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Last modified: 2026-09-30

# University of Siena for International Students: Admission, Degrees and Fees 2026/27

The University of Siena (Università degli Studi di Siena, UniSi) traces its history to 1240 and is today one of Tuscany's public universities. International applicants can choose two English-taught bachelor's degrees, 16 master's degrees taught fully or partly in English, English-taught Dentistry through the IMAT, and two foundation courses for school leavers with 11 years of schooling. Students whose families live abroad pay a fee scaled by their country of citizenship: in 2026/27 a Russian citizen pays the university $1,030–1,230 (€909–1,087) a year, a Kazakh citizen $870–1,040 (€767–918), and citizens of lower-income countries the $570 (€500) minimum. The regional DSU Toscana grant adds up to $3,790 (€3,338) in cash for off-site students, plus a free residence place and meals.

The San Francesco cloister, home of the University of Siena's economics department. Photo: ho visto nina volare / [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chiostro_San_Francesco_UniSi_Economia.jpg), [CC BY-SA 2.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0).

Do not confuse it with the University for Foreigners of Siena (Università per Stranieri di Siena), a separate institution focused on Italian language and culture that issues the CILS certificate.

| At a glance | Details |
| --- | --- |
| Status | public university; earliest records date from 1240 |
| City | Siena, Tuscany; teaching mostly in the largely pedestrian historic centre |
| Taught in English (2026/27) | 2 bachelor's, Dentistry (single-cycle), 16 master's (fully or with an English track) |
| University fee for families abroad (2026/27) | $570–1,230 (€500–1,087) a year by citizenship, before regional tax |
| Application fee | $57 (€49.90) per programme |
| Foundation courses | Economics and Management; Engineering and Science |
| Grant | DSU Toscana: up to $3,790 (€3,338) plus residence place and two daily meals |
| Where to apply | apply.unisi.it, then Universitaly for the visa |

## Is Siena the right choice? {#section-1}

Siena combines a small, walkable city with a full classical university and relatively low fees for citizens of middle-income countries. Buildings are spread across the historic centre within minutes of each other, and the university itself notes that living costs are lower than in Rome or Milan.

| Strengths | Limitations |
| --- | --- |
| Country-scaled fee: under $1,250 a year even for high-coefficient countries such as Russia | Only two English-taught bachelor's degrees |
| 16 English-taught master's in economics, finance, engineering, biotechnology and diplomacy | No English-taught Medicine; Dentistry has just 5 non-EU places |
| Two foundation courses that accept 11 years of schooling | Each application costs a fee and the number of applications is capped |
| DSU Toscana grants include a free residence place | The university does not accept the ISEE parificato for fee reductions |

If you want a larger city and more English-taught bachelor's options, compare Siena with the [University of Florence](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-firenze) and the [University of Pisa](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-pisa); all three share the same regional grant agency.

## English-taught programmes {#section-2}

From the 2026/27 Manifesto (annual admission rules) for holders of foreign qualifications:

Bachelor's: Economics and Management; Biotech Engineering for Health (with its own admission call).

Single-cycle: Dentistry and Dental Prosthodontics, six years, through IMAT — 30 places for Italian, EU and equivalent applicants and 5 for non-EU applicants living abroad in 2026/27.

Master's:

| Area | Programmes |
| --- | --- |
| Economics and finance | Economics; Finance; International Accounting and Management |
| Engineering and mathematics | Artificial Intelligence and Automation Engineering; Electronics and Communications Engineering; Engineering Management; Applied Mathematics |
| Life sciences and chemistry | Medical Biotechnologies; Biotechnologies of Human Reproduction; Genetic Counsellors; Sustainable Industrial Pharmaceutical Biotechnology (blended); Chemistry; Biodiversity, Conservation and Environmental Quality |
| Society and language | Public and Cultural Diplomacy; Language and Mind: Linguistics and Cognitive Studies; Scienze internazionali — European Studies track |

Eight programmes offer double degrees, for example Economics with the University of Marburg, Public and Cultural Diplomacy with Jagiellonian University in Kraków and Medical Biotechnologies with the University of Seville, selected through separate calls after enrolment.

## How to apply {#section-3}

1. Register on apply.unisi.it and select your citizenship; the portal then shows the deadlines and requirements for your applicant category. Windows differ by programme.
2. Submit and pay. Evaluating foreign qualifications costs $57 (€49.90) per programme, non-refundable. The fees page allows up to three applications; apply.unisi.it shows the limit that applies to you.
3. Selection. Admission is competitive; results can take up to five weeks after a window closes.
4. Universitaly pre-enrolment once admitted, choosing your consulate.
5. Visa and enrolment. The first fee instalment is paid once you have the visa; its receipt is needed for the residence permit application.

Language. English-taught programmes need B2 via a recognised certificate; applicants educated entirely in English may be exempt with an official letter. Candidates at B2 without a certificate can request a paid online interview for $34 (€30); places are limited, and the result is valid only at Siena. Italian-taught programmes need B2: without a CLIQ certificate (CILS, CELI, CERT.IT, PLIDA) you take the university's online Italian test before the visa. See [Italian language certificates](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-italian-language-certificates-cils-celi-plida).

