Master in Economy, Environment and Development at University of Trieste
Two-year LM-56 R master's at the University of Trieste. The Environmental Economics curriculum, taught in English, covers environmental economics and circular production and agri-food systems. Entry needs set credits, 90/110 and English at B2.
Master
2 years
Trieste
Multiple
University of Trieste
Economy, Environment and Development is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM-56 R) at the University of Trieste, with an Environmental Economics curriculum taught entirely in English. Entry needs an economics or business degree, or set credits, with at least 90/110, plus English at B2. The 2026/27 regulations also ask non-EU applicants living abroad for Italian at C1.
Entry requirements
Detailed entry requirements
Trieste's Economy, Environment and Development master asks for a three-year degree in economics or business, or any degree with set credits in business, economics, law and maths, with a final mark of at least 90/110, plus English at B2. The 2026/27 regulations also ask non-EU applicants living abroad for Italian at C1. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]
Degree and credit requirements
You need a three-year bachelor's degree, or a foreign qualification recognised as suitable. The regulations set three categories: [1]
- Category 1: a degree in economics (L-33) or business (L-18) with a final mark of at least 90/110. You enrol directly.
- Category 2: any three-year degree with a final mark of at least 90/110 and at least 6 CFU in business (SECS-P/07 to 11), 12 CFU in economics (SECS-P/01 to 06), 6 CFU in law and 9 CFU in statistics and mathematics (SECS-S/01 to 06, MAT/05, MAT/06 and MAT/09). You enrol directly with a self-certification of your studies.
- Category 3: if you meet neither, the programme's coordination group reviews your CV and studies, and may set written or oral tests or require missing credits before enrolment.
A foreign degree qualifies if it is recognised as equivalent to these degree classes, or if its credits, once converted, meet the minimums. A foreign final mark is converted to the 110 scale. Missing credits can be earned through single courses and exams before enrolment. [1]
What this means for your transcript
One Italian CFU stands for about 25 hours of student work, and the rule looks at subject areas, not only totals. As a guide, based on the rule above:
- Usually a fit: a B.Com, BBA, BA or B.Sc. in Economics with a strong final mark that covers business, economics, some law and maths or statistics.
- Check carefully: a B.Com or BBA with little law or statistics, or any degree whose mark may convert to below 90/110, which leads to a review and possibly a test.
- Often short: a B.Tech, B.E., BCA or B.Sc. in a science subject, which often has the maths but lacks the business, economics and law credits.
The university converts your final mark, and we check how yours compares before you apply.
English
English at CEFR B2, written and oral, is part of the check on your preparation. Proof can be a certificate from the list recognised by the University Language Centre (valid for four years), the Centre's own test, a bachelor's degree taught in English or a university English exam at B2. Native speakers are exempt. [1]
If you do not yet meet the English requirement, you can still enrol, but you must obtain the certificate during the first year, by the deadline set at enrolment. [1]
Italian for non-EU applicants living abroad
The 2026/27 regulations require non-EU applicants living abroad to show, as well as English at B2, Italian at C1 or equivalent, certified by a body recognised by AICLU, or a score of at least 61/72 in the CISIA ITA L2 test. The regulations do not exempt the English curriculum. [1]
The university's general language page asks visa applicants to courses taught in both Italian and English for Italian at B2 or an ITA L2 score of 50/72, and sets no Italian requirement for courses taught only in English. [3] We check which rule applies to your application before you apply.
Selection and preparation check
There is no competitive entrance test. A final mark of at least 90/110, converted for foreign degrees, is taken as proof of adequate preparation. Below 90/110, the coordination group assesses you on: [1]
- microeconomics and macroeconomics
- mathematics, financial mathematics and statistics
- business economics and accounting
- the basics of public, private and commercial law
On the result, admission is granted or refused. If your file needs a review, the documents must reach the programme at least 15 days before the enrolment deadline. [1]
2026/27 deadlines
For 2026/27, the qualification assessment for foreign degrees opened on 15 December 2025. Non-EU applicants had two rounds: 15 December 2025 to 15 January 2026, and 15 February to 30 April 2026. A third round, to 2 October 2026, was for EU and equivalent applicants only. The 2027/28 rounds are not yet published. [2]
Non-EU applicants living abroad
You request the qualification assessment on the university's application portal, and one request covers up to three programmes. [2] Places for non-EU applicants living abroad are limited by a quota set by the department. [1] After a positive assessment, the next steps are Universitaly pre-enrolment and the type D study visa.
