STUDY IN ITLAY

Italy’s historic treasures and magnificent cuisine continue to draw visitors as they have done for centuries. From the snow-capped Dolomites in the North to the warm maritime Mediterranean culture of the South, Italy’s regions are diverse and exciting. For the international student seeking world-class but affordable education, with a wide range of social and leisure activities, few countries are as exciting a choice as Italy.

The country’s cultural importance extends back to ancient times and the past greets the student of history and archaeology on every street corner. For many, Rome is still the Eternal City, the centre of an empire that – some 2,000 years ago – stretched from rainy Britannia to the deserts of Syria. At its height it also encompassed Egypt, much of North Africa and nearly all of Continental Europe.

Italy’s Ancient Roman monuments, magnificent as they are, tell only part of the story. The Renaissance of the 14th to 17th century originated in Italy (as the Rinascimento) and sparked innovation and revolutions in art, architecture, philosophy, religion and the sciences across Europe. Intellectual activity and creativity flourished, carrying gems of ancient and medieval thought into the modern world.

Studying at a university in Italy

It’s perhaps not surprising that many international students feel instantly at home in Italy. The University of Bologna has been welcoming students since 1088 – it is the oldest university in the world and its foundation gave the city one of its nicknames: la dotta, “the learned one”. Bologna remains at the leading edge of academic innovation in the 21st century. The Bologna Process was initiated in the city, and has established a set of standards for excellence in higher education across the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).

Italian universities take pride in their heritage and rankings. The University of Rome Tor Vergata offers more than a dozen international degree courses that are taught in English. Founded only in 1982, Tor Vergata was ranked one of the best young universities in Europe, and is known for high student satisfaction and far-above-average employment rates of its graduates.

Italy is also home to some of the best business schools in Europe, including the prestigious SDA Bocconi in Milan, the country’s financial capital. Its MBA programmes frequently top global and European rankings, and many top business leaders are among its alumni.

These and many other universities in Italy are stepping up efforts to accelerate their internationalisation and offer degree programmes specifically for international students. There are currently more than 500 English-taught study programmes available in the country. And every year, there are more and more options to study in Italy in English.

Cost of living and tuition fees in Italy

Italy is a budget-friendly study destination in Europe. While the cost of accommodation and living can be high in large cities like Rome or Milan, smaller cities are much cheaper. Larger universities usually offer support in finding accommodation; with luck you might get a place in a cheap student home.

Compared to other countries in Europe, Italy’s public universities are also relatively cheap. On average, public universities in Italy charge around 1,000 EUR per year. Top-ranked prestigious universities might charge more. A special case is the University of Rome Tor Vergata, where tuition fees are tied to your family’s financial situation: Based on the income, you are charged from a low minimum around 150 EUR to a maximum of around 5,000 EUR per year.

Student life in Italy

Italians are known to be welcoming, open people. You will make local friends quickly. And they will teach you that eating out and enjoying high-quality, healthy food are fundamental to la dolce vita (“the sweet life”) for every Italian.

Although you will get by with only a handful of words and phrases in Italian, English is not widely spoken outside the academic context, and you will definitely benefit from taking some lessons in Italian before and during your stay. That is especially true if you should decide to stay and work in Italy after graduation.

Cultural activities include everything from traditional local festivals to major international sporting events. Italian night life is always lively, especially in cities. In summer, the majority of people head for the sea or countryside. For quality of life, unforgettable, charming Italy provides value for any student.

Universities in Italy

When planning a trip to Italy, it’s easy to picture some of the things it’s renowned for, such as coffee, pizza, football and art. However, instead of just visiting its famous landmarks, you could be benefiting from a more immersive experience while furthering your education.

As most courses are taught in Italian, you’ll get chance to learn a second language, which is sure to impress future employers.

