How to Study in Italy for International Students

Italy is an excellent country to study in. With excellent universities with great academics, you will be sure to have a great experience studying in Italy.

When it comes to the choices that are available, Italy currently has 85 universities, from which 68 universities are a part of the public sector and 17 universities are private institutions.

Suppose you’re not just looking for any school but a well-performing school. In that case, the top universities in Italy you should definitely check out are University of Bologna, Sapienza University of Rome, and University of Padua.

Being able to study in Italy as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in Italy, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!

1. Cost of Studying in Italy

The cost of your studies is a big factor to consider when you're planning to study abroad. It can financially burden you, but here's the good thing: the public universities in Italy don't charge tuition fees to international students like you! Marche Polytechnic University, Parthenope University of Naples and Polytechnic University of Milan are some of the tuition-free schools. You will just be required to pay some registration and other study fees, but these won't be as high.

On the other hand, if you choose to study in a private institution, expect that you'll pay higher fees. Here are some of the private universities in Italy with their tuition fees:

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
Humanitas University 3,500 Euros - 4,500 Euros
UniCamillus – International Medical University in Rome 2,500 Euros - 5,500 Euros 2,500 Euros
Catholic University of the Sacred Heart 6,000 Euros - 8,340 Euros 6,250 Euros - 8,840 Euros
Link Campus University 6,500 Euros - 12,000 Euros 9,500 Euros - 12,000 Euros
Università degli Studi Internazionali di Roma 6,900 Euros 6,900 Euros
LUISS Guido Carli 11,600 Euros 12,600 Euros
Bocconi University 12,700 Euros 13,900 Euros

2. Requirements to Study in Italy for International Students

Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Italy, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.

Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.

In Italy, English and Italian are the languages of instruction. If you’re looking to study in any of the academic institutions here, you might need to prove language proficiency by taking standardized tests, such as TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo for English. Depending on the institution and the language of instruction for your program, you might also have to prove your language proficiency by submitting CEFR for Italian.

To give you an idea, here are some universities in Italy and their required minimum scores for each program level.

Bocconi University

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Ca’ Foscari University of Venice

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Carlo Cattaneo University

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.

Application Procedure to Study in Italy

The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Italy have online applications available on their websites, like University of Bologna and Sapienza University of Rome. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Italy.

University of Bologna

Sapienza University of Rome

University of Padua

Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.

After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!

The admission process in Italy differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.

The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in Italy.

The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.

4. Visa Application for International Students in Italy

Now that you’re accepted into your chosen institution, it’s time to apply for a student visa in Italy. A student visa is an essential document for studying abroad. It’s an important government document that you need to present before going to Italy as an international student.

In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in Italy. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a D-visa.

To start your student visa application in Italy, you will need to present the following:

  1. Entry visa application form
  2. Recent passport-sized photograph
  3. Valid travel document
  4. Proof of accommodation
  5. Proof of funds to support stay in Italy
  6. Health insurance
  7. Enrollment or pre-enrollment of a course in Italy

Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in Italy is 60 EUR.

After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:

  1. Prepare all your requirements
  2. Locate an Italian Consulate office near you.
  3. Submit your visa application form and all the supporting documents at the office.

For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.

That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in Italy. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!