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Studying in Italy

Tuition, living costs, visas and how to apply, from the European Commission's official profile — with student numbers from Eurostat and the Erasmus Mundus master's you can take here.

🇮🇹 Browse Italy’s universities on CollegeMatcher

At a glance

Tuition · EU/EEA students

Not stated separately

Tuition · non-EU/EEA students

Not stated separately

Fees — more detail

Public universities €900 – €4,000 a year, private €6,000 – €20,000+. Fees depend on declared family income and the course, may be lower for EU/EEA students, and many universities offer reductions or exemptions.

Living costs

€700 – €1,100 a month, depending on the city

Erasmus Mundus master's

84 joint programmes with a university here

Students in Italy

Tertiary students · 2024

2,311,826

From abroad · 2024

123,3925.3% of all students

Of whom from the EU · 2024

17,98314.6% of students from abroad

Largest countries of origin: Iran (13,974), Türkiye (6,983), China (6,909), India (6,143), Greece (3,997).

“From abroad” means degree-mobile students — enrolled for a whole degree, having gained their previous qualification in another country. Exchange students on Erasmus aren't counted.

Tertiary students by year
201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
1,872,6931,854,3601,826,4771,815,9501,837,0511,895,9901,937,7612,030,7682,096,7782,145,7332,217,2112,311,826

Tuition fees and living costs

Tuition fees

Tuition fees in Italy vary by institution and programme. As a general guideline, you can expect the following fee ranges:

  • Public universities: €900–€4,000 per year
  • Private institutions: €6,000–€20,000+ per year

Fees may be lower for EU/EEA students. The fees for EU and non-EU students depend on the declared family income and the preferred degree course. Many universities offer reductions or exemptions.

Living costs

Students typically spend €700-€1,100 per month, depending on the city.

Visa requirements

Non-EU/EEA citizens need to apply for a student visa before arriving in Italy at a competent Italian Consulate in their country of residence. After arrival, students must declare their presence at the Questura (Police headquarters) within 8 days and apply for the residence permit.

Students who already hold a valid study permit from another EU country and are part of a mobility programme can stay in Italy for up to 360 days without a visa or residence permit but must still declare their presence.

Visa requirements include proof of enrolment, accommodation, financial means, health insurance, and language proficiency.

More detailed visa requirements

Higher education system

Degree structure

Italy follows the Bologna system and uses the ECTS credit system. The Italian equivalent of ECTS are the CFUs, or University Credits: 1 CFU corresponds to 1 ECTS.

  • Bachelor’s degree (Laurea): 180 CFUs
  • Master’s degree (Laurea Magistrale): 120 CFUs
  • PhD (Dottorato di Ricerca): 2-6 years

Types of institutions

  • Universities: Offer academic and research programmes across disciplines
  • AFAM Institutions: Focus on arts, music, and performance
  • Higher Technical Institutes (ITS): Provide vocational and technical training
  • Higher Schools for Language Mediators (S.S.M.L.): Offer Bachelor's degree in language mediation
  • Private institutions: May offer specialised or international programmes

More details on the types of institutions

Application process

Application procedures depend on the institution and programme.

Key steps include:

  1. Get familiar with the Italian Higher Education system
  2. Find your course of interest by using the Universitaly portal
  3. Prepare your enrolment. Check admission requirements and gather necessary documents.

Scholarships

Italy offers a range of scholarships through national, regional and university programmes. These include:

  • Regional scholarships: available to students enrolled in universities and AFAM institutions. Based on income (ISEE) and merit.
  • Scholarships from Higher Education Institutions (IIS): Offered directly by institutions. Check their websites or student offices for details.
  • MAECI scholarships: provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for foreign students and Italians abroad.
  • International mobility grants: support for study and internships abroad, including Erasmus+ and ministerial contributions.
  • PhD scholarships: around €16,000 per year, with possible increases for research stays abroad.
  • INPS scholarships: for children of public sector employees and others, covering part of study costs.

Detailed information on scholarships

Student life

Student life in Italy blends academic learning with rich cultural experiences. You’ll enjoy

  • historic cities, local festivals, and regional cuisine
  • discounts on transport, museums, and cultural events with a student card
  • opportunities to travel across Italy and Europe

Frequently asked questions

Are programmes taught in English?

Yes, many programmes are fully taught in English. To explore these programmes, browse the database and select ‘English’ as the course language.

Can I work while studying?

Yes. Non-EU/EEA students can work up to 20 hours/week with a valid residence permit. EU/EEA students can work freely.

Is health insurance required?

Yes, health insurance is required for international students in Italy. EU/EEA students can use their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Non-EU/EEA need to have private insurance or register with the Italian National Health Service.

How can I find housing?

Many Italian higher education institutions offer information on renting student apartments and manage university housing facilities. Common university accommodation options are university dorms, university guestrooms and university colleges or residences.

Source: Study in Italy – higher education institutions, costs and applying, last updated 24 March 2026.

Erasmus Mundus master's with a university in Italy

Joint master's taught by several universities in different countries, open to students from anywhere, with EU-funded scholarships on many of them.

Country guidance adapted from the European Commission’s Study in Europe country profiles, © European Union, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Condensed, restructured and combined with other data by CollegeMatcher.

Student numbers: Eurostat, tables educ_uoe_enrt01 (tertiary enrolment) and educ_uoe_mobs02 (degree-mobile students from abroad).

Programmes: the Erasmus Mundus Catalogue of the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA); partner institutions from the Erasmus+ Project Results Platform. © European Union, CC BY 4.0.

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