The Italian Spirit:
What is it like to live and study in Italy?
Studying in Italy means immersing yourself in an open-air museum where history intertwines with a vibrant, warm and unmistakable lifestyle. The country that invented the modern concept of the university (with the historic University of Bologna) offers a dynamic academic environment, where creativity and critical thinking are encouraged around every corner
Living in Italy means learning to slow down to savour the iconic gastronomy, debating ideas in historic squares, and adopting the habit of an aperitivo at the end of the day with friends from all corners of the world. Whether studying in a global fashion metropolis like Milan or learning Italian in the heart of Florence, Italy offers a cultural immersion that profoundly transforms any student’s maturity and future.
What are the advantages of studying in Italy?
Tuition Fees Calculated by Income:
In Italian public universities, the cost of tuition fees is based on the household’s financial situation (via the ISEE indicator). This makes top-tier higher education extraordinarily affordable, with fees that can drop drastically.
Global Reference in Elite Niches:
Italy is the obvious and unavoidable choice for anyone wanting to study Medicine (with excellent options 100% in English and without national minimum grade cut-offs), Fashion, Design, Architecture and Fine Arts.
Cultural Proximity and Easy Integration:
The transition to Italy is incredibly smooth and natural. The ease of understanding the language, the Mediterranean climate, and the warm, open temperament of the Italian people mean that “culture shock” is practically non-existent. It is the perfect destination for those who want to live a true international experience without feeling isolated or far from home.
Most Sought-After Fields of Study and Courses
Medicine, Surgery and Healthcare Professions:
One of the largest hubs of attraction for international students, with dozens of prestigious public universities offering affordable courses taught in English through a single entrance exam (IMAT).
Fashion, Industrial Design and Architecture:
Studying in the birthplace of brands such as Armani, Ferrari and Alessi guarantees an immersive education, with direct internships in the creative capitals of the planet.
Economics, Business and International Management:
Elite business schools (such as Bocconi) and leading public universities offer excellent preparation for the European corporate market.
Humanities, Archaeology and Cultural Studies:
The ideal choice for anyone wanting to study Art History, Restoration or Conservation directly at the source of the world’s greatest UNESCO World Heritage sites.
The Programmes You Can Study in Italy
Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees:
University programmes (lasting 3 and 2 years, respectively) taught in English or Italian at institutions of global renown
Language Courses and Summer Programmes:
Intensive Italian courses or themed summer programmes (culture, cuisine, fashion) for all ages.
Internships and Volunteering:
Hands-on experiences and projects with social or cultural impact to enrich your CV before entering the job market.
Where do you want to study? You decide.
At StudyWing, we don’t limit you to a fixed catalogue. We choose the Italian city that best fits the programme and lifestyle you are looking for:
Milan:
The capital of fashion, design and finance. Dynamic, cosmopolitan and perfect for those looking for Bachelor’s degrees, Master’s degrees or internships in fast-paced corporate environments.
Rome:
The “Eternal City”. An unrivalled monumental setting, ideal for students of arts, politics, medicine and summer programmes focused on cultural immersion.
Florence:
The heart of the Renaissance. A welcoming, vibrant and artistic scale, globally famous for the best Italian language courses and visual arts schools.
Bologna and Turin:
Purely academic cities, known for their massive student communities, more affordable living costs, and a pulsating nightlife and cultural scene.
Entry Routes and Academic Requirements
Higher Education (Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees)
The admission process in Italy requires planning and goes through the official Universitaly platform.
Academic Transcript / Degree Certificate: Translated and legalised academic record (with a Declaration of Value or the CIMEA certificate to certify the validity of your qualification in Italy).
National Entrance Exams (TOLC / IMAT): Most public Bachelor’s degrees require an aptitude test. The IMAT is the compulsory exam for Medicine in English; for Economics or Engineering, TOLC tests apply.
Language Proficiency: English certificate (IELTS/TOEFL) for international courses, or Italian (B2 level) if you choose to study in the local language.
Portfolio Elements: Essential for admissions to Fine Arts academies, Fashion and Architecture.
Other Programmes
(Language Courses and Summer Courses)
for language courses and summer camps is much more flexible and simplified.
At StudyWing, we help you with the entire process.
How Much Does It Cost to Study in Italy?
Planning the financial side is essential. To help you structure your budget, we share the average reference values for programmes in the Italy
Public Universities:
They generally range between €500 and €4,000 per year. Thanks to the ISEE system, EU students can submit their family income to reduce this amount to the minimum fees.
Private Universities and Design Schools:
Tuition fees are fixed and usually vary between €8,000 and €25,000 annually.
Language Courses, Summer Courses and Short Programmes:
Prices depend on the type of course, number of weeks and whether accommodation is included. We have options starting from €600/week.
Monthly Cost of Living (Accommodation and Subsistence)
Average Overall Budget:
Between €600 and €1,100 per month.
Milan and Rome are visibly more expensive cities (especially in the room rental market), while cities like Bologna, Turin or the south of Italy offer a much more economical cost of living for students.
Visa Information and Legal Requirements
Students with European Citizenship (EU):
Visas: Total freedom of entry and stay. You do not need a visa.
Codice Fiscale: This is the Italian tax identification number. It is absolutely compulsory and the very first thing to sort out, as you will need it to sign tenancy agreements, open a bank account or buy a SIM card.
Non-European Students:
Student Visa (Type D): This must be requested at the Italian Embassy/Consulate after your pre-enrolment is approved on the Universitaly portal.
Permesso di Soggiorno (Residence Permit): After arriving in Italy, you have a strict deadline of 8 working days to submit your residence permit application via the counters of the local post office (Poste Italiane).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes. EU students have free access to the job market. Non-European students with a valid student visa have a weekly hour limit. Having a basic knowledge of Italian helps you secure local employment.
Students of European nationality use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for urgent medical treatments and associated appointments. For long-term programmes (such as Bachelor’s degrees), any student (European or international) can voluntarily register with the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN) by paying a reduced annual fee. This gives you access to the public healthcare system.
The deadlines vary considerably depending on your nationality (European Union vs. Non-EU), due to the legal timeframes required for issuing visas:
General Higher Education (Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees):
Non-European Students (International): The pre-enrolment process on the Universitaly portal usually opens in March and closes much earlier (generally between May and July, depending on each university). This is a strict and early deadline, as you need this approval to move forward with your visa application at the Embassy.
EU Students: Benefit from much more flexibility. Many universities allow direct applications on their own portals (without the urgent need for Universitaly), and deadlines frequently extend until August, September or even October.
Medicine (IMAT Exam):
Here, the registration calendar is the same for everyone. The Italian government decree is usually released at the beginning of summer, registration opens in July, and the official exam takes place in September (on the same day, simultaneously, worldwide).
StudyWing Note: Although the exam is held on the same day, EU and Non-EU candidates compete in entirely separate vacancy lists and quotas, which drastically alters the entry grade averages for each group.