Best Universities In Italy

Overview

Italy is a famous country for studying abroad. There are currently more than 32,000 international students studying in Italy. Reasons for this include inexpensive higher education, diverse courses, a work-study balance, the opportunity to acquire a foreign language, and more.

 

Studying in Italy offers a rich history, vibrant culture, and top-notch education. Famous for its art, fashion, and cuisine, Italy provides a unique learning experience in a beautiful setting. Moreover, top universities in Italy, such as the University of Bologna, Sapienza University of Rome, and Politecnico di Milano, are globally recognised for their academic excellence.

 

So, if you have decided to study in Italy, you must know everything about the top universities, courses, studying and living costs, and more.

Universities in Italy: Highlights

Italy is a popular European country where many international students move to study. Below are specific important highlights that international students must know before moving to study in Italy.

Parameter

Statistics

No. of universities in Italy

36

Tuition fees of universities in Italy

Up to INR 5 L: 30 universities

Up to INR 12 - 30 L: 10 universities

Top streams in Italy

MIM, MS, BBA, Others PG, MBA

English exams required

IELTS / TOEFL / PTE / Duolingo

Entrance exams required

GMAT / GRE

Why Study in Italy?

It has been a top choice for international students planning to study in Europe. The country’s academic excellence, high standard of living, and aesthetic places to explore attract thousands of international students from around the world.

 

Post-Work Permits in Italy

Indian students who have completed their master's or PhD can apply for a post-study employment permit in Italy. They can stay in Italy for one year until they find full-time employment. If an overseas student finds a job in Italy, they can apply for a post-study work visa. In Italy, the employer applies for a work visa on behalf of the applicant.

 

Part-Time Options in Italy

The Italian student visa allows international students to work part-time for up to 20 hours per week. This is a great opportunity for international students to earn while studying and bear their own expenses. On average, international students can earn around 7 EUR per hour through part-time jobs in Italy. Some of the most common part-time job opportunities for international students in Italy include tutoring, being a cashier, being a tourist guide, being a caretaker, etc.

Top Universities in Italy

 Surprisingly, Italy is home to some of the oldest universities in the world, which date back to the 18th century. Here is a list of some of the top universities in italy for international students.

University Name 

QS World University Rankings 2025

THE World Rankings 2024 

Politecnico di Milano

111

201-250

Sapienza University of Rome

132

181

Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna

133

155

Università di Padova

236

201-250

Politecnico di Torino

241

401-500

University of Milan

285

351-400

University of Naples - Federico II

347

351-400

University of Turin

371

401-500

University of Florence

375

351-400

University of Pisa

382

401-450

Are you also willing to enrol in the above-mentioned universities? If so, please contact our expert counsellors at any branch of Meridean Overseas Education Consultants.

 

Best Universities in Italy for Arts & Humanities

Italian universities are highly known for their life science and technology courses. You can easily find an array of courses related to this field, like Archeology, Philosophy, Literature, Linguistics, etc, to support your dream career. Below, we have mentioned the top 10 universities in Italy for pursuing arts and humanities courses.

University Name 

QS Ranking 

Sapienza University of Rome

44

Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna

50

Politecnico di Milano

60

Università di Padova

139

Ca' Foscari University of Venice 

160

University of Pisa

188

University of Milan

193

Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore

200

Politecnico di Torino

214

Scuola Normale Superiore

231

Best Universities in Italy for Engineering and Technology

You can also find various courses in engineering and technology at Italian universities. Here is the list of top universities for Engineering and Technology in Italy, ranked by the QS Rankings.

University Name

QS Ranking 

Politecnico di Milano

23

Politecnico di Torino

52

Sapienza University of Rome

95

Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna

100

Università di Padova

166

University of Naples - Federico II

191

University of Pisa

243

University of Trento

272

University of Rome "Tor Vergata"

327

University of Turin

352

Best Universities in Italy for Life Sciences & Medicine

According to QS Rankings, some of the top ranking universities in Italy for Life Sciences and medicine courses include the University of Milan, the Università di Padova, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, and the Sapienza University of Rome. Below, we have included the list of the top universities in Italy for Life Sciences and medicine courses.

