Study in Italy

Immerse yourself in art, history, and world-class education.

Start Your Italy Journey View Top Universities

108K+

International Students

172

Universities

€900

Minimum Annual Tuition

95%

IAEC Visa Success

Why Choose Italy for Higher Education?

Italy combines world-class education with Renaissance heritage, offering unmatched cultural immersion alongside academic excellence at affordable costs.

🎨

Art, Design & Fashion Capital

Home to Renaissance masters, fashion houses like Prada, Versace, and world-renowned art academies. Milan Fashion Week, Venice Biennale.

💰

Highly Affordable Education

Public university fees from €900-€4,000/year. Income-based ISEE system makes education even more affordable for students.

🏛️

World's Oldest University Heritage

University of Bologna (1088) - world's oldest university. Rich academic tradition with modern innovation in education and research.

🌍

Gateway to Europe

EU membership provides access to 27 countries. Central Mediterranean location ideal for European travel and career opportunities.

💼

Luxury Industry & Innovation

Home to luxury brands, automotive excellence (Ferrari, Lamborghini), and thriving industries in fashion, design, and technology.

🍝

Lifestyle & Cultural Experience

Mediterranean climate, incredible cuisine, rich history. UNESCO World Heritage Sites, museums, and unmatched cultural immersion.

Italian Higher Education System

Bologna Process aligned with ECTS credit system and European standards

🎓

Laurea Triennale

3 Years - 180 ECTS

Bachelor's degree with comprehensive foundation in chosen field of study.

🏆

Laurea Magistrale

2 Years - 120 ECTS

Master's degree with advanced specialization and research components.

👨‍🔬

Dottorato (PhD)

3-4 Years

Doctorate with independent research and international recognition.

🎨

Art & Music Academies

Specialized Programs

Fine arts, music, design, and fashion specialized institutions.

Academic Structure & Options

Academic Calendar

• First Semester: September/October - January
• Christmas Break: December 20 - January 8
• Second Semester: February - July
• Summer Break: July - September

Institution Types

• 96 Public Universities
• 29 Private Universities
• 41 Fine Arts Academies
• 6 Musical Conservatories

Top Italian Universities for International Students 2025

World-renowned institutions combining academic excellence with cultural heritage

University	THE Ranking 2025	Annual Tuition (EUR)	Location
University of Bologna World's oldest university (1088) with global reputation	#146	€900 - €4,000	Bologna
Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa Elite research institution for exceptional students	#154	FREE (Merit-based)	Pisa
Sapienza University of Rome Largest European university with comprehensive programs	#185	€1,000 - €3,000	Rome
Politecnico di Milano Engineering, architecture, and design excellence	#201-250	€900 - €3,900	Milan
University of Padua Historic university with strong research focus	#201-250	€1,500 - €3,200	Padua

Italian University Admission Requirements

Entry requirements for international students at Italian universities

🎓

Laurea Triennale (Bachelor's) Requirements

Academic Qualifications

12 years of education (12th grade) with good academic standing

Language Proficiency

CILS/CELI B2 for Italian programs, IELTS 6.0+ for English programs

Pre-enrollment

Universitaly portal pre-enrollment and embassy attestation

Entrance Tests

TOLC or program-specific entrance examinations (varies by course)

🏆

Laurea Magistrale (Master's) Requirements

Academic Qualifications

Bachelor's degree (180 ECTS) in relevant field with good academic record

Language Requirements

CILS/CELI B2-C1 for Italian; IELTS 6.5+ or TOEFL 90+ for English programs

Statement of Purpose

Detailed motivation letter explaining academic goals and career plans

Portfolio (if applicable)

Required for art, design, and architecture programs

Cost of Studying in Italy 2025

Europe's most affordable quality education with ISEE income-based fee reduction

Annual Tuition Fees (EUR)

Public Universities€900 - €4,000

Private Universities€6,000 - €20,000

Art/Design Schools€8,000 - €15,000

Business Schools€10,000 - €35,000

Monthly Living Expenses (EUR)

Accommodation (Major cities)€400 - €800

Accommodation (Smaller cities)€250 - €500

Food & Groceries€250 - €350

Transportation€35 - €50

Books & Personal€100 - €150

ISEE Income-Based Fee Reduction

Italian universities use ISEE (Equivalent Economic Situation Indicator) to reduce fees based on family income

Low Income (€0-€20,000)

€900 - €1,500

Middle Income (€20K-€50K)

€1,500 - €3,000

Higher Income (€50K+)

€3,000 - €4,000

Estimated Total Annual Cost

Bachelor's Programs

EUR €9,000 - €18,000

Master's Programs

EUR €10,000 - €20,000

Italy Student Visa Process 2025

Step-by-step guide to obtaining your Italian national long-stay visa (Type D)

Get University Acceptance

Receive acceptance letter from Italian university through Universitaly portal

Pre-enrollment & Embassy

Complete pre-enrollment and embassy attestation of academic documents

Financial Documentation

Show €460/month financial proof for duration of study (minimum €5,824/year)

