BBA in Italy 2027/28: English-Taught Business Bachelor's, Fees and Eligibility
27 English-taught business bachelor's at 17 public universities: Class XII entry, SAT or CEnT-S, how tuition works and deadlines.
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Written by İrem Yılmaz, Student Experience Lead. Reviewed by Reeya Sharma, Student Success and Partnerships. Published 28 September 2026. Updated 28 September 2026.
In short
- The Italian BBA: public universities teach business at bachelor's level as a 3-year laurea of 180 ECTS, not under the BBA name. Our catalogue lists 27 English-taught business bachelor's for 2027/28 at 17 public universities. This guide profiles 13 of them, at 10 universities: 5 in class L-18 (business administration) and 8 in L-33 (economics).
- Entry after Class XII: the MUR circular asks for 12 years of schooling, which Class XII completes. Most programmes then rank applicants on a test: 6 of the 13 we profile accept the SAT, and others use the CISIA CEnT-S.
- Fees: a bachelor's at a public university 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.
- Timing: teaching starts in autumn 2027, Padua's 2027/28 non-EU call for Economics, Governance and Decision-Making runs from 7 January to 7 March 2027, and the visa file must be lodged by 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.
Before you book a SAT or CEnT-S date, check your eligibility. Eligible students then book a one-to-one consultation with one of our Italy experts, and from there we take care of everything.
BBA in Italy 2027/28: key facts
| Question | Answer for an English-taught business bachelor's |
|---|---|
| Official degree | Laurea (first-cycle degree): 3 years, 180 ECTS, EQF level 6 |
| Classes | L-18 Business administration (Scienze dell'economia e della gestione aziendale) or L-33 Economics (Scienze economiche) |
| Programmes we list | 27 business bachelor's at 17 public universities, 13 profiled here (5 in L-18, 8 in L-33); 107 English-taught bachelor's in all subjects |
| Minimum schooling | 12 years, which an Indian Class XII certificate completes |
| Entrance tests | SAT accepted by 6; CEnT-S at 6 (3 ranked, 3 as a level check only), and Pisa also accepts CEnT; CV and grades at 1 |
| English | B2 (CEFR) at most programmes, the level the consulate checks for the visa; 3 programmes also list an English-taught school diploma or earlier study in English |
| Tuition | A laurea can be tuition-free for eligible students. Tuition follows family income (ISEE), and DSU scholarship winners are exempt |
| DSU grant, 2026/27 | Emilia-Romagna: €7,171.11 (₹7.84 lakh) a year if you live away from home and the family ISEE is €16,666.67 or less |
| Start date | Autumn 2027; no second-semester entry at Padua |
| Application windows | Padua: non-EU applicants abroad, 7 January to 7 March 2027 (30 places). Bologna: non-EU applicants abroad in the first intake only (February to May in 2026) |
| Visa | Funds of €10,179.85 a year (₹11.12 lakh); application by 31 October 2027 |
Figures from the Ministry of University and Research procedures for 2026/27 and 2027/28, the enrolment pages of Bologna and Padua, and each university's 2026/27 fee rules. Catalogue counts on 9 October 2026.
Is there a BBA at Italian public universities?
Not by that name: Italian public universities award a laurea, and their business degrees fall under class L-18. The University of Bologna and the University of Pisa label that class "Business administration" in English. It lasts 3 years and 180 ECTS, so an English-taught L-18 degree is the public-university equivalent of a BBA.
We widened the search to economics as well, because students asking for a BBA usually want either one. Our catalogue's Business category now holds 27 English-only bachelor's at 17 public universities. This guide profiles 13 of them, including one in class L-33: Bologna's Economics, Politics and Social Sciences.
This guide leaves out business bachelor's taught in more than one language, such as Sapienza's Business Administration and Management and Bologna's Business Economics. Polytechnic University of Bari's Management Engineering for Innovation is an engineering degree (L-9) and belongs with our BTech in Italy guide.
BBA vs BSc in economics and management: what is the difference?
