The Ultimate Guide to Studying in Italy in 2024

Why choose Italy for study ?

From the perks of studying in Italy to its affordable costs, along with the admission requirements, this guide on how to study in Italy has it all. Let’s get started!

Italy’s fantastic cuisine and historical treasures have drawn visitors to the beautiful boot-shaped nation for centuries. Because of its glorious heritage, the country has a diverse and interesting culture.

You must consider studying in Italy if you are passionate about fields like architecture, fashion, or art, among others. Italy is also remarkable for its research and science. 

Italy is one of the most student-friendly nations in the world, with its cosmopolitan environment. In Italy, the people are friendly, open, and inclusive.

However, if you’re still not convinced, we have more!

Read more:Here’s everything you know about part-time jobs in Italy for international students!

Why study in Italy?

1. Top universities and a splendid international environment

Universities in Italy are divided into private and public-funded institutions. Many of Italy’s institutions are top-ranked universities in Europe. International students can apply to Italian universities if they have a qualification that allows them to enroll.

Read More: Which are the best universities in Italy

2. Rich student life

Italians are open, outgoing, and welcoming people. While you study in Italy, you’ll easily make local friends who will teach you that enjoying great healthy food is fundamental to ‘the sweet life.’

3. Many English-taught degrees

You can find a study program suitable for you in any field. They teach several computer sciences and art programs in English. There are currently over 500 English-taught study programs. The most popular ones include-

1. MBAs 
2. Computer Science
3. International Relations 
4. Electrical Engineering
5. Architecture 
6. Fashion Design

4. Driven by research and innovation

Italy holds the record of academic publications on research magazines of excellence. In addition, it focuses on natural sciences, physics, biology, pharmacy, computer science, medicine, and mathematics in Europe.

 

The higher education system in Italy

They divided the education program into a 3+2-year program. 3 years for a bachelor’s degree and 2 years for a master’s degree. 

Italy has broadly 2 types of institutions making up the higher education system, that is-

1. University institutions, and 
2. Non-university institutions 

The university sector in Italy consists of 7 categories-

1. State universities- They are public institutions funded by the provide state. They also equipped with their own management of teaching, scientific, financial, managerial, and book-keeping autonomy.
2. Private universities-. Private universities hold recognition by the state but do not receive state funding.
3. Technical universities- You can study English-taught master’s here.
4. Publicly funded universities- They are funded by the province rather than the state.
5. Superior graduate schools- These schools are for specialized postgraduate university studies. They are also independent institutions and offer advanced training and research courses.
6. Universities for foreigners- These universities specialize in teaching and research for the development of Italian literature, language, and culture.
7. AFAM institutes- These academies specialize in sectors like art, music, and dance to technical and research-based institutions.

Italy holds higher education exams after the teaching period. This mainly comprises oral exams. This also means you will have one-on-one conversations with your professors.

 As examinations last 4 to 6 weeks, students are allowed to select when to schedule their examinations.In fact, you can even turn down a mark and retake the exam if you’re not satisfied with the result. 

What is studying in Italy like?

The university offers over a dozen international degree courses taught in English. It is known for its above-average employment rates and also high student satisfaction.

Italy also has some of the best business schools in Europe, like the prestigious SDA Bocconi in Milan. Many top business leaders are also among the school’s alumni.

Moreover, many more universities in Italy are trying to offer degree programs specific to international students. 

Top universities to study in Italy

You deserve to study at the best universities. Hence, we have 7 top recommendations for you-

1. Universitænbsp; di Bologna (UNIBO)
2. Politecnico di Milano
3. Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa   
4. SDA Bocconi School of Management
5. Free University of Bozen-Bolzano
6. Universitænbsp; Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
7. Istituto Europeo di Design (IED)

Enrollment procedure to study in Italy

The eligibility criteria to study in Italy are 12 completed years of schooling, and you must at least be 17 years of age.

You can enroll in Italian Universities through online registration at the university website. After registration, you will receive an identification number that will require you to register for exams and pay university taxes.

Post selecting your degree program, verify with the university if they need you to submit an entrance exam. You can also find the calendar of the entrance exams on the university’s websites.

A national entry test is needed to attend the following programs-

1. Dentistry
2. Architecture
3. Medicine and Surgery
4. Educational Sciences
5. Veterinary Medicine
6. Health Care Professions

A higher education university may need specific admission tests for other courses, besides the ones listed above. You may study in Italy without IELTS based on your university criteria.

Documents required for study visa in Italy

You will need the following documents while applying-

1. A valid passport having at least two blank visa pages. Should also be valid for a minimum of 3 months post the expected end date of your program.
2. A completed visa application form.
3. A letter of acceptance from an institution in Italy.
4. The academic transcript of your previous studies.
5. Proof of adequate financial means showing that you can support yourself (around ⚬450 to ⚬515 per month)
6. Proof of language proficiency in Italian or English (as per the language of your study program) 
7. A Letter of Recommendation.
8. Proof of adequate accommodation in Italy.
9. Proof of adequate medical insurance.
10. A document showing your itinerary to and from Italy.
11. Proof that you have paid your application fee.
12. Proof of no criminal record.
13. Your university application form.
14. Proof of adequate financial means showing that you can support yourself (around ⚬450 to ⚬515 per month)

Depending on your institution and the language used in your documents, you may also require a certified translation of your documents in Italian. 

