Study in Italy After 12th (2027/28): English-Taught Bachelor's, Eligibility and Costs
107 English-taught bachelor's at 38 public universities for Class XII students: boards, streams, SAT and CEnT-S, B2 English and tuition.
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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
- Yes, after Class XII: Italy's MUR circular asks for 12 years of schooling before a bachelor's, which Class XII completes. Our catalogue has 107 English-taught bachelor's for 2027/28 at 38 public universities, plus 24 single-cycle degrees such as medicine.
- Boards: Padua's 2027/28 entry list names the CBSE and CISCE certificates and the Intermediate and Higher Secondary certificates that state boards award. Subject rules come from each programme's call, not from a national list.
- Tests and English: many accept the SAT, others rely on a CISIA test, and some have no entrance test. Most ask for B2 English, which the consulate also checks for the visa; some bachelor's take an English-medium school diploma as proof.
- Cost: tuition at a public university follows family income (ISEE), so study can be tuition-free for eligible students.
- 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.
Finishing Class XII or already done? Check your eligibility first, then book a one-to-one consultation with an Italy expert if you qualify, and we take care of everything from there.
Study in Italy after 12th: key facts for 2027/28
The figures below come from our catalogue on 9 October 2026 and from the official sources listed at the end. Rupee amounts use the ECB reference rate of 25 September 2026, €1 = ₹109.2605.
| Topic | Study in Italy after 12th |
|---|---|
| English-taught bachelor's | 107 in our catalogue, at 38 public universities in 33 cities. |
| Other degrees open after Class XII | 24 single-cycle degrees in English, 18 of them in medicine and surgery. |
| School-leaving rule | 12 years of schooling (MUR circular 2026/27 and 2027/28); Class XII qualifies. |
| Boards named for 2027/28 | CBSE, CISCE (ISC) and state board Intermediate or Higher Secondary certificates (University of Padua). |
| Entry tests | The SAT, a CISIA test (CEnT-S or TOLC) or the university's own test; some programmes use a check that does not rank you, and some have no test. |
| English | B2 (CEFR) for most programmes, the level the consulate checks at the visa stage; some accept a school diploma or studies taught in English. |
| Length | 3 years and 180 ECTS for every one of them. |
| Tuition | Set by family income (ISEE), so study can be tuition-free for eligible students. |
| Regional DSU grant (2026/27) | National minimum €7,171.11 a year (₹7.84 lakh) for students living away from home; each region sets its own income limit. |
| First 2027/28 deadline seen | University of Padua, first call 15 September to 15 November 2026. |
| Visa | Apply by 31 October 2027; show €10,179.85 a year (₹11.12 lakh). |
Can you study in Italy after 12th?
Yes: the MUR circular for 2026/27 and 2027/28 opens first-cycle degrees to anyone whose school-leaving title follows at least 12 years of schooling. Class XII from an Indian board meets that rule. In our catalogue, 107 bachelor's and 24 single-cycle degrees taught in English accept students straight from Class XII.
The university, not the ministry, judges your certificate: the law gives foreign-title assessment to each institution (Universitaly, procedures for 2026/27 and 2027/28). The circular also asks for proof of any aptitude test your home country sets for university entry. We check with each university how it reads that line for your board.
A bachelor's (laurea) lasts three years and 180 ECTS credits, and it opens the two-year master's later (Study in Italy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs). Every English-taught bachelor's in our catalogue follows that shape.
Which Indian boards are accepted for a bachelor's in Italy?
Both the national boards and the state boards qualify, as long as Class XII closes 12 years of schooling. Padua's entry list for 2027/28, updated on 15 September 2026, names the CBSE and CISCE certificates, each with at least 5 subjects. It also names the Intermediate and Higher Secondary certificates issued by state boards.
| Board | Certificate Padua lists for 2027/28 | Condition in the list |
|---|---|---|
| CBSE | All India Senior School Certificate | At least 5 courses. |
| CISCE | Indian School Certificate (ISC, Year 12) | At least 5 subjects. |
| State boards | Intermediate Examination Certificate | No minimum mark printed for bachelor's. |
| State boards | Higher Secondary School Certificate | No minimum mark printed for bachelor's. |
| State boards | Higher Secondary Examination Certificate Part II | No minimum mark printed for bachelor's. |
Source: University of Padua, specific entry requirements per country, A.Y. 2027/28, India row, bachelor's and single-cycle column.
Bologna words the same rule more generally. It asks for a qualification from abroad, after at least twelve years of school, that grants access to university (University of Bologna, Economics and Finance, how to enrol). The circular lets each university ask for a Declaration of Value or a CIMEA statement with the certificate, at its discretion (MUR circular 2026/27 and 2027/28, page 9).