The difference is the degree class: a BBA-style degree sits in L-18, business administration, and studies how firms are run. A BSc in economics sits in L-33 and studies markets and policy. Both are 3-year laurea degrees of 180 ECTS, and Bologna's International Management master's accepts graduates of either class.
| Point of comparison | L-18: business administration (the Italian BBA) | L-33: economics (BSc in economics) |
|---|---|---|
| Italian class name | Scienze dell'economia e della gestione aziendale | Scienze economiche |
| Example in English | Management for Business and Economics, Pisa | Economics: Behavior, Data and Policy, Milan |
| What the plan shows | Pisa's first year for 2026/27 mixes principles of economics, law, mathematics, statistics and computer skills | Milan's plan includes probability and statistics, causal inference and policy evaluation, and competition law |
| Programmes in our list | 5 | 8 |
| Next step | A laurea magistrale in management, marketing or accounting (LM-77) | A laurea magistrale in economics or finance, or in management |
For a Class XII student the choice is about interest, not status. Pick L-18 if you want marketing, accounting and company strategy early, and L-33 if you enjoy maths, data and economic policy. Both keep the Master in Management route open.
Which English-taught business bachelor's can you apply to for 2027/28?
Our catalogue has 27 English-taught business bachelor's for 2027/28 at 17 public universities. The 13 below, at 10 universities, are the ones this guide profiles. Bologna runs four of them, across its Bologna, Forlì and Rimini campuses. The rest are one each at Brescia, Cassino, Milan, Milano-Bicocca, Padua, Pisa, Teramo, Turin and Udine, each with its own test and calendar.
| Programme | University | Class | Entrance test | 2027/28 window |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Management and Economics | University of Bologna | L-18, business administration | SAT. | Non-EU applicants abroad: first intake only (10 February to 4 May 2026 for 2026/27); 2027/28 call pending. |
| Business and Economics | University of Brescia | L-18, business administration | CEnT-S maths section, not used to rank. | 2027/28 call pending. |
| Management for Business and Economics | University of Pisa | L-18, business administration | TOLC-E or SAT (CEnT, GMAT or ACT also accepted). | 2027/28 call pending. |
| Business Management | University of Teramo | L-18, business administration | TOLC CEnT required, not selective. | 2027/28 call pending. |
| Management & Business Analytics | University of Udine | L-18, business administration | CEnT-S to check your starting level, not used to rank. | 2027/28 call pending. |
| Economics and Finance | University of Bologna | L-33, economics | SAT General. | First intake 10 February to 4 May 2026 for 2026/27; 2027/28 call pending. |
| Economics of Tourism and Cities | University of Bologna | L-33, economics | SAT (Reading and Writing, Maths). | Non-EU applicants: first intake only; 2027/28 call pending. |
| Economics, Politics and Social Sciences | University of Bologna | L-33, economics (joint with L-36) | SAT General. | 35 of 125 places for non-EU applicants abroad (2026/27); first intake 10 February to 4 May 2026. |
| Economics with Data Science | University of Cassino and Southern Lazio | L-33, economics | None: selection on CV and grades (at least 70% overall and 70% in maths, 2026/27). | 2027/28 call pending. |
| Economics: Behavior, Data and Policy | University of Milan | L-33, economics | CEnT-S, ranked on the Mathematics and Reasoning sections. | 2027/28 call pending. |
| Economics and Science for Environmental Sustainability | University of Milan-Bicocca | L-33, economics | CEnT-S (or English TOLC-E), ranked for limited places. | 2027/28 call pending. |
| Economics, Governance and Decision-Making | University of Padua | L-33, economics | CEnT-S, ranked for limited places. | Non-EU applicants abroad: 7 January to 7 March 2027 (30 places); starts 1 October 2027. |
| Economics and Finance with Data Science | University of Turin | L-33, economics | SAT, ranked for limited places (Turin 2026/27 test list). | 2026/27: SAT sat by 6 June 2026, pre-enrolment 1 to 19 June 2026; 2027/28 call pending. |
Catalogue data (English-only as listed by Universitaly), with Bologna's tests and windows taken from its 2026/27 enrolment pages, reopened on 28 September 2026. Calls still pending usually appear between September 2026 and February 2027.
Every one of these programmes lasts 3 years and awards 180 ECTS. For all English-taught bachelor's in other subjects, including engineering and biotechnology, see our bachelor's degree in Italy guide.
Can you study a BBA in Italy after Class XII?
Yes: the MUR circular for 2026/27 and 2027/28 admits students to a first-cycle degree with a school-leaving qualification earned after at least 12 years of schooling. Class XII from an Indian board meets that. Each university then adds its own test, and the University of Padua names the Indian certificates it accepts.
| Indian school qualification | Listed by Padua for 2027/28 bachelor's entry |
|---|---|
| All India Senior School Certificate (CBSE) | Yes, with at least 5 courses |
| Indian School Certificate, Year 12 (CISCE) | Yes, with at least 5 subjects |
| Intermediate Examination Certificate (state boards) | Yes |
| Higher Secondary School Certificate | Yes |
| Higher Secondary Examination Certificate Part II | Yes |
Padua's list is dated 15 September 2026 and applies to 2027/28. None of the university pages we checked limits entry to one Class XII stream, but the SAT and CEnT-S both test mathematics, and Cassino asked for 70% in maths for 2026/27. Our study in Italy after 12th guide covers boards and subjects in detail.
