When people think about studying engineering in Europe, Germany and France usually come up first. Italy deserves the same attention. Its universities are long established, living costs sit below most of northern Europe, and a large share of degrees are taught in English, with scholarships attached to many of them.
English-taught programmes, a wide range of grants, and the option to move from a study permit to a work permit are only part of what Italy offers international students. This guide walks through the best engineering universities in Italy, what they cost, what they fund and what they ask for at admission.
Why study engineering in Italy?
Italy is home to Politecnico di Milano, Politecnico di Torino, the University of Bologna and hundreds of other institutions, and it is one of the strongest destinations in the world for engineering students. Many course plans are delivered in English, across fields such as:
- Mechanical engineering
- Civil engineering
- Electronics
- Robotics
- Artificial intelligence
- Data science and other computing specialisms
If you want a career in industry or technology and you want it at a manageable cost, the first step is to understand the requirements for an Italian student visa and to know which engineering schools suit your profile. Other reasons students choose Italy:
- Engineering faculties that appear in the global rankings
- State and university scholarships aimed at international students
- Lower costs than comparable destinations such as Germany or France
- The option to bring a spouse and children
- The option to move from a study residence permit to a work permit and extend your stay
- Eligibility for long-term residence after several years of legal work and residence
- Entry straight from secondary school at bachelor’s level
Documents required for admission to Italian universities
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Previous academic qualifications | With certified translation and transcripts |
| Language certificate | IELTS Academic 6.0 or equivalent TOEFL |
| Motivation letter | Explaining the purpose of studying in Italy |
| CV | Outlining work and academic history |
| Reference letters | From previous professors, for master's and doctoral applications |
| Proof of financial means | For non-scholarship applicants |
The best engineering universities in Italy for international students
With that background, here are the engineering universities in Italy worth shortlisting, with their entry conditions, global standing and most popular courses. The first is the country’s leading technical school, Politecnico di Milano.
Politecnico di Milano
Politecnico di Milano is Italy’s most respected technical university and one of the strongest engineering schools in Europe. It sits in the middle of Milan, a modern industrial city, and it is the first choice for most applicants who are serious about engineering. It places around 18th in the world for engineering and technology, and a large part of its teaching is in English.
Its most popular English-taught engineering courses are:
- Electrical and electronic engineering
- Mechanical engineering
- Civil engineering
- Environmental engineering
- Aerospace engineering
- Computer engineering
- Industrial engineering
- Energy engineering
- Industrial design and architecture
Milan’s universities, including the University of Milan, offer a range of scholarships to international students. These can include a full tuition waiver based on academic merit or on the applicant’s financial circumstances, a cash stipend, and services such as subsidised housing and a place in halls.
Politecnico di Milano also works closely with international industry, including Fiat, Lamborghini, STMicroelectronics, Siemens and IBM. Students use modern laboratories and take part in advanced research projects while they study. Strong graduates can move into internships and jobs after graduation and extend their stay in Milan on that basis.
Also from Aval Visa: read our guide to the University of Cassino.
Politecnico di Torino
Politecnico di Torino is another of the best engineering universities in Italy and one of the oldest technical schools in Europe. It is based in Turin, a historic industrial city in the north. Founded in 1859, it is placed around 241st in the world and teaches the following subjects in English and Italian at several levels:
- Computer engineering
- Electrical engineering
- Mechanical engineering
- Automotive engineering
- Aerospace engineering
- Civil engineering
- Energy engineering
- Materials engineering
- Architecture and urban design
The main draws are its location in northern Italy, its long-standing links with companies such as Fiat, Boeing, Microsoft and Toyota, a project-based teaching method and a genuinely international campus. It also runs merit-based scholarships awarded on academic results, which reduce or cover the cost of study.
University of Bologna
The University of Bologna, ranked around 108th in the world, is not only one of the best places in Italy to study computer engineering, it is the oldest university in Europe. Founded in 1088, it remains one of the continent’s academic anchors. Engineering here is taught in English and Italian, and covers every branch of mechanical, electrical, computer, automotive, energy and civil engineering, along with design and architecture.
Like other Italian universities, Bologna funds strong applicants through scholarships that can cover living costs, meals, accommodation, tuition, transport and health services. Beyond the money, studying at Bologna brings:
- Internships with international companies
- Structured professional placement programmes
- The option to apply for a 12-month job-search residence permit after graduation
- A degree recognised across Europe and North America
Sapienza University of Rome
Sapienza University of Rome is one of the largest and most respected universities in Europe and a popular choice for engineering. It is based in Rome and ranked around 124th in the world. Sapienza was founded in 1303 and has shaped European science ever since.
International applicants with the right language certificate and a strong grade average can apply for admission and for scholarships in:
- Computer engineering
- Electrical engineering
- Mechanical engineering
- Telecommunications engineering
- Industrial engineering
- Civil engineering
- Environmental and landscape engineering
- Nuclear engineering
- Space and satellite engineering
Teaching runs in English and Italian, and scholarships can cover a full tuition waiver plus support for housing, meals and transport. Studying here gives you access to Rome’s technology, government and cultural institutions and to a steady flow of international research projects.