Recognition. You need a document confirming the authenticity and level of your diploma: a Dichiarazione di valore from the Italian consulate or CIMEA certificates (Italy's ENIC-NARIC centre). Bachelor's entry requires 12 years of schooling; with 11, use a foundation course or a year of university at home. More in our guide to [admission documents for Italy](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-documents-for-university-admission-italy).

## Fees in 2026/27 {#section-4}

Siena's 2026/27 fee regulation explicitly excludes the ISEE parificato (an Italian-style calculation of family income from foreign documents). If your family cannot obtain an ordinary Italian ISEE, the fee is the maximum for your programme type multiplied by a country coefficient based on GDP per capita at purchasing-power parity relative to Italy, with a floor of $570 (€500).

| Citizenship (coefficient) | Humanities and social sciences | Science and technology | Health sciences |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Russia (0.4042) | $1,030 (€909.45) | $1,130 (€998.37) | $1,230 (€1,087.30) |
| Kazakhstan (0.3411) | $870 (€767.48) | $960 (€842.52) | $1,040 (€917.56) |
| Armenia (0.2078), Belarus (0.2186), Georgia (0.2346) | $570–600 (€500–528) | $580–660 (€513–579) | $630–720 (€559–631) |
| Uzbekistan (0.0845), Kyrgyzstan (0.0646) | $570 (€500) | $570 (€500) | $570 (€500) |

These are first-year amounts; regional tax and $18 (€16) stamp duty are added to the first instalment. For Dentistry, the regulation adds a $1,870 (€1,650) supplement when no ISEE is submitted, so a Russian citizen should budget roughly $3,110 (€2,737) a year; the official fee simulator gives the exact figure. Applicants for a DSU Toscana grant are temporarily exempt from regional tax and fees until the final grant ranking and pay only stamp duty by 3 November 2026.

Living costs. The university publishes an indicative annual budget for Siena:

| Item | Monthly | Yearly |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Accommodation | $280–910 (€250–800) | $3,410–10,900 (€3,000–9,600) |
| Food | $270–410 (€240–360) | $3,270–4,910 (€2,880–4,320) |
| Transport, leisure, personal | $230–410 (€200–360) | $2,730–4,910 (€2,400–4,320) |
| Health insurance | — | $790 (€700) |
| Residence permit | — | $110 (€100) |

A room in a shared student flat runs $340–510 (€300–450) a month, a one-bedroom flat in the centre $680–1,020 (€600–900). For a 2026/27 visa the consulate expects at least $11,560 (€10,179.85) a year for living costs.

## DSU Toscana grant {#section-5}

DSU Toscana, the regional agency, awards grants and residence places to Siena students. International students whose families do not live in Italy are classed as off-site and receive cash, a free residence place and two free meals a day.

| Family ISEE (2026/27) | Cash per year for off-site students |
| --- | --- |
| up to $15,330 (€13,500) | $3,790 (€3,338) |
| $15,330–20,440 (€13,500.01–18,000) | $2,570 (€2,262) |
| $20,440–30,660 (€18,000.01–27,000) | $1,200 (€1,060) |

The asset (ISPE) cap is $68,130 (€60,000); women in STEM receive higher amounts; the agency values a residence place at $3,580 (€3,150) a year. For 2026/27 the online window ran from 20 July to 7 September 2026 (13:00 Italian time). Income for 2025 and assets at 31 December 2025 must be certified in 2026 by the authorities of the country where they are held, translated into Italian and legalised — an apostille suffices for Hague Convention countries. DSU Toscana makes the decision. See [scholarships in Italy](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-scholarships-in-italy).

## Foundation courses {#section-6}

In 2026/27 Siena runs two English-taught foundation courses with compulsory Italian to A2 and English to B2: Economics and Management and Engineering and Science. Entry needs a school-leaving diploma after at least 11 years that gives university access at home, English B1, and a minimum age of 17 by 31 December of the starting year; under-18 visa applicants need a legal guardian in Italy.

Engineering and Science, 2026/27 call: 58 places (24, 24 and 10 per round, plus any left over); three rounds (until 20 March, 21 March–24 April, 25 April–22 May 2026); selection on the CISIA CEnT-S test (maths, reasoning on texts and data, physics, biology, chemistry; taken at a centre or from home) plus an online interview with a pass mark of 18/30; $57 (€49.90) application fee and $570 (€500) confirmation fee, both non-refundable; $3,970 (€3,500) tuition in one payment. Economics and Management has its own call on its course website. Places are limited, so apply in the first, winter round.

## Housing {#section-7}

- DSU Toscana residences, allocated competitively: free for off-site grant winners; eligible non-winners may be offered a subsidised place if one is free.
- cercoalloggio.com, a free private-rental platform run by DSU Toscana with the university, with vetted listings — a sensible safeguard against rental scams.
- Centre or outskirts: the historic centre is largely pedestrian; buses link the outskirts in 15–30 minutes.

Buses from the outskirts run conveniently from about 6:00 to 20:00, which matters if your classes or job end late. See [student housing in Italy](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-housing-italy).

