If you are looking at a degree in Europe and want reasonable costs and a real choice of scholarships, studying in Italy is one of the stronger options. Italy combines internationally recognised universities, high teaching standards, affordable tuition, a manageable cost of living and a welcoming culture, and it has become a destination of choice for international students, which has pushed up demand for the Italy student visa.
Students with a recognised language certificate, IELTS or TOEFL in English or CILS or CELI in Italian, can start contacting universities and applying for a place. Once you hold an offer the study route is largely mapped out, and the next step is the consulate appointment. This guide covers the whole process from start to finish.
Why study in Italy?
Italy has become a popular destination for international students over recent years. A reasonable cost of living by European standards, combined with a wide range of scholarships, makes studying in Italy one of the better routes into Europe.
It gives students the chance to study at internationally ranked universities such as the University of Bologna, Politecnico di Milano and the University of Padua without paying the fees such institutions command elsewhere.
Beyond that, you get a good standard of living at a reasonable cost in a beautiful and historic country. Students without substantial funds can apply for scholarship support, and can study in Italian or in English.
After graduating, students can enter the labour market and convert the study permit into a work permit once they have a job offer. Italy also issues a post-study job-seeking permit that gives graduates time to find work. Working in another EU member state is possible, but it requires a permit from that country in its own right.
Degree levels in Italy
| Degree level | Duration | Language of study | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's (Laurea Triennale) | 3 years | English and Italian | High school diploma + language certificate (level set by each university and programme) |
| Master's (Laurea Magistrale) | 1–2 years | English and Italian | Bachelor's degree + language certificate + letters of recommendation from previous professors |
| Doctorate (PhD) | 4 years | English and Italian | Research proposal + strong academic CV + publications where the programme requires them (set per university and programme) |
Documents for an application to an Italian university
To study in Italy you need a national type D study visa, which means holding a letter of admission from your chosen university before you book the consulate appointment. Prepare your documents against the student visa checklist and hand them in on the day of your biometrics appointment.
The documents are:
- A formal offer of admission from the university
- A recognised language certificate (CILS or CELI, or IELTS or TOEFL)
- A letter of motivation setting out why you want to study in Italy
- Academic references from your lecturers
- A CV listing your full academic record and grades
- A research proposal, for doctoral applicants
- Proof of funds, for applicants without a scholarship
Suggested reading from Aval Visa: our guide to the University of Cassino.
The cost of studying and living in Italy
| Type of cost | Approximate amount |
|---|---|
| Public university tuition | EUR 900–4,000 per year |
| Private university tuition | EUR 6,000–20,000 per year |
| Living costs | About EUR 800–1,200 per month |
There is a full guide to the cost of student life in Italy on the Aval Visa site.
Scholarships in Italy
Italy runs a wide range of scholarship programmes, which is part of why it has drawn so much interest from students outside the EU. They include the DSU right-to-study grants, regional scholarships and merit-based university funds. Doctoral students can also apply for PhD-specific funding. Our article on scholarships in Italy sets out how to apply for study funding in detail.
Steps to an Italian student visa
Start by choosing your university and reading the admissions pages carefully: application windows, entry conditions, tuition and other costs, the documents needed for a scholarship and the rest of the detail. Then apply for a place. Once you hold an offer, these are the steps to starting your studies in Italy.
- Sit the official entrance exam, for subjects that require one
- Have your documents translated and legalised
- Book the consulate appointment
- Assemble proof of funds, or apply for a scholarship
- Attend the consulate for biometrics
- Receive the visa decision
- Travel to Italy and start the semester
The best universities in Italy
| University | City | World ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Politecnico di Milano | Milan | Check the current ranking |
| University of Bologna | Bologna | Check the current ranking |
| Sapienza University of Rome | Rome | Check the current ranking |
| University of Pisa | Pisa | Check the current ranking |
| University of Padua | Padua | Check the current ranking |
| University of Florence | Florence | Check the current ranking |
Italian visas with Aval Visa
Studying in Italy is a chance to combine good teaching with life in one of the most attractive countries in Europe. If you want to move quickly on admission and make use of the current scholarship rounds, complete the free assessment form at Aval Visa or speak to one of our advisers. We handle the whole file: the university application, the offer, the consulate appointment and the documents, so that you start the process on a sound footing.
Frequently asked questions
- Can a student bring a spouse to Italy? The study visa is not itself a dependant visa. A student holding an Italian residence permit valid for at least one year can apply separately for family reunification, subject to the income and accommodation conditions. Check the current requirements before you plan around it.
- Can students work during their studies? Yes. Students can work part-time for up to 20 hours a week.
- Which are the best subjects to study in Italy?Architecture, fashion and design, the engineering disciplines and the health professions, meaning medicine, nursing and pharmacy, are among the strongest subjects to study in Italy.
