The University of Turin (UniTo) is one of Italy's largest universities, with almost 83,000 students and a history dating back to 1404. It is a different institution from the Politecnico di Torino: UniTo covers nearly every field except engineering and architecture. For students whose family lives abroad, fees are set by the GDP per capita (PPP) of their country of residence — in 2026/27 between $750 (€656) and $1,890 (€1,656) a year including the first instalment. For Russian citizens ($1,090) this is less than at the public universities of Milan, Padua, Pisa and Florence. Applicants with 11 years of schooling can use UniTo's own online Foundation Programme, taught in Italian, for $2,280 (€2,000).
| At a glance | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Turin and other towns in Piedmont |
| Founded | 1404 |
| Size | about 83,000 students (2024/25), about 70 bachelor's and 90 master's programmes, 25+ in English |
| Rankings | QS World University Rankings 2027: 405; THE World University Rankings 2026: 401–500 |
| Fee for residents abroad (2026/27) | $750–1,890 (€656–1,656) by country GDP per capita, incl. first instalment |
| International applications (2026/27 cycle) | master's 25 Nov 2025 – 29 Jan 2026; bachelor's 19 Feb – 15 Apr 2026 |
| Funding | EDISU Piemonte grant up to $9,240 (€8,096.78) for off-site students without a residence place |
| Foundation Programme | online, in Italian, 60 ECTS — $2,280 (€2,000) |
Who the University of Turin suits, and who should look elsewhere
| Pros | Cons and risks |
|---|---|
| Very low fees: $750–1,090 a year for most Eastern European and Central Asian countries | One of the earliest windows: master's close in late January |
| Own Foundation Programme for 11-year school graduates ($2,280) | The Foundation is taught in Italian |
| 25+ English-taught programmes, from AI to law | No engineering or architecture (those are at the Politecnico) |
| EDISU grant up to $9,240 a year, or a bed plus cash | Open-access bachelor's require TOLC |
| Cerco Alloggio helps with private housing | Paid application ($70), maximum two programmes |
UniTo suits applicants looking for a public university with low fees and a broad choice — economics, law, biotechnology, data and AI. For a wider English-taught offer, compare the University of Bologna.
Which programmes are taught in English
English-taught programmes for 2026/27:
Bachelor's: Business & Management; Economics and Finance with Data Science; Global Law and Transnational Legal Studies.
Master's:
| Area | Programmes |
|---|---|
| Data, AI, mathematics | Artificial Intelligence and High Performance Computing Technologies; Stochastics and Data Science; Quantitative Finance and Insurance; Language Technologies and Digital Humanities |
| Biomedicine and biotech | Artificial Intelligence for Biomedicine and Healthcare; Biotechnological and Chemical Sciences in Diagnostics; Biotechnology for Neuroscience; Cellular and Molecular Biology; Molecular Biotechnology |
| Economics and business | Business Administration; Economics; Economics of Innovation for Sustainable Development; Economic Analysis and Policy |
| Politics, law, culture | Area and Global Studies for International Cooperation; European Legal Studies; English and American Studies; Cultural Heritage and Creativity for Tourism and Territorial Development |
| Materials and food | Materials Science; Food Science and Technology |
| Inter-university | Digital Skills for Sustainable Societal Transition (with Politecnico di Torino) |
English-language curricula within Italian degrees: Animal Nutrition and Feed Safety; Philosophy; Smart Agriculture; Urban and Political Geography; Viticulture and Enology Sciences.
Medicine: Medicine and Surgery in English (six years), with its own visa-applicant timeline (Universitaly by 11 September 2026 in the last cycle).
How to apply to the University of Turin, step by step
All applicants with a foreign qualification apply on Apply@UniTo. The fee is $70 (€60) and covers up to two programmes. For non-EU applicants living abroad:
- Master's: late November to late January (25 Nov 2025 – 29 Jan 2026 in the last cycle). A later round for open-access master's (25 Aug – 8 Sep) was reserved for EU citizens and residents of Italy.
- Bachelor's and single-cycle: 19 February – 15 April 2026. Later rounds were likewise closed to visa applicants.
- TOLC test: all open-access bachelor's and single-cycle programmes require a CISIA TOLC test, taken online or in person at any Italian university; the result must show an Italian tax code.
- Italian B2 for Italian-taught programmes: visa applicants to open-access Italian-taught programmes need a CLIQ B2 certificate obtained from 2023 (CELI 3, CILS DUE, CERT.IT, PLIDA, or CISIA ITA-L2 with 50/72), uploaded by 15 July.
- Universitaly by 15 July: one programme, choosing the consulate in your country of residence. Medicine in English: by 11 September; Italian-taught medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine ("semestre aperto"): by 31 August.
- Visa and arrival: the consulate decides; Universitaly validation does not guarantee a visa. See our student visa and permesso di soggiorno guides.
