Bachelor's Degree in Italy 2027/28: English-Taught Programmes, Fees, Eligibility and Deadlines

Written by İrem Yılmaz, Student Experience Lead. Reviewed by Reeya Sharma, Student Success and Partnerships. Published 14 September 2026. Updated 28 September 2026.

In short

• A bachelor degree in Italy is the laurea: 3 years and 180 credits. Our catalogue has 107 English-taught bachelor's at 38 public universities in 33 cities.
• Tuition depends on family income and can be tuition-free for eligible students. Families with income abroad can file an ISEE or request the flat fee for their country, and DSU scholarship winners are exempt from tuition.
• Class XII qualifies, because the rule is 12 years of schooling. Padua asks at least 70 out of 100 for 2027/28. The SAT is accepted by a few programmes, and most others use a CISIA test (TOLC or CEnT-S) or their own test.
• Padua's first 2027/28 round for international applicants closes on 15 November 2026. Most other calls follow from autumn 2026, and visa applications close on 31 October 2027.
• ApplyAZ, an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities, helps eligible students by handling the applications, Universitaly pre-enrolment, the DSU scholarship application and the visa file.

Check your eligibility first. If you are eligible, you book a one-to-one consultation with one of our Italy experts, and from there we take care of everything.

Bachelor's degree in Italy 2027/28: key facts

What is a bachelor's degree in Italy?

A bachelor's degree in Italy is the laurea, often called laurea triennale: a first-cycle undergraduate degree of 3 years and 180 CFU credits, according to the Foreign Ministry's Study in Italy portal. One credit equals 25 hours of work. Entry needs a school-leaving qualification earned after at least 12 years.

Every English-taught bachelor's in our catalogue lasts 3 years and carries 180 ECTS credits. Each belongs to a national degree class, such as L-8 for information engineering or L-18 for business. The class matters later, because master's degrees list the classes they accept.

Some fields skip the bachelor's. Medicine, law and architecture are usually single-cycle degrees of 5 or 6 years (300 or 360 CFU). If you want medicine, read our guide to medicine in Italy and the IMAT exam page instead.

After the laurea comes the two-year laurea magistrale (120 CFU), the Italian master's degree. Our masters in Italy hub covers it. A one-year master universitario is different: the portal states it is not equivalent to a laurea magistrale.

Which bachelor's degrees in Italy are taught in English?

Our catalogue has 107 English-taught bachelor's degrees at Italian public universities. Business and economics and engineering lead with 27 each, then social sciences with 14 and health sciences with 13. This is our count on 9 October 2026, not a national total.

Directories that show a few hundred bachelor's for Italy usually mix in private schools, foundation years and courses taught partly in Italian. We list public universities only, and only courses taught in English. The English-taught programmes page summarises every level.

A selection of English-taught bachelor's in our catalogue, by subject

The entry test column shows what our catalogue records for each programme. We confirm the 2027/28 call for every programme on your shortlist before you apply.

Source: ApplyAZ catalogue, a selection of its English-taught bachelor's; the full catalogue was counted on 9 October 2026. Politecnico di Milano's three English-taught engineering bachelor's were "pending approval by the Ministry" in its 2026/27 call.

Can I study in Italy after 12th?

Yes: Italy's rules for 2026/27 and 2027/28 open bachelor's degrees to anyone whose school-leaving qualification took at least 12 years, so Class XII qualifies. The MUR circular sets this rule, and each university then sets marks, subjects and tests. Padua, for example, asks 70 out of 100 for 2027/28.

For students from countries like India, Class XII is the usual way in. This page covers the bachelor's route as a whole, and our guide to studying in Italy after 12th covers what a Class XII student can apply to.

What Class XII must show

Each university sets its own marks, subjects and tests on top of the 12-year rule: Padua, for example, asks 70 out of 100 for 2027/28, and engineering, economics and science courses expect mathematics. Our after-12th guide lists the boards, streams and marks each university accepts.

With fewer than 12 years of schooling, direct entry is closed. The circular then points to its Annex 1 route, and Padua names alternatives such as university study already completed or an Italian foundation course.

Is SAT required for a bachelor's in Italy?

No, not for most: in our catalogue, a few English-taught bachelor's accept the SAT, usually as one option beside a CISIA test, and most do not mention it. Pavia is the exception: its 2026/27 call asked non-EU applicants living abroad for the SAT itself, with at least 979 out of 1600.

Each university sets its own SAT minimum, window and number of places for non-EU applicants. The table shows what the 2026/27 calls said. The 2027/28 calls are pending and usually follow the same pattern.