Which Class XII stream do you need to study in Italy?
Italy has no national stream rule: each programme's call sets the subjects it expects. In practice mathematics decides most options, because the SAT and the CISIA tests that many English-taught bachelor's in our catalogue use all test it. Science with mathematics keeps the widest choice open; commerce with mathematics suits business and economics.
| Subject area | English-taught bachelor's | Universities | Stream that usually fits (our reading) | Read next |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business | 27 | 17 | Commerce or science, with mathematics | BBA in Italy. |
| Engineering | 27 | 17 | Science with physics and mathematics | BTech in Italy. |
| Social sciences | 14 | 12 | Any stream | psychology, law. |
| Health sciences | 13 | 11 | Science with biology | pharmacy and biotechnology. |
| Natural sciences | 8 | 7 | Science, with biology or mathematics | Bachelor's hub. |
| Arts and humanities | 6 | 5 | Any stream; humanities fits well | programmes A to Z. |
| Computer science | 5 | 5 | Science with mathematics | artificial intelligence. |
| Architecture and design | 4 | 3 | Science with mathematics | programmes A to Z. |
| Agriculture and veterinary | 3 | 2 | Science with biology | programmes A to Z. |
Where a call spells out subjects, we follow it word for word. Pisa's Management for Business and Economics expects logic, reading and writing at school-leaving level. It also expects arithmetic, algebra and basic geometry, with B2 English (University of Pisa, programme page).
Bologna's SAT route for Economics and Finance tests logical, mathematical and verbal skills, so a strong mathematics record matters there too.
Which English-taught bachelor's can you apply to after 12th?
You can apply to 107 English-taught bachelor's at 38 Italian public universities for 2027/28, according to our catalogue. Business and engineering lead with 27 each; Bologna, Sapienza and Messina offer the most (9 each). The table below lists a selection of them, and the entry test shown is the route our catalogue records for each programme.
Source: our catalogue, counted on 9 October 2026. The table shows a selection of English-only bachelor's; others are listed by Universitaly in Italian and English together, and our English-taught programmes in Italy page explains the difference.
Seen a bachelor's you like in the table? Run the eligibility check now; students who qualify meet one of our Italy experts one to one, and we handle everything after that.
Do you need the SAT or a TOLC for a bachelor's in Italy?
Not always, but most English-taught bachelor's set some test. In our catalogue, some accept the SAT, others rely on a CISIA test such as CEnT-S or TOLC, and some set their own. The CEnT-S can be sat online from home, according to CISIA, the consortium that runs it.
| Entry route for bachelor's | Universities (examples) |
|---|---|
| SAT accepted, alone or beside a CISIA test | Politecnico di Milano, Sapienza University of Rome, University of Bologna, University of Naples Federico II, University of Pavia, University of Pisa, University of Turin. |
| A CISIA test only (CEnT-S or TOLC) | Politecnico di Bari, University of Milan, University of Padua, University of Siena, University of Turin. |
| The university's own admission test | Sapienza University of Rome, University of Bologna, University of Milan, University of Milan-Bicocca, University of Padua, University of Palermo. |
| Open access with a check that does not rank you | University of Bari Aldo Moro, University of Brescia, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, University of Messina, University of Padua, University of Teramo, University of Trieste, University of Udine. |
| No entrance test | Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Polytechnic University of Marche, University of Camerino, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, University of Naples Federico II, University of Palermo. |
The scores work differently at each university: Politecnico di Milano converts a SAT or CEnT-S result onto its own TOL scale. Admission needs at least 30 out of 100 (Politecnico di Milano, Engineering BSc call 2026/27). In 2026/27, Bologna ranked non-EU applicants living abroad for Economics and Finance on the SAT General test, scored out of 1600.
Our catalogue records that Bologna route as the university's own test, so more programmes accept the SAT than the labels suggest. We map each test to the right call and date.
CISIA replaced the English TOLC versions with the CEnT-S from November 2025. Sittings run in windows: November to January, February to March, and later ones (CISIA, all about the CEnT).
What English level do you need after Class XII?
For most English-taught bachelor's the bar is English at B2, which is also what the consulate checks at the visa stage (MUR circular 2026/27 and 2027/28, Part II, page 18). How you show it depends on the programme: in our catalogue, some bachelor's accept a school diploma or earlier studies taught in English.
Palermo accepts a medium-of-instruction letter; Camerino does not. Politecnico di Milano waives the certificate for its English-taught bachelor's if you studied in English at least at high-school level or hold citizenship of an English-speaking country (Engineering BSc call 2026/27, section 1.2.2).