With 11 years of school: UniTo Foundation Programme
UniTo runs a mostly online preparatory programme for students from school systems of fewer than 12 years; the final exam (interview and computer-based test) is held in Turin.
| Option | Content | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 60 ECTS | Italian language and culture (20), literature and history (10), mathematics and problem solving (10) + two 10-ECTS electives | $2,280 (€2,000) |
| 30 ECTS | Italian language and culture, literature and history | $1,480 (€1,300) |
Together with an 11-year school diploma, the 60 ECTS option meets the 12-year requirement for Italian universities and prepares you for admission tests. It is taught in Italian, so it suits students heading for Italian-taught programmes. Send your school documents for an eligibility check before registering.
When to apply for 2027/28
As of 23 September 2026 the 2027/28 dates were not yet published. Last cycle as a guide:
| Step | 2026/27 cycle | Guide for 2027/28 |
|---|---|---|
| Master's, Apply@UniTo | 25 Nov 2025 – 29 Jan 2026 | late Nov 2026 – late Jan 2027 |
| Bachelor's and single-cycle | 19 Feb – 15 Apr 2026 | Feb–Apr 2027 |
| Italian B2 (Italian-taught programmes) | by 15 Jul 2026 | mid-July 2027 |
| Universitaly | by 15 Jul 2026 (English medicine: 11 Sep) | mid-July 2027 |
The master's window is one of the earliest in Italy: by late November 2026 you should have your transcript, CV and language certificate ready.
Which documents and language certificates you need
- Admission criteria for foreign qualifications and the document list are published on the international application page.
- Master's: a bachelor's degree with the subject requirements set by the programme.
- Language: English-taught programmes set their own requirements; open-access Italian-taught programmes need CLIQ B2.
- Visa: check the required documents with the Italian consulate in your country of residence; if you live outside your country of citizenship, confirm that the consulate will accept your application.
How much studying in Turin costs in 2026/27
If you live abroad and cannot obtain an Italian ISEE, UniTo sets your contribution by the GDP per capita at purchasing power parity of your country of residence, automatically, based on the country in your MyUniTo profile.
| GDP per capita (PPP) | Contribution (up to 2 years beyond nominal length) | Examples from the university's list |
|---|---|---|
| up to $29,520 (€26,000) | $570 (€500) | Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine |
| $29,520–38,610 (€26,000–34,000) | $680 (€600) | Belarus |
| $38,610–45,420 (€34,000–40,000) | $800 (€700) | Kazakhstan |
| $45,420–56,780 (€40,000–50,000) | $910 (€800) | Russia |
| $56,780–68,130 (€50,000–60,000) | $1,140 (€1,000) | — |
| over $68,130 (€60,000) | $1,710 (€1,500) | — |
Add the first instalment of $180 (€156) — regional tax and stamp duty — plus any programme-specific contributions. Residents of countries on the ministerial list of particularly poor countries are exempt from the contribution and pay only $175 (€156). Check your country in the annex to the fee regulations.
UniTo does not publish a cost-of-living estimate. The official reference point is EDISU Piemonte, which values an 11-month residence place at $3,080 (€2,700). Budget a rental deposit, transport, health cover and your first weeks. Dollar amounts use the ECB rate of 29 September 2026 (€1 = $1.1355).
How to get an EDISU Piemonte grant
The regional agency EDISU Piemonte awards grants and residence places to Italian and international students. For 2026/27:
| Off-site student option | ISEE ≤ $14,940 (€13,153.12) | $14,940–19,910 (€13,153.12–17,537.50) | $19,910–26,830 (€17,537.50–23,626) | $26,830–29,870 (€23,626–26,306.25) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Without a residence place (cash) | $9,240 (€8,096.78) | $7,970 (€7,021.11) | $6,340 (€5,586.89) | $4,310 (€3,800) |
| With a residence place (cash + 11-month bed worth $3,070 (€2,700)) | $6,160 (€5,396.78) | $4,910 (€4,321.11) | $3,280 (€2,886.89) | $1,250 (€1,100) |
Applications for 2026/27 ran from 22 July to 4 September 2026 (12:00). Residence places are allocated first (final housing ranking scheduled for 25 September 2026), grants for first-year students later (final ranking scheduled for 9 November). Off-site students without a residence place must declare a paid lease. Amounts are higher for female students in STEM programmes. Non-EU students whose family lives abroad send consular documents on family income and assets by post or courier, and EDISU calculates the ISEE parificato itself (articles 6 and 31 of the call); see our guide to ISEE parificato and our scholarships in Italy guide.
Where to live: EDISU residences, college and private rentals
- EDISU Piemonte residences: 20 residences in Turin, Alessandria, Cuneo, Grugliasco, Novara and Vercelli, some open 11 months a year and some all year, allocated by annual competition.
