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International students who are planning to study in Italy and enrol for courses whose duration is more than 3 months have to apply for an Italian student visa. In addition to a visa, students will also require an Italian residency permit.
However, many students lack appropriate information about visas. Therefore, in this guide, let’s discuss all the information about Italian student visas.
Italy is one of the most preferred study-abroad destinations in Europe among international students. Below are some of the main reasons why one should choose to study in Italy.
Hosts some of the world’s oldest and most famous universities
Opportunity of 2 years post-study work visa
Affordable cost of studying
Scholarship opportunities worth EUR 2,000 - EUR 10,000 per year
High chances of visa italy student visa success rate
Short visa processing time (3 to 6 weeks)
The non-European international students had to apply for a student visa to study in Italy. Basically, there are two types of Italian student visa for which you can apply as an international student:
Type C
Type D
You must apply for one of the following visas, depending on what you want to study and how long you want to remain in Italy.
Short-stay visa (type C): If you want to enrol in a course that lasts fewer than ninety days, such as a language course.
Long-stay visa (type D): If you apply for any degree program that lasts more than 90 days and requires 20 hours of coursework per week (or 80 hours per month).
Italy offers two study intakes to international students every year. Candidates must select the intake that most closely matches their needs and make their application appropriately.
Intake 1: September Intake in Italy - This is the main intake when admissions to all Italian universities are accepted. The application deadline for this intake usually falls between September and December of the last year.
Intake 2: Spring Intake in Italy - This is the secondary intake in which admissions in January are also considered by various universities, depending on the program. The application deadline for this intake usually falls between January and May of the previous year.
Higher Study Options |
Duration |
Intake Months |
Deadline to Apply |
Bachelor |
3 Years |
Sep (Major) & Feb (Minor) |
6-8 months before the intake month |
Master (MS/MBA) |
2 Years |
Below are some of the reasons why you should choose to study in Italy as an international student.
Italian universities offer a wide range of English-taught programs to support international students' dream careers.
Italian culture's history spans several centuries. Its rich cultural origins are reflected in its artistic, musical, stylistic, and structural manifestations. International students studying in Italy have the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the rich artistic, literary, architectural, and musical traditions of their host nation.
It is an excellent choice for international students looking for an affordable, top-notch education because of the lowest tuition rates in Europe. In Italy, public college tuition is fairly affordable.
International students in Italy are allowed to work part-time for up to 20 hours per week, which helps them pay their living expenses and allows them to gain valuable practical knowledge of the work.
Studying in Italy may help overseas students become more fluent in Italian and expose them to the language. Because language classes in Italian colleges are widely available, learning Italian can be a simple task for international students.
Italy is ideally situated to study the rest of Europe due to its central location on the continent. International students have easy access to the rest of Europe. Europe offers many inexpensive and user-friendly transportation options that make travelling across the continent effortless.
Students in Italian colleges have the chance to gain professional experience through internships and job placements. Italy is home to several international companies and organisations, which provides students with a great opportunity to grow their professional networks.
Italy is a popular travel destination for all from worldwide due to its warm and welcoming reputation.
Some other benefits of studying in Italy are mentioned below.
Higher Study Options |
Part-time work duration allowed |
Post-study work permit |
Can departments work full-time? |
Is schooling free for department children |
PR option available for post-study and work |
Bachelor |
20 Hours per week |
Six months |
No |
Yes (public schools are free, but the language of instruction is local language) |
No |
Master (MS/MBA) |
Here is the list of the top 10 universities in Italy for international students who secured a ranking in the QS World Ranking.
QS Rank 2024 |
University |
123 |
Politecnico di Milano |
134 |
Sapienza University of Rome |
154 |
Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna |
219 |
Università di Padova |
252 |
Politecnico di Torino |
276 |
University of Milan |
335 |
University of Naples - Federico II |
349 |
University of Pisa |
358 |
University of Florence |
364 |
University of Turin |
Below is the list of Italian universities and their popular bachelor’s as well as master’s programs.
