Italy is a country in Europe that occupies a large portion of the Southern part of the continent. The territory of present-day Italy was home to different civilizations throughout history, most notably the Roman Empire.
Before unification, Italian city-states were responsible for some of the most significant advancements in technology, law, trade, culture, and many other things during the Renaissance period.
Today, Italy is a modern nation that is one of the staples of the European Union, and one of the top tourist destinations in the world. Italy is not only a destination for tourists, but for many students as well, who want to spend their student years in a historic nation with a rich culture and plenty of things to do outside of school.
In this article, we will tell you how you can apply to a university in Italy as an international student, and bring you one step closer to trying the best pizza in the world.
1. Know what areas you want to study in Italian universities
Art, fashion, and history are a big part of Italian culture, and international students from around the world who wish to pursue a career in those fields rightfully choose Italy as their destination for obtaining a higher education.
Art and fashion courses are particularly popular, especially with international students. Culinary courses are also fairly popular, which is only right considering how famous Italian food is throughout the world.
From some of the more common subjects that are popular elsewhere, as well as in Italy, International Business and Law are ones that stand out, along with Economics, Management, Engineering, and Interior Design.
2. Fulfill the Italian Language Requirements if Studying in Italian
Since Italian is the main language of study for most programs in Italy, especially at the undergraduate level, at least a level B knowledge of the language is required. Thus, if you know that you will be studying in Italian, then you need to fulfill Italian Language requirements to apply to Italian universities.
However, some universities like the University of Bologna don’t have specific language requirements in order to apply, at least when it comes to Italian. If you are going to be studying in Italian, though, knowledge of the language will obviously be necessary.
3. Meet the English Requirements if you are studying in an English-medium porgram
When it comes to English programs, there are quite a few of them in Italian universities, and even more, are expected to be added as the number of international students continues to increase. Most universities generally require a passed test such as the TOEFL or IELTS exam to make sure your level of English is acceptable. Minimum scores on these exams vary from university to university, and you neet to meet the minimum scores before applying to universities in Italy.
Here are the English language requirements for the University of Milan. Language requirements for undergraduate and graduate courses are fairly consistent in individual universities, but better knowledge, especially in Italian is required for nursing and medical studies.
4. Fulfill General Requirements for Applying to Universities in Italy
The general requirements for applying to an Italian university is that you have a high school diploma (a bachelor’s degree for graduate students) that is recognized and meets Italian standards. Students from EU countries automatically meet this requirement as long as they are graduated, while non-EU applicants may need to take extra steps to get their secondary education diploma or bachelor’s degree certified.
Depending on the program you are applying for, proficiency in the language of study is also required, whether it be Italian, English, or a third language. Most universities require a test to prove your proficiency.
Additionally, some universities may require good scores in some subjects that are important to the course that you are applying for, while others may hold entrance exams to test your knowledge before accepting you. This is more common in certain areas of study, but less in others. As a reference, here are the application requirements for the Sapienza University of Rome.
5. Know Which Italian Universities that You Are Going to Apply
Choosing from the many great universities in Italy can be difficult, and the best way to narrow down your choices is by taking into account the field of study that you wish to explore. For example, if you are looking to study something related to fashion, the University of Milan, and other universities in that city will probably be your best option.
On the other hand, if you want to study something more traditional like law or art, the University of Bologna is one of the world’s best and serves as an example of how a proper university should function. It is also a golden standard for universities across the entire world.
Some other world-class universities in Italy that you should consider applying to are the Sapienza University of Rome, the University of Pisa, and the University of Padua, among many others. Your university of choice should mainly depend on your field of study and how reputable that intuition is in creating opportunities for people in that field. Universities love to talk about their achievements, so you can see whether what they did in the past has something to do with your area of study or not, which can be a good starting point in determining whether that particular university is right for you.
6. If applicable, look for affordable universities in Italy
Tuition fees at Italian universities are not controlled by the government, which means that each institution is able to set whichever fee they please. As you can imagine, this usually means that tuition fees can be pretty high, especially in private universities.
Public universities, on the other hand, are a little more affordable, with fees ranging from 0 to 5,000 euros per year. One thing that private universities have over public ones, though, is the fact that tuition fees are generally the same for EU and non-EU students, which isn’t the case with public universities who typically charge a lot more for non-EU applicants.
Thankfully, there is a long list of very affordable universities in Italy, and that list even includes universities that are among the top-ranked in the country.
If your finances are a factor, you should apply to cheap universities in Italy. Also, look to avoid large cities like Rome or Milan, and opt for smaller cities that are more affordable to live in. Students can also work a part-time job to earn some extra cash.
7. In addition, applly for scholarships in Italy
Once you find a list of affordable universities that you’re interested in, you can also check if you qualify for a scholarship. A scholarship can help you study at the university for free, or at least lower the tuition fee amount you will need to pay, or cover other expenses such as food, transportation, or accommodation. Check that the university offers scholarships when applying to Italian universities.
The more scholarships you apply for, the greater the chances are for you to be granted one, so even if you don’t think you fully qualify for a certain scholarship, you should give it a shot regardless.
Aside from university scholarships, there are also the Italian Government Scholarships dedicated to foreign students, which is offered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to promote the Italian language and culture. Certain areas of study are preferred when it comes to this type of scholarship, and it is available for all students that are currently studying in Italy, regardless if it’s a bachelor’s, master’s, or Ph.D. degree.
8. Submit Your Application to Italian Universities
The final step is actually submitting your application to universities in Italy! You should have no problem doing this if you’ve followed the earlier steps. Good Luck!
I hope that this article on how to apply to universities in Italy was helpful. If you are interested, visit the Europe Scholarships Category!