Sources: each university's 2026/27 call or admission page, listed under Sources below.

The SAT suits students who already sit it for other countries. It rarely opens a programme that a CISIA test would not. We compare both routes for your shortlist and plan the test dates around each university's window.

What are TOLC and CEnT-S, and which programmes use them?

TOLC and CEnT-S are online entry tests run by CISIA, a consortium of Italian universities. CEnT-S is the English version for courses taught in English: 55 questions in 110 minutes on maths, reasoning, biology, chemistry and physics. In our catalogue, many English-taught bachelor's name a CEnT test.

CISIA offers the test in university rooms (CEnT@UNI) or online from home (CEnT@HOME), where the course accepts it. CISIA explains both formats. A wrong answer costs 0.25 points, and results come out after each testing period ends.

The TOLC family is organised by subject, such as TOLC-I for engineering and TOLC-E for economics, and Politecnico di Milano also runs its own TOL. In our catalogue, several bachelor's mention a TOLC or the TOL. Our BTech in Italy page explains TOLC-I programme by programme.

Not every test decides admission. Some rank applicants for limited places, some only check your starting level, and some add catch-up credits if you score low. The table groups the programmes in our selection above by how the test is used.

Sources: ApplyAZ catalogue test field and CISIA.

Do I need IELTS for a bachelor's in Italy?

You need proof of English at B2, not always IELTS. Most universities ask for B2 (CEFR), the consulate checks B2 for the visa, and each university picks the proof. In our catalogue, some bachelor's also accept a school education taught in English, and at least one does not accept a medium-of-instruction letter.

The catalogue shows the spread: most programmes state B2, the Polytechnic University of Bari asks B1, and others set the level in the yearly call. Politecnico di Milano accepts a recognised certificate, a school diploma taught in English or citizenship of an English-speaking country.

Where a score is named, it varies: Cassino's economics degree names IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL iBT 72, and Sapienza's building engineering names IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL iBT 80. Pisa's management degree needs B2 and gives extra ranking points for IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 90.

The consulate looks at English too: the Kolkata checklist asks for B2 certification, or an equivalent medium-of-instruction declaration, when the course is taught in English. Our study in Italy without IELTS page goes university by university.

Which Italian universities are best for a bachelor's?

The best university is the one whose course, test and fees fit you, but rankings help. All four Italian universities highest in the QS World University Rankings 2027 teach English-taught bachelor's in our catalogue: Politecnico di Milano (=87), Sapienza (=111), Bologna (=123) and Padua (204).

Source: QS World University Rankings 2027, Italy table, published 18 June 2026. The table lists only the universities whose QS 2027 position we recorded.

Subject rankings add detail. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, Politecnico di Milano ranks 14th for mechanical engineering, Padua 48th for psychology and Bologna =78 for economics. Our best universities in Italy page and public universities list go further.

How tuition works for a bachelor's in Italy

Public tuition in Italy depends on family income and can be tuition-free for eligible students. Tuition follows family income (ISEE). Families with income abroad can file an ISEE or request the flat fee for their country, and DSU scholarship winners are exempt from tuition. Living costs and the visa funds come on top.

Families with income abroad cannot use an ordinary Italian ISEE, so each university handles this its own way: some set a fixed amount by country, others use an ISEE parificato issued by a CAF. The 2027/28 fee rules usually appear in the summer before the year.

A DSU grant can cover much more than the fee, and some universities waive fees for grant holders. Our cost of studying in Italy page adds living costs by city, insurance and one-off costs. We check your likely fee band early, before you choose where to apply.

Can I get a scholarship for a bachelor's in Italy?

Yes: the regional DSU grant is the main scholarship for bachelor's students, and first-year students need no exam credits to apply. For 2026/27, MUR set a minimum of €7,171.11 a year for students living away from home (about ₹7.84 lakh), with an ISEE limit of up to €28,339.88. Each region runs its own call.

Regions set lower limits and different amounts, so the same family can qualify in one city and not in another. The table covers the DSU bodies of the universities in our bachelor's list, with figures from the 2026/27 calls; 2027/28 calls usually open from June 2027. Our DSU scholarship guide explains every step.

Sources: MUR decrees 175 and 176 of 10 February 2026 and each body's 2026/27 call, listed under Sources below.

India is not on any call's list of particularly poor countries, so the simplified certificate route does not apply. Families prove income with apostilled documents or an ISEE parificato, depending on the region, and deadlines differ too (see our DSU deadlines page). The region decides the grant, and we prepare and submit the application.