Check the list of Bachelor’s programs below.
Universities |
Popular Programs |
Estimated Fees |
Politecnico di Milano |
|
EUR 3.891,59 |
Sapienza University of Rome |
|
EUR 2.821 - EUR 2.924
|
Università di Padova |
|
EUR 2,739 |
|
EUR 50 - EUR 300 |
|
|
EUR 300.00 |
|
|
EUR 0 - EUR 4500.00 |
|
|
EUR 2,400.00 |
|
|
EUR 2,600.00 |
|
|
EUR 1100 - EUR 4200 |
Check the list of master’s programs below.
Universities |
Popular Programs |
Estimated Fees |
Politecnico di Milano |
|
EUR 3.891,59 |
Sapienza University of Rome |
|
EUR 2.924 EUR 2.821 EUR 2.924 |
Università di Padova |
|
EUR2,739 |
Politecnico di Torino |
|
EUR 2601 to EUR 3821 |
University of Milan |
|
EUR 300.00 |
University of Trento |
|
EUR 0 - EUR 4500.00 |
University of Pisa |
|
EUR 2,400.00 |
University of Florence |
|
EUR 2,600.00 |
University of Turin |
|
EUR 1,500 - EUR 4,500 |
Some of the popular courses to study in Italy are as follows -
Popular courses
Business & Management
Fashion & Design Courses
Hospitality & Tourism
Social Science & Humanities
Fashion & Design Courses
Bachelor of Arts in Interior & Furniture Design
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Design
Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design
Hospitality & Tourism
Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality
Bachelor of Arts in Tourism Management
Master in Hospitality & Tourism Management
Master in Design of Sustainable Tourism System
Global MBA in Food & Wine
Social Science & Humanities
BA in Languages, Civilization & Science of Language
Bachelor in Politics, Philosophy & Economics
Bachelor in Liberal Studies
MA in Strategic Studies & Diplomatic Sciences
Master in International Relations
MA in Political Science
Master in Careers with the European Union
Business & Management
Bachelor in Business, Media & Communications
Bachelor in Business Administration & Economics
Bachelor in Business and Sports Management
Master in Business Administration
Master in Luxury Brand Management
Master in Business Design
Popular Masters courses in Italy
Master in Interior Design
Master in Jewelry Design
Master in Arts Management
Master in Interior Design for Commercial Spaces & Retail
Master in Fashion Communication and Styling
Master in Transportation Design
Below are some of the best scholarships to study in Italy for Indian students.
Scholarship Name |
Offered By |
Scholarship Amount |
Application Deadline for Scholarship |
Bocconi International Awards Undergraduate |
By Bocconi University |
50% tuition fee reduction |
4 April |
Bocconi Graduate Merit Awards |
By Bocconi University |
worth €14,000 per year |
25 May |
Padua International Excellence Scholarship |
By University of Padua |
€8,000 for each year |
11 March |
UniTo for Students at Risk Scholarships |
By University of Turin |
€9,600 |
UG: 30 April, PG: 31 January |
Politecnico di Milano Merit-based Scholarships: PLATINUM Scholarship |
By Politecnico di Milano |
€10.000 per year + full tuition waiver |
FIRST TIMEFRAME: March 1st 2024 SECOND TIMEFRAME: April 8 2024 to April 30 2024 |
politecnico di Milano Merit-based Scholarships: GOLD Scholarship |
By Politecnico di Milano |
€5.000 per year + full tuition waiver |
FIRST TIMEFRAME: March 1st 2024 SECOND TIMEFRAME: April 8 2024 to April 30 2024 |
Politecnico di Milano Merit-based Scholarships: SILVER Scholarship |
By Politecnico di Milano |
Full tuition fee waiver |
FIRST TIMEFRAME: March 1st 2024 SECOND TIMEFRAME: April 8 2024 to April 30 2024 |
The Leonardo da Vinci Scholarship for Art and Design |
DEL RIO council for the arts |
$500 |
1 April 2024 |
Marconi Scholarship for Communication and Journalism |
Marconi International |
10% and 50% of tuition fees for both graduate and undergraduate students |
December 1 |
If you are also planning to apply for a Bachelor’s or Master’s course at an Italian university, then check the basic eligibility criteria below to understand.