How to apply for a study visa in Italy

You must get a student visa before entering Italy. Moreover, if you are a non-EU student living abroad, they require you to submit a pre-application request to the Italian consulate or embassy in your country of residence. 

Here is how to apply for a study visa in Italy-

Depending on the duration of your study program, there are two types of student visas in Italy-

1. Visa type C is a short-stay visa or travel visa that is valid only for 90 days for one or more entries.
2. Visa type D is a long-stay visa that is valid for over 90 days.

You must contact your closest Italian consulate or embassy to make a visa appointment as soon as you get a letter of admission from your university. To stay in Italy after your studies, you also have to apply for a post-study visa in Italy. 

Cost of studying in Italy for international students

The cost to study in Italy can be divided into tuition fees, accommodation costs, and other living costs. 

Tuition fees

Tuition fees in Italy are lower than in other parts of Western Europe or North America. Higher education institutions in Italy have their tuition fees. The tuition fees cost depend on many factors. 

Public universities have considerably lower tuition fees than private Italian universities. However, the quality of education is good at all higher education institutions in Italy, regardless of the tuition fee.

The tuition fees in public universities in Italy range between 900 to 4000 EUR annually. The tuition fees in private institutes fall between 6000 to 20,000 EUR per year. 

Accommodation costs

Larger universities in Italy also offer you support in finding accommodations. The international office at the university often manages student housing in Italy. 

Such accommodation offices give information on renting apartments that are normally more affordable than finding housing on the private. Also, housing guarantees are mostly for students coming from outside the EU.

In bigger cities, student housing can range anywhere from 300 to 600 EUR per month. Nonetheless, smaller towns such as Trento may be budget-friendly.

Other living costs

Italy has many supermarkets for grocery shopping like discount stores that are easy on a student’s pocket. The weekly supermarket food shopping is around 60 EUR. And if you want to dine out, it can cost you 15 EUR per meal. 

In addition, public transport such as bus, tram, taxi, metro, or bicycle is the most convenient way to travel in Italy. It’s affordable at 35 EUR per month. 

So, the overall cost of living ranges from 650 to 1000 EUR per year. 

Part-time job opportunities

You can work while studying if you have a work permit. This requires a job offer from an employer in Italy. The processing time to get a work permit varies between regions but is generally around two months. 

If you are allowed to work, it will be up to 20 hours a week. However, if you wish to get a job in Italy, having some knowledge of the language can be helpful.

Scholarships to study in Italy 

You can apply for many scholarships and funding opportunities in Italy. Some scholarships even cover living costs along with tuition fees. However, the scholarships are limited and offered to the students based on their merit.  

While the Italian government and universities offer most funding, you can also get additional financial aid.

Here are some of the study in Italy scholarships-

1. Italian government scholarships for foreign and IRE students- The scholarships are offered to foreign students for programs such as master’s degrees, Ph.D. programs, AFAM courses, etc.
2. EDISU Piemonte Scholarships- The scholarships are also available to students who are enrolled in a full-time program at the University of Piedmont. 
3. Bologna University Study Grants for International Students- This offers additional financial aid like accommodation services, study grants, contributions towards international mobility programs, etc. 
4. Politecnico di Torino International Scholarships- The scholarship is offered to those attending architecture or engineering programs at the Polytechnic of Turin. 
5. Bocconi Scholarships in Italy for International Students- The scholarship offers a full tuition waiver of up to 12,700 Euros per year.

Should I study in Italy?

Lastly, make sure the universities offer the course you’re looking for. The country is beautiful and will welcome you with open arms. The education in Italy is high-quality, affordable, and vibrant.

However, if you’re unsure which study abroad destination to choose or which university will offer you the best programs, get in touch with us!

Or you can comment below and also share your thoughts.

Liked this blog? Read: Studying in the Netherlands!

FAQs

Q1. How much will it cost to study in Italy?

Answer. These are the average costs for studying in Italy-

1. Tuition – 900 to 4000 EUR in public universities, 6000 to 20,000 EUR in private universities
2. Accommodation- 300 to 600 EUR per month
3. Miscellaneous – 650 to 1000 EUR per year

Q2. Is Italy good for studying?

Answer. Italy is one of the most sought-after study destinations in Europe. The culture, as well as its education system, is famous worldwide.

Q3. Can a foreigner study in Italy?

Answer. Yes, absolutely! Many of Italy’s institutions are top-ranked universities in Europe. International students can apply to Italian universities if they have a qualification that allows them to enroll.