Study in Italy

Who this applies to

International (foreign) students at Italian universities. Centralized PRE-ENROLLMENT step (Universitaly) for non-EU students needing a visa; individual universities still set academic admission.

Governing authority

Ministry of University and Research (MUR). Central portal: Universitaly (universitaly.it). Credential recognition via CIMEA (Declaration of Value / Statement of Comparability).

Degree system

Laurea (Bachelor) 3 yrs · Laurea Magistrale (Master) 2 yrs · single-cycle Master's for Medicine (6 yrs), Law, Pharmacy, Architecture (5 yrs) · Dottorato (PhD) 3–4 yrs.

Admission Process

Pre Enrollment

Non-EU applicants from abroad MUST complete 'Pre-enrolment' on Universitaly (free), then obtain a study visa — this is mandatory for nearly all visa-needing students.

Academic Application

Apply to the chosen university (often directly and/or via Universitaly); EU students and those with an Italian residence permit skip the visa/pre-enrolment route.

Entrance Exams

Open-access for many programs, but selective ones require tests: IMAT (English-taught Medicine/Dentistry), TOLC (many bachelor's), architecture and other national admission tests.

Language Requirements

Italian Taught

Italian proficiency, commonly B2 (CILS / CELI / PLIDA / IT certificates).

English Taught

IELTS / TOEFL (growing number of English-taught Bachelor's and especially Master's).

Tuition Intl Per Year Eur

Public Universities

Low and INCOME-BASED via the ISEE/ISEE-parificato indicator — typically €0–€4,000/yr; low-income students often pay only the regional tax (~€140–€350) and many qualify for full waivers. Some universities set a flat reduced fee for non-EU students.

Private Universities

€6,000–€16,000+/yr (e.g. Bocconi ~€14,000–€16,000+).

Note

ISEE (Equivalent Economic Situation Indicator) is the key lever — fees scale with documented family income; international students submit an ISEE-parificato.

Source

MUR; Universitaly; individual university fee regulations

Visa And Costs

Student visa & residence permit

Study visa (type D) from the Italian embassy/consulate after Universitaly pre-enrolment (visa fee ~€50). Apply for a residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) within 8 working days of arrival.

Financial Means

Proof of financial means (~€6,000–€7,000/yr) and accommodation + health insurance required.

Living costs

~€700–€1,100/month depending on city (Milan/Rome highest).

Scholarships

Regional right-to-study (DSU) scholarships — income+merit based, often cover fee waiver + meals + accommodation + a stipend (e.g. via EDISU/ER.GO/LAZIODISU/DSU Toscana). MAECI Italian Government scholarships for foreign students. University merit scholarships.

Sources & references

• pre-enrolment/process — https://www.universitaly.it/first-steps (2026-06-10)
• process/visa — https://en.unito.it/studying-unito/international-degree-seeking-students/faqs/faqs-visa-and-pre-enrolment-universitaly (2026-06-10)