Tuition
Check the fee for your exact programme and whether a reduction or exemption can apply to you.
Study Abroad Italy · 2026–27 intake
Study Abroad in Italy
€0 public university tuition for eligible students, a government scholarship system that can add up to €8,000/year on top, and one consultancy that handles admissions, visa, and housing as a single process — not three separate hand-offs.
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Less than 2 minutes
Limited intake, 1:1 support
1,000+
international students trusted us
€0
tuition for qualifying students
600+
English-taught programmes
20
Italian regions covered
Find your degree
What can you study in Italy?
Start with the programme, not the university name. Entry requirements, tuition and teaching language can differ even between courses at the same institution.
Undergraduate
Explore Bachelor's Degrees →
Bachelor's Degrees
Understand bachelor's degrees in Italy, including eligibility, universities, costs and the admission route.
Postgraduate
Explore Master's Degrees →
Master's Degrees
Compare master's study in Italy, English-taught options, eligibility, costs and application requirements.
Browse programmes by subject
Plan your budget
How much does it cost to study in Italy?
Italy can be comparatively affordable, but your actual university fee depends on the institution, programme and the fee or financial support rules that apply to you.
For qualifying students
€0 tuition for eligible students
Some students can qualify for tuition reductions or exemptions depending on the university, financial assessment and applicable funding rules.
Don't compare Italy using tuition alone
The amount shown on a university website is only one part of your first-year budget. Your actual cost also depends on where you live, the accommodation you choose and which reductions or scholarships you qualify for.
Before accepting an offer, calculate your expected university fee, housing, living expenses and initial relocation costs together.
Housing
Compare student residences, shared rooms and private accommodation in your target city.
Living expenses
Include food, transport, insurance, utilities and normal day-to-day spending.
Initial costs
Plan separately for documents, visa-related expenses, travel and accommodation deposits.
Important: €0 tuition is not automatic for every
international student. Eligibility depends on the university and the
fee, income-assessment or funding rules that apply to your case.
Compare universities
Which Italian universities should you consider?
Start with universities that offer the right programme for your academic background. Rankings can help, but course content, admission requirements, tuition, funding and city costs should be compared together.
| University | City | Known for | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Politecnico di Milano | Milan | Engineering, architecture, design | Public |
| University of Bologna | Bologna | Business, humanities, science, law | Public |
| Sapienza University of Rome | Rome | Science, engineering, humanities | Public |
| University of Padua | Padua | Science, engineering, medicine | Public |
| Politecnico di Torino | Turin | Engineering, architecture | Public |
| Bocconi University | Milan | Economics, finance, management | Private |
The published national planning figures above are consistent with current official Italian guidance.
Funding
Can scholarships reduce the cost of studying in Italy?
Yes, but “scholarship in Italy” can refer to different funding systems with different eligibility rules, benefits and deadlines.
Right-to-study support
Regional authorities can offer scholarships, accommodation, meals or other benefits to eligible students.
University funding
Individual institutions may offer scholarships, tuition reductions or exemptions under their own rules.
MAECI and other schemes
Government and programme-specific funding can have separate eligibility requirements and application calendars.
University admission and scholarship applications can follow separate
calendars. Do not build your study budget around expected funding
until you have checked the current call and your eligibility.
Read the 2026–27 DSU Scholarship Guide →
Eligibility
Can you study in Italy in English, and what are the entry requirements?
Yes. English-taught degrees are available, particularly at master's level. There is no single national IELTS score or admission percentage that applies to every university.
Applying after secondary school
International applicants generally need a secondary-school qualification that provides access to university education. Italy normally expects a total school pathway of at least 12 years, although requirements can differ by education system.
Some programmes also require entrance tests or specific academic subjects.
Applying after a bachelor's degree
Universities assess whether your previous qualification and completed subjects provide the academic background required for the programme.
Some courses may also request language evidence, a CV, motivation statement, portfolio, references or a subject-specific assessment.
Always check the official admission call for your chosen programme
before preparing a generic application package.
Application route
How does applying to an Italian university actually work?
The exact route depends on your programme, qualification and nationality, but many international degree applicants move through these stages.