For the visa, the Kolkata consulate asks for a B2 certificate when the course is taught in English. An equivalent medium-of-education letter also works (Consulate General of Italy, Kolkata, checklist 2026 to 2028). The alternatives, university by university, are in our study in Italy without IELTS guide.
How tuition works for a bachelor's in Italy after 12th
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. A public university can be tuition-free for eligible students.
The 2027/28 fee rules are pending and usually appear in the summer before the year starts.
The regional DSU scholarship can cover much more than the fee. For 2026/27, MUR set the minimum grant for a student living away from home at €7,171.11 (₹7.84 lakh) a year, and regions may pay part of it as meals or a bed. Each region sets its own ISEE limit, up to the national ceiling of €28,339.88 (MUR decree 175, decree 176 of 10 February 2026).
First-year students can apply before earning any credits; our DSU scholarship guide covers each region's call.
For the visa, a student shows means of €10,179.85 a year (₹11.12 lakh) under the circular. Our cost of studying in Italy and visa financial proof guides set out the full budget.
When should you apply for 2027/28 after Class XII?
Start in the autumn of your Class XII year. Padua's first call for 2027/28 opened on 15 September 2026 and closes on 15 November 2026, well before board results. Other calls run later into 2027, and visa applications for 2027/28 must reach the consulate by 31 October 2027, according to Universitaly.
| When | What happens | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| 15 September to 15 November 2026 | University of Padua, first call for 2027/28 for most degree programmes. | University of Padua |
| November 2026 onwards | CEnT-S sittings open in fixed windows, one sitting per window, at a university or from home. | CISIA |
| February to May (2026 pattern) | Bologna's Economics and Finance ran its first selection from 10 February to 4 May 2026; 2027 dates are pending. | University of Bologna |
| After admission | Pre-enrolment on Universitaly, then validation by the university. | Universitaly |
| Summer to autumn 2027 | Regional DSU calls; Padua's 2026 regional scholarship deadline was 30 September 2026. | University of Padua |
| By 31 October 2027 | Visa application deadline for 2027/28; universities may set earlier dates. | Universitaly |
Places for applicants abroad are limited. Bologna's Economics and Finance kept 40 of its 130 places for non-EU citizens living outside Italy in 2026/27, all in its first intake. Our intakes guide covers every month of the cycle.
Can you apply before your Class XII results are out?
Yes, for many calls, because early rounds such as Padua's close in November 2026, during your Class XII year. The university decides how it treats marks still to come. The MUR circular accepts an official substitute certificate in place of the final diploma, but never a self-declaration by the student.
That rule sits in the circular's list of documents for first-cycle access (MUR circular, pages 9 to 10). We send each application with the marksheets you already have and track what the university asks for before enrolment.
Can you study medicine in Italy after 12th?
Yes, through single-cycle degrees that start straight after Class XII. Our catalogue lists 24 taught in English at 18 public universities: 18 in medicine and surgery, 2 in dentistry, 2 in pharmacy and 2 in veterinary medicine. Most of these admit through IMAT or the national medicine test in English.
Medicine and dentistry run six years and 360 ECTS; pharmacy and veterinary medicine run five years and 300 ECTS (Study in Italy). Our medicine in Italy and IMAT exam guides cover places, the test and the ranking.
Which documents does a Class XII student need for Italy?
You need your Class XII pass certificate and marksheet, a passport and proof of English, usually at B2. For the visa, Kolkata's 2026 to 2028 checklist wants the final school certificate and the marksheet attested by the competent State Higher Education Department and apostilled, with the original and a colour copy.
Some universities also want a Declaration of Value or a CIMEA statement; our DOV or CIMEA and apostille and E-Sanad guides explain the difference. Your family obtains these documents; we tell you exactly which documents to get, in which order, and check every page before the visa appointment.
How ApplyAZ helps after Class XII
We begin with your board, stream, marks and English, and match them against the call of every bachelor's in our catalogue. You get a shortlist that fits your record and your test plans, with the dates that matter for each.
For eligible students, we then prepare and send the applications, handle the Universitaly pre-enrolment, file the DSU scholarship application and build the visa file. Our standards and our fee model are published in the ApplyAZ Code of Practice and How ApplyAZ Gets Paid.
Reality check
Each university decides whether your Class XII certificate and test scores earn a place. DSU money is the region's call and the visa is the consulate's; a validated pre-enrolment does not secure either.
Our part is the shortlist, every application, the Universitaly pre-enrolment, the DSU scholarship request and the visa file. We cannot move a ranking or a consulate's decision.
The usual mistakes in a Class XII year, and what each one costs:
- Waiting for board results before applying: early calls such as Padua's close in November, and later rounds hold fewer places for students abroad.
- Dropping mathematics after Class X: most tests these bachelor's use include maths, so your list of options shrinks.
