Study Hospitality and Tourism in Italy 2027/28: English-Taught Programmes, Universities and Fees
8 English-taught hospitality and tourism programmes at 8 public universities, with the QS 2026 subject rank, entry rules and 2026/27 fees.
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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
- Choice: 8 English-taught hospitality and tourism programmes in our catalogue for 2027/28, one at each of 8 public universities: 1 bachelor's, at Bologna's Rimini campus, and 7 two-year master's.
- Ranking: in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 for hospitality and leisure management, the University of Bologna (51 to 100) is the only Italian public university listed.
- Cost: a tourism degree at an Italian public university can be tuition-free for eligible students. Otherwise, 2026/27 fixed fees for non-EU students with family income abroad ran from €211 a year at Palermo, depending on the country list, to €1,157.04 for Bologna's bachelor's: about ₹23,100 to ₹1.26 lakh at the ECB rate of 25 September 2026 (€1 = ₹109.2605).
- Careers: the universities point to destination management, tourism businesses and local development, rather than hands-on hotel operations.
- ApplyAZ, an independent study-in-Italy consultancy with offices in Milan and India, works only with Italian public universities and takes no commission from them. For eligible students, we handle the applications, Universitaly pre-enrolment, the DSU scholarship application and the visa file.
First, see whether you qualify. Eligible students book a one-to-one consultation with one of our Italy experts, and we take care of everything after that.
Hospitality and tourism in Italy 2027/28: key facts
This summary is for students from countries like India looking at English-taught tourism degrees at Italian public universities. Fee lines are 2026/27, the latest year each university has published.
| Topic | Hospitality and tourism in Italy, 2027/28 |
|---|---|
| Programmes taught only in English, our catalogue | 8 at 8 public universities: 1 bachelor's (class L-33, economics) and 7 master's (6 in LM-49, the tourism class, and 1 in LM-77, business). |
| Programmes with hospitality in the name | Insubria (Como) and Palermo. |
| Length | 180 ECTS over three years (bachelor's) or 120 ECTS over two (master's). |
| Bachelor's entry | Bologna used the SAT for 2026/27, with 50 of 120 places kept for non-EU citizens living abroad. |
| Master's entry | Selection on CV and grades, an interview or a university test, depending on the programme. |
| English | B2 in six of the eight calls in our catalogue; Turin checks English at interview without a certificate; Insubria also asks for a second foreign language at B2. |
| Tuition examples, family income abroad | Palermo €211 to €378 by country list (₹23,100 to ₹41,300); Turin €656 (₹71,700); Bologna bachelor's €1,157.04 (₹1.26 lakh). |
| Scholarship | Regional DSU grant; ER.GO, which covers Bologna and Rimini, set an ISEE limit of €25,000 for 2026/27 (₹27.32 lakh). |
| Visa | €10,179.85 a year in funds (₹11.12 lakh); applications for 2027/28 by 31 October 2027. |
| Work while studying | Up to 20 hours a week and 1,040 hours a year. |
Which hospitality and tourism programmes in Italy are taught in English?
Eight in our catalogue for 2027/28, each at a different public university from Como to Sassari. Seven are two-year master's and one is Bologna's Economics of Tourism and Cities bachelor's, taught at Rimini. We include only programmes that Universitaly lists as English-only, and six sit in LM-49, Italy's tourism class.
Our inclusion rule is simple: a programme counts when tourism or hospitality appears in its name. That brings in the tourism-class master's, Sassari's Innovation Management for Sustainable Tourism in the business class and Bologna's bachelor's in the economics class. Cultural heritage degrees without tourism in the title stay out.