Do you need the SAT for a BBA in Italy?
Often, yes: 6 of the 13 programmes accept the SAT, and 5 of them use it as the entrance test. The University of Bologna bases selection for all four of its English business and economics bachelor's on the SAT. The score must reach Bologna within the deadline in the call.
| Entrance test | Programmes | Where |
|---|---|---|
| SAT | 5 | Bologna (four programmes), Turin |
| TOLC-E or SAT | 1 | Pisa |
| CEnT-S, ranked | 3 | Milan, Padua, Milano-Bicocca |
| CEnT-S or TOLC CEnT, level check only | 3 | Brescia, Udine, Teramo |
| CV and grades | 1 | Cassino |
The CEnT-S is an online test in English run by CISIA, the consortium of Italian universities. Milan ranks applicants only on its Mathematics and Reasoning on texts and data sections, 15 questions each. We plan which test to sit, and when, around the calls you are applying to.
What proof of English does a BBA in Italy need?
Most programmes ask for English at B2, the level the consulate checks for the visa (MUR circular 2026/27 and 2027/28, Part II, page 18). Universities choose the proof they accept. Three of the 13 in our list also take an English-taught school diploma or earlier English-medium study instead: Milan, Milano-Bicocca and Teramo.
Pisa asks for B2 and gives extra ranking points for IELTS Academic 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 90. For the visa, the Kolkata consulate's 2026/27 checklist accepts a B2 certificate or a medium-of-instruction declaration. Our guide to studying without IELTS compares universities.
How tuition works for a BBA in Italy
Much less than most students expect: an Italian public bachelor's 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.
The DSU grant can be worth far more than tuition. Emilia-Romagna's 2026/27 table covers a family ISEE up to €16,666.67 and paid €7,171.11 to a student living away from home, €4,190.71 to a commuter and €2,890.16 to one living at home.
That grant rises by 15% when the family ISEE is €12,500 or less. Our DSU guide for 2026/27 covers every region, and the cost of studying page adds rent and food.
Want to know which of these bachelor's your Class XII result can reach? Take the eligibility check. Eligible students then book a one-to-one consultation with one of our Italy experts, and from there we take care of everything.
Which Italian public universities rank best for economics?
The University of Bologna leads the public universities on our list, ranked =78 in the world in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 for Economics and Econometrics. It also runs four of the English business and economics bachelor's profiled here. Padua follows at =197, then Milan and Turin in the 251 to 300 band.
| University | QS Economics and Econometrics 2026 | QS Business and Management 2026 (Italy table) | Programmes in our list |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Bologna | =78 | =126 | 4 |
| University of Padua | =197 | 401 to 450 | 1 |
| University of Milan | 251 to 300 | 501 to 550 | 1 |
| University of Turin | 251 to 300 | 451 to 500 | 1 |
| University of Pisa | 401 to 450 | Not in the Italy table | 1 |
| University of Milan-Bicocca | 451 to 500 | 551 to 600 | 1 |
Source: QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, published 25 March 2026: Economics and Econometrics, Italy and Business and Management Studies, Italy. Brescia, Cassino, Teramo and Udine do not appear in either Italy table. Private universities also rank; we work only with public ones.
When do BBA applications for 2027/28 open?
The first published window opens on 7 January 2027: Padua's non-EU call for Economics, Governance and Decision-Making runs to 7 March 2027, with 30 places for applicants living outside Italy. Bologna's 2027/28 calls are pending; for 2026/27, its first intake ran from 10 February to 4 May 2026.
Places for applicants from abroad are limited. Bologna's Management and Economics kept 20 of its 75 places in 2026/27 for non-EU students living abroad, and Economics, Politics and Social Sciences kept 35 of 125. Missing the first intake at Bologna therefore means waiting a year.
Universitaly sets the outer limit: visa applications for 2027/28 close on 31 October 2027. We line up your SAT or CEnT-S date, the university calls and the visa file in one plan. The intakes guide shows each university's pattern.
What do students do after a business bachelor's in Italy?
