Studying in Italy

Studying in Italy in English — which subjects are available?

In Italy, you can study in English at bachelor’s and master’s level, as well as on selected single-cycle degree programmes. However, this does not mean that every university offers an English-taught version of every course. Check the language of the entire programme, its level and the campus where teaching takes place.

Examples of available subject areas and programmes include:

• Business, economics and finance — Bocconi offers English-taught programmes in these fields, as well as courses combining management with computer science or culture.
• Computer science and artificial intelligence — Sapienza offers Applied Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence in English.
• Engineering — Information Engineering at the University of Padua is one example of an English-taught undergraduate degree.
• Psychology — Padua offers an English-taught programme in Psychological Science.
• Design — Politecnico di Milano offers an English-taught bachelor’s degree in Interaction Design, among other programmes.
• Medicine — selected public and private universities offer six-year Medicine and Surgery programmes in English.

When comparing programmes, also consider which further study options and professional qualifications the degree can lead to. For example, a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a law-related course should not be treated as an automatic guarantee of eligibility to practise a profession in your chosen country.

How does the Italian university system work?

The main study routes include the three-year laurea, a first-cycle degree, and the two-year laurea magistrale, a second-cycle degree. Certain subjects are taught as single-cycle programmes, known as laurea magistrale a ciclo unico. Medicine takes six years.

When choosing a programme, check the exact qualification it awards. Similar English names used to promote courses do not always refer to the same type of degree or offer identical opportunities for further study.

Italy’s best-known universities — where should you start?

The best university is, above all, the one that is right for your chosen subject. When comparing programmes, consider the curriculum, language of instruction, entry requirements, costs and access to internships. Institutions worth considering include:

University of Bologna — Università di Bologna

The University of Bologna dates back to 1088 and is recognised as the oldest university in the Western world. Today, its courses span the humanities and social sciences, as well as science and medicine. Its English-taught programmes include the six-year Medicine and Surgery degree. Studying in Bologna allows you to learn in an international environment while discovering a city whose history has been intertwined with university life for centuries.

Bocconi University

Bocconi in Milan specialises in economics, finance, management and social sciences. Its English-taught courses also include programmes that combine business with computer science, artificial intelligence or cultural management. Students can complement their studies with internships and semesters at partner universities abroad, including at undergraduate level. It is a particularly appealing option for those planning a future in finance, consulting, entrepreneurship or international business.

Politecnico di Milano

Politecnico di Milano focuses on three fields: engineering, architecture and design. The connection between them is clear in its English-taught Interaction Design programme, where design meets technology, programming and prototyping. The university conducts research in engineering and design, and its Career Service connects students with employers. It is a place for those who want to design products, buildings or technological solutions and learn how to turn an idea into a working project.

Sapienza Università di Roma

Founded in 1303, Sapienza combines centuries of history with research into modern technology. Archaeology and classical studies are an important part of its work, with university researchers involved in projects exploring sites such as the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. At the same time, Sapienza offers the English-taught Applied Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence degree, focusing on computing and AI. This variety makes the Rome-based university an interesting destination for both humanities students and future technology specialists.

Università di Padova

Founded in 1222, the University of Padua holds a special place in the history of science, with figures such as Galileo Galilei, Nicolaus Copernicus and William