| Programme | University | Level and class | Campus city | Entry test | English | Intake |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor in Economics of Tourism and Cities | University of Bologna | Bachelor's, L-33 | Rimini | SAT in the 2026/27 call; admission test set by the university each year | See the official call | 2027/28, autumn intake (calendar pending). |
| Master in Tourism Management and Sustainability | Ca’ Foscari University of Venice | Master's (2 years), LM-49 | Venice | Admission test set by the university | English B2, certified, mandatory for enrolment | 2027/28, autumn intake (calendar pending). |
| Master in Planning and Management of Tourism Systems | University of Bergamo | Master's (2 years), LM-49 | Bergamo | None, selection on CV and grades | English B2 (FCE, TOEFL 72, IELTS 5.5 or equivalent) | 2027/28, autumn intake (calendar pending). |
| Master in Hospitality for Sustainable Tourism Development | University of Insubria | Master's (2 years), LM-49 | Como | None, open access with an admission interview | English B2 plus a second language at B2 | 2027/28, autumn intake (calendar pending). |
| Master in International Tourism and Destination Management | University of Macerata | Master's (2 years), LM-49 | Macerata | None, open access with an admission interview | English B2 (IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 87, Cambridge B2 or equivalent) | 2027/28, September intake. |
| Master in Tourism Systems and Hospitality Management | University of Palermo | Master's (2 years), LM-49 | Palermo | None, selection on CV and grades plus an interview | English B2 (certificate or Medium of Instruction letter) | 2027/28, autumn intake (calendar pending). |
| Master in Innovation Management for Sustainable Tourism | University of Sassari | Master's (2 years), LM-77 | Sassari | Admission test set by the university | English B2 (certificate, or the department's English test) | 2027/28, September intake. |
| Master in Cultural Heritage and Creativity for Tourism and Territorial Development | University of Turin | Master's (2 years), LM-49 | Biella (University of Turin) | None, selection on dossier and interview | English certificate if available, otherwise checked at the interview; basic Italian expected | 2027/28, autumn intake (calendar pending). |
The table follows our catalogue, counted on 28 September 2026, with two campus corrections taken from the universities' own pages: Bologna teaches its bachelor's in Rimini and Turin teaches its master's in Biella. Each 2027/28 calendar is pending, and every new call is matched to your profile before we submit anything.
Do public universities in Italy teach hotel management?
Not as hands-on hotel operations, in our catalogue. The eight English-taught degrees treat hospitality as part of tourism management, economics and planning, and only two, at Insubria and Palermo, carry hospitality in their names. We work only with public universities, so private hotel or culinary schools are outside this guide.
If you want to run a hotel group, a destination or a tourism business, these degrees build the management side. If you want kitchen or front-office training, a university degree is not that route, and we tell you so at the start.
Which Italian university ranks for hospitality and tourism?
The University of Bologna, and it stands alone among public universities. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 for hospitality and leisure management, published on 25 March 2026, Bologna sits in the 51 to 100 band. QS lists three Italian institutions in this subject, and the other two are private.
| University | QS hospitality and leisure management, 2026 | English-taught tourism programmes in our catalogue |
|---|---|---|
| University of Bologna | 51 to 100 | 1 |
| Ca’ Foscari University of Venice | Absent from the 2026 subject table | 1 |
| University of Bergamo | Absent from the 2026 subject table | 1 |
| University of Insubria | Absent from the 2026 subject table | 1 |
| University of Macerata | Absent from the 2026 subject table | 1 |
| University of Palermo | Absent from the 2026 subject table | 1 |
| University of Sassari | Absent from the 2026 subject table | 1 |
| University of Turin | Absent from the 2026 subject table | 1 |
The other seven universities are not ranked in this subject, which says nothing either way about their teaching. Our guide to public universities in Italy explains how each university is funded and run.
Is there an English-taught tourism bachelor's in Italy?
Yes, one in our catalogue: the University of Bologna's Economics of Tourism and Cities, taught in English on its Rimini campus. It is a three-year, 180 ECTS degree in the economics class L-33. For 2026/27, Bologna kept 50 of its 120 places for non-EU citizens living abroad and selected them on the SAT.
Bologna says the degree prepares managers of tourist companies, destination management specialists and local development consultants. Non-EU applicants living abroad had to apply in the first round, and the SAT sittings accepted ran up to March 2026 for that intake.
A Class XII certificate satisfies the MUR circular's rule of twelve school years for 2026/27 and 2027/28. We plan the SAT date with you so the score is ready before the first round closes, and our BBA in Italy page lists related business bachelor's.
What do you need for a tourism master's in Italy?
A bachelor's that fits the call and English, usually at B2, with a second language at some universities. Turin's tourism master's in Biella asked for 48 credits across at least three areas such as history, languages, economics or law, then a dossier and an interview. Insubria asks for a second foreign language at B2 as well, our catalogue shows.
- Open access with an interview: Macerata and Insubria, both listed in our catalogue with an admission interview.
- Selection on CV and grades: Bergamo, and Palermo, which adds an interview.
- A university test: Ca' Foscari and Sassari, each with its own admission test.
- English certificates listed: Macerata IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 87; Bergamo IELTS 5.5, TOEFL 72 or FCE; Palermo a certificate or a medium-of-instruction letter; Sassari a certificate or the department's own English test.
Visa officers look at English as well: under Part II of the 2026/27 and 2027/28 MUR circular (p. 18), the consulate checks English at B2 at the visa stage. Our catalogue notes that Turin's Biella master's expects some basic Italian, so we flag that early.
How much does it cost to study tourism in Italy?
