Study abroad
Explore subjects, study options, costs, intakes, scholarships and student visa information.
Italy is in Southern Europe, and its universities and colleges welcome students from many countries. International students can look at undergraduate, postgraduate and, in some fields, research programmes, as well as shorter courses where institutions offer them. Study options span broad areas such as business, engineering, health, the sciences and the humanities, with urban development, textiles and culture and heritage shaping much of the country’s economy.
Rome, Milan and Bologna are among the places students often consider. Teaching is often in Italian, so check the language of instruction and any language requirements for each course. Use this guide to explore subjects, typical intakes, costs, scholarships and visa steps, then check the details with each institution.
Students choose Italy for different reasons: a particular course, a university’s reputation in a field, the language, the location or the chance to experience life in Southern Europe. The right decision depends on your subject, budget, preferred city and long-term plans.
Italian universities include some of the oldest in the world, such as the University of Bologna, and many now offer English-taught degrees.
Compare the structure of each programme, how it is assessed and what support is available for international students before you decide.
These subject areas are a useful starting point for students looking at Italy. They are editorial suggestions based on the country’s wider economy and institutions, not a ranking.
Because urban development, textiles and culture and heritage matter locally, students in related fields may find useful context for projects and internships. Each subject has its own page for Italy on this site, with its specializations.
It helps to look at specializations within each area as well: two programmes with the same broad subject can lead in quite different directions.
If you need financial support to study in Italy, it helps to know where funding usually comes from.
Funding is never guaranteed: check eligibility, deadlines and what the award includes, and have a plan in case you are not successful. Official scholarship providers and university funding pages are the most reliable sources.
Applications often ask for a personal statement, references and academic transcripts, so prepare these early and tailor them to each award.
Koramangala, Bengaluru
Sample listingStudy Abroad Consultant
Study destinations: 🇮🇹 Italy · 🇩🇪 Germany · 🇳🇱 Netherlands
Services: University Admissions · Visa · Financial Support · Pre-Departure
7 partnered universities (sample data) · Bachelor's, Master's, Foundation
Sample consultant used to test the directory: supports applications to Italy, Germany and Netherlands.
View Consultant Website Demo Bluepeak Overseas Education (opens in a new tab)
Lajpat Nagar, Delhi
Sample listingEducation Consultant
Study destinations: 🇮🇹 Italy · 🇺🇸 USA · 🇫🇷 France · 🇳🇱 Netherlands
Services: University Admissions · Visa · Financial Support · Pre-Departure
8 partnered universities (sample data) · Bachelor's, Master's, MBA, Certificate
Sample consultant used to test the directory: supports applications to Italy, USA, France and Netherlands.
View Consultant Website Demo Capital Overseas Education (opens in a new tab)
Janakpuri, Delhi · +4 more offices
Sample listingLanguage & Education Consultant
Study destinations: 🇨🇦 Canada · 🇳🇿 New Zealand · 🇸🇪 Sweden · 🇮🇪 Ireland · 🇮🇹 Italy · +1 more
Services: University Admissions · Visa · Financial Support · Pre-Departure
7 partnered universities (sample data) · Bachelor's, Master's, PhD / Doctorate
Sample consultant used to test the directory: supports applications to Canada, New Zealand, Sweden, Ireland, Italy and USA.
View Consultant Website Demo Global Student Services (opens in a new tab)
Laxmi Nagar, Delhi · +5 more offices
Sample listingEducation Consultant
Study destinations: 🇬🇧 UK · 🇨🇦 Canada · 🇮🇹 Italy · 🇮🇪 Ireland · 🇦🇺 Australia
Services: University Admissions · Visa · Test Preparation · Financial Support
12 partnered universities (sample data) · Bachelor's, Master's, Foundation
Sample consultant used to test the directory: supports applications to UK, Canada, Italy, Ireland and Australia.