Higher Study Options |
Minimum Educational Requirement |
Minimum Required Percentage |
IELTS/PTE/TOEFL Score |
Backlogs Information |
Other Standardized Tests |
Bachelor |
12 Years of Education (10+2)/ 10+3 years of diploma |
60% |
Overall, 6 with 5.5 in each band |
Up to 10 backlogs (some private hospital universities may accept more) |
NA |
Master (MS/MBA) |
3/4 Years of Graduate Degree |
60% |
Overall, 6.5 Sscore with no band less than 6 |
In order to study in Italy, students may be required to submit any or all of the following paperwork with their application for a student visa.
A passport that is valid for at least three months beyond the anticipated end date of your educational program and has two blank visa pages
Letter of acceptance (LOA) from your institution in Italy
Proof of language proficiency in English or Italian language (depending on the language of your study program)
Proof of accommodation in Italy
visa application form
Copy of your itinerary to and from Italy
No criminal record
Proof of adequate medical insurance
Proof of adequate financial means to support yourself (between EUR 450 and EUR 515 monthly)
Proof you’ve paid the associated application fee.
Below is the procedure to get a student visa for italy.
Step 1: Determine if you are qualified to apply for a visa to Italy.
Step 2: Prepare by gathering all necessary paperwork.
Step 3: Apply online for a student visa to Italy.
Step 4: Await the approval status.
Step 5: Take a plane to Italy to complete your dream of studying abroad.
A student visa for Italy can be obtained for between EUR 80 and EUR 100 for a short-period visa and between EUR 76 and EUR 110 for a long-term study visa. A modification in the visa fee is anticipated depending on different government policies.
Type of Expense |
Cost in INR |
HRD (Done from the State Secretariat of your recent education state) |
0-1500, mostly free HRD is generally free, but in some places, an urgent procedure might be chargeable |
MEA Apostille (Academic Documents) |
500 – 600 per Document required on Final degree and Transcript / Consolidated Marksheet |
SDM Apostille (Scholarship and Financial Documents) |
500-600 per Document 2 scholarship documents and 1 bank statement |
Italian Translation |
1200 -1500 Per Page Two Scholarship Documents |
Health insurance 1 Year of health insurance with 48000 Euros of health cover |
1 Year of health insurance with 48000 Euros of health cover |
Embassy Charges |
90 - 100 euros, depending upon the embassy |
It is quite important to know the cost of studying and the cost of living in Italy before applying. Therefore, below, we have mentioned the cost of studying as well as living in Italy for international students.
Higher Study Options |
Average Tuition Fee per Year for Public Universities |
Average Tuition Fee per Year for Private Universities |
Visa Fee |
Living Expenses for 1 Year/Proof of funds for 1 year |
Bachelor |
EUR 900 – EUR 8000 |
EUR 6000 – EUR 30,000 |
75 - 100 Euros |
5000 Euros (approximately) |
Master (MS/MBA) |
Italy processes student visas substantially faster than other nations. After applying, you can receive an Italian student visa in three to six weeks. Incorrect papers can occasionally cause delays in the processing of visas. So, at the time of application, make sure you have the correct paperwork.
Permit for Working
Students from non-EU nations are permitted to work here during their studies. However, they have a job offer from an Italian employer for this to happen. The work permit takes two months on average to process, though this varies by area.