In your free time, you can take in all the country has to offer. World-class options include the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain in Rome, St Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, the ancient ruins of Pompeii and the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

You’ll also be able to enjoy the outstanding Italian cuisine, go hiking in the Italian Alps, soak up the sun on beautiful beaches, check out the fashion hotspots in metropolitan cities such as Milan, Naples and Venice or sample the unique atmosphere of a Serie A football match at Juventus’ Allianz Stadium in Turin.

Italian universities

The higher education system in Italy is divided into universities and non-university institutions. They can be classified as follows:

Universities – includes both private and publicly funded, with the majority being the latter. This includes graduate schools (Scuola Superiore Universitaria), telematics universities and those funded by province. There are around 90 universities in total.
Non-universities – these are sector-specific academies specialising in the field of arts, known as AFAM (Institutes of High Training in Art, Music and Dance). There are also technical institutions, schools of higher education in language mediation and schools of higher integrated education.

Qualifications are structured as follows:

First cycle/Laurea Triennale – comparable to a Bachelors/undergraduate degree (180 credits) and lasts three years.
Second cycle/Laurea Magistrale – consists of two years of study, and is equivalent to a Masters degree (120 credits).
Specialist Masters programmes/Master Universitario di 1° Livello – usually involve one year of study and provide students with professional knowledge (60 credits).
Postgraduate diploma/Specializzazione di 2° Livello – a two-year course training specialists for certain professional sectors.
Single cycle Masters programmes/Laurea Magistrale Ciclo Unico – a five or six year Masters programme allowing entry for school leavers (300-360 credits).
Third cycle/Dottorato di Ricerca – three-year, PhD-level programmes.

A total of 41 Italian universities currently feature in the QS World University Rankings 2023, with four making the top 300:

Politecnico di Milano (139th)
Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna (167th)
Sapienza University of Rome (171st)
Università di Padova (243rd).

The academic year in Italy is split into two semesters. The first runs from September/October to January/February, with the second commencing in February and ending in July.

For more information on Italy’s university system, visit the Centre for the Academic Promotion and Orientation of Study in Italy at Uni-Italia – Study in Italy.

Degree courses in Italy

A Bachelors degree, otherwise known in Italy as the Laurea Triennale, is usually a three-year programme of full-time study. A broad range of subjects are available, but the country is highly regarded for its academic excellence in art, design, architecture and applied sciences.

While most courses are taught in Italian, the number of English language programmes is increasing. However, international students will more than likely need to prove their proficiency in Italian before being accepted. You’ll also need to pre-enrol at your chosen institution, presenting the required valid school leaving certificate (or equivalent) for admission.

To explore Bachelors courses, see the Ministry of Education, Universities and Research’s Study in Italy course search page.

Masters degrees

Italian Masters courses (Laurea Magistrale) take two years to complete and are divided into four semesters. You’ll be taught through a series of lectures, tutorials and group work, which will culminate in the submission of a dissertation at the end of semester four.

Second-cycle postgraduate programmes can be studied in a variety of

subjects and some Italian universities provide Masters courses taught entirely in English. To find out if your chosen subject is one of them, check with your institution’s international office.

In some subjects, such as dentistry, law, pharmacology, architecture and medicine, at specific universities school leavers can undertake a five or six-year Masters programme (known as the Laurea Magistrale Ciclo Unico).

Specialist one-year Masters courses (Master Universitario di 1° Livello) are focused on practical education and are typically found in professional subjects such as law, engineering or education. You cannot get a PhD by this route.

You’ll need to hold a good undergraduate degree, which for some programmes needs to be in a relevant subject.

Browse relevant Masters courses by using the search facility at Study in Italy.

PhDs

Third-cycle research Doctorate degrees (Dottorato di Ricerca), also known as PhDs, can be studied at all Italian universities and typically take at least three years to complete. During this time, you’ll work on an individual project and produce a thesis based on original research.

To get onto a third-cycle programme, you’ll need a relevant Masters qualification and will possibly have to sit an admission exam. If your course is taught in Italian, you’ll also need to prove your proficiency in the language.

Student exchanges

Students attending UK universities can take part in the government’s Turing Scheme for those looking to secure placements or study overseas.