Less than many families expect, at the universities that publish a fixed fee for students with income abroad. In 2026/27 Palermo charged a fixed €211 to €378 a year to non-EU students living abroad, depending on the country list, and Turin charged €656 to residents of its lowest income band, according to each university's fee page.
| University | Programme | Fee rule for students whose family income is abroad | A year | Roughly, in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Palermo | Tourism Systems and Hospitality Management | Fixed fee by country list, including the €156 regional tax: €211 (list B2A), €267 (list B2B) or €378 (other countries). We check which list applies to you. | €211 to €378 | ₹23,100 to ₹41,300 |
| University of Turin | Cultural Heritage and Creativity for Tourism | Banded by the national income per head of the country you live in: €500 in the lowest band, plus €156 paid at enrolment (2026/27). | €656 | ₹71,700 |
| University of Bologna | Economics of Tourism and Cities | Flat rate for citizens of non-OECD countries, first cycle, when the household earns and owns only outside Italy: €1,000 plus €157.04 (2026/27). | €1,157.04 | ₹1.26 lakh |
Bergamo, Ca' Foscari, Insubria, Macerata and Sassari publish their own rules, and we calculate your figure from them before you apply. Living costs come on top, and our guide to the cost of studying in Italy sets out a yearly budget by city.
Can you get a DSU scholarship for a tourism degree in Italy?
Yes, where your family's finances fall under the regional limits, whatever the subject. For 2026/27, ER.GO, the body for Bologna and Rimini, set limits of €25,000 on the ISEE and €50,000 on the ISPE, and both have to be met. Each region's DSU body decides its own awards through a yearly call.
The eight programmes sit in seven regions, from Piedmont to Sardinia, and DSU rules and dates differ between them. Our team lists the household papers you need, sets their order and files the grant request for eligible students. Our ER.GO page and the 2026/27 DSU guide give the figures by region.
What jobs do tourism graduates find in Italy?
Mostly management and planning roles across the tourism economy. For its Rimini bachelor's, Bologna names directors of tourist companies, tourism planning assistants, destination management specialists and local development consultants. AlmaLaurea's 2025 survey gives the employment and pay picture for the degree groups these programmes belong to.
| AlmaLaurea 2025 survey group | Relevant to | Employed at 1 year | Net pay a month at 1 year | At 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All two-year master's | The six LM-49 tourism master's (AlmaLaurea shows no tourism-only group) | 81.5% | €1,488 (₹1.63 lakh) | 94.1% working, €1,862 (₹2.03 lakh) |
| Economics, two-year master's | Sassari's master's, class LM-77 | 86.3% | €1,581 (₹1.73 lakh) | 96.3% working, €2,006 (₹2.19 lakh) |
| Economics, bachelor's graduates not studying for another degree | Bologna's bachelor's, class L-33 | 79.2% | €1,488 (₹1.63 lakh) | Not published |
These are national figures for all graduates of Italian universities in those groups, not for international students alone. After graduating, the job-search permit of 9 to 12 months covers work in Italy that fits your degree (Ministry of Labour portal).
Can you work in Italy while you study tourism?
Yes, within limits. Italy's Ministry of Foreign Affairs sets the study-permit limit at 20 hours of work a week, capped at 1,040 hours in a year. Any job has to fit around classes, and expected wages cannot replace the proof of €10,179.85 a year that the visa needs.
Plan your budget on family funds first, since the consulate checks those. Our article on working part-time in Italy as an international student covers the practical side.
Curious which of the eight tourism programmes fits your degree and budget? Check your eligibility, and if you qualify, an Italy expert walks you through the options one to one before we handle the applications.
When do you apply for tourism in Italy for 2027/28?
From the start of 2027, and earlier for the bachelor's. Bologna's non-EU applicants had to use the first round for 2026/27, and Ca' Foscari had already closed 2026/27 applications to non-EU students needing a visa by 28 September 2026. The consulate deadline for 2027/28 visas is 31 October 2027 (Universitaly).
- Now to early 2027: SAT planning for Bologna's bachelor's and English certificates for the master's.
- First months of 2027: we submit the university applications in the earliest round open to visa applicants.
- Once admitted: our team completes your 2027/28 Universitaly pre-enrolment once the portal opens (date pending).
- By 31 October 2027: the visa application, built on the file we prepare.
See intakes in Italy for the wider calendar and the DOV guide for degree documents from India.
Reality check
Each university makes its own admission decision, the regional DSU body awards the grant and the consulate grants or refuses the visa. None of these is ours to promise, and a tourism degree does not come with a job attached.
For eligible students, ApplyAZ carries the workload, from picking the right round to submitting applications, completing your Universitaly pre-enrolment, claiming the DSU grant and building the visa file. Certificates, attestations and bank statements are family documents, so we tell you exactly which documents to get, in which order, and check every page before the visa appointment.
