Overview
You can read our guide if you want to get the lowdown on studying abroad in Italy, but we hardly need to sell it to you, do we?After all, Italy has it all: from volcanoes to leaning towers, World Heritage Sites to perfect espresso, and, of course, some of the world’s oldest and most prestigious universities.
After all, you would expect a pretty decent higher education system in the country credited with inventions as diverse as dentures and dictionaries – not to mention the huge legacy of the Roman civilisation. This region has a long history of being ahead of the game, and that continues today.
Universities in Italy >
The Università di Bologna (UNIBO) is Italy’s top-ranked, and one of the first universities ever established – possibly the very oldest in existence. But if the name sounds familiar, that’s probably due to Italy’s continued leadership in higher education; Bologna gives its name to the Bologna Process, the project that is making academic systems and qualifications more compatible across Europe, and in which Italy has been a key participant.
Much like its other attractions, Italy’s top universities are spread across a wide area.
There’s the Sapienza - Università di Roma in Rome, Università degli Studi di Padova in Padua, Università degli Studi di Firenze in Florence, and the Università di Pisa in (you guessed it) Pisa.
Overall, the country has around 90 higher education institutes, including 58 state universities, 17 private-sector universities, and a number of specialized postgraduate or e-learning centers.
Why is Milan one of the world's best student cities?
Fast Fact
- Currency is the euro ($/EUR)
- International dialling code is +39 and internet domain is .it
- The head of state is the elected President, but the government is led by the Prime Minister
- Europe’s fourth-largest economy, but also one of the highest levels of public debt in the eurozone (118% of GDP at the end of 2011)
- Population of 60.8 million (similar to the UK) and total area of 301,338 sq km (smaller than Poland but larger than New Zealand)
- Land borders with France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia
- As well as the boot-shaped mainland, Italy has numerous islands, of which the two largest are Sardinia and Sicily
- 47 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, more than any other country
- The only active volcanoes in mainland Europe, including Mount Etna, Stromboli and Mount Vesuvius
- Italy’s national football (soccer) team has won the FIFA World Cup four times, in 1934, 1938, 1982 and 2006 – only Brazil has been more successful
- Time zone is UTC+1 (+2 in summer) – Central European Time
Lifestyle
Discover Italy's top student cities...
Rome
Where to start with Rome? Well, most people probably start with the Coliseum, followed by some of the other main sights – perhaps the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Catacombs and Forum.
But as a student studying in Rome, the fun lies in discovering the sides of the city most visitors would miss – those cafés only the locals know about, secluded parks where you can take a break from the crowds, boutiques selling local designers’ creations.
If you’re keen on literature, you might enjoy a night out at a ‘book bar’ – sort of a cross between a bar, a library and a book club. For bargain hunters, antique fairs and flea markets offer plenty of vintage and second-hand goodies waiting to be discovered.
The universities in Rome are also excellent, particularly Sapienza - Università di Roma (216 in the World University Rankings 2012/13) and Università degli Studi di Roma – Tor Vergata (336).
Milan
Ranked at 21 in the QS Best Student Cities 2012, Milan offers the full package: world-class universities, excellent lifestyle, and a large and diverse student population.
As well as being Italy’s leading financial hub, Milan is also recognized as a world leader in the fashion and design industries, on a par with London, Paris and New York. If sports are more your thing, you’ll probably know it as the home of two of Italy’s biggest football teams, AC Milan and Internazionale.
And if you’re thinking about your future career, rest assured that Milan’s highest score in the QS Best Student Cities ranking is in the Employer Activity category. This reflects the large number of employers who seek out graduates from the city – and in particular from the Universita Commerciale Luigi Bocconi, one of Europe’s top business-focused universities.
Pisa
You’ve climbed the tower, you’ve taken one of those photos where you pretend to be holding it up: what next? As a student, you’re unlikely to be short of options; Pisa has a large student population, so there’s always plenty going on.
The main higher education institutes are the Università di Pisa (314 in the QS World University Rankings 2012/13) and Scuola Normale Superiore and Sant'Anna School. Together these make up the Pisa University System, which is recognized as one of Europe’s leading education hubs.
Its most famous past student is Galileo Galilei, who studied at the University of Pisa in the 16th century, and went on to become one of the world’s most famous astronomers, physicists and inventors. No wonder Pisa takes higher education so seriously.