University Name

QS Ranking 

University of Milan

97

Università di Padova

105

Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna

110

Sapienza University of Rome

128

University of Turin

155

Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore

224

University of Naples - Federico II

226

University of Pisa

262

University of Florence

269

University of Milano-Bicocca 

275

Best Universities in Italy for Natural Sciences

Check the top 10 universities in Italy to pursue Natural Sciences courses below.

University Name

QS Ranking 

Sapienza University of Rome

61

Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna

96

Università di Padova

97

Politecnico di Milano

129

University of Pisa

143

University of Milan

187

Politecnico di Torino

208

University of Rome "Tor Vergata"

221

University of Florence

224

University of Naples - Federico II

224

Best Universities in Italy for Social Sciences & Management

To explore the top universities in Italy for Social Sciences & Management, students can check the table below:

University Name

QS Ranking 

Bocconi University

16

Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna

64

Luiss University

90

Politecnico di Milano

100

Sapienza University of Rome

128

Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore

216

Università di Padova

232

University of Milan

244

European University Institute

274

University of Turin

303 

Top Cities to Study in Italy

Beyond academics, Italy's warm climate, welcoming people, and diverse landscapes, from bustling cities to serene countryside, make it a wonderful place to live and explore.

Cities 

QS Ranking 2025 

Milan

52

Rome

54

Turin

68

Top Courses to Study in Italy

Interior and living design, marketing management, luxury brand management, cosmetics, digital management, product design, and other fields are among the most popular subjects studied in Italy. Below are some of the most popular programs that international students choose to study in Italy, along with the number of universities that offer those courses.

Top Courses in Italy

No. of Universities

MIM

22

MS

14

Others PG

13

BBA

12

MA

7

MBA / PGDM

7

BA

6

M.Arch

5

BE/ BTech

3

UG Diploma

3

Admission Requirements for Italy Universities

A number of universities in Italy accept international students' applications for various programs. However, international students must fulfil certain requirements before enrolling in Italian universities. Here are some basic eligibility criteria that international students must fulfil before enrolling in Italian universities.

 

Entrance Exams Accepted by Universities in Italy

Entrance exams or standardised admission tests allow the university’s admission committee to assess students' academic abilities on a common basis. Here are some of the standardised admission tests that universities in italy accept.

Exam

No.of Universities

GRE

7

GMAT

5

English Language Requirements by Universities in Italy

International students must prove their language abilities through English proficiency tests to enrol in English-taught courses at an Italian university. Below are some of the commonly accepted English proficiency tests by Italian universities.

English Language Proficiency Tests

No. of Universities

IELTS

36

TOEFL

27

PTE

13

Duolingo

5

Documents Required in Italy

Here is a list of important documents required to apply to an Italian university and for a student visa:

Criteria

Undergraduate

Postgraduate

Academic Transcript

10th and 12th standard academic transcript

10th and 12th standard academic transcript along with bachelor’s degree certificate

English Proficiency test

A minimum IELTS score of 5.5 bands or equivalent in any other proficiency test

A minimum IELTS score of 6.0 bands or equivalent in any other proficiency test

LOR

1 from an academic institution

2 (1 from an academic institution and 1 from employer)

SOP

Required

Required

Certificates

Relevant certificates of extra-curricular activities are accepted

Relevant certificates of extra-curricular activities are accepted

Apart from the above documents, here are some other documents which you might require: 

  • Test scores of standardised exams like GMAT / GRE

  • Completed application form

  • Updated Resume

  • Portfolio (if required)

  • Passport-size photographs (if asked)

  • Copy of the passport

Intakes in Italian Universities

In Italian universities, intakes usually happen twice a year: in the fall (autumn) and winter.

  • Autumn intake in Italy - The autumn intake typically starts around September/October. This is the main intake period when most programs begin. It's a busy time when new students arrive, classes start, and campuses buzz with activity. Generally, all universities in Italy accept applications during this intake.

