Historic universities
The University of Bologna, founded in 1088, is the oldest continuously operating university in the world.
All destinations 
Country guide
Country guide Study in Italy
Italy pairs centuries-old heritage universities with leading programs in design, fashion, architecture, and business — with English-taught options and some of the lowest public tuition in Western Europe.
Why Italy
Design, heritage, value
Where deep academic tradition meets some of the world’s most influential creative industries.
Design & fashion
Milan and Florence host some of the world’s top fashion, design, and architecture schools.
Affordable public tuition
Public universities charge income-linked fees starting around €900/year — with strong DSU regional grants.
English-taught programs
Hundreds of English-medium bachelor’s and master’s programs — especially in business and STEM.
Universities
Top universities in Italy
A representative shortlist of public and private institutions.
Politecnico di Milano
Italy’s leading technical university in engineering, design, and architecture.
University of Bologna
Western world’s oldest university — broad coverage including law, medicine, and humanities.
Sapienza University of Rome
Largest university in Europe by enrolment — strong in classics, archaeology, and engineering.
University of Milan (UniMi)
Major research university with leading programs in life sciences, law, and humanities.
Bocconi University
Italy’s premier private institution for economics, finance, and management.
University of Padua
One of the world’s oldest universities with strengths in sciences and medicine.
University of Pisa
Historic Tuscan university and home of the elite Scuola Normale Superiore.
Politecnico di Torino
Engineering-focused with strong automotive, aerospace, and ICT programs.
Design, fashion & the arts
Centuries of academia, in cities you’ll never forget.
From Bologna (Europe’s oldest university) to Milan’s design schools — with EU-recognised degrees and low tuition.
€0.9kMin. tuition
12 moStay-back
90+Universities
EUMember state
Programs
Popular programs
Where Italy’s strengths attract the most international applicants.
Design & Fashion Architecture Business & Economics Engineering Culinary & Hospitality Art History & Humanities Medicine (IMAT) Finance & Management
Costs
Tuition and cost of living
Euro ranges — public universities use income-linked (ISEE) fee bands.
Public university tuition€900–€4,000Per year · income-linked; can be lower with DSU regional aid.
Private university tuition€6,000–€20,000Per year · Bocconi, LUISS, and specialist design schools at upper end.
Living — Milan/Rome€900–€1,200Per month · major cities tend to be costliest.
Living — Other cities€700–€900Per month · Bologna, Padua, Turin, smaller university towns.
Funding & visa
Scholarships, funding & the Italy visa
Two parallel tracks — how to fund the degree, and how to secure your stay.
Scholarships & funding
- MAECI — Italian government scholarships for international students.
- Regional DSU grants — need and merit-based stipends with fee waivers.
- Bocconi merit awards and need-based partial fee waivers.
- Politecnico di Milano international scholarships.
- Erasmus+ for exchange and partner-university mobility.
Student visa snapshot
- Visa name: National Visa (Type D) for studies.
- Pre-enrolment via Universitaly portal mandatory before visa application.
- Proof of funds: ~€6,000+ per year, plus health insurance.
- Permesso di Soggiorno (residence permit) within 8 days of arrival.
- Work allowance: up to 20 hours/week alongside studies.
Timeline
Application timeline
A typical 10–14 month roadmap for a September intake.
Profile review & shortlist
12–14 months out: program direction; check English/Italian language requirements.
Tests & portfolios
8–12 months out: IELTS/TOEFL; portfolio for design; IMAT for medicine.
Universitaly pre-enrolment
April–July: pre-enrol via Universitaly after admission.
Visa appointment
June–August: book embassy slot, gather documents, attend interview.
Permit on arrival
Within 8 days of arrival: submit Permesso di Soggiorno application.
Enrolment & orientation
September: complete enrolment, codice fiscale, health registration.
Plan your Italy application with us
From Universitaly pre-enrolment to DSU grants, Voyage maps your full Italy plan.
What you’ll get
A 30-minute counselor-led session, free of cost.
- Public vs. private fit
- DSU & MAECI signal
- Universitaly & visa map