Most go on to a master's. AlmaLaurea's survey for 2025 found that 65.2% of the 27,853 first-cycle economics graduates of 2024 had started a second-level degree within a year. Of those who did not continue studying, 79.2% were employed one year on, earning €1,488 net a month on average.
| AlmaLaurea 2025 survey, first-cycle economics graduates of 2024 | Figure |
|---|---|
| Started a second-level (master's) degree | 65.2% |
| Never started another degree | 32.9% |
| Employment rate, graduates not in another degree course (5,681) | 79.2% |
| Average net monthly pay for that group | €1,488 (₹1.63 lakh) |
The figures cover all Italian economics graduates, so read them as a national picture rather than a forecast for one student. An Italian bachelor's also qualifies you for the job-search permit of 9 to 12 months that Italy gives graduates whose study permit is expiring.
How we handle a bachelor's application
We begin with your Class X and XII results and the board that issued them. From there we choose the programmes and tests that fit, and you approve each application before it goes in. One named person on our team is responsible for each stage.
We prepare the application for each university, complete Universitaly pre-enrolment once you are admitted and file the regional DSU application. The visa file comes last, and we check it against your consulate's 2026/27 and 2027/28 checklist.
Your family obtains the documents only it can get: school certificates attested and apostilled as the consulate asks, bank statements and income tax returns. For all of these, we tell you exactly which documents to get, in which order, and check every page before the visa appointment. Read our Italian student visa guide for the full list.
Reality check
Decisions that are not ours. Admission and the fee band belong to the university, the DSU scholarship to the regional body, and the visa to the Italian consulate. We do the work behind each one and promise none of them.
Our part. For eligible students we plan the tests, file the applications, complete Universitaly pre-enrolment, prepare the DSU application and assemble the visa file. Each document is checked before it is submitted.
Where bachelor's applicants slip, and the price:
- Booking the SAT too late for Bologna. The score must arrive within the call deadline, and non-EU applicants abroad have only the first intake, so a late score costs a full year.
- Treating the CEnT-S as a formality. At Milan and Padua it ranks applicants for a limited number of places; a weak maths section can mean no offer.
- Searching only for the word "BBA". Public universities do not use the title, so that search can lead away from L-18 degrees at Bologna that can be tuition-free for eligible students.
- Letting the DSU window pass. In Emilia-Romagna that meant giving up as much as €7,171.11 for 2026/27. In Tuscany, DSU winners are also exempt from the regional tax.
- Funds that do not add up. The consulate expects €10,179.85 a year from traceable sources, and an unexplained last-minute deposit can sink the visa.
Before the next call opens, check your eligibility. Eligible students then book a one-to-one consultation with one of our Italy experts, and from there we take care of everything.
Frequently asked questions
How many years is a BBA in Italy?
Three years: each of the English-taught business and economics bachelor's in our catalogue lasts 3 years and awards 180 ECTS. It is a first-cycle laurea, so after it you can apply to a two-year master's in Italy. A fourth year is not needed for that step.
Can Commerce students without maths apply for a BBA in Italy?
Yes at most universities, if your certificate completes 12 years of schooling: no university we checked restricts entry by stream. Maths still matters: the SAT and CEnT-S test it, Milan ranks only on mathematics and reasoning, and Cassino asked for at least 70% in maths for 2026/27. We plan test preparation early.
Is there a minimum Class XII percentage for a BBA in Italy?
Not nationally: no Italian rule sets a minimum. Where places are limited, Bologna and Turin use the SAT and Milan, Padua and Milano-Bicocca the CEnT-S rather than board marks. Cassino's Economics with Data Science is the exception: for 2026/27 it asked for at least 70% overall and 70% in maths.
Can I start a BBA in Italy in February?
No: English-taught bachelor's start in autumn, and Padua does not offer direct entry to the second semester. Bologna lets non-EU applicants living abroad apply only in its first intake. For a 2027/28 start, plan to apply between autumn 2026 and spring 2027.
Can I do a master's after an Italian bachelor's degree?
Yes. A laurea is a first-cycle degree, and 65.2% of Italy's 2024 economics graduates started a second-level degree within a year, according to AlmaLaurea. Bologna's International Management master's lists both L-18 and L-33 among its accepted classes, so either route keeps management open.
Are there scholarships for a BBA in Italy?
Yes: the regional DSU grant depends on family income and on where you live while studying. In Emilia-Romagna for 2026/27, with a family ISEE up to €16,666.67, it paid €7,171.11 to a student living away from home, €4,190.71 to a commuter and €2,890.16 to one at home. We prepare the application with you.
Can I stay in Italy to work after a bachelor's?