Sources and verification
Checked by the ApplyAZ admissions team against the university's official documents listed below. Entry rules can change with each new call, and we re-check them before every application.
- University of Trieste, Department of Economic, Business, Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (DEAMS). Teaching regulations of the Master's degree programme in Economy, Environment and Development (LM-56 R), 2026/27 cohort. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Trieste, Degree seekers. Qualification assessment for international applicants, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Trieste, Degree seekers. Verification of language proficiency, updated December 2025. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Trieste. University fees for bachelor's, master's and single-cycle master's degrees, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Trieste, Economy, Environment and Development programme page, undated. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
About the programme
Economy, Environment and Development is a two-year master's degree (laurea magistrale, class LM-56 R, economics) worth 120 CFU at the University of Trieste. It is run by the Department of Economic, Business, Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (DEAMS) Bruno de Finetti, and teaching takes place mainly in the classroom in Trieste. [1][5]
The degree has two curricula. Environmental Economics is taught entirely in English, and its thesis is written and defended in English. The other curriculum, Settori produttivi (productive sectors), is taught in Italian. [1]
What you will study
The English curriculum focuses on environmental economics and on the circularity of production and agri-food systems. [5] The yearly study plan is set in an annex to the regulations, and students add free-choice units from a list the department updates each year. [1]
How the programme is taught
Courses of 6, 9 and 12 CFU carry 45, 60 and 90 hours of taught activity, and each ends with a graded exam, a pass or fail test or an approved activity. Attendance is expected, and part-time enrolment is not available. [1]
The regulations provide for a traineeship of at least 200 hours over at least two months, at a company or public body in Italy or abroad. A laboratory project or relevant work experience can replace it. The final exam is the public defence of an original thesis, and the final mark out of 110 adds up to 8 points for the thesis to your weighted exam average. [1]
Career paths
The university says the course prepares graduates for liberal and consultancy professions, and mentions roles such as market analyst, manager and sustainability expert. [5]
Fees and scholarships
Under the 2026/27 fee rules, students resident abroad have their contributions calculated automatically at a flat, reduced rate, and those still waiting for a visa can request a temporary pre-exemption at online enrolment. ARDiS, the regional scholarship body for Friuli Venezia Giulia, runs the DSU scholarship, and the fee exemption for winners applies once ARDiS sends its official lists to the university. [4] This programme can be tuition-free for eligible students.
How to apply from outside the EU
Applicants with a foreign degree first request a qualification assessment on the university portal, apply.units.it. One request covers up to three programmes. For 2026/27, non-EU applicants had two rounds: 15 December 2025 to 15 January 2026, and 15 February to 30 April 2026. The 2027/28 rounds are not yet published. [2]
Places for non-EU applicants living abroad are limited by a quota, and the 2026/27 regulations also ask these applicants for Italian at C1 as well as English at B2. [1] After a positive assessment, we complete Universitaly pre-enrolment for the type D visa.
How ApplyAZ helps
ApplyAZ is an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities. We can include this programme in a shortlist of 20 to 30 English-taught programmes that fit your profile, so your plan never rests on a single application.
For eligible students who start with us, a named person owns each stage, from A to Z:
- We check your transcript against Trieste's entry rules for this programme.
- We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose.
- We prepare and submit your qualification assessment request and Universitaly pre-enrolment.
- We help you declare your family income for reduced fees and file your ARDiS scholarship application at the right time and in the right format.
- We prepare your visa file.
With operations in all 20 Italian regions, we follow each region's scholarship rules and deadlines as they change. The university decides admission, the region decides the scholarship and the consulate decides the visa, so no one can promise an outcome. You pay in milestones, and every service you pay for is either delivered or its fee is refunded (terms apply).
Programmes at Italian public universities can be tuition-free for eligible students. Check if you are eligible and book a one-to-one consultation session with one of our Italy experts, or see how ApplyAZ works.
Questions and answers
Which bachelor's degrees can apply to Economy, Environment and Development at Trieste?
A three-year degree in economics (L-33) or business (L-18) with at least 90/110, or any three-year degree with 90/110 and at least 6 credits in business, 12 in economics, 6 in law and 9 in maths or statistics. Otherwise the coordination group reviews your file. [1]
Is the master taught in English?
Partly. The Environmental Economics curriculum is taught entirely in English, and its thesis is written and defended in English. The Settori produttivi curriculum is taught in Italian. [1]
Do non-EU students need Italian?
Under the 2026/27 regulations, yes: non-EU applicants living abroad must show Italian at C1, or at least 61/72 in the CISIA ITA L2 test, as well as English at B2. The regulations do not exempt the English curriculum, so we check this with you first. [1]
Is there an entrance test?
There is no competitive test. A final mark of at least 90/110, converted for foreign degrees, proves your preparation. Below that, the coordination group assesses you on economics, maths and statistics, accounting and law, then admits or refuses you. [1]
What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?
English at B2, written and oral. A certificate from the university's recognised list, valid for four years, a bachelor's taught in English or a B2 university English exam can prove it. The regulations name no IELTS score, and if you lack B2 you can enrol and certify it in the first year. [1]
When is the deadline for non-EU students?
For 2026/27, non-EU applicants had two qualification-assessment rounds: 15 December 2025 to 15 January 2026, and 15 February to 30 April 2026. The 2027/28 rounds are not yet published. [2]
I have a B.Com. Can I apply?
Possibly. A B.Com may be judged equivalent to an Italian business degree. If not, it needs at least 6 credits in business, 12 in economics, 6 in law and 9 in maths or statistics. Either way, the mark must convert to at least 90/110, or the coordination group reviews your file. [1]
What careers does it lead to?
The university says the course prepares graduates for liberal and consultancy professions, and mentions roles such as market analyst, manager and sustainability expert. The traineeship of at least 200 hours, in Italy or abroad, adds work experience. [1][5]
Can someone handle my whole application to Economy, Environment and Development at Trieste?
Yes. ApplyAZ, an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities, checks your transcript against Trieste's rules for this programme, handles the application and Universitaly pre-enrolment, helps you file the ARDiS scholarship application at the right time and in the right format, and prepares your visa file, for eligible students. Start by checking your eligibility.
I'm applying from India. What is the route into Economy, Environment and Development?
An Indian B.Com, BBA or BA Economics can fit if it is judged equivalent to an Italian economics or business degree, or meets the credit minimums, with a mark of at least 90/110 after conversion. You need English at B2 and, under the 2026/27 regulations, Italian at C1. The steps are the qualification assessment and Universitaly pre-enrolment. [1] Indian students apply for the type D study visa at the Italian embassy or consulate that covers their state, such as New Delhi, Mumbai or Bengaluru.
Is the route different from Pakistan, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka?
No. The academic rules for Economy, Environment and Development are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: qualification assessment on the university portal and Universitaly pre-enrolment, then a type D study visa from the Italian mission for their country of residence. Read our guide for students in Dhaka.
I live in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman or Bahrain. Where do I apply for the visa?
At the Italian embassy or consulate responsible for the country where you legally live, after Universitaly pre-enrolment. The academic rules for Economy, Environment and Development are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: qualification assessment on the university portal and Universitaly pre-enrolment. Read our guides for Dubai, Riyadh and Doha.
I studied or live in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. What is the route?
The academic rules for Economy, Environment and Development are the same whatever your nationality, and your degree is assessed like any other foreign qualification. Non-EU applicants who live abroad follow the same route: qualification assessment on the university portal and Universitaly pre-enrolment, then a type D study visa from the Italian mission for where they live. Read our guides for students in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
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