Study in Italy
It’s difficult to find a country as inspiring as Italy. Birthplace of the Renaissance, home of countless famous dishes and museums, and the hub of the best luxury brands, Italy is a world leader in many areas. Plus, it has unparalleled beauty in both architecture and nature from the cobblestone streets of Rome to the bright blue waters of the Amalfi Coast. Today, Italy, the country of the world’s greatest minds, such as Da Vinci and Dante, welcomes bright students like you.
If you’re looking to study at a university in Italy, you will find a variety of education options and rich cultural experiences, situated in historic and beautiful cities. Thanks to its affordable and high-quality education, many international students choose Italy for their studies.
A country with beauty everywhere, both in architecture and in nature, Italy provides affordable and high-quality education in many fields. From north to south, the country is full of arts, culture, and history. And of course, great universities that offer globally recognized degrees.
Here are the top reasons why Italy is one of the best places to study:
- High-ranking public and private universities offering a variety of degrees. With public universities charging between €0–5,000 per year, Italy is one of the most affordable European countries in terms of tuition fees. Among its 60 ranked universities, it is possible to find degrees in different fields, such as design, business, science, and engineering. No matter what your budget or interests are, Italy, a hub for both arts and sciences, will have something for you.
- Food, culture, and lifestyle like no other country. Italy is arguably one of the best destinations for foodies, culture lovers, and art enthusiasts. As the country with the largest number of UNESCO world heritage sites, Italy is home to architectural masterpieces such as the Colosseum and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. That said, visiting landmarks is only one part of experiencing Italy’s culture. To get to know Italy, go out and taste homemade pasta, grab a slice of thin-crust pizza, and have an espresso at a bar!
- English degrees that are valid all over the world. Italy has over 185 Bachelor’s, over 700 Master’s, and over 70 PhD programmes taught entirely in English. Plus, the country is a member of the European Higher Education Area along with 49 other member states, mainly from Europe. This means that once you obtain your degree in Italy, you can continue your studies in any of the member countries as if you studied in the same place all along.
- A vibrant student life full of travelling opportunities. In Italy, social life is very important. Especially in big cities, you will find many restaurants, bars, cafes, and nightclubs to spend time and meet new people. As an international student, you also benefit from various discounts, including lower museum entrances and cheaper train tickets. Hop on a bus, take a fast train, or head to the nearest airport, and you’ll be in another wonderful part of the country, in a matter of hours.
In the Italian grading system, you will receive a mark from 0 to 30, with 18 being the minimum required to pass. Bachelor’s programmes (Laurea Triennale) last three years, and Master’s programmes (Laurea Magistrale) last two years.
Many international students choose to study in Italy because the country’s traits, which make it stand out from the crowd, are also reflected in the study curricula. For example, Milan, one of the world’s leading fashion hubs, is also a magnet for students interested in degrees in fashion, branding, and design. But the fashion capital has way more to offer! Here, you can find some of the best technical universities in the country, such as Politecnico di Milano. Italy also has successful business schools, such as Bologna Business School, and Life Sciences and Medicine programmes taught in English, like the courses at the Sapienza University of Rome.
Located in the heart of Europe, Italy shares borders with Slovenia, Austria, Switzerland, and France, which means that there are countless travel options to explore even more cultures. You can easily travel to these European countries by bus or train, depending on where in Italy you’re studying. Other countries in Western, Eastern, and Central Europe will also be a short flight (or train) ride away.
Learn more about studying in Italy by reading these student stories:
Tuition Fees in Italy
Tuition fees in Italy depend on the university, the type of degree, and the student’s economic condition. On average, tuition in public universities is between €0 and €5,000 per year, and in private universities, between €3,000 and up to €35,000 per year. Some universities might have higher tuition fees for non-EU/EEA students but in most universities, there is not a big difference between EU and non-EU students.
The Italian government gives scholarships to international students every year. Most universities also have their own scholarship programmes that take into account merit, the student’s country of origin, and family income.
Italian students can use the ISEE (Indicator of Economic Situation) to reduce their tuition fees. ISEE examines their families’ income and assets in Italy to determine whether students qualify for lower tuition fees. Since international students rarely have property or savings accounts in Italy, they need to use another system called ISEEU parificato (ISEE equivalent). This tool calculates income and assets outside Italy. The best way to learn if you can benefit from ISEEU parificato is to contact your university and CAF (Fiscal Assistance Centre). While it is available in some universities, not all universities have this possibility since it depends on their agreement with the local fiscal assistance centres. Make sure to check the “international students” section of your preferred universities.
That said, there are many low-tuition fee universities in Italy where you can get your Bachelor’s or Master’s degree for under €2,000. Some more budget-friendly universities we recommend are the University of Pisa, the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, and the University of Genoa.
>>> Here you have the full list of universities with the cheapest tuition fees in Italy.
Check Mastersportal for opportunities to reduce your tuition fees in Italy. Some Italian universities also offer a 100% tuition fee waiver.
>>> Use the ‘Tuition fee’ filter on the left menu of our Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD search pages to find the programme best suited for your budget. You can also sort the list of available programmes by Lowest tuition fee by clicking the top right Sort button.
How to apply
Once you have some scholarship options in mind, it is time to read the requirements carefully. This way, you will get a solid idea of how to apply for a scholarship in Italy. The application process requires a lot of research and documents. Here is a step-by-step checklist:
- Check the eligibility criteria to make sure you qualify: Most scholarships have specific requirements, which may include academic achievements, nationality, age, field of study, economic condition, and more. Grants and bursaries may also have different rules.
- Gather the required documents: Get all the necessary documents well before the application deadline. The most common ones are passport copies, transcripts, motivation letters, or recommendation letters.
- Apply: Complete your application when you have all the documents you need. If you’re applying for an Italian government scholarship, the applications are made through the Study in Italy portal. Universities’ scholarships may have different procedures. Try submitting your application before the deadline, as portals can get busy toward the end of the application period.
- Wait for a response: You will receive a call or an email if you are shortlisted for the scholarship. They might then ask you for an interview.
- Read the terms and conditions and accept: Congratulations!