Your university must have a formal agreement with a partner university in Italy, so check that your institution is involved in the programme and offers the scheme.

Course fees

Tuition fees to study in Italy will differ depending on the university and the course that you choose, so it’s important to check with institutions individually to find out about costs.

Some undergraduate courses at public institutions are free, while others cost up to €5,000 (£4,358) per year, with the average working out at around €1,500 (£1,307). Annual fees at private universities typically range from

€3,000 (£2,615) to €35,000 (£30,504).

Students from the EU or European Economic Area (EEA) generally won’t have to pay more for courses than Italian citizens at public universities, but for other international students, such as those from the UK, the costs may be higher.

Funding to study in Italy

The same rules apply to international students as Italian students when it comes to scholarships and grants. All students can apply for them, with funding distributed depending on an individual’s financial situation and academic merit. This applies to scholarships, student loans, housing assistance, meal tickets and fee waivers.

There are different types of funding you can apply for and the international office at your chosen university can help you decide your options. For example, Bologna University offers 15 scholarships worth €11,059 (£9,641) per year to international students.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that Italy is one of the more expensive EU countries, with living expenses in the north considerably higher than in the south.

Student visas

EU students don’t need a visa to study in Italy, as long as they:

are studying for more than three months
are enrolled at an approved university/other educational institution
they register at their local police station
have sufficient income (from any source) to live without needing income support
have comprehensive health insurance cover.

International or non-EU students, including those from the UK, will need to apply for an Italian study visa type D (for stays exceeding 90 days) at their local Italian embassy or consulate. You may be asked to submit:

a valid entry visa application form and the €50 (£44) admin fee
a valid passport
proof of language proficiency in Italian or English (depending on study programme)
a recent passport photograph
proof of accommodation in Italy for the duration of your studies
evidence of sufficient funds (at least €467.64 (£408) per month)
valid health insurance details
an acceptance letter from an Italian institution.

Non-EU students need to apply for a residence permit in the city where you’ll be living within eight days of arrival. This can be done at your local post office in Italy and you’ll be supplied with the relevant application information. Like EU students, you will need to register at the local police station upon arrival.

For more information, see the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation – Visa for Italy.

How to apply

University application procedures in Italy depend on your level of study and whether you are an EU or non-EU student. You may need to sit an entrance exam.

Information on application procedures and the necessary documentation can usually be found online through your chosen institution.

The application process involves submitting a pre-application request form to the Italian embassy or consulate in your country – for the UK this is the Embassy of Italy in London – along with the relevant supporting materials. These include:

a completed application form
a completed pre-enrolment form
a copy of your school leaving certificate (undergraduate) or a copy of your undergraduate certificate (postgraduate)
academic transcripts
two passport photographs
proof of Italian proficiency
additional documentation that supports your application.

All documents must be translated into Italian. If you’re an EU student, you’ll receive a Letter of Academic Eligibility and Suitability (Dichiarazione di Valore in Loco/DV) from your local Italian embassy acknowledging your foreign qualifications prior to applying to an Italian university. The embassy is then responsible for sending your documents to your chosen institution.

For non-EU students, by the end of August the embassy will determine whether your application meets the criteria for a visa to study in Italy.

Read more about the process and the documents required at Uni-Italia – Pre-Enrolment.

Language requirements

For university courses delivered in Italian, international students will have to prove their language proficiency at the application stage. This typically involves sitting an exam, although in some situations, you may be able to submit documentary evidence of your competence in the Italian language.

Even if your degree is taught in English, it’s still a good idea to have a basic knowledge of Italian as this can help you to settle into your new surroundings and make friends. You can improve your language skills by undertaking a course in your home country or by contacting your institution’s international office to enquire about Italian language courses once you arrive.

Comparison to UK qualifications

Thanks to the Bologna Process, Italian courses and higher education qualifications are directly comparable to those studied in the UK.

It’s always best to check before applying for jobs, but degrees gained in Italy should be recognised by UK employers.