You get one of the largest and best-equipped engineering campuses in Italy, with libraries, laboratories and sports facilities, at a modest cost of living.
University of Trento
The University of Trento is one of Italy’s most modern universities, set in the town of Trento. It is recommended for engineering because of its teaching quality and its close ties with European technology and industry.
Trento is ranked around 452nd in the world. Its engineering faculties cover information and communication technology (ICT), mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, software engineering, intelligent systems engineering, materials and nanotechnology, artificial intelligence and robotics.
Scholarships apply to both English-taught and Italian-taught courses and can include a tuition waiver, a living allowance, free accommodation and a daily living contribution. The wider advantages matter to most students:
- A calm, safe town with a high quality of life
- Immediate access to the mountains for skiing, hiking and cycling
- Participation in European research projects
- Industrial and technical internships for students
- High graduate satisfaction and employment rates, particularly in technology and innovation
University of Padua
The University of Padua, near Venice, is ranked around 178th in the world. It is one of the oldest and most respected universities in Europe and the second oldest in Italy. It was founded in 1222 in the town of Padua in the Veneto region, and over eight centuries it has played a real part in the making of modern science.
Padua is among the most advanced and best-regarded academic centres in Italy and Europe, with English-taught and Italian-taught degrees in engineering, IT, computer science, environmental engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering and industrial engineering.
It suits applicants who want:
- A research-led approach
- Modern laboratory facilities
- Access to European research projects
- A broad range of well-paid graduate roles
- The regional DSU scholarship
- Erasmus+ international mobility grants
- Study grants and tuition waivers
Applicants with a recognised language certificate and a strong grade average can apply to Padua, one of the best engineering universities in Italy.
University of Naples Federico II
The University of Naples Federico II is one of the oldest and most important engineering universities in Italy and Europe, founded in 1224 by Emperor Frederick II. It sits in the historic centre of Naples, ranks around 400th in the world, and teaches in English and Italian.
Every branch of the following fields is taught here:
- Mechanical engineering
- Electrical and electronic engineering
- Civil engineering
- Environmental and landscape engineering
- Computer engineering
- Marine engineering
- Aeronautical engineering
- Materials engineering
International students can apply for admission in either language and draw on tuition waivers and housing grants, Erasmus+ exchange programmes, onward study in the United States and elsewhere in Europe, research funding at master’s and doctoral level, a mild climate, and a wide graduate job market in energy, transport and marine engineering.
University of Verona
The University of Verona is the last name on our list of the best universities in Italy. Based in the historic city of Verona, it has spent recent decades building a reputation for innovation, teaching quality and international outlook, and it is now a serious option for engineering, technology and computer science.
Verona is ranked around 780th in the world, and its academic strength lies in interdisciplinary teaching and innovation projects, especially in information science and technology. It is best known for IT-related subjects such as computer and software engineering, artificial intelligence and data science, robotics engineering, intelligent systems and emerging technologies, and it teaches in both English and Italian.
The advantages of studying at the University of Verona match those elsewhere in Italy: the regional scholarship, Erasmus+ and academic exchange programmes, support for new arrivals through advisory services, student housing and free Italian language courses. Living costs in Verona are moderate and the city itself is calm and pleasant, with a high quality of life.
Engineering scholarships in Italy
Having covered the universities themselves, it is worth looking at the scholarships open to international engineering students:
| Available scholarships | Details |
|---|---|
| DSU Scholarship | Regional right-to-study grant covering accommodation, tuition and an annual stipend |
| EDISU Piemonte | For students in particular financial circumstances who maintain a high GPA throughout their studies |
| University scholarships | Issued with the offer of admission; valid only for study at that university |
| MAECI scholarships (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) | For students from specific countries, including Iran |
| Merit-based scholarships | For academically qualified, high-achieving students |
| Erasmus+ scholarships | For study on joint programmes |
Study at the best engineering universities in Italy with Aval Visa
Studying engineering in Italy combines scholarship funding, moderate living costs and well-paid graduate work. It puts you inside a world-class education system and can be a significant step towards a stable career.
If you want an international environment, high teaching standards, a different way of living and a route into Europe’s large engineering employers, Italy’s engineering universities are a strong option. For advice on securing admission, or help with the administrative steps such as booking a consulate appointment, completing forms and drafting letters, contact Aval Visa or fill in the free consultation form.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need an English language certificate to study in Italy? Yes. Most programmes ask for IELTS Academic 6.0 or 6.5, a TOEFL score, or a B2 certificate in Italian. Check the exact requirement on the admissions page of the university you are applying to.
- Which engineering fields pay best in Italy? Computer, civil, petroleum, aerospace, mechanical and biomedical engineers earn the most in the Italian job market.
- Do Italian engineering universities set an entrance exam? Some do. TOLC-I is used for engineering courses and TOLC-E for management and business-related courses.
- What English score do Italian universities accept? IELTS Academic 6.0 to 6.5 is generally accepted for bachelor’s and master’s admission.