When are the deadlines for a bachelor's in Italy for 2027/28?

Most 2027/28 bachelor's calls are not published yet, so plan by the 2026/27 pattern, when SAT and CISIA windows ran from February to July 2026. Padua's first 2027/28 round is already open, until 15 November 2026. Universitaly sets 31 October 2027 as the last day for 2027/28 visa applications.

Almost every course in our catalogue starts in September or October. Padua states that direct entry in the second semester is not available. Our intakes in Italy page covers the rare exceptions.

Sources: Padua admissions, the MUR circular, Universitaly and the 2026/27 calls, listed under Sources below.

How does applying for a bachelor's in Italy work?

Applying has four stages: the university application with any entry test, the Universitaly pre-enrolment that the university validates, the DSU application to the region, and the visa file at the consulate. The MUR circular sets these rules for 2026/27 and 2027/28. For eligible students, we handle every stage.

First comes admission. Each university reviews your Class XII record, English proof and test score, and some ask for a statement or an interview. We prepare each application and track every call, because windows at different universities overlap.

Next comes Universitaly, the ministry's only portal for study-visa pre-enrolment. The university validates your request, but validation does not promise a visa appointment or a visa. Universities may validate up to their places for foreign students plus 20%, so late requests can find the list closed.

Your school certificate needs a Declaration of Value or CIMEA statements, and your documents need state attestation and an apostille, which only your family can obtain. We tell you exactly which documents to get, in which order, and check every page before the visa appointment. Our DOV guide and DOV or CIMEA page explain the choice.

Then come the DSU application and the visa. We build the visa file, book the appointment and prepare you for the interview. Our Italy student visa guide covers each consulate.

Check your eligibility first. If you are eligible, you book a one-to-one consultation with one of our Italy experts, and from there we take care of everything.

How much money do I need for an Italian student visa?

You must show at least €10,179.85 a year (about ₹11.12 lakh), the figure in the MUR circular for 2026/27 and 2027/28. Funds must come from lawful, traceable sources, such as family members up to the fourth degree. A DSU application alone does not count unless the grant is awarded.

The Kolkata consulate states the same amount as €848.32 a month (about ₹92,700) and says processing takes up to 90 days. Our visa financial proof page explains which bank statements and tax returns consulates in India ask for.

Is a 3-year Italian bachelor's accepted for a master's in India or abroad?

In Italy, yes: a laurea is the first-cycle degree that opens the two-year laurea magistrale, and AlmaLaurea's 2026 report found 63.4% of bachelor's graduates went on to a second-level degree. Outside Italy, the receiving university or authority decides, so we check your intended next step before you choose a programme.

The laurea follows the European three-cycle model: bachelor's, master's, then PhD. For foreign graduates coming the other way, Italy's own rule accepts a first-cycle degree at European Qualifications Framework level 6 for master's entry. An Italian laurea is a degree of that level.

If you plan a master's in India, we look at the admission rules of the Indian universities you have in mind at the consultation. That way, your bachelor's choice keeps the route open.

Is a bachelor's degree in Italy worth it?

For many students, yes: AlmaLaurea's 2026 report found that 81.2% of Italian bachelor's graduates who did not continue studying were employed one year after graduating, earning €1,491 net a month (about ₹1.63 lakh). After five years, 91.7% were employed at €1,796 (about ₹1.96 lakh). Most, though, first continue to a master's.

Source: AlmaLaurea, Rapporto 2026 (synthesis), about 700,000 graduates of 81 universities. The bachelor's employment figure counts only graduates not studying for another degree.

These are averages for graduates of Italian universities, most of them Italian. Pay and job chances vary by subject, city and your Italian. The figures describe the past, not your outcome.

Can I work while studying for a bachelor's in Italy?

Yes, part time. A study permit allows employed work of up to 20 hours a week and 1,040 hours a year, according to the Ministry of Labour's integration portal. After graduating, a bachelor's graduate can request a job-search permit of 9 to 12 months before the study permit expires.

The weekly limit can be spread across the year, as long as the 1,040-hour cap holds. The job-search permit needs a declaration of availability at the local job centre. The ministry portal explains the conversion rules.

Why a course list alone is not enough

A listing tells you a course exists. It does not tell you whether it still has places for non-EU applicants, which test window is open or what you will pay. Those facts change every year.

Two 2026/27 examples show why. Pavia's AI bachelor's had 45 places for non-EU applicants abroad, and its page now shows none left. Politecnico di Milano's three English-taught engineering degrees were listed as pending ministry approval in the call.

