Italy

European countries are known for their higher education infrastructure. This is because of their uncompromised teaching facilities whilst also offering substantial financial support to international students. And Italy is one of them.

Italy for Higher Education

One of the main elements that have been alluring people from all over the world to this country is its top-notch quality of education. Some of the earliest universities were established in Italy, which reflects how progressive and welcoming to advancements of the country are.

Italy is one of the innovative countries to sign the Sorbonne Declaration in the year 1998, thereby laying down the foundation of the “Bologna Reform”- an academic revolution that changed the face of higher education in Europe

Besides the status of studies in Italy, other factors like healthcare facilities, transport services, infrastructure, accommodation, and university campuses are in their best condition here.

The Italian culture is as pure and beautiful as its people. Located in the southwestern part of Europe, Italy is one of the top destinations on every single person’s bucket list when it comes to planning a vacation.

Heritage sites like The Historic Centre of Florence, Piazza del Duomo in Pisa, Villa Romana del Casale, Botanical Garden in Padua, Amalfi Coast, etc. are a few names to list that make Italy the perfect place for spending your holiday.

Intakes in Italian Universities

Students studying in Italian universities and colleges can get admission through two intakes per year.

INTAKE 1
The first one begins in September and lasts till January or February.

This is the most general pattern of intakes that educational institutes in Italy generally follow. Some might differ by a few weeks or a month; hence it is better if the students are attentive to the important dates mentioned on the university websites and are up-to-date.

INTAKE 2
The second semester commences in February and ends in July.

It is the most general pattern of intakes that educational institutes in Italy generally follow. Some might differ by a few weeks or a month; hence it is better if the students are attentive to the important dates mentioned on the university websites and are up-to-date.

Start applying for the September intake

For knowing the September intake’s timeline, refer to the table given below:

February – April	Research Italian universities, courses, degrees, fees structure, etc.
April May/June	Appear for language exams
May – June	Apply for colleges
June – July	Confirm the acceptance letters
June – July	Apply for a student visa
August – September	Get ready for departure.
September	Semester begins

Do you need to know Italian to study in Italy?

Many Italian universities and colleges in Italy, offer courses in the Italian language, which might be incomprehensible for most international students, especially those who don’t speak Italian at all. Sitting and taking language exams to prove their Italian proficiency (if they are applying for a university that doesn’t teach English) is a must for foreign students.

Although some educational institutes teach in English and many more are yet to adapt to it, for that as well, you will have to appear for an English language exam. And after arriving in Italy, you can seek admission to an Italian language school for learning it.

Top Universities in Italy

Italy is an abode to some of the most prestigious universities in the world, making it one of the top choices for international students. Let’s have a look at these educational institutions:

Politecnico di Milano

Being one of the leading universities when it comes to engineering, architecture and design, Politecnico di Milano is located in the city of Milan, Italy. It was established in the year 1863 and had many pronounced alumni.

Being one of the members of the IDEA League, the university introduces extra-curricular activities for talented aspiring engineers.

Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologa

Ranked 160 in the QS World University Rankings 2021, it is one of the oldest universities to be established in Europe, in the year 1088. It offers a wide variety of courses, around 200, categorized into 32 departments and five schools.

Its splendid graduate employability ranking (#84) reflects the quality of education it offers.

Sapienza University of Rome

Being one of the earliest universities globally, Sapienza University of Rome is prominent not only in the field of education but also in the history and culture of the country. It has continuously contributed to the societal, economic, political, and cultural changes that have shaped the country into what it is today.

Some Other Significant Universities are

John Cabot University
University of Padua
University of Milan
University of Pisa
University of Trento
University of Florence
University of Turin

Documents Requirements for study in Italy

For studying at an Italian university, you must meet the following requirements:

A Valid Passport
A Student Visa
An Offer Letter
Language Test Results
Residence Permit
Health Insurance

Documents needed for university applications

To get admission successfully to an Italian university or college, you will need the following list of documents for the application process:

Passport-size photographs
University application form (completed and without errors)
CV
Language test results
Letter of Recommendation
Letter of Motivation / SOP
Identity proof
Academic transcript
SAT or ACT scores
Portfolio (for some particular courses only)

Documentation Required for a Student Visa

Visa Type C

It is a short-stay visa that lasts for not more than 90 days and can be used for more than one entry.

For gaining entry to the borders of Italy, you must have a valid passport and a visa as per your reason for stay and duration. For international students (non-EU/EFTA), there are two types of entry visas available:

To issue either of them, you will be required to have the following documents ready:

Completed Visa application form
Valid passport
Passport-size photographs (recent)
Proof of accommodation in Italy
Health Insurance
University Offer Letter
Proof of Funds
Receipt of Application fee payment
National ID
Police clearance Certificate https://pcc.police.gov.bd

Visa Type D

It is a long-stay visa whose validity exceeds 90 days.

