Study in Italy

Higher Education Structure in Italy

Study In Italy

Italy continues to be a popular tourist destination because of its incredible cuisine and historic landmarks. Italy's regions are varied and exciting, ranging from the Dolomites in the North with their snow-capped peaks to the warm, maritime Mediterranean culture in the South. Few nations are as exciting a choice as Italy for the international student looking for top-notch education that is also reasonably priced, with a wide variety of social and recreational opportunities.

That many international students feel right at home in Italy may not come as a surprise. Since it first opened its doors to students in 1088, Bologna University has held the title of oldest university in the world. The city's nickname, la dotta, or "the learned one," comes from this institution's founding. In terms of academic innovation in the twenty-first century, Bologna is still on the cutting edge. A set of benchmarks for excellence in higher education have been established throughout the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) thanks to the Bologna Process, which was launched in the city.

Italian academic institutions are proud of their history and standing. More than a dozen international degree programs with English-taught courses are available at the University of Rome Tor Vergata. Tor Vergata, which was established only in 1982, was named one of the best young universities in Europe and is renowned for its high student satisfaction rates and significantly higher employment rates for its graduates. The prestigious SDA Bocconi, located in Milan, the nation's financial hub, is one of the top business schools in Europe and is located in Italy. Numerous top business leaders are among its alumni, and its MBA program frequently comes in first place in rankings across the globe and in Europe.

The Perks of Studying in Italy

The following benefits may be available to you from public universities in Italy:

  • Programs in education of the highest caliber that are renowned worldwide.
  • Possibility of visiting EU nations without a visa.
  • For students from low-income families, there may be opportunities to apply for regional scholarships.
  • A variety of funding options and scholarships are available to everyone.
  • Very affordable tuition costs, ranging from €300 to €2000 depending on family income.
  • The right to a 20-hour workweek.
  • Possibility of continuing their studies at any European university.
  • Beautiful weather.

Higher Education Framework in Italy

The Framework includes the three main cycles of higher education as outlined by the Bologna Process and provides a summary of all qualifications granted at the conclusion of each cycle with reference to the number of ECTS credits accrued and to the learning outcomes as defined by the Dublin Descriptors: its scope is intended to facilitate a better understanding and comparability of qualifications in the higher education systems of each country and to present the entire European Union. Therefore, each nation made a commitment to developing a National Qualifications Framework (NQF) that is compatible with the Qualifications Framework for the European Higher Education Area.

Diploma Programs

Goal: To equip students with a sufficient understanding of artistic principles and practices as well as with specialized professional and disciplinary abilities.

Category: First-cycle degree

Access: a foreign diploma that is equivalent to or better than the Italian school diploma. According to institutional policies, applicants may also need to take an entrance exam to determine whether they have the necessary level of knowledge.

Workload: 180 ECTS credits

Duration: Three years at full time.

Entry into second-cycle programs for additional studies [Second level academic diploma; Specialization diploma or Master (I); Master's/specialist degree; First Level Master's Degree]

Undergraduate Programs

Goal: To provide undergraduates with a sufficient understanding of general scientific principles, mastery of related methods, and specific professional skills.

Category: 1st cycle degree

Access: through the Italian school leaving certificate or a comparable foreign qualification

Workload: 180 ECTS credits

Duration: 3 years of full-time work. 

Further studies: Admission to second cycle programs for additional research [Master's/specialist degree; First-level university master's degree; Second-level academic diploma; Academic diploma of specialization (I); Specialization course or Master (I)]

Postgraduate programs

Goal: To equip graduates with advanced training for highly qualified professions in particular sectors and with the necessary skills for independent, advanced research.

Category: Second Cycle Degree

Access: through an equivalent foreign degree, a related Laurea, a three-year university degree, or a first-level academic diploma.

Workload: 120 ECTS credits

Time: 2 years of full-time study

Academic Title: Master's degree

Additional Studies: enrollment in third-cycle programs [PhD; Specialization diploma; Second-level university master's degree; Academic Specialization Diploma (II); Specialization course or Master (II)]

Doctoral Programs

Goal: The objective is to train postgraduates in highly specialized research.

Category: The third cycle of education

Access: through a master's, specialist degree, or a foreign degree equivalent

Admission: through open competition

Minimum Duration: 3 years

Academic Titles: Include PhD and research doctor (Dott. Ric.)

