Best Private Universities in Italy for Indian Students

The Italian educational system has international acclaim. In addition to international acclaim and various public universities, the country offers many private universities with certain advantages that the students are unaware of. Private Universities in Italy have a wide range of unique courses and aspects, which are mentioned below:

Are you unsure about Italy's advantages over other nations? Well, here are some explanations for why studying in Italy might be the best option for Indian students:

Several foreign universities in Italy offer English-language courses. The major highlight of enrolling in private universities in Italy is the unique combination of courses that they offer, which is rarely seen in public universities. 

Italy's living expenses and educational fees are comparatively lower than other European nations.

Italian institutions provide excellent instruction and state-of-the-art facilities, guaranteeing a fantastic studying atmosphere.

Private universities in Italy have some promising scholarships available for students who are not present in public universities because of their limited seat availability. 

Private universities in Italy have an extended deadline available for students, which is a matter of concern when dealing with public universities. As the students are unaware of the benefits and advantages the private universities offer, they opt for public universities, and the seats get filled faster.

Some of the best private universities of Italy are mentioned in this section, along with their course availability, tuition fees for each course intake available, and scholarships as well; let’s have a look at them-

1. Rome University of Fine Arts, RUFA

2. Scuola Politecnica Di Design, SPD

3. Saint Louis Music Center- College of Music

4. Ferrari Fashion School

5. Poli Design

6. Catholic University of Sacred Heart

Private universities in Italy offer courses that are divided into two major categories: undergraduate and postgraduate. Some universities also provide one-year or diploma courses, which will be mentioned below.

Below is the list of the undergraduate courses available at these universities:

Now that we have become more aware of the undergraduate programs that these top private universities in Italy, let us also have a look at the postgraduate courses they offer:

After knowing the courses the universities have to offer, let’s look at the private university in Italy tuition fees:

All in all, cheap private universities in Italy include Saint Louis Music Center- College of Music and the Catholic University of Sacred Heart, whose tuition fees can easily compete with those of public universities. Hence, students can consider any of these according to their preferences when deciding to study in Italy.

Private universities in Italy have only one intake, the fall intake. Although there is only one intake, all university classes start in September or October. 

• Application Period: Typically, this intake begins in November of the preceding year and ends in April or June. Verifying the precise dates on the institution's official website is crucial, as deadlines differ depending on the program and university.

• Programs Available: Fall intake, the primary intake time, offers a vast range of courses in several disciplines and is when most undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate programs are offered.

• Benefits: Students can start their studies at the beginning of the academic year with the autumn admission, giving them a complete year of study. Additionally, the widest range of programs and courses are available for this intake.

There are various scholarships available as well for these top private universities in Italy; they are as follows-

Certain requirements for enrolling in private universities in Italy entail having the appropriate set of documents for a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in Italy. 

Apart from this, students also need to follow certain rules and regulations for enrolling themselves in their choice of course; all the details are given below-

The document requirement for enrolling in a private university in Italy is majorly similar for both the undergraduate and postgraduate courses, with slight differences for bachelor and master courses; the requirements are as follows-

Bachelor’s Degree

To be admitted to the Bachelor of Arts programs, you will need to submit:

• A High school diploma confirming 12 years of schooling is recognised through a “Declaration of Value (DV)” of the Italian Consulate or the two comparability and authenticity certificates issued by CIMEA, the Information Centre on Academic Mobility and Equivalence affiliated with the university.

• Official translation of the qualifications and the transcripts (if it is not in Italian or English)

• A certificate stating that students have passed the proof of academic suitability exam if required to be admitted to Universities in the students’ origin country (Selectividad, YKS, etc.) or achieve the results required to access higher education studies in Italy (APs, A levels etc.);

• A certificate stating that students have an adequate level of English; students are required to

• Submit a certificate that will demonstrate their knowledge of English through an intermediate level certificate (B2-CEFR) such as IELTS, Pearson, TOEFL, Cambridge, Oxford etc.

• The same certificate as above but B1 – CEFR level for those of the international students who enrol in a program with Italian as the method of teaching

• For Non-EU students: A study visa required to attend the Academic programs

Master's Degree

To be admitted to the Master of Arts programs, students will need to submit:

• Bachelor’s Degree recognised through a “Declaration of Value DV”, legalisation as well as translation of the qualification (if requested by the Italian Embassy/Consulate of the students’ country from where they belong) or Diploma Supplement or the two authenticity and comparability certificates issued by CIMEA;

• Students must also submit a certificate showing their intermediate knowledge of English (B2 -CEFR), such as IELTS, Pearson, TOEFL, Cambridge, Oxford etc.

