housing early.

Financial support may be available through universities, regional right-to-study schemes and national programmes.

Regional support can include tuition reductions, grants, accommodation and subsidised meals, depending on financial and academic eligibility.

The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation offers MAECI scholarships for eligible international students from specified countries. Invest Your Talent in Italy is another programme for eligible applicants from selected countries pursuing qualifying English-taught postgraduate studies, including areas such as engineering, advanced technologies, architecture, design, economics and management.

Eligibility, funding and application deadlines change between academic years. Always check the current scholarship call before applying.

All costs and funding information on this page are indicative. Actual fees, expenses, financial requirements and scholarship availability depend on your circumstances and may change.