How to Study in Rome for International Students
Rome, one of the beautiful cities in Italy, is a city that needs to be considered when planning on studying abroad. Here, you can immerse yourself in a rich local culture and learn about its history and the factors that make it unique.
When it comes to the choices that are available, Rome currently has 20 universities, from which 5 universities are a part of the public sector and 15 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 Rome you should definitely check out are Rome Business School, University of Rome UnitelmaSapienza, and International Telematic University.
Being able to study in Rome 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 Rome, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!
1. Cost of Studying in Rome
When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in Rome, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 500 Euros to 15,500 Euros, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 500 Euros and 22,000 Euros.
Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Rome
To give you an idea of how much it costs to study in Rome, here are the tuition fees in these public and private universities:
| Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| National Academy of Santa Cecilia | 950 Euros | |
| Roma Tre University | 6,000 Euros | |
| Sapienza University of Rome | 1,000 Euros | 1,000 Euros |
| University of Rome Tor Vergata | 500 Euros - 2,500 Euros | 500 Euros - 2,500 Euros |
Cost of Studying in Private Universities in Rome
| Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Rome University of Fine Arts | 11,500 Euros - 13,500 Euros | 12,800 Euros - 13,500 Euros |
| Accademia Costume & Moda | 15,500 Euros | 14,500 Euros - 21,500 Euros |
| LUMSA University | 4,390 Euros | 4,390 Euros |
| Rome Business School | 8,900 Euros - 22,000 Euros | |
| University of Rome UnitelmaSapienza | 1,600 Euros - 2,300 Euros | |
| Niccolo Cusano University | 7,200 Euros | 8,000 Euros |
| Guglielmo Marconi University | 4,000 Euros - 8,500 Euros | |
| International Telematic University | 2,000 Euros | 2,200 Euros |
| UniCamillus–International Medical University in Rome | 2,500 Euros - 5,500 Euros | 2,500 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 |
If you’re looking for the most affordable universities in Rome, check out the Cheap Universities in Rome!
Besides tuition fees, you also need to consider other expenses like books, accommodation, and living expenses.
2. Requirements to Study in Rome for International Students
Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Rome, 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 Rome, 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 Rome and their required minimum scores for each program level.
Rome University of Fine Arts
Bachelor’s degree
- CEFR: B2
- IELTS: No minimum scores
- TOEFL: No minimum scores
- Bachelor's English Language Requirements Page
Master’s degree
- CEFR: B2
- IELTS: No minimum scores
- TOEFL: No minimum scores
- Master's English Language Requirements Page
Accademia Costume & Moda
Bachelor’s degree
Master’s degree
- IELTS: 5.0
- Master's English Language Requirements Page
LUMSA University
Master’s degree
- CEFR: B2
- TOEFL: No minimum score
- IELTS: No minimum score
- Master's English Language Requirements Page
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 Rome
The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Rome have online applications available on their websites, like Rome Business School and University of Rome UnitelmaSapienza. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Rome.
Rome Business School
University of Rome UnitelmaSapienza
International Telematic University
- Official Website
- Domestic and International Bachelor's Admissions Page
- Domestic and International Master's Admissions Page
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 Rome 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 Rome.
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 Rome
If you’re going to study in Rome, you will need to apply for a student visa in Italy
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 Rome, you will need to present the following:
- Entry visa application form
- Recent passport-sized photograph
- Valid travel document
- Proof of accommodation
- Proof of funds to support stay in Italy
- Health insurance
- 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:
- Prepare all your requirements
- Locate an Italian Consulate office near you.
- 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 Rome. 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!