Yes, for a while. When your study permit expires, an Italian bachelor's lets you convert it into a permit to look for work or start a business. The Ministry of Labour's integration portal gives its length as 9 to 12 months, for work consistent with the degree you completed.
Sources
- Ministry of University and Research, procedures for international students valid for 2026/27 and 2027/28 (12 years of schooling, B2 check at the visa stage, visa funds), verified 28 September 2026.
- Universitaly, international students: 2027/28 visa deadline of 31 October 2027, verified 28 September 2026.
- Italian Consulate General, Kolkata: study visa checklist for 2026/27 to 2027/28, verified 28 September 2026.
- University of Bologna, Management and Economics (Forlì): class L-18 R, Business administration, verified 28 September 2026.
- University of Bologna, Management and Economics: SAT selection, places and 2026/27 intakes, verified 28 September 2026.
- University of Bologna, Economics and Finance: class L-33 R, Economics, verified 28 September 2026.
- University of Bologna, Economics and Finance: SAT General and 2026/27 selections, verified 28 September 2026.
- University of Bologna, Economics of Tourism and Cities: SAT and intake rule for non-EU applicants, verified 28 September 2026.
- University of Bologna, Economics, Politics and Social Sciences: places and SAT General, verified 28 September 2026.
- University of Bologna, International Management: classes accepted for entry, verified 28 September 2026.
- University of Bologna, reduced fixed fee for 2026/27 (non-OECD citizens), verified 28 September 2026.
- University of Pisa, Management for Business and Economics: class L-18 R and 2026/27 study plan, verified 28 September 2026.
- University of Milan, Economics: Behavior, Data and Policy, course sheet 2026/27 (L-33 R, CEnT-S), verified 28 September 2026.
- University of Milan, tuition instalments and country groups, 2026/27, verified 28 September 2026.
- University of Milan, list of countries by fee group, 2026/27 (India in Group A), verified 28 September 2026.
- University of Turin, Economics and Finance with Data Science: class L-33 R, verified 28 September 2026.
- University of Turin, undergraduate degrees using the SAT or TOLC, 2026/27 (SAT for Economics and Finance with Data Science), verified 28 September 2026.
- University of Turin, Economics and Finance with Data Science: SAT (College Board) admission test, verified 28 September 2026.
- University of Milano-Bicocca, Economics and Science for Environmental Sustainability: CISIA admission test, limited places, verified 28 September 2026.
- University of Milano-Bicocca, 2026/27 call for visa applicants: CEnT-S or English TOLC-E, verified 28 September 2026.
- University of Cassino, Economics with Data Science: 2026/27 admission criteria, verified 28 September 2026.
- University of Padua, how international students apply: 12-year school record and no second-semester entry, verified 28 September 2026.
- University of Padua, Economics, Governance and Decision-Making: 2027/28 calls and 30 non-EU places, verified 28 September 2026.
- University of Padua, country entry requirements for 2027/28, India (15 September 2026), verified 28 September 2026.
- University of Padua, 2026/27 call for fees and exemptions, Tables 1 and 4, verified 28 September 2026.
- ER.GO, Emilia-Romagna regional grant amounts for 2026/27, verified 28 September 2026.
- DSU Toscana, regional grant: who can apply and the regional tax exemption, verified 28 September 2026.
- QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, Economics and Econometrics, Italy table, verified 28 September 2026.
- QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, Business and Management Studies, Italy table, verified 28 September 2026.
- AlmaLaurea, first-cycle economics graduates one year on, survey year 2025, verified 28 September 2026.
- Ministry of Labour integration portal, converting a study permit after graduation, verified 28 September 2026.
- ECB euro foreign exchange reference rates, Indian rupee, 25 September 2026, verified 28 September 2026.
- ApplyAZ programme catalogue, English-only bachelor's as listed by Universitaly, counted on 9 October 2026.
Rupee amounts are converted at 1 EUR = 109.2605 INR, the ECB reference rate for 25 September 2026, and rounded.
Your first move costs nothing but two minutes: Check your eligibility. Eligible students then book a one-to-one consultation with one of our Italy experts, and from there we take care of everything.
Where they're studying now
Students who started exactly where you are
English-taught programmes that can be tuition-free for eligible students, and the DSU grant landing in their account every year. The funding mechanics are identical at every Italian public university: the same ISEE Parificato, the same regional bando, the same ranking. Only the authority and the dates change.
They began right where you are
Now they're studying at Italian public universities, where a degree can be tuition-free for eligible students, with DSU scholarships of up to about €8,250 a year for students living away from home, depending on the region.