Practical Information
Admission, entry, and visa requirements
The academic year is split into two semesters, from September/October to January/February, and from February to July. Typically each semester in Italy will consist of 14 teaching weeks, followed by a six-week exam period. It is usual for most exams to be oral, which means a series of one-on-one question and answer sessions with the examining professors – rather a daunting prospect for many international students!
Italy’s university fees differ depending on the institution and course. According to government guidelines, average fees are between US$850 and US$1,000 per year, but private universities will be more expensive.
International students are eligible for the same scholarships and grants as local students, assessed by academic merit or financial need. Italy describes its higher education system in terms of three ‘cycles’, which can sound rather confusing, but basically refers to undergraduate degrees, master’s degrees and doctorates.
Applicants for undergraduate (‘first cycle’) programs are expected to have completed at least 12 years of education, and obtained satisfactory results in their own country’s pre-university exams (such as A-levels or SATs). Proficiency in Italian is also required, demonstrated either by sitting an exam or submitting evidence of language courses previously taken.
Once you’ve been offered a place, you can apply for a student visa through your nearest Italian embassy or consulate. You’ll need to provide evidence of sufficient finances to support yourself and to return home, details of your accommodation arrangements, and proof that you will be able to access medical aid – either through private insurance or an agreement between Italy and your native country.
UNIVERSITIES IN ITALY
Universities Locations
1 Università degli Studi di Bologna
Bologna ...
2 Università degli Studi di Roma La Sapienza
Roma
3 Università degli Studi di Padova
Padova
4 Università degli Studi di Pisa
Pisa
5 Università degli Studi di Milano
Milano ...
6 Università degli Studi di Firenze
Firenze
7 Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II
Napoli
8 Università degli Studi di Torino
Torino
9 Politecnico di Milano
Milano ...
10 Università degli Studi di Genova
Genova
11 Politecnico di Torino
Torino
12 Università degli Studi di Catania
Catania
13 Università Ca' Foscari di Venezia
Venezia
14 Università degli Studi di Siena
Siena
15 Università degli Studi Roma Tre
Roma
16 Università degli Studi di Bari
Bari
17 Università degli Studi di Trento
Trento ...
18 Università degli Studi di Udine
Udine
19 Università degli Studi di Roma Tor Vergata
Roma
20 Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca
Milano ...
21 Università degli Studi di Parma
Parma
22 Università degli Studi di Palermo
Palermo
23 Università degli Studi di Trieste
Trieste
24 Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa
Pisa
25 Università degli Studi di Verona
Verona
26 Università degli Studi di Salerno
Salerno
27 Università degli Studi di Cagliari
Cagliari ...
28 Università della Calabria
Cosenza
29 Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia
Modena
30 Università degli Studi di Brescia
Brescia
31 Università degli Studi di Bergamo
Bergamo
32 Università degli Studi di Perugia
Perugia
33 Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi
Milano
34 Università Iuav di Venezia
Venezia ...
35 Università Politecnica delle Marche
Ancona ...
36 Università degli Studi dell'Aquila
L'Aquila
37 Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati
Trieste
38 Università degli Studi di Ferrara
Ferrara
39 Università degli Studi G. d'Annunzio Chieti e Pescara
Chieti
40 Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna di Studi Universitari e di Perfezionamento
Pisa
41 Libera Università Internazionale degli Studi Sociali Guido Carli
Roma
42 Università degli Studi di Pavia
Pavia
43 Università degli Studi di Urbino
Urbino ...
44 Università del Salento
Lecce
45 Università degli Studi di Sassari
Sassari ...
46 Libera Università di Bolzano
Bolzano ...
47 Seconda Università degli Studi di Napoli
Caserta ...
48 Università degli Studi di Messina
Messina
49 Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
Milano ...
50 Università degli Studi di Macerata
Macerata
51 Università degli Studi di Reggio Calabria
Reggio Calabria
52 Università degli Studi di Camerino
Camerino
53 Università degli Studi dell'Insubria
Varese
54 Politecnico di Bari
Bari
55 Università Carlo Cattaneo
Castellanza
56 Libera Università di Lingue e Comunicazione IULM
Milano ...
57 Università degli Studi del Sannio
Benevento
58 Università degli Studi della Basilicata
Potenza ...
59 Università degli Studi di Cassino e del Lazio Meridionale
Cassino
60 Università degli Studi della Tuscia
Viterbo
61 Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale Amedeo Avogadro
Vercelli ...