- Booking the SAT or CEnT-S too late: CEnT-S allows one sitting per window, so a missed window can mean a missed call.
- Missing the DSU deadline: a grant with a 2026/27 national minimum of €7,171.11 (₹7.84 lakh).
- Unattested or unapostilled school certificates: a visa file the consulate will not accept, and a lost year if 31 October 2027 passes.
Your Class XII year moves fast. See whether you qualify with the eligibility check; eligible students then book a one-to-one consultation with an Italy expert, and we take care of everything else.
Frequently asked questions
What percentage in Class XII do I need to study in Italy?
Italy sets no national minimum percentage for a bachelor's. The MUR circular asks for 12 years of schooling, and Padua's 2027/28 list names the CBSE, CISCE and state board certificates with no minimum mark. Selective programmes still rank you, so we check your marks and test scores against each call.
Can commerce students study in Italy after 12th?
Yes: of the 107 English-taught bachelor's in our catalogue, 27 are in business and economics, where commerce fits well. Their tests, such as the SAT or CEnT-S, include mathematics, so commerce with maths is the stronger route. Without maths, we look first at programmes with no test or a non-selective check.
Can I get a scholarship for a bachelor's in Italy?
Yes: the regional DSU scholarship is open to first-year bachelor's students and is assessed on family income. For 2026/27, MUR set the minimum grant for a student living away from home at €7,171.11 and the highest ISEE limit a region may use at €28,339.88; many regions set lower limits. The region decides, and we file the application for eligible students.
Is IELTS compulsory for a bachelor's in Italy after 12th?
Not always: most programmes ask for English at B2, but some English-taught bachelor's in our catalogue accept a school diploma or earlier studies taught in English. For the visa, the Kolkata consulate accepts a B2 certificate or a letter confirming English as the medium of education. We check each programme's rule.
How long is a bachelor's degree in Italy?
Three years and 180 ECTS credits, according to the Study in Italy portal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Every English-taught bachelor's in our catalogue follows that pattern. The degree then gives access to a two-year master's, the laurea magistrale, in Italy.
What SAT score do Italian universities ask for?
There is no single national SAT score: Politecnico di Milano converts your SAT result onto its TOL scale and needs the equivalent of at least 30 out of 100. Bologna ranked non-EU applicants for Economics and Finance on the SAT out of 1600 in 2026/27. We read each call and plan your test date around it.
Which cities have English-taught bachelor's in Italy?
In our catalogue for 2027/28, 33 cities teach at least one English-taught bachelor's. Rome has the most with 12, then Milan, Bologna, Messina and Turin with 9 each. Smaller cities such as Teramo, Cassino and Camerino also appear, and our cost guide compares living costs city by city.
Sources
- Circular on international students for 2026/27 and 2027/28 (MUR) (12 years of schooling and documents, page 9; B2 checked by the consulate at the visa stage, Part II, page 18; means, page 16), verified 28 September 2026.
- Universitaly, Foreign students: procedures for 2026/27 and 2027/28 (visa deadline 31 October 2027; pre-enrolment only through Universitaly), verified 28 September 2026.
- University of Padua, specific entry requirements per country, A.Y. 2027/28 (updated 15 September 2026), verified 28 September 2026.
- How international students apply for 2027/28 (University of Padua), verified 28 September 2026.
- University of Bologna, Economics and Finance, how to enrol (2026/27 call), verified 28 September 2026.
- Politecnico di Milano, Engineering BSc call for admission 2026/27, verified 28 September 2026.
- Politecnico di Milano, students with a foreign qualification, verified 28 September 2026.
- University of Pisa, Management for Business and Economics, verified 28 September 2026.
- University of Pavia, Artificial Intelligence (bachelor's), verified 28 September 2026.
- CISIA, all about the CEnT, verified 28 September 2026.
- Italian higher education system, Study in Italy portal of the Foreign Ministry, verified 28 September 2026.
- DSU 2026/27: directorial decree 175 and directorial decree 176 (MUR, 10 February 2026), verified 28 September 2026.
- Study visa checklist 2026 to 2028, Italian Consulate General in Kolkata, verified 28 September 2026.
- Our programme catalogue (programmes A to Z): English-taught bachelor's and single-cycle degrees, counted on 9 October 2026.
Rupee conversions: €1 = ₹109.2605, the ECB euro reference rate for 25 September 2026.
When your board, stream and marks are in front of you, Check your eligibility; eligible students then meet an Italy expert one to one.
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.
- Parmeet Kaur: Bachelor’s in Industrial Engineering Technology at University of Cassino. Patient, unhurried guidance.
Explore all student stories and videos.
Further reading
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.
