Study in Italy: your university application, step by step
From Politecnico di Milano to Bocconi, from medicine to design: how to apply from Türkiye to English-taught bachelor's and master's programmes in Italy, which exams you need and how tuition and grants work — all managed in one plan.
Why Italy?
Low public tuition
Public universities calculate tuition on family income (ISEE) — one of the most accessible systems in Western Europe.
English-taught programmes
Hundreds of bachelor's and master's programmes in engineering, economics, medicine, design and architecture that need no Italian.
Income-based grants
DSU regional grants can cover tuition waivers, meals and housing; many universities add merit scholarships on top.
Close to Türkiye, inside Europe
A short flight away, in the Schengen area and the Erasmus network; a post-graduation job-search permit opens a European career.
The education system in Italy
Italian higher education follows the Bologna three-cycle structure; medicine, dentistry, law, architecture and pharmacy are single-cycle (ciclo unico) programmes.
| Level | Length | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Laurea triennale (bachelor's) | 3 years · 180 ECTS | High-school diploma; many programmes require an entrance test (TOLC) |
| Laurea magistrale (master's) | 2 years · 120 ECTS | Bachelor's degree + programme-specific prerequisites and interview |
| Ciclo unico (single cycle) | 5-6 years | Medicine and dentistry 6 years (IMAT for English medicine); law, architecture, pharmacy 5 years |
| Dottorato (PhD) | 3-4 years | After a master's; usually funded |
Public universities (Sapienza, Bologna, Padova, Politecnico di Milano and Torino…) calculate tuition from the ISEE income statement and have large intakes. Private universities (Bocconi, Cattolica, LUISS, IULM…) charge higher tuition but run their own merit and need-based scholarships. The academic year starts in September–October and has two semesters; exams are held in several sittings (appelli) at the end of each, and the student chooses which sitting to take.
How to apply to a university in Italy
1. Choose the programme and university
From the English-taught programme list on Universitaly, 3–6 programmes are chosen by subject, city and budget; each one's admission criteria and test are noted separately.
2. Apply to the university and sit the test
Most universities require a separate application on their own portal (typically November–April). TOLC for engineering and economics, IMAT for English medicine, and interviews or portfolios for some programmes are planned.
3. Universitaly pre-enrolment
Mandatory for non-EU students: pre-enrolment on the Universitaly portal (usually February–June); the university validates it and the file is forwarded to the consulate.
4. Documents and diploma verification
High-school diploma / transcript, CIMEA verification or the consulate's "dichiarazione di valore", English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL) and passport are prepared; translation and apostille steps go on the calendar.
5. Offer and enrolment
Ranking lists (graduatorie) are published after the tests; admitted students confirm the place by paying the enrolment fee. The DSU grant application is made in this period.
6. Visa and arrival
The type-D study visa is obtained from the consulate (summer); within 8 days of arrival the residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) application is filed.
Admission requirements
Academic
- High-school diploma (12 years of schooling) and transcript
- Diploma verification: CIMEA "Statement of Comparability" or the consulate's dichiarazione di valore
- For a master's: bachelor's degree, transcript and course syllabi
- Programme-specific minimum GPA (especially at private universities)
Language
- English-taught programmes: usually IELTS 6.0–6.5 or TOEFL iBT 80–90 (B2); some ask for C1
- Italian-taught programmes: CILS / CELI B2 or the university's own Italian test
- Some universities accept their own English test or proof of English-medium schooling
Entrance tests
- CISIA tests such as TOLC-I (engineering), TOLC-E (economics), TOLC-S/F — many sittings a year, with an online (TOLC@CASA) option
- IMAT: the national test for English-taught medicine and dentistry (usually September)
- Separate tests or portfolios at the Politecnici and in design / architecture
- GMAT / GRE for some economics and management master's programmes
Documents
- Passport (check validity)
- Motivation letter and CV (programme-dependent)
- Reference letters (common for master's and private universities)
- Universitaly pre-enrolment confirmation, health insurance and proof of funds (for the visa)
Application calendar
Dates vary by university and programme; this table shows the general flow. Confirm exact deadlines on the target university's page.
