Study in Italy

• Affordable public universities, with fees that often depend on family income.
• English-taught bachelor's and master's programmes in many fields.
• Regional scholarships (DSU) that can cover tuition, accommodation or meals for eligible students.
• A European degree that follows the Bologna system used across Europe.
• Culture, art and design in cities such as Rome, Milan, Bologna, Florence and Turin.

Italian higher education follows the European Bologna system:

• Laurea (bachelor's degree): three years, 180 ECTS credits.
• Laurea Magistrale (master's degree): two years, 120 ECTS credits.
• Single-cycle degrees: five or six years for medicine, dentistry, architecture, law and some other fields.
• Dottorato di ricerca (PhD).

The academic year usually starts in September or October.

• Public (state) universities, which teach most students.
• Private universities, often with higher fees.
• Polytechnic universities specialising in engineering, architecture and design.
• AFAM institutions for art, music and dance.

Programmes are offered in engineering, architecture and design, economics and management, computer science, medicine (with an admission test), fashion, art history and cultural heritage. We confirm whether each programme on your shortlist is taught in English.

According to the Consulate General of Italy in Istanbul, regular fees at public universities depend on family income and the programme, ranging from about €900 to €4,000 per year. Some programmes charge more, and private universities are usually considerably more expensive.

Regional scholarships (DSU) and university fee waivers can reduce or remove tuition for eligible students, based on income and merit.

These are estimates for planning only. Confirm the fee rules on each university's website.

For a study visa you must prove financial means of at least €10,179.85 per year of study (about €848 per month), according to Italian consulates and the annual Ministry of Universities and Research circular for international students. Funds must be legal, traceable and verifiable.

Actual living costs depend heavily on the city. Milan, Rome and Bologna are usually more expensive than smaller university cities.

Budget for accommodation, food, transport, residence permit costs and health insurance in addition to the minimum financial means.

• Bachelor's: normally at least 12 years of schooling and a final school-leaving qualification that gives access to university in your country. Pakistani students usually apply with Intermediate/HSSC results.
• Master's: a recognised bachelor's degree in a relevant subject.
• Medicine and some other programmes: an admission test, such as the IMAT for English-taught medicine at public universities.

Universities assess your qualifications individually. You may need a Declaration of Value or a CIMEA statement of comparability.

• English-taught programmes: usually require IELTS, TOEFL or another accepted certificate, typically at B2 level or higher, as set by each university.
• Italian-taught programmes: usually require Italian at B2 level, or passing the university's Italian language test.

• September/October: the main intake for almost all programmes.
• February/March: limited intake for some programmes.

Timeline: university application windows for international students often open in the winter or spring before the academic year. After you are admitted, you must complete pre-enrolment on the Universitaly portal, which your university validates before you apply for the visa. Consulates set visa application deadlines for each academic year.

For the study visa (type D) you will typically need:

• A valid passport.
• The visa application form and photographs.
• The Universitaly pre-enrolment summary validated by your university.
• Proof of financial means (at least €10,179.85 per year).
• Proof of accommodation in Italy.
• Health insurance.
• Your academic qualifications and any Declaration of Value or CIMEA statement.

Check the exact list with the Italian embassy or visa centre that handles your application.

1. Apply to your chosen university and receive admission.
2. Complete pre-enrolment on Universitaly and wait for the university to validate it.
3. Apply for a national (type D) study visa at the Italian embassy or its visa centre.
4. After arrival, apply for a permesso di soggiorno per studio (residence permit for study) within eight days of arriving in Italy.

The residence permit lets you work up to 20 hours per week, with a limit of 1,040 hours a year. Visa decisions are made by the Italian authorities.

After completing a degree in Italy, international graduates can convert their study permit into a residence permit to look for work, valid for up to one year if the conditions are met. You must apply before your study permit expires.

If you find a job, you can then apply to convert to a work residence permit. Rules can change, so confirm the current procedure with the Questura or your university's international office.

• University or DSU residences, allocated by regional agencies, often based on income and merit.
• Private rooms in shared apartments, the most common option in most cities.
• Private student residences, available in larger cities at higher prices.

Student life in Italy is rich in culture, food and travel, with easy access to the rest of Europe.