Study in Italy
Income-based public fees as low as €900 a year, design and fashion schools with no equal, and a 12-month permit to find work after graduating.
Why students choose Italy
Italy's public universities set fees on family income, so many international students pay under €2,000 a year at institutions like Bologna, Padua and Politecnico di Milano. Fashion, design, architecture and engineering are genuine strengths, and regional scholarships often cover fees and living costs entirely. Bureaucracy is slow, so we start early.
Intakes
Main intake. Pre-enrolment through Universitaly opens in spring.
A few master's and private academies.
What international students study in Italy
After you graduate
After graduating you can convert your study permit to a 12-month job-seeking permit. Regional scholarships (DSU) are open to international students and can cover tuition, meals and accommodation based on family income.
Permesso di soggiorno per attesa occupazione
12 months. Convert to a work permit when you sign a contract.
Part-time work
20 hours a week, up to 1,040 hours a year. Wages of No national minimum wage; student jobs typically pay €7 to €10 an hour.
Employment by sector
Fashion, design and luxury (high), Engineering and automotive (medium to high), Tourism and hospitality (high). Full picture.
What it costs to study in Italy
Living costs of €700 to €1,200 a month. Tuition of €900 to €4,000 at public universities, income-based for undergraduate and €900 to €4,000 at public universities; €10,000 to €25,000 at private universities and design academies for postgraduate study. Bocconi, Politecnico design schools and private academies charge full fees.
| Monthly cost | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | €300 to €700 (Milan and Rome highest) |
| Food and groceries | €200 to €300 |
| Transport | €20 to €40 with student passes |
| Utilities and phone | €70 to €120 |
| Health insurance | About €700 a year to register with the national health service |
Fees and costs are indicative for the 2026/27 cycle, change with exchange rates and policy, and should be confirmed with the university or the relevant government before you decide.
Long-stay study visa (type D) and permesso di soggiorno
Documents you will need
- Universitaly pre-enrolment and admission letter
- Proof of funds
- Proof of accommodation
- Health insurance
- Declaration of value (DoV) or CIMEA statement for your qualifications
- Passport and photos
Funding for international students in Italy
| Scholarship | What it offers | Who awards it |
|---|---|---|
| Regional DSU scholarships | Fee waivers, free meals and accommodation for students under an income threshold, including internationals. | Regional agencies |
| Italian Government (MAECI) scholarships | Monthly grants for master's and PhD study. | Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| University merit awards | Fee waivers at Bologna, Padua, Politecnico di Milano and Torino for top applicants. | Universities |
Italy in eight facts
The University of Bologna, founded in 1088, is the oldest in continuous operation.
Fees at public universities depend on your family's ISEE income indicator.
English-taught medicine admits through the IMAT exam every September.
The residence permit process starts at a post office.
Aperitivo culture means an early-evening drink often comes with free food.
Regional trains are cheap; a Milan to Bologna ticket can cost under €15.
Politecnico di Milano ranks in the world top 10 for art and design.
August is holiday month; universities and offices slow down.
Where to study in Italy
Everything else about studying in Italy
Student visa
How to get a Italy student visa: fees, funds, documents and timeline
Cost of studying
What it costs to study in Italy: tuition, living and one-off fees
Cost of living
Monthly cost of living for students in Italy
Scholarships
Scholarships for international students in Italy
Work after graduation
Working in Italy during and after your degree
Education system
How the Italian education system works
Student life
Student life in Italy: housing, work, weather and culture
Best student cities
Best cities to study in Italy
Exams required
Which exams you need to study in Italy
Master's degrees
Studying a master's in Italy
Studying in Italy: what students ask
Can I study in Italy in English?
Yes. Over 600 programmes are taught in English, mostly at master's level and in engineering, economics, design and medicine.
How low can Italian fees go?
With a low family income certified through ISEE, public university fees can drop to under €1,000 a year, and DSU scholarships can add free meals and housing.
Can I stay in Italy after graduating?
Yes, with a 12-month job-seeking permit, which converts to a work permit once you find a job.
Ready to plan Italy?
A counsellor who knows this country's rules builds you a shortlist and a timeline. Free.