Popular disciplines and courses available in Italy

Italy is comparable to that annoying classmate from high school who was exceptional at everything. It is understandable that the list of "most sought-after" fields is so lengthy and comprehensive given the number of pioneers Italy has produced. However, the most well-liked study choices in Italy are:

Fine ArtsMBBSEngineering
International RelationsFashion DesignMBA
Masters in Economics Bachelor’s Degree in Digital ManagementHumanities
Business and CommerceArchitectureBachelor in Business Studies
Master in Transportation and Car DesignBachelor of Arts in Tourism ManagementBachelor’s Degree in Linguistic and Cultural Mediation
Master in Automobile DesignBachelor of Arts in Sports ManagementBachelor in International Politics and Government
BA in Performing ArtsBachelor in Fashion Art Direction 

Popular Cities in Italy with the Best Universities

Italy has a rich educational history. One of the oldest educational systems in existence, it continues to live up to its reputation. Italian universities have a distinct personality and are completely up to date. The best cities in Italy for students from other countries who want to study abroad are those listed here.

Name of the CityReasons to study there
MilanIn addition to housing some of the top universities in the world, the fashion capital of the world also houses the biggest names in fashion. The Polytechnic University of Milan, which is ranked 139th worldwide, is the highest-ranked institution. Milan is currently ranked as the world's 48th best student city.
RomeRome, the nation's capital and a hub for learning and thought on a global scale, is home to three of the best universities in the world. University of Rome: Sapienza. It is one of the biggest universities in the world, enrolling 140000 students. One of the oldest universities in the world, Sapienza is ranked 171st in the world, along with many other Italian universities. According to the City Brands Index, Rome is ranked as the second most beautiful city in terms of education, history, and culture. It provides international students with the best of both history and modernity. On a list of the best cities for students worldwide, the city is listed as number 69.
PisaThe Leaning Tower of Pisa, one of the most famous and frequently photographed locations on earth, is well known for having top-tier universities. University of Pisa is among them. It is well known for its engineering, physics, mathematics, and computer science programs. The University of Pisa was founded in 1343, making it one of the country's oldest universities.
BolognaBologna, the fourth-best student city in Italy, is the location of the University of Bologna, the oldest university in the world. According to legend, the University of Bologna was founded in 1088. Eleven of them are located throughout the city, along with 33 departments and 93 libraries.
VeniceFor "Arts and Humanities" and "Languages," among the top 150 universities worldwide, among the top 200 universities worldwide for "History," and among the top 250 universities worldwide for "Economics," according to the QS World University Ranking. Studying in this city, one of the most stunning in the world, is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, according to those who have done so.

Average Monthly Expenses in Italy for International Students

Europe's most affordable study destination is Italy. Large cities like Rome or Milan can have high housing and living expenses, but smaller cities are much less expensive. Larger universities typically provide assistance in finding housing; with any luck, you might be able to find a room in a cheap student residence.

Italy's public universities are also reasonably priced when compared to other European nations. Public universities in Italy typically charge a yearly tuition of about EUR 1,000. Pristine universities with high rankings may have higher fees. The University of Rome Tor Vergata is an exception, where tuition costs are determined by your family's financial situation. Depending on your family's income, you may be charged anywhere from a low minimum of 150 euros to a high maximum of 5,000 euros per year.

Students’ Visa Requirement

In Italy, student visas come in two different varieties. Depending on the length of the course, there are different visa categories for international students: 

With a Type C Visa, the course must be completed in less than three months, or 90 days.

For courses lasting longer than three months, you need a Type D Visa.  

It costs €76 to obtain a long-term student visa in Italy, while it costs €80 to obtain a short-term student visa. The processing time for an Italian student visa application is typically one to three weeks. 

Here is the list of documents students need to have to apply for a student visa in Italy.
  • A valid Passport
  • Form for Applying for a Student Visa
  • Letter of intent
  • Demand letter
  • Documentation for value declaration
  • A statement of funds to cover living expenses
  • A health plan
  • proof of finances required to study in Italy
  • if traveling to Italy to take a brief course of study, air tickets
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

International students can apply for a variety of scholarships in Italy, including government-funded and private university scholarships as well as merit- and need-based external scholarships.

Yes, there are institutions of higher learning in Italy that either waive all tuition for foreign students or offer tuition-free education. Thus, regardless of their academic level, international students can sometimes—but not always—study for free in Italy.

Yes, additional classes are offered to students who want to learn Italian, and they also receive additional credit for doing so. These classes are typically held following the regular classes at the students' respective universities. There may be a small fee for attending these classes at some universities.

In Italy, there is no such rule stating that public universities are superior to private ones. Which Italian public or private university offers the course that an international student wants to take depends on the country. Private universities in Italy charge significantly more for their courses than do public universities, and the same is true of their living expenses. It is entirely up to the student and his or her selection of program and college.

Yes, Italy is less expensive in terms of living expenses and tuition fees than other European countries like the UK and France.