## Planning for 2027/28 {#section-8}

| When | Step |
| --- | --- |
| October–December 2026 | Shortlist programmes on apply.unisi.it; check language rules; book a language exam |
| Winter 2027 | Apply in the first windows; with 11 years of school, target the first foundation round |
| After admission | Universitaly, visa appointment, housing via cercoalloggio.com |
| July–September 2027 | DSU Toscana application with family income documents |
| Before the visa deadline | Consulate application — see the [Italian student visa guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-visa-italy) |

## Common mistakes {#section-9}

- Landing on the University for Foreigners' website instead of UniSi's.
- Counting on the ISEE parificato to cut the university fee — Siena uses the country coefficient instead.
- Applying to too many programmes: the number is capped and each costs $57.
- Expecting a quick reply: allow up to five weeks after the window closes.
- Starting DSU paperwork late: translated, apostilled income certificates take weeks.

## FAQ {#section-10}

### How much does the University of Siena cost for international students?

It depends on citizenship. For 2026/27 a Russian citizen pays $1,030–1,230 (€909–1,087) a year depending on the programme type, a Kazakh citizen $870–1,040, and citizens of lower-income countries such as Uzbekistan the $570 (€500) minimum, plus regional tax and stamp duty.

### Are there English-taught bachelor's degrees at Siena?

Economics and Management, and Biotech Engineering for Health. Dentistry and Dental Prosthodontics is also taught in English as a six-year single-cycle degree with IMAT admission.

### What if I have only 11 years of schooling?

Not directly on a bachelor's. Siena's two foundation courses accept 11 years of schooling, English B1 and a minimum age of 17. Engineering and Science costs $3,970 (€3,500) plus the application and confirmation fees.

### Is the University of Siena the same as the University for Foreigners of Siena?

No. UniSi is a comprehensive university offering all degree levels. The Università per Stranieri di Siena is a separate institution known for Italian language courses and the CILS certificate.

### What scholarship can I get?

The regional DSU Toscana grant: an off-site student with an ISEE up to $15,330 (€13,500) receives $3,790 (€3,338) a year, a free residence place and meals. The 2026/27 window ran from 20 July to 7 September 2026.

### Can I apply to several programmes?

Yes: the fees page allows up to three, and apply.unisi.it shows the limit for your category. Each application carries the $57 (€49.90) evaluation fee, which is not refunded whatever the outcome.

### How can StudyU help?

Programme selection, requirement checks and preparation of the apply.unisi.it application, Universitaly, visa and DSU Toscana documents are provided under an agreement with StudyU. The university's committees decide on admission, the Italian consulate on the visa and DSU Toscana on grants and housing.

## Sources {#section-11}

- [UniSi international admissions portal](https://admission.unisi.it/)
- [Admission and enrolment fees](https://admission.unisi.it/?p=1204)
- [English requirements](https://admission.unisi.it/?p=1944) and [Italian requirements](https://admission.unisi.it/?p=2170)
- [Living costs in Siena](https://admission.unisi.it/?p=1226) and [accommodation](https://admission.unisi.it/?p=1670)
- [Student fee regulation 2026/27 (PDF)](https://www.unisi.it/sites/default/files/allegatiparagrafo/Regolamento_contribuzione_2026-2027.pdf)
- [Manifesto for holders of foreign qualifications 2026/27 (PDF)](https://www.unisi.it/sites/default/files/allegatiparagrafo/Manifesto%20titoli%20esteri_5.pdf)
- [Foundation courses](https://en.unisi.it/teaching/foundation-course) and [Engineering and Science 2026/27 admissions](https://fc-engineering-science.unisi.it/applyenroll/applications-admissions)
- [DSU Toscana grant and housing call 2026/27 (PDF)](https://www.dsu.toscana.it/documents/d/ardsu/bando-borsa-alloggio-26-27)
- [MUR Decree No. 1005 of 06.08.2026, IMAT places](https://www.mur.gov.it/it/atti-e-normativa/decreto-ministeriale-n-1005-del-06-08-2026)

Converted at the ECB reference rate of 29.09.2026, €1 = $1.1355; sources verified on 30.09.2026.

Other universities and general admission rules are collected on [study in Italy](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-italy). Programme selection and application planning for Siena are provided under an agreement with StudyU; start with an [application](https://www.studyu.org/en/apply).

During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.

## Next steps

- [University of Genoa: English-Taught Degrees, Admission and Fees for International Students](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-genova)
- [University of Messina: English-Taught Degrees, IMAT Medicine and Fees](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-messina)
- [Studying in Italy for international applicants](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-italy)
- [Documents for University Admission in Italy (2026–2027): Checklist, Apostille, CIMEA and Declaration of Value](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-documents-for-university-admission-italy)
- [Italian Language Certificates CILS, CELI and PLIDA: Which One You Need for University and When to Sit It](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-italian-language-certificates-cils-celi-plida)
- [Scholarships in Italy for International Students 2026/27: DSU, MAECI, Invest Your Talent and University Awards](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-scholarships-in-italy)

Updated: September 2026