Choose the programme
Check academic requirements, teaching language, tuition and the programme's own deadline.
Apply to the university
Complete the institution's admission, evaluation or pre-selection procedure.
Complete qualification requirements
Your university may require verification or recognition documents for your foreign qualification.
Complete Universitaly pre-enrolment
Visa-requiring international students use the official Universitaly procedure where applicable.
Apply for the study visa
University admission and validated pre-enrolment support the visa process but do not guarantee approval.
Complete enrolment and arrival requirements
Follow your university's final enrolment instructions and the applicable residence procedures after arrival.
Visa route
What should you know about the Italy student visa?
If you require a visa for a full university degree, admission is only one stage. Pre-enrolment and consular procedures can follow separate requirements and timelines.
Universitaly may be part of your route
Visa-requiring students generally complete the relevant university admission steps and Universitaly pre-enrolment where applicable before applying for the appropriate study visa.
Admission is not visa approval
University admission and validated pre-enrolment support the visa process but do not guarantee that a study visa will be issued.
Applying from India?
Check qualification documents before ordering them
Indian students should pay particular attention to the sequence between university admission, qualification documentation, Universitaly pre-enrolment and the Type D visa.
Requirements are not identical across every university or programme. Do not obtain a CIMEA certificate or Declaration of Value only because another applicant needed one. Confirm what your university and the relevant Italian authorities require for your own qualification.
Italy Visa Guide for Indian Students →I would actually remove the €10,179.85 and November 30 figures from this broad landing page and keep those on your dedicated visa guide. They are time-sensitive and add maintenance risk without materially improving the parent keyword.
Student life
Can international students work while studying in Italy?
Study residence permit
Up to 20 hours per week
A study residence permit can allow part-time work for up to 20 hours per week and 1,040 hours per year. Treat part-time employment as supplementary income rather than the foundation of your tuition or living-cost plan.
The 20-hour/1,040-hour limit is confirmed by Italy's Foreign Ministry.
Where to study
Which Italian city might suit you?
Choose your programme and university first, then compare housing, transport and the student environment of the cities on your shortlist.
| City | Consider it for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Milan | Engineering, design, business, fashion | Housing can be expensive |
| Rome | Broad subject choice and large universities | Living costs vary by neighbourhood |
| Bologna | Broad academics and a large student community | Start accommodation research early |
| Turin | Engineering, technology and business | Worth comparing with Milan for northern Italy |
| Padua | Science, engineering and medicine | Strong university-city environment |
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions about studying in Italy
Is studying in Italy expensive?
Italy can be relatively affordable for international students, particularly at public universities. Your actual cost depends on tuition, city, accommodation and any funding for which you qualify.
Can international students study in Italy in English?
Yes. English-taught bachelor's and master's programmes are available, although availability and language requirements vary by university and subject.
Do I need IELTS to study in Italy?
There is no single IELTS requirement for every Italian university. Check the language requirements for your specific programme.
What is Universitaly?
Universitaly is Italy's official higher-education portal. It is also used in the pre-enrolment process for visa-requiring international students where applicable.
Can international students get scholarships in Italy?
Yes. Funding can include regional right-to-study support, university scholarships, tuition reductions and government schemes. Eligibility and deadlines vary.
Can students work while studying in Italy?
A study residence permit can allow part-time work for up to 20 hours per week and 1,040 hours per year.
When should I start applying to study in Italy?
There is no single admission deadline for every Italian university. Start with your programme's official deadline and plan backwards for qualification documents, Universitaly and the visa if required.
Where they're studying now
Students who started exactly where you are
English-taught programmes, €0 tuition for qualifying 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.
ApplyAZ turned my MBBS dream real, I'm so glad I connected with ApplyAZ and they took care of everything for me
Harshit Chaudhary
MD Medicine & Surgery
ApplyAZ helped me study Marine Biology in Italy for free, saving tens of thousands of dollars in U.S. tuition fees.
Madelyne Harding
MSc Marine Biology & Ecology
I was very lucky to find ApplyAZ as they handled all the processes.
Aneek Das
MA International Relations
They began right where you are
Now they're studying in Italy with tuition reduced to €0 and up to €8,000 a year in scholarship support for eligible students.