Common mistakes, and what each one sets you back:
- A late SAT: Bologna's bachelor's offered its 50 non-EU places only in the first round for 2026/27, so a score that arrives after that round closes costs a year.
- Missing the second language: Insubria's extra B2 language requirement can stop an application that is otherwise strong.
- Waiting too long at Ca' Foscari: its 2026/27 rounds for visa applicants had closed by late September 2026.
- Counting on part-time wages: the consulate looks at family funds, and a gap there can cost the visa.
Run the eligibility check before the first tourism rounds for 2027/28. Students who qualify meet an Italy expert one to one, and our team handles each stage that follows.
Frequently asked questions
Can I study hospitality and tourism in Italy in English?
Yes: our catalogue lists 8 English-taught programmes for 2027/28 at 8 public universities, Bologna's bachelor's in Rimini and master's at Bergamo, Ca' Foscari, Insubria, Macerata, Palermo, Sassari and Turin. Six are in LM-49, the Italian tourism class, and we match your degree to each call before you apply.
Is Italy good for studying tourism management?
Our catalogue has English-taught tourism degrees at eight public universities, with fixed fees from €211 a year at Palermo in 2026/27. The University of Bologna is the only Italian public university in the QS 2026 subject ranking for hospitality and leisure management, at 51 to 100. Whether it suits you depends on the career you want.
Can I study hotel management in Italy at a public university?
Not as a hands-on hotel operations degree in our catalogue. The eight programmes cover hospitality within tourism management, economics and planning; Insubria and Palermo carry hospitality in their names. We work only with public universities, so private hotel and culinary schools are outside what we recommend.
What is the cost of studying tourism in Italy?
For 2026/27, Palermo's fixed fee for non-EU students living abroad ran from €211 to €378 by country list, Turin charged €656 in its lowest band and Bologna's bachelor's cost €1,157.04 for non-OECD citizens. Those figures are before any DSU grant. Living costs come on top and vary widely by city.
Do I need the SAT for a tourism degree in Italy?
Only for the bachelor's. The University of Bologna used the SAT to select non-EU applicants for Economics of Tourism and Cities in 2026/27. The seven master's use CV and grades, interviews or their own tests instead, and we plan your application around whichever one applies.
Do I need Italian for a tourism master's in Italy?
All eight teach in English, and six state B2 in our catalogue. Turin expects some basic Italian for its Biella master's, and Insubria asks for a second foreign language at B2. Some Italian also helps with daily life and local work, so it is worth starting early.
Can I work in tourism while studying in Italy?
Yes, part time. A study permit allows up to 20 hours a week and 1,040 hours a year, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The consulate still judges your visa on family funds of €10,179.85 a year, not on wages you expect to earn in hotels or agencies.
Sources
- University of Bologna, Economics of Tourism and Cities, programme page (Rimini campus), verified 28 September 2026.
- University of Bologna, Economics of Tourism and Cities, how to enrol 2026/27 (SAT, places), verified 28 September 2026.
- University of Turin, Cultural Heritage and Creativity for Tourism and Territorial Development (Biella), verified 28 September 2026.
- Ca' Foscari University of Venice, admission rounds 2026/27, verified 28 September 2026.
- University of Palermo, tuition fees for international students, verified 28 September 2026.
- University of Turin, GDP-based contribution for students resident abroad, 2026/27, verified 28 September 2026.
- University of Bologna, flat rate for non-OECD and developing-country citizens, 2026/27, verified 28 September 2026.
- ER.GO, economic thresholds 2026/27 (updated 22 June 2026), verified 28 September 2026.
- QS 2026 subject table for Hospitality and Leisure Management, Italian entries, published 25 March 2026, verified 28 September 2026.
- AlmaLaurea statistics tool, 2025 survey: economics group (gruppo 7) and all magistrale graduates, verified 28 September 2026.
- AlmaLaurea 2026 report on graduate employment, summary document, verified 28 September 2026.
- Universitaly English page for foreign students: pre-enrolment only via Universitaly, visa deadline 31 October 2027, verified 28 September 2026.
- Ministry circular on foreign students for 2026/27 and 2027/28: twelve school years, English check for the visa, €10,179.85 a year, verified 28 September 2026.
- Farnesina (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), studying in Italy FAQ: 20 hours a week, 1,040 a year, verified 28 September 2026.
- Integrazione Migranti portal, conversion of the study permit and the job-seeking permit, 7 July 2023, verified 28 September 2026.
Every rupee figure uses the ECB euro reference rate published for 25 September 2026 (€1 = ₹109.2605). Programme counts come from the ApplyAZ catalogue of English-only programmes on 28 September 2026.
To find out which tourism programme you can apply to, Check your eligibility now; after a consultation, eligible students leave every step to us.
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.
