Italy not only offers art and rich architectural heritage, but also an opportunity to get quality European education at an affordable price. Italian universities are included in the top lists of the best universities in the world, occupying high positions, even in the first hundred.
The education system in Italy is built on the Bologna model and includes three levels. Bachelor’s degree (Laurea) usually lasts 3 years, Master’s degree (Laurea Magistrale) 2 years. For some specialties, such as medicine, dentistry, architecture or law, there are single cycle programs that last 5-6 years and combine both levels.
For international students, one of the main advantages of Italy is the wide range of programs in English. As early as at the undergraduate level, there are tracks available that are specifically designed to prepare professionals for an international career. Such programs in business, fashion, design, communications and social sciences are actively developing in Milan, Rome and other cities, where private universities rely on a global perspective and close ties with companies around the world. Their aim is not only to provide quality education, but also to prepare students to work successfully in an international environment, whether in Europe, the United States or Asia.
It is not possible to study after 11th grade, so students who have completed 11th grade will have to take foundation year.
5
University of Bologna
$1,000
> 108,000
• Italian bureaucracy.
Admission to Italian universities is quite complicated. The requirements and the procedure may not be clear in English. It is better to turn to specialists in the preparation of documents. StudyU Agency accompanies applicants in collecting and submitting documents. Sign up for a 15-minute consultation to learn more.
• Difficulty finding housing.
In Italy, especially in the big cities, it is difficult to find student accommodation. Almost all accommodation is rented through agencies and requires a deposit and security deposit. The lack of dormitories and the economic situation contribute to high rental costs. When studying on a relatively low budget, living expenses can dominate.
There are many state and domestic scholarships available in Italy. The most popular is the DSU scholarship, a government social scholarship awarded on the basis of financial standing rather than grades or portfolio. In addition to DSU, there are scholarships from universities for academic merit or a family’s financial background.
Tuition at public universities is considered free, but the student is required to pay an enrollment fee, which usually ranges from 1,000 €/year to about 4,000 €/year on average, with the fee for CIS citizens being significantly higher than for EU citizens. Private universities can charge between 10,000 € and 25,000 € / year. A master’s degree at public universities costs about 4,500 € / year, at private universities – from 5,000 € to 25,000 € / year.
Foundation year for students from CIS countries costs about 5,000 €/year.
Below are university specific data for 2025:
1.University of Bologna (UNIBO) the oldest university in Europe and is on the top in ranking.
Tuition Costs: for international students ranges from about 900 € to 4,000 €/year.
Scholarships: available on the basis of ISEE and academic merit.
2.Politecnico di Milano a leading university in architecture, design and engineering.
Tuition fees: for international students start at around 3,900-4,000 €/year depending on the program and family income
Scholarships: internal support and merit-based financial aid.
It is important to mention creative specialties: architecture and design in Italy are often available in English and Italian at public universities, other creative fields are mostly in Italian. In private universities, these programs are usually taught in English. Admission to architecture or design programs requires a portfolio or entrance exam.
3.Sapienza University of Rome one of Europe’s largest universities.
Tuition fees: for non-EU/EEA citizens range from about 1,000 € to 2,924 €/year.
Scholarships: available based on financial status and academic standing.
4.Ca’ Foscari University of Venice specialized in humanities and economics.
Tuition fees: up to 8,500 € / year
Scholarships: internal grants and assistance programs.
Italian scholarships can be very generous and cover food, accommodation and even personal expenses. However, it is worth considering that collecting documents for scholarships is not easy: documents need to be collected, translated and legalized – sometimes not only for the student, but also for family members. The StudyU agency accompanies students through the process of applying for and receiving the scholarship. Sign up for a 15-minute consultation to learn more.
Prices in Italy depend on the city and region where you live. The most expensive cities are Milan and Rome. There, renting a one-room apartment starts from 800 €/month. There are very few student hostels in Italy, so most students rent apartments.
Monthly food expenses per person: 200-300 €/month. Italy has a well-developed public transportation system – 30 to 70 €/month.
For citizens who require a student visa, it is necessary to take into account the financial guarantee that the student must provide – usually about 6 000 €, as well as additional funds for rent.
The requirements for admission to Italy may vary from university to university. It is also important to remember that there may be additional conditions when applying for a scholarship.
Base requirements:
– High school diploma
– English language test (IELTS, TOEFL) or Italian language test (CILS, CELI)
– CV
– Letter of motivation
– Letters of recommendation
– Entrance test or exam – for select programs
– Interview
Master’s requirements:
– Bachelor’s degree
– English language test
– CV
– Letter of motivation
– Letters of Recommendation
– GRE or GMAT for some programs
The first flow of applications sometimes starts as early as October. The main wave runs from February to June. It is important to take into account that deadlines for scholarships may vary depending on the program. Therefore, it is better to start enrolling in Italy 1-2 years before the start of your studies in order to collect all the necessary documents and take exams if necessary.
In addition, there are both open-access and closed-access programs in Italy. Some faculties have limited quotas for admission of students it is important to apply in time to be among those accepted.
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