• A study visa is required for non-EU students to attend the Academic programs through the Portal.

• Studying at a private university in Italy for Indian students from countries outside the EU, the methods, deadlines and regulations for being able to apply for access to academic courses are established by the Italian Ministry of Education.

• Updates to the enrollment procedures are usually published in May for enrollment in the following academic year (starting in September).

• The Acceptance Letter is necessary for obtaining a visa for study purposes and is usually prepared by the International Office at the end of the entire process (pre-selection + Admission Tests).

• The official pre-registrations made through Italian Diplomatic Representations Abroad will take place through the Portal University.

• Two passport photos

• Receipt of payment of enrolment fee of € 1.200,00

• Language certification or documentation proving knowledge of the English language, B2 level,

• For all the non-EU students, a study visa or residence permit is required to attend academic programs.

• For non-EU students or Italian students who obtained their qualifications abroad: declaration of value, request in the country of origin, or certificates of verification and comparability issued by CIMEA.

• Students are required to send a copy of their residence permit or residence permit request to the international students’ office within 8 working days of arriving in Italy. 

Apart from the best universities in Italy that have been mentioned and explained in detail, let us also have a look at some of the other private universities that Italy has-

• LUISS Guido Carli

• Università Bocconi

• Vita-Salute San Raffaele University

• Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome

• Università LUMSA

• Camplus Humanitas University

• University of Gastronomic Sciences - Campus

• The American University of Rome

There are several high-paying jobs that the students can get the opportunity to work in; those are as follows-

Also, read: Part Time Jobs in Italy

To conclude, private universities in Italy have some promising courses that public universities do not offer. If, as a student, you wish to pursue a career in a domain that is not very popular but with the best faculties then you can always consider these private universities in Italy. The universities also have some favourable scholarship opportunities that would help you reduce your tuition fees. If, as a student, you are considering pursuing your studies at a private university in Italy, that would be a great choice. 

Above, we have covered the complete details of the best private universities in Italy for Indian Students. We hope you learned about how to study in Italy for free. However, if you have doubts concerning study in Italy, contact our expert counsellors at Meridean Overseas Education Consultants (MOEC). You can also take free online counselling through our website. Our expert counsellors will provide you with the best support and guidance you need for admission and visa. In addition, they will help you shortlist the universities according to your profile. For more information or any queries, contact application02@meridean.org or 1800-1230-00011.

Question- How much does a private university cost in Italy?

Answer- The following is the average tuition cost for both public and private institutions in Italy in 2024: Public universities charge between €500 and €5,000 annually, and private universities charge between €5,000 and €25,000 annually.

Question- How many private universities are there in Italy?

Answer- There are a total of 345 private universities in Italy.

Question- Is there an availability of courses in the English language in private universities in Italy?

Answer- Yes, Italy's private universities offer English and Italian courses. This is beneficial for Indian students, as IELTS is a mandate. 

Question- Does Italy give money to international students?

Answer- In Italy, there are two primary categories of financial help available to students: scholarships offered by individual universities and government scholarships for international students. The amounts of these scholarships likewise vary, as does the fact that they may or may not pay for living expenses.

Question- Are there any cheap private universities in Italy?

Answer- Compared to other universities in Europe, the private universities of Italy have lower and cheaper tuition fees. One university in particular, which is the Saint Louis Music School’s fee, can compete with the fees of public universities as well. 

Question- What is the MBBS called at the private medical universities in Italy?

Answer- The "Laurea Magistrale in Medicina e Chirurgia," the Italian term for the MBBS degree, is a six-year curriculum with academic instruction and hands-on training. The program's emphasis on evidence-based medicine and medical scientific research gives students a strong foundation in the medical sciences.

Question- What courses are the best for studying in Italy?

Answer- Some of the courses that are most sought after in Italian universities are-

• Bachelor of Arts in Tourism Management.

• Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality.

• Master in Hospitality & Tourism Management.

• Master in Design of Sustainable Tourism System.

• Global MBA in Food & Wine.

Question- Which intake is most appropriate for Italy?

Answer- Most Italian institutions typically only accept applications for one intake each year, which is the September intake for Indian students. Mid-September marks the start of September admission into Italian universities until May. The September Intake application process is rather simple.

Question- How much do private medical universities in Italy cost?

Answer- Depending on the university, the expenses change. Private institutions charge between 7,000 and 10,000 euros every semester, whereas state universities charge between 300 and 3,000 euros.