62 Università degli Studi Suor Orsola Benincasa
Napoli
63 Università degli Studi di Napoli "L'Orientale"
Napoli
64 Università per Stranieri di Siena
Siena
65 Università degli Studi di Foggia
Foggia ...
66 Libera Università Maria SS. Assunta
Roma
67 Università degli Studi di Napoli Parthenope
Napoli
68 Università degli Studi di Teramo
Teramo
69 Università degli Studi Magna Graecia di Catanzaro
Catanzaro
70 Università per Stranieri di Perugia
Perugia
71 Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma
Roma
72 Università degli Studi del Molise
Campobasso ...
73 Università degli Studi di Scienze Gastronomiche
Bra ...
74 Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele
Milano
75 Università Pontificia Salesiana
Roma ...
76 Università Kore di Enna
Enna
77 Università della Valle d'Aosta
Aosta
78 Libera Università degli Studi per l'Innovazione e le Organizzazioni
Roma
79 Istituto Italiano di Scienze Umane
Firenze ...
80 Università Europea di Roma
Roma
81 Università degli Studi di Roma Foro Italico
Roma
82 Università LUM Jean Monnet
Casamassima
83 Pontificio Istituto di Archeologia Cristiana
Roma
International study in Italy
Why study abroad in Italy?
In many ways, Italy’s University of Bologna paved the way for the university system we have today. It was the first higher education institution of its kind in the developed world, dating back to 1088, and it was there that the word ‘university’ was coined. In more recent times, it has been integral to the development of standardised university education across Europe, providing the initial inspiration and the setting for the Bologna Process, which aims to develops common higher education systems across Europe.
- It should come as no surprise then that the University of Bologna is Italy’s highest-rated institution, coming in at 194 in the QS 2012 World University Rankings. The Sapienza University of Rome is next at 216, followed by the Politecnico di Milano at 244.
- There are 89 universities in Italy, along with a number of polytechnics and other academies that form part of the higher education sector.
- The number of English language courses on offer is more comprehensive once you get past undergraduate level, but the number of courses available in English at all levels is growing. In fact earlier this year the Politecnico di Milano announced that from 2014 all of its courses will be taught in English.
- There are around 32,000 foreign students in Italy, including those on exchange programmes and independent students.
Entry and visa regulations
EU students do not need a visa to study in Italy.
- EU students do, however, need to apply for a residence permit by registering with the local police within three months of arrival.
- Students apply to Italian universities via the Italian consulate in their home country. They should contact their university of choice in the first case to find out about entry requirements and application deadlines before submitting the application. Cut-off dates vary but it is likely students will need to have their applications in between January and April for normal academic year programmes.
Funding your study
At state universities, fees are about £680-£800 per year for EU students. Fees vary depending on the institution and there is also a means-tested element, which weights fees depending on a student’s parental income.
- Unlike many other European countries, scholarships and student loans/grants are available to EU students on the same basis as Italian students, although eligibility is usually merit-based or means-tested and all students aren’t necessarily able to access financial assistance. More information on this can be found at the DSU office, although the site is mostly in Italian. Many university websites also have some information about financial aid on their sites.
- EU students can work in Italy without any additional permission, however with youth employment at such high levels due to Italy’s faltering economy, jobs are unlikely to be easy to come by, particularly for those without Italian language skills.
Accommodation
Universities in Italy do not commonly have halls of residence, but they do usually offer an accommodation finding service that can help students find shared rooms or apartments for a lower cost that on the private market.
Italy is one of the more expensive countries in the EU in terms of living expenses and the north of the country is pricier than the south. Some typical approximate costs in Italy include:
- Big Mac meal at McDonald’s: £5.50
- Pint of domestic beer: £3.20
- One litre of unleaded fuel: £1.50
- One litre of milk: £1.10-£1.20
- Coffee in a café: £0.80
- Monthly internet subscription: £20
- Pack of 20 cigarettes: £4
- Cinema ticket: £6
Health and safety
- In common with much of Europe, urban crime is a fact of life in Italy and the latest government statistics do show that there has been an increase in the number of crimes reported to police over the past year, particularly bag-snatching and burglary. Don’t carry too many valuables around with you and use common sense in large cities to avoid petty crimes.
- EU students are entitled to access healthcare in the same way as Italian locals as long as they have a valid European Healthcare Insurance Card. Most visits to GPs and hospitals are either free or involve very small contributions, and prescriptions are also usually free or have only a nominal cost.
Helpful links
Detailed information aimed at English-speaking students can be found at Study in Italy.
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