View Consultant Website Demo International Education (opens in a new tab)
Patel Nagar, Delhi · +1 more office
Sample listingInternational Education Agency
Study destinations: 🇳🇱 Netherlands · 🇫🇮 Finland · 🇦🇺 Australia · 🇮🇹 Italy
Services: University Admissions · Visa · Test Preparation · Financial Support
7 partnered universities (sample data) · Bachelor's, Master's, MBA
Sample consultant used to test the directory: supports applications to Netherlands, Finland, Australia and Italy.
View Consultant Website Demo Meridian Study Consultants (opens in a new tab)
Camp, Pune
Sample listingLanguage & Education Consultant
Study destinations: 🇸🇪 Sweden · 🇮🇹 Italy
Services: University Admissions · Visa · Financial Support · Pre-Departure
7 partnered universities (sample data) · Bachelor's, Master's, MBA, Diploma
Sample consultant used to test the directory: supports applications to Sweden and Italy.
View Consultant Website Demo Study Map Consultants (opens in a new tab)
Listings are not rankings or endorsements. Check services and fees directly with each consultant.
In Italy, the main intake for many programmes is usually around September or October. Some institutions also admit students around February, although this second intake is usually available for fewer courses. Exact dates vary by institution and programme.
Plan early. Popular courses can close well before the start date, and international applicants usually need extra time for translations, language tests, scholarship applications and visas. Each institution publishes its own deadlines, so check them for every course on your list.
Postgraduate research programmes may have more flexible start dates, agreed with a supervisor.
A simple planning checklist:
Intake dates and deadlines vary by university and course. Always check them with the university.
Tuition in Italy varies widely: public and private institutions, subjects and study levels can all have different fees. In some cases, fees depend on whether you are an EU/EEA citizen, so check which fee category applies to you.
When you compare options, look beyond the tuition fee:
Longer programmes, foundation years and placements all affect the total you will need, so build your budget from the institution’s current published fees.
It is also worth asking how and when fees are paid, whether a deposit is required to secure your place, and how exchange rates could affect the amount you pay from home.
Fees change and differ by university, course and level. Check current fees with each university.
Your offer letter is usually only the first step: most students from abroad also need the right permission to enter and stay in Italy for their studies. EU/EEA and Swiss citizens can usually study without a visa but may need to register their residence; other students usually need a long-stay visa or residence permit. A short-stay Schengen visa is not normally enough for a full degree programme.
Requirements can differ by nationality, programme and length of stay. Depending on the rules, you may be asked for:
Visa rules and fees change, so always check the current requirements with official government sources before you apply. Official information: Visto per l’Italia, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa portal (official government website).
Visa rules change. Always check the official government immigration website before you apply.
A realistic budget for life in Italy starts with housing, which is usually the largest single expense. Costs in Rome can differ noticeably from those in Milan or Bologna and smaller towns.
The main costs to plan for are:
Universities often publish current estimates of living costs; use them as a starting point and add a buffer for unexpected expenses.
Living costs depend on the city and your lifestyle, and they change over time.
It depends on your goals. Italy offers programmes across many subjects, a location in Southern Europe and study in Italian (with some English-taught options). Students interested in urban development, textiles and culture and heritage may find the local context especially relevant.
Institutions offer a wide range of subjects, including Architecture & Built Environment, Fashion & Textiles, Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences and Engineering. The subjects page for Italy lists every subject available here with its specializations.
Many programmes start around September or October. Apply well ahead of the start date, especially if you need a visa, and check the deadline for each course on the institution’s website.
Costs depend on the institution, programme, level of study and sometimes your nationality. Budget for tuition as well as application fees, insurance, accommodation and living costs, and use the current fees published by each institution.
EU/EEA citizens can usually study without a visa; most other international students need a student visa or residence permit. Requirements depend on your nationality and programme, so check the current rules with official government sources, such as Visto per l'Italia, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa portal.
Some funding is available from governments, universities and other organisations, but awards are competitive and eligibility varies. Check official provider websites and apply early.
Rome, Milan and Bologna are among the places students often consider. Living costs, housing and the student experience can differ between cities, so compare them alongside your course options.
Many courses are taught in Italian. Some institutions offer English-taught programmes, but availability varies, so check the language of instruction and language requirements for each course.
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