| Period | What happens |
|---|---|
| September – October (grade 12) | Programme list, IELTS plan, TOLC calendar; early prep for IMAT |
| November – February | Applications on university portals (notably Politecnico di Milano and Bocconi early rounds), first TOLC sittings |
| February – June | Universitaly pre-enrolment; diploma verification (CIMEA) and translations; university offers |
| June – July | High-school diploma, enrolment fee and confirming the place; DSU grant application; visa appointment |
| July – September | Type-D visa, housing, IMAT (September) and final enrolment; classes start September–October |
Tuition and living costs in Italy
Italy has one of the most reasonable tuition-to-living-cost balances in Western Europe. Public tuition is tiered on the ISEE income statement; without it the top tier applies.
| Item | Yearly range | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Public university tuition | €1,000 – 4,000 | ISEE-based; full waiver possible at low income |
| Private university tuition | €8,000 – 20,000 | Bocconi, Cattolica, LUISS; merit awards can reduce it |
| Living (Milan, Rome) | €12,000 – 18,000 | €1,000 – 1,500 a month: housing, food, transport |
| Living (Bologna, Turin, Padua, Pavia) | €8,500 – 13,000 | €700 – 1,100 a month; lower with halls and DSU support |
| One-off | €1,000 – 2,000 | Visa, insurance, residence permit, test fees, translation and apostille |
Figures are approximate ranges as of 2026 and vary by university, city and programme. Always confirm current numbers on the university's and the official bodies' pages.
Scholarships and funding
Scholarships in Italy are mostly income-based; merit awards stand out at private universities and the Politecnici.
DSU regional grants
Each region's student-welfare agency (ER.GO, DiSCo Lazio, EDISU Piemonte…) provides tuition waivers, a yearly cash grant, halls and meals based on ISEE. Applications usually run July–September, alongside enrolment.
Invest Your Talent in Italy
The Italian Foreign Ministry's (MAECI) monthly grant and tuition-waiver programme for selected English-taught master's programmes; Türkiye may be among the eligible countries — check the current list.
University merit scholarships
Bocconi (Merit / International Awards), Politecnico di Milano (merit-based Platinum/Gold/Silver), Politecnico di Torino and Padova's international scholarships are awarded on test scores and GPA; most need a separate application.
Italian Government scholarships
MAECI grants for foreign students for master's, PhD and Italian-language courses; applications usually open in spring on the "Study in Italy" portal.
Well-known universities
A selection of universities Turkish students often apply to — a starting point, not a ranking.
Politecnico di Milano
Milan
Engineering, architecture and design; English-taught bachelor's and master's
Università Bocconi
Milan
Economics, finance, management; private
Università di Bologna
Bologna
Europe's oldest university; wide range of English-taught programmes
Sapienza Università di Roma
Rome
Large public university; medicine, engineering, humanities
Politecnico di Torino
Turin
Engineering and architecture; strong in automotive and aerospace
Università di Padova
Padua
Medicine, psychology, sciences; English-taught programmes
Università degli Studi di Milano
Milan
Medicine (English), law, sciences
Università di Pavia
Pavia
English medicine (Harvey), engineering; a campus town
Visa and residence permit
For Turkish citizens, study longer than 90 days requires a type-D (long-stay) study visa, which is converted into a residence permit after entering Italy.
- Application: at the Italian consulate / visa centre in Istanbul or Ankara, after Universitaly pre-enrolment is validated — usually June–August.
- Documents: university admission letter, Universitaly confirmation, proof of funds (roughly €6,500–7,000 a year; the official amount is updated yearly), health insurance, proof of accommodation, passport and photos.
- Residence permit (permesso di soggiorno): apply at a post office (kit) within 8 days of arrival; the fingerprint appointment and card can take a few months.
- Work: up to 20 hours a week is allowed on a student permit.
- After graduation: the permit can be extended by up to 12 months for job search / entrepreneurship.
For the current document list and amounts check vistoperitalia.esteri.it and the consulate's page.
How Studrise helps with your Italy application
From choosing the country to the visa file — one consultant, one calendar.
Country & programme fit
A balanced university list
The application file
Exam plan
Calendar & follow-up
After the offer
START HERE
Free consultation for Italy
Let's talk profile, target programme and budget, and settle which universities are realistic in the first call.
The first call is free; plan and price are settled in the call.
Academic preparation is part of the same plan
The coaching plan runs on the same calendar as the student's SAT, IELTS, AP and IB preparation; when needed, one-on-one lessons with expert teachers and Studrise AI Courses are added to the programme.
Frequently asked questions
Let's plan your Italy application together
In a free first call we look at where the student stands and what they aim for, propose a roadmap, and share the scope and price clearly.
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