How to Study in Italy: Complete Guide

How Italian university admission works

Italy has public and private universities offering bachelor's (laurea triennale), master's, and single-cycle degrees. You apply to each university for your chosen programme, meeting its admission requirements; some programmes are open-access while others are admission-restricted and require an entrance test.

The official starting point for understanding the procedure for international applicants is the Ministry's "Studiare in Italia" portal, which publishes the annual rules (the yearly circular) on enrolment procedures and visas. Always confirm the current-year procedure there, because details are updated each academic year.

Universitaly pre-enrolment

International students who need a visa complete a pre-enrolment (pre-iscrizione) on the official Universitaly portal. You select your programme and university there, and the application is linked to your study-visa request at the Italian embassy or consulate.

Universitaly is the official Ministry portal for this step, so use it directly rather than third-party sites. The pre-enrolment window and the exact steps are set each year — verify the current dates and process on the official source.

• Complete pre-enrolment (pre-iscrizione) on the official Universitaly portal
• Link your pre-enrolment to the study-visa application
• Confirm the current-year window on the official source

Student visa and residence permit

Non-EU students who will study in Italy for longer than 90 days generally apply for a national study visa at the Italian embassy or consulate in their country, supported by their Universitaly pre-enrolment. After arriving in Italy, students typically apply for a residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) within the required time.

This is general information, not immigration advice. Visa categories, required documents, proof of funds, and timelines change and depend on your situation, so verify everything on the official government and consular sources before you travel.

• Apply for the study visa at the Italian embassy/consulate (stay over 90 days)
• Apply for the residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) after arrival
• Verify visa and permit rules on the official government source

English-taught medicine via the IMAT

Italy is well known for English-taught medicine and surgery degrees at public universities. Admission to these programmes is through the IMAT (International Medical Admissions Test), a competitive entrance exam, with places allocated by ranking.

The number of seats, the test content, the registration steps, and the cut-off rankings are set each year and are competitive, so no result can be guaranteed. Check the official Universitaly and ministry information for the current IMAT procedure and dates.

Tuition and DSU regional support

Tuition at Italian public universities is often income-based, and many regions run a "right to university study" (Diritto allo Studio Universitario, or DSU) system that can offer support such as scholarships, fee reductions, and student services based on financial and merit criteria.

Eligibility, amounts, and deadlines for DSU benefits and scholarships vary by region and change each year, so confirm what applies to your university and region on the official source. Treat all fee and support figures as something to verify, not assume.

• Public-university tuition is often income-based
• Regional DSU systems may offer scholarships, fee cuts, and services
• Eligibility and amounts vary by region — verify on the official source