Only after completing the second stage of a master's or PhD program can Indian students studying in Italy apply for a post-study employment visa in Italy. Indian students who have completed their master's or doctorate degree can get permission for a post-study work permit in Italy. They are permitted to remain in Italy for a year to look for full-time employment and can apply for a post study work visa if they are offered a job in Italy. International students must be employed prior to submitting an application for a work visa in Italy. In order to hire a candidate, an employer must apply for a work visa in Italy.
Degrees |
No. of years |
Bachelor’s degrees |
1 year after completing your degree |
Master’s degrees |
1 year after completing your degree |
All doctoral qualifications |
1 year after completing your degree |
So, if you are also planning to study in italy, you can contact our expert educational counsellors at any branch of Meridean Overseas Education Consultants (MOEC) to get support for your dream career. Our counsellors will assist you in choosing the top colleges and programs according to your profile and interest. Moreover, in order to help you obtain high band scores and improve your chances of being accepted into Italy’s best colleges, they will assist you in obtaining a student visa and offer you English language instruction for the TOEFL and IELTS exams.
Question: Is IELTS required to study in Italy?
Answer: Numerous Italian universities admit students without an IELTS score. International applicants can gain admission to Italy more swiftly by proving their English language skills from prior academic institutions. It is advised that overseas students have a solid grasp of English. Moreover, students can also appear for any other English proficiency test, like TOEFL and PTE, if their university accepts it.
Question: Can a student get PR in Italy?
Answer: After a predetermined amount of time, you can apply for a resident permit if you come to Italy for any reason. After living in Italy for five years straight, students from any nation can apply for Italian permanent residency. The EU Long-Term Residence Permit is another name for Italy's permanent residence permit.
Question: Can an international student work in Italy while studying?
Answer: Yes, it is legal for international students to work while they are in school. They are allowed to work for up to 20 hours per week and 1040 hours per year.
Question: How much is the bank balance required for an Italy student visa?
Answer: Consequently, during the academic year, the bank balance needed to satisfy the financial requirements for a student visa in Italy is roughly 448,07 EUR each month, or 5824,91 EUR annually. A minimum of 3,000 EUR must remain in balance for six months.
Question: When can I apply for a National D visa to study in Italy?
Answer: The duration of stay, validity, number of entries, number of applications submitted to the embassy, and the applicant's prior travel history can all impact the time it takes to process a student permit. Student permits are often processed in 15 working days or less. To avoid any delays, it is preferable to submit your application well in advance.
Question: Is study free in Italy?
Answer: If you are awarded a full scholarship, your education in Italy will be free. You can still reduce your tuition even if you don't receive free education. Payment plans tailored to your financial circumstances are available at public universities. The majority of university websites display a range of tuition costs, from the lowest to the highest sum that must be paid.
Question: What are the most popular courses in Italy?
Answer: Italian institutions are renowned for their skilled faculty and excellent academic programs. Due to the most advanced course curriculum, management and business courses are most common in Italy. The curriculum is using a skill-oriented approach. Apart from this, there are other popular courses as well, including Science and Technology, Education, Hospitality, Social Studies, Humanities, and Art and Design.
Question: Which visa do I need to study in Italy?
Answer: Based on the duration of the program, there are two categories of student visas. The Visa type C is for travel or short-term courses, suitable for one or more entries and a maximum of ninety days. Whereas a Type D visa is a Long-term visa that is good for a course whose duration is more than ninety days.
Question: Who can sponsor me to study in Italy?
Answer: Sponsors can also be first-degree relatives, such as mothers, fathers, wives, and kids. If you do not have a first-degree relative, you may submit the required paperwork to your legal guardian to serve as a sponsor.
Question: Is there any visa interview for Italy?
Answer: Italy is a dream destination for many people because of its fascinating history, vibrant culture, and delicious cuisine. Before you travel to Italy, there is one very crucial thing you should know. Your visa application generally includes an interview for an Italy visa.
Contact MOEC Experts for Study Abroad Guidance!