To issue either of them, you will be required to have the following documents ready:

The visa application form completed
Valid passport
Passport-size photographs (recent)
Proof of accommodation in Italy
Health Insurance
University Offer Letter
Proof of Funds
Receipt of Application fee payment
National ID
Police clearance Certificate https://pcc.police.gov.bd

Stay in Italy with a student visa

Students can stay in Italy for as long as the visa doesn’t expire. In simpler words, if students are in Italy on a Visa type C, they can stay for not more than 90 days. But if the visa type is D, they can live in the country until the date it will be valid.

Students taking up a bachelor’s or a master’s degree will have to stay for more than 90 months. Hence, their visa is issued until they complete the entire course.

Have to apply for a student visa

Non-EU/EFTA students taking up courses in Italy have to apply for a student visa to enter the country legally. They will need a residence permit as well if their stay is to exceed 90 days.

Work and study in Italy

Students can work and study in Italy at the same time. While EU/EFTA students do not need a work permit, the same is mandatory for non-EU/EFTA students studying in Italy as well as working part-time. To do so, first, get a signed contract of employment from your employer. Then, reach the nearest immigration office and present a copy of the same.

It shall take approximately two weeks for your work permit to process. Therefore, it is recommended to find part-time jobs as soon as you arrive in the country. Moreover, you can have an advantage over other international students by studying Italian to adjust to the working environment more easily.

Limitation for work on a student visa

An Italian student visa permits students to work for a maximum of 20 hours per week. It means that per day you can toil no longer than 3 hours.

Way to apply for a student visa

The first step is to decide which way you want to get a student visa.

For any country, there are three options available:

Applying online by yourself
Contacting the Italian embassy near you
Hiring a visa consultancy service

Cost of Living in Italy

Italy, compared to the USA, UK and other European countries, is less expensive in terms of studying as well as the living. To have a rough idea regarding the living expenses in Italy,

Please refer to the following table:

Service or Item	Cost (per month) (in EUR)
Rent (shared flat)	375
Utilities	52
Internet	29
Public Transportation	35
Miscellaneous	30 – 100

Therefore, your living costs per month will range between 500 EUR to 600 EUR, which is exceptionally cheaper when compared to other European countries. If you’re not sharing the flat, the budget might increase by 200-350 EUR.

The budget required to study in Italy

Your entire budget will depend upon the tuition fees for your particular course. On average, it might cost you 700 to 5000 EUR per year if you choose a public university.

In the case of private universities, the cost of studying is expensive, ranging between 3000 to 35000 EUR per academic year.

To get financial aid while studying in Italy

Both the Italian government as well the universities themselves offer financial grants to international students based on their skills and talent.

The top 10 scholarships available in Italy as of 2023 are as follows:

Invest Your Talent in Italy Programme
EDISU Piemonte Scholarship
Bocconi Merit and International Awards
Bologna University Study Grants for International Students
University of Padova Scholarships for All Degree Courses
University of Pavia International Scholarships for Developing Country Students
Scuola Normale Superiore Ph.D. Scholarships
Politecnico di Torino International Scholarships

Besides these, you can refer to your university’s website portal for more information.

Processing Time for Student Visa Application

The processing time of your application may take between 1–3 weeks and sometimes longer.

FAQs

Should I go for studies or a training course in Italy?

It depends on you. Although if you look at it from an educational point of view, it would be better if your foundation begins from there if you wish to settle in Italy later on. Or else, if you want to take up a training programme from a specialised institute in Italy, it is totally up to you.

Can you stay in Italy after graduation?

Yes, you can stay in Italy after graduation as well. All you'll need is to find a suitable job that can support you financially well enough within six to twelve months of completing your graduation.

Why do so many students choose to study abroad in Italy?

The serene and artistic lifestyle in Italy is the show-stopper for most of the international students that come here for only educational purposes. Leaving such a country that has rich heritage and culture, great art forms and history, unique cuisine, unbelievably incredible architecture and infrastructural facilities, nature and scenic beauty is impossible.

Moreover, Italy is a developed nation with the best healthcare facilities, employment opportunities, and a scope for a brighter future.

What to do in case I lose my residence permit?

There are many reasons which might contribute to losing your residence permits like theft, loss or damage. In the first and second cases, it is mandatory to report the incident to the nearest Police Station and get a copy of the report filed.

Then, you can visit the local post office and request a new application. Complete it and attach all the necessary documents with it before submitting it.