  • Winter Itake in Italy - On the other hand, the winter intake begins around January/February. It's another opportunity for students to start their studies, though it's less common than the fall intake. Not all private universities offer certain programs during this intake, but various ones do. Since the number of applications is less during this intake, the chances of enrolling in the university are higher.

Cost of Studying in Italy

The cost of studying in Italy varies depending on the university. Generally, public universities have lower tuition fees than private ones. Below, we have mentioned the number of universities available in Italy according to the economic budget.

First-Year Tuition Fee Range

No. of Universities

Up to INR 5 L

30

Up to INR 10 L

15

Up to INR 20 L

10

Up to INR 40 L and +

3

Read, More: cost of studying in Italy

Cost of Living in Italy

In general, the cost of living in Italy is quite affordable. You can easily find various budget-friendly accommodation and public transportation facilities. Moreover, there are plenty of food options and cousins to try and enjoy. Below is the breakdown of the estimated cost of living in italy for international students.

Particulars 

Cost per month 

Housing 

300 EUR - 600 EUR

Utilities

200 EUR

Internet

27 EUR

Public Transport

35 EUR

Gym

50 EUR

Groceries

300 EUR

Also, Read: Cost of living in Italy

Student Visa Fee in Italy

A short-term student visa for Italy costs from 80 EUR to 100 EUR, while a long-term student visa costs between 76 EUR and 110 EUR. The visa fee is expected to alter depending on government regulations.

Top Job Sectors & Economy in Italy

International students can take advantage of various job options after studying in Italy. Below, we have mentioned some of Italy's best job opportunities for international students and their average salary.

Job options 

Average Salaries 

Agriculture

18,000 EUR - 40,000 EUR (INR 16 Lakhs - 36 Lakhs) per year

Automotive

32,700 EUR - 45,000 EUR (INR 28 Lakhs - 40 Lakhs) per year

Business & Finance

65,000 EUR -122,000 EUR (INR 58 Lakhs - 1 Crore) per year

Engineering & Technology

199,000 EUR - 215,000 EUR (INR 9 Crore - 19 Crore) per year

Fashion

55,000 EUR - 75,000 EUR (INR 50 Lakhs - 67 Lakhs) per year

Hospitality

30,000 EUR - 75,000 EUR (INR 26 Lakhs - 67 Lakhs) per year

Manufacturing

25,000 EUR - 40,000 EUR (INR 22 Lakhs - 36 Lakhs) per year

Retail Sector

40,000 EUR - 60,000 EUR (INR 36 Lakhs - 54 Lakhs ) per year

Tourism

27,000 EUR - 50,000 EUR (INR 24 Lakhs - 45 Lakhs) per year 

Scholarships to Study in Italy

Scholarships are an excellent source of financial assistance for international students on a tight budget who want to study in Italy. Various universities and private organisations offer scholarship opportunities in Italy. Below, we've included some of the greatest scholarships available.

Scholarship Name

Offered By

Value

Bocconi International Awards Undergraduate

Bocconi University

50% tuition fee reduction

Bocconi Graduate Merit Awards

Bocconi University

worth €14,000 per year

Padua International Excellence Scholarship

University of Padua

€8,000 for each year

UniTo for Students at Risk Scholarships

University of Turin

€9,600

Politecnico di Milano Merit-based Scholarships: PLATINUM Scholarship

Politecnico di Milano 

€10.000 per year + full tuition waiver 

Politecnico di Milano Merit-based Scholarships: GOLD Scholarship

Politecnico di Milano 

€5.000 per year + full tuition waiver 

Politecnico di Milano Merit-based Scholarships: SILVER Scholarship

Politecnico di Milano 

Full tuition fee waiver

The Leonardo da Vinci Scholarship for Art and Design

DEL RIO Council for the Arts (sponsored by Italian Govt.)

$500 

Marconi Scholarship for Communication and Journalism

Marconi International 

10% and 50% of tuition fees for both graduate and undergraduate students

Also, Read: Scholarship opportunities in Italy

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