Health Insurance

Obtain health insurance coverage minimum €30,000 valid in Italy/Schengen

Visa Application

Submit Type D visa application at Italian embassy with all documents

Residence Permit

Apply for Permesso di Soggiorno within 8 days of arrival in Italy

Student Visa Requirements & Processing

Essential Documents

• Valid passport (10 years validity)
• University acceptance letter
• Completed visa application form
• Financial means proof (€460/month)
• Health insurance (€30,000 coverage)
• Accommodation proof in Italy
• Academic documents (apostilled)

Processing & Timeline

• Visa fee: €50-70
• Processing time: Up to 90 days
• Multiple entry permitted
• Valid for study duration
• Apply 90 days before travel
• Embassy interview required

Italian Scholarships for International Students

Government and institutional funding opportunities for international students

Italian Government Scholarship

Ministry of Foreign Affairs scholarship

For: Master's, PhD, research programs

Amount: €900/month + tuition coverage

Duration: 6-9 months

Regional DSU Scholarships

Right to Education scholarships

For: All degree levels (income-based)

Coverage: Tuition fees + living allowance

Amount: €1,500-5,000/year

Invest Your Talent

Italian companies partnership

For: Master's in specific fields

Benefits: Internships + job opportunities

Companies: ENI, Leonardo, Pirelli

Erasmus+ Scholarships

EU mobility program

For: Exchange and joint programs

Amount: €250-400/month

Duration: 3-12 months

University Merit Scholarships

Institution-specific awards

Universities: Bologna, Sapienza, Politecnico Milano

Amount: €1,000-8,000/year

Criteria: Academic excellence

Fashion & Design Scholarships

Creative industry funding

Schools: IED, NABA, Polimoda

Support: Partial to full tuition

Focus: Portfolio-based selection

Work Opportunities in Italy

Study, work, and build your career in Europe's fashion and design capital

During Studies

Student Work Rights

• 20 hours per week during studies
• Full-time during academic breaks
• No work permit required
• Access to social security benefits

Popular Student Jobs

• Fashion/design internships: €500-800/month
• Tourism/hospitality: €7-10/hour
• Language tutoring: €15-25/hour
• Research assistant: €8-12/hour

Post-Study Opportunities

Job Search Visa

• 12 months for job search
• Convert to work permit upon employment
• EU residence pathways available
• Access to Italian job market

Career Opportunities

• Fashion houses: Prada, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana
• Automotive: Ferrari, Lamborghini, Fiat
• Design firms: Alessi, Kartell, Cassina
• Tourism and cultural sectors

Graduate Salary Expectations (EUR)

Fashion & Design

€25,000 - €45,000

Luxury brands, design firms

Engineering

€28,000 - €50,000

Automotive, aerospace

Tourism & Hospitality

€20,000 - €35,000

Hotels, cultural tourism

Architecture

€24,000 - €42,000

Architecture firms, restoration

Business & Finance

€26,000 - €48,000

Banking, consulting

Art & Culture

€18,000 - £30,000

Museums, galleries, restoration

Why Choose IAEC for Italy Studies?

Expert guidance with proven success record for Italian university admissions

🎯

University & Program Selection

Expert guidance for choosing the right Italian university with focus on art, design, and cultural programs.

🏛️

Universitaly Portal Support

Complete assistance with pre-enrollment, document submission, and embassy attestation process.

🎨

Portfolio & Creative Guidance

Specialized support for art, design, fashion, and architecture portfolio preparation.

🇮🇹

Italian Language Training

CILS/CELI preparation and Italian language courses for better integration and opportunities.

💰

ISEE & Scholarship Guidance

Help with ISEE documentation for fee reduction and scholarship applications for financial support.

🛂

Student Visa Support

Complete Italian Type D visa guidance including document preparation and embassy appointments.

Our Italy Success Record

95%

Student Visa Success Rate

800+

Students in Italy

45+

Partner Universities

Frequently Asked Questions

Common queries about studying in Italy

Do I need to know Italian to study in Italy?

Not necessarily. Many programs are taught in English, especially at master's level. However, basic Italian helps with daily life and enhances job opportunities.

How much can I work while studying in Italy on student visa?

International students can work up to 20 hours per week during studies and full-time during academic breaks without requiring a separate work permit.

What is ISEE and how does it help reduce tuition fees?

ISEE (Equivalent Economic Situation Indicator) assesses family income to determine tuition fees. Lower income families can pay as little as €900/year at public universities.

Can I stay in Italy after graduation to work?

Yes, graduates get a 12-month job search visa. Once employed, you can convert to a work permit and eventually apply for EU residence.

What is Universitaly portal and is it mandatory?

Universitaly is the official portal for university pre-enrollment in Italy. It's mandatory for non-EU students to complete pre-enrollment for visa application.

Which Italian cities are best for international students?

Milan (fashion/design), Rome (history/culture), Florence (art), Bologna (oldest university), and Turin (automotive) are top choices with vibrant student communities.