Italy pairs historic public universities with English-taught degrees whose fees are often a fraction of UK or US costs. See what it really costs, how Universitaly and the visa work, and who it suits.
Last reviewed: September 2026
Italy has become a serious option for Indian students who want a European degree without UK-level fees. Public universities set tuition on an income-linked scale, so annual fees at many of them stay in the low thousands of euros, and a growing list of bachelor’s and master’s programmes is taught fully in English. Engineering, architecture, design, economics and medicine are the subjects most Indian applicants look at.
The trade-off is paperwork. You apply to the university, complete pre-enrolment on the Universitaly portal, get certificates attested and apostilled, and then apply for a national visa that, for the 2026–27 intake, needs proof of €10,179.85 a year. Plan nine to twelve months ahead, and expect to use some Italian in daily life even if your course is in English.
Public universities charge fees in income bands rather than one flat international rate. Even Politecnico di Milano’s highest fee for 2026–27 is just under €4,000 a year.
The number of programmes taught fully in English keeps growing, especially at master’s level in engineering, computing, economics and design.
Milan and Turin are known worldwide for architecture, industrial design, fashion and automotive engineering, with industry close to campus.
Regional right-to-study scholarships can cover fees and add a yearly cash grant, and they are open to non-EU students who meet the income rules.
A valid Italian residence permit lets you make short trips to other Schengen countries, which makes weekend travel and exchanges easy.
Graduates of Italian degree programmes can apply for a 12-month permit to stay on and look for work.
Italy’s strongest subjects for international students mirror its industries: design, engineering, food, fashion and finance.
| Course Area | Why Italy | Typical Roles |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture & Design | Politecnico di Milano and Politecnico di Torino are highly regarded, and Milan is a global design capital. | Architect, product or interior designer, UX designer |
| Mechanical, Automotive & Aerospace Engineering | Turin’s automotive and aerospace cluster and Emilia-Romagna’s motor industry offer projects and internships. | Design engineer, vehicle dynamics engineer, R&D engineer |
| Computer Science, Data Science & AI | Milan, Bologna, Padua, Pisa and Rome run a growing number of English-taught master’s in computing and data. | Software engineer, data scientist, ML engineer |
| Fashion & Luxury Management | Milan hosts major fashion houses and trade events, so programmes link closely with the industry. | Brand manager, merchandiser, buyer, retail analyst |
| Business, Economics & Finance | Bocconi, Bologna and other universities offer English-taught economics and management degrees with strong European links. | Financial analyst, consultant, marketing manager |
| Medicine & Surgery (English-taught) | Several public universities run six-year English-taught medicine programmes with admission through the IMAT. | Doctor (further licensing needed to practise in India or elsewhere), clinical researcher |
| Food Science & Agriculture | Italy’s food and agri-business sector gives these programmes practical depth. | Food technologist, quality assurance specialist, supply chain analyst |
Italy’s public universities dominate the rankings, with a few well-known private institutions in business and design.
| University | City | Ranking | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Politecnico di Milano | Milan | QS 2027: 87 | Engineering, architecture and design leader |
| Sapienza University of Rome | Rome | QS 2027: 111 | One of Europe’s largest universities |
| University of Bologna | Bologna | QS 2027: 123 | Among the oldest universities in the world |
| University of Padua | Padua | QS 2027: 204 | Strong in sciences, engineering and medicine |
| Politecnico di Torino | Turin | QS 2027: 206 | Automotive, aerospace and ICT engineering |
| University of Milan | Milan | Research-intensive; sciences, medicine and law | |
| Bocconi University | Milan | Private; economics, management and finance | |
| University of Pisa | Pisa | Long tradition in computer science and engineering | |
| University of Pavia | Pavia | Collegiate campus; medicine and sciences |
Ranks shown are QS World University Rankings 2027 and change every year; course fit, fees and location matter more than position.
Public tuition in Italy is low by international standards, but you must budget for living costs and show visa funds up front.
All figures are indicative for 2026–27 and change yearly; confirm on the university and consulate websites before you budget.
Italy’s main funding comes from need-based regional grants, plus government and university awards for strong applicants.
| Scholarship | Typical Support | Best Suited For |
|---|---|---|
| DSU regional scholarships | Fee waiver plus yearly cash grant (national minimum about €7,171 for students living away from home in 2026–27); housing or meals in many regions | Students whose family income and assets fall within the ISEE limits |
| Invest Your Talent in Italy | €1,000 a month for 9 months, renewable for year two, plus fee waivers at participating universities | Master’s applicants in engineering, design, architecture, economics or management taught in English |
| Italian Government (MAECI) scholarships | Monthly allowance for master’s, PhD and research study; some fee exemptions | Students from countries listed in each year’s call |
| University merit awards | Partial or full fee waivers, sometimes with a cash grant | High-scoring applicants who apply in early rounds |
Main intake for almost all degree programmes; apply from late autumn of the previous year
Limited; a few master’s and single-course options only
National (Type D) study visa
Non-EU students enrolling in an Italian degree need a long-stay study visa, followed by a residence permit after arrival. Applications from India are filed through VFS Global.
Apply through the university’s own portal and receive your admission letter.
Submit the pre-enrolment request by your university’s deadline so it can be validated and sent to the consulate.
Have certificates attested by the state HED and apostilled, and arrange a CIMEA statement or Declaration of Value if required.
Book your appointment with your own email and phone number and submit your file. For 2026–27 bachelor’s and master’s intakes, applications are not accepted after 30 November 2026.
Within 8 days of arriving, submit the permit kit at a post office, then attend the fingerprint appointment at the police immigration office.
Get your tax code (codice fiscale), sort out health cover and register with your university.
Italy allows limited work during studies and gives graduates a set period to find a job.
| Stage | What Applies |
|---|---|
| During studies | A study residence permit allows work of up to 20 hours a week, capped at 1,040 hours a year. |
| Internships | Curricular internships are common in master’s programmes and are arranged through the university. |
| After graduation | Graduates of Italian bachelor’s, master’s or PhD programmes can apply for a non-renewable 12-month permit to look for work. |
| Moving to a work permit | Eligible graduates who find a job can apply to convert their permit into a work permit, subject to the conditions in force. |
Italy’s business, fashion and design hub, home to Politecnico di Milano, Bocconi and the University of Milan. It has the most jobs and the highest rents.
The capital, with Sapienza and other large universities, UN food agencies and endless history. Rents are high in central areas.
A classic student city built around the University of Bologna, with Emilia-Romagna’s motor and food industries nearby.
An engineering city with an automotive and aerospace tradition and Politecnico di Torino. Living costs are lower than in Milan.
A compact university town close to Venice, centred on the University of Padua and easy to get around by bike.
Not sure which course or university in Italy fits your marks and budget? Our online student profiler asks about your study level, academics, budget and preferences, then suggests courses and universities that fit.
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Fees, fund requirements, visa rules and work rights on this page are indicative, based on publicly available information as of September 2026. They change often — always confirm with the university and the official immigration website before you apply, or ask our counsellors to check the latest position for you.
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