- Collegio Universitario Renato Einaudi: single rooms for UniTo students, selected on merit, with income-based fees.
- Cerco Alloggio — UniTo: help with the private market — a database of selected accommodation, language and cultural support, dealing with landlords and compliant contracts; contact via form, phone or WhatsApp. Our student housing guide covers lease checks.
- Short stays: EDISU guest rooms for short visits.
Which mistakes to avoid when applying
- Confusing UniTo with the Politecnico di Torino: different portals, deadlines and fees.
- Starting a master's application in February: the 2026/27 window closed on 29 January.
- Leaving the wrong country in your MyUniTo profile: the reduced rate is applied automatically from it.
- Taking TOLC without a tax code on the result: enter your name in Latin characters on CISIA.
- Expecting the Foundation to prepare you for English-taught study: it is taught in Italian.
What the University of Turin is known for
UniTo was founded in 1404 by a papal bull of Benedict XIII and developed under Prince Ludovico of Savoy-Achaea. Erasmus of Rotterdam took his degree here in 1506, and since 1720 the university has occupied its building on Via Po, near Piazza Castello.
Today UniTo is a "city within the city": 120 buildings in Turin and across Piedmont, covering virtually every field of knowledge. It offers courses that are rare in Italy — Military Strategy, Restoration and Conservation (in Venaria) and Sport Sciences — and has strong research traditions in history, philosophy, law, economics and medicine, alongside newer areas such as food science.
Where the university stands in the rankings
| Ranking | Position |
|---|---|
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 405 (408 in 2026) |
| THE World University Rankings 2026 | 401–500 |
For a large comprehensive university, the overall rank says little about a specific master's programme; judge the department and the curriculum.
Where classes take place
UniTo has no single campus: departments and teaching buildings are spread across Turin, and some programmes run elsewhere in Piedmont. Check the teaching location before looking for housing. The university's Cerco Alloggio service helps international students find private accommodation.
How to find work after graduation
UniTo runs an Alumni Community. Turin is Piedmont's industrial centre; check whether your study plan includes a company internship and how many credits it carries. After graduating you can apply for a job-seeking permit in place of your study permit; confirm the conditions with the Questura. B1–B2 Italian is close to essential for jobs in Turin.
FAQ
How much does the University of Turin cost for international students?
For residents abroad in 2026/27: $1,090 (€956) a year for Russia, $980 (€856) for Kazakhstan, $860 (€756) for Belarus and $750 (€656) for countries with GDP per capita (PPP) up to $29,520 (€26,000), such as Armenia, Georgia, Moldova or Uzbekistan, first instalment included. Some programmes add extra contributions.
Can I apply with 11 years of school?
Yes, through UniTo's 60-ECTS Foundation Programme ($2,280 / €2,000), which together with your diploma meets the 12-year requirement. It is taught in Italian, mostly online, with the final exam in Turin.
When are the application windows?
In 2026/27: master's from 25 November 2025 to 29 January 2026; bachelor's from 19 February to 15 April 2026; Universitaly by 15 July. The 2027/28 dates have not been announced.
How many programmes can I apply to?
Up to two on Apply@UniTo for one $70 (€60) fee; one on Universitaly.
Do I need Italian for an English-taught programme?
Not for admission; each English-taught programme sets its own English requirement. Visa applicants to open-access Italian-taught programmes need a CLIQ B2 certificate obtained from 2023; see our guide to Italian language certificates.
Is accommodation available?
EDISU Piemonte residences are allocated by competition with the grant; Cerco Alloggio — UniTo helps with private rentals.
Can StudyU help?
Under an agreement with StudyU, we shortlist programmes and routes (including the Foundation), check requirements, and prepare the Apply@UniTo application and the Universitaly and visa files. Admission is decided by the university; EDISU Piemonte decides on grants and, as the housing provider, confirms housing; the consulate as the consular authority decides on the visa.
Sources
- Application for international students 2026/27
- Degree programs in English 2026/27
- Tuition fees for international students
- Fee regulations 2026/27 with country table (PDF)
- Foundation Programme Project
- Residences and Canteens
- EDISU Piemonte call 2026/27 (PDF)
- UniTo at a glance
- Short history
- QS World University Rankings: University of Turin
- THE World University Rankings: University of Turin
For more on studying in Italy, see Study in Italy. To check whether the Foundation route or a direct master's application fits you, send us a request.
During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.
Next steps
- Italian Language Certificates CILS, CELI and PLIDA: Which One You Need for University and When to Sit It
- ISEE Parificato for International Students: Home-Country Documents, CAF, Timing and Tuition
- Studying Medicine in Italy in English: IMAT, Non-EU Places and the 2026/27 Rules
- Permesso di Soggiorno for Students: How to Get and Renew Your Italian Residence Permit
- Studying in Italy for international applicants
- University of Bologna