That is why we confirm the current call for every programme on your shortlist. You approve each programme before we apply, and a named person on our team handles each stage.

Reality check

What others decide: the university decides admission and your place in any ranking, the region decides the DSU grant and the consulate decides the visa. No adviser can promise any of the three.

What ApplyAZ handles: for eligible students, we build a shortlist of English-taught programmes at public universities, prepare your applications, handle Universitaly pre-enrolment, submit the DSU application and build the visa file. We take no commission from any university; our fees are explained here, and our code of practice lists what we promise.

The usual pitfalls, and what each costs.

• Missing a test window. Politecnico di Milano only counted SATs taken by 4 May 2026 for 2026/27. Cost: the whole year.
• Applying where non-EU places are gone. Pavia's AI degree had no seats left for 2026/27. Cost: a wasted application and, often, the year.
• Marks below a university's floor. Padua asks 70 out of 100 in Class XII for 2027/28. Cost: the application, if nobody checks first.
• Showing less than €10,179.85 a year in funds. Cost: a refused visa and usually the year.
• Not finishing enrolment by 31 January. The circular revokes the visa. Cost: the permit to stay.
• School documents attested by an SDM. The Kolkata and Mumbai checklists reject SDM attestation. Cost: weeks of redoing the chain.

Check your eligibility first. If you are eligible, you book a one-to-one consultation with one of our Italy experts, and from there we take care of everything.

Frequently asked questions

Can I study in Italy after 12th?

Yes: Italian public universities accept a school-leaving qualification earned after 12 years of schooling, so Class XII from CBSE, CISCE or a state board qualifies for a bachelor's. Each university sets its own marks and tests; Padua asks 70 out of 100 for 2027/28. We check your board, marks and subjects against each call.

Is SAT required for a bachelor's in Italy?

Usually not: only a few English-taught bachelor's in our catalogue accept the SAT, and most treat it as one option beside a CISIA test such as CEnT-S or TOLC. Pavia's AI degree asked non-EU applicants abroad for at least 979 out of 1600 in 2026/27. We plan tests around each window.

Which bachelor's degrees in Italy are taught in English?

Our catalogue has 107 English-taught bachelor's at 38 public universities. Business and engineering have 27 each, social sciences 14, health sciences 13 and natural sciences 8. A selection, with each entry test, is on this page.

How does tuition work for a bachelor's in Italy?

It depends on family income and the university. Tuition follows family income (ISEE), and families with income abroad can file an ISEE or request the flat fee for their country. Study at a public university can be tuition-free for eligible students, and a DSU grant can cover living costs too.

Is a 3-year Italian bachelor's accepted for a master's in India or abroad?

In Italy, a laurea gives direct access to a two-year master's, and 63.4% of Italian bachelor's graduates continue to one (AlmaLaurea 2026). Abroad and in India, the receiving university decides, so we check your planned next step at the consultation before you choose a programme.

How long is a bachelor's degree in Italy?

A bachelor's degree in Italy, the laurea, lasts 3 years and carries 180 CFU credits, according to the Foreign Ministry's Study in Italy portal. All 107 English-taught bachelor's in our catalogue follow this pattern. Medicine, law and architecture are usually single-cycle degrees of 5 or 6 years instead.

Do I need IELTS for a bachelor's in Italy?

You need English at B2, but not always IELTS: most universities ask for B2, the consulate checks it for the visa, and each university picks the proof. In our catalogue, some programmes also accept a school education taught in English. The Kolkata consulate accepts B2 certification or an equivalent medium-of-instruction declaration.

Can I get a DSU scholarship for a bachelor's in Italy?

Yes, first-year bachelor's students can apply without exam credits. For 2026/27, the national minimum grant was €7,171.11 a year for students living away from home, with ISEE limits from €23,000 in Palermo to €28,339.88 in Lazio. The region decides, and we prepare and submit the application.

When should I apply for a bachelor's in Italy for 2027/28?

Start in autumn 2026: Padua's first 2027/28 round closes on 15 November 2026, and in 2026/27 most test and application windows ran from February to July. Visa applications for 2027/28 close on 31 October 2027. We map every deadline on your shortlist and handle each step.

Which Italian universities are best for a bachelor's?

Rankings help, but the best fit depends on the course, test and fees. In the QS World University Rankings 2027, Politecnico di Milano (=87), Sapienza (=111), Bologna (=123) and Padua (204) lead Italy, and all four teach English-taught bachelor's in our catalogue. We match your marks and budget to each one.

Sources

• MUR circular on international students, 2026/27 and 2027/28, verified 28 September 2026.
• Universitaly, international students, 2026/27 and 2027/28, verified 28 September 2026.
• MAECI Study in Italy portal, higher education system, verified 28 September 2026.
• University of Padua, entry requirements per country, 2027/28, verified 28 September 2026.
• University of Padua, international admissions, 2027/28, verified 28 September 2026.
• Politecnico di Milano, engineering bachelor's admission, 2026/27, verified 28 September 2026.
• Politecnico di Milano, engineering BSc call 2026/27, verified 28 September 2026.
• University of Bologna, International Studies enrolment, 2026/27, verified 28 September 2026.
• University of Pavia, Artificial Intelligence call 2026/27, verified 28 September 2026.
• University of Pavia, Artificial Intelligence page, verified 28 September 2026.
• University of Naples Federico II, EEIT admission page, 2026/27, verified 28 September 2026.
• University of Naples Federico II, EEIT admission schedule, 2026/27, verified 28 September 2026.
• University of Pisa, MBE page, 2026/27, verified 28 September 2026.
• University of Turin, EFDS programme page, verified 28 September 2026.
• University of Turin, international applications, 2026/27, verified 28 September 2026.
• Sapienza, Sustainable Building Engineering page, verified 28 September 2026.
• CISIA, CEnT-S structure and syllabus, verified 28 September 2026.
• CISIA, CEnT@UNI and CEnT@HOME, verified 28 September 2026.
• University of Milan, fee regulation 2026/27, article 6, verified 28 September 2026.
• University of Bologna, reduced fixed fee for non-OECD countries, 2026/27, verified 28 September 2026.
• University of Padua, call for student fees and exemptions 2026/27, verified 28 September 2026.
• Politecnico di Milano, student contribution regulation 2026/27, verified 28 September 2026.
• Politecnico di Milano, income abroad, 2026/27, verified 28 September 2026.
• Sapienza, standard registration fee amounts, 2025/26, verified 28 September 2026.
• Sapienza, fees page, 2026/27 pending, verified 28 September 2026.
• MUR decree 175 of 10 February 2026, DSU grants 2026/27, verified 28 September 2026.
• MUR decree 176 of 10 February 2026, DSU limits 2026/27, verified 28 September 2026.
• ER.GO, economic thresholds 2026/27, verified 28 September 2026.
• University of Padua, regional scholarship call 2026/27, verified 28 September 2026.
• University of Milan, regional scholarship call 2026/27, verified 28 September 2026.
• EDISU Piemonte, scholarship call 2026/27, verified 28 September 2026.
• DSU Toscana, scholarship and housing 2026/27, verified 28 September 2026.
• DiSCo Lazio, right-to-study call 2026/27, verified 28 September 2026.
• ADISURC Campania, call 2026/27, verified 28 September 2026.
• ADISU Puglia, 2026/27 call announcement, verified 28 September 2026.
• ERSU Palermo, 2026/27 call announcement, verified 28 September 2026.
• QS World University Rankings 2027, Italy table, published 18 June 2026, verified 28 September 2026.
• AlmaLaurea, Rapporto 2026, synthesis, verified 28 September 2026.
• Consulate General Kolkata, study visa checklist 2026/27 and 2027/28, verified 28 September 2026.
• Ministry of Labour portal, work on a study permit, 2023, verified 28 September 2026.
• Ministry of Labour portal, job-search permit, 2023, verified 28 September 2026.
• ECB euro reference rate for INR, 25 September 2026, verified 28 September 2026.

INR figures use the ECB euro reference rate of 25 September 2026: 1 EUR = 109.2605 INR. Programme counts come from the ApplyAZ catalogue on 9 October 2026.

Check your eligibility first. If you are eligible, you book a one-to-one consultation with one of our Italy experts, and from there we take care of everything.

Hear from students who took this route

Hear directly from ApplyAZ students about the support they valued on their route to English-taught study in Italy.

• Nidhi Das: Bachelor’s in Applied Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence at Sapienza University of Rome. Answers for students and their parents.
• Mantra: Bachelor’s in Industrial Engineering Technology at University of Cassino. A process explained in manageable steps.

Explore all student stories and videos.

Further reading

• Study in Italy after 12th: what a Class XII student can apply to
• BBA in Italy: English-taught business bachelor's
• BTech in Italy: engineering bachelor's with TOLC-I or SAT
• Cost of studying in Italy
• Intakes in Italy for 2027/28
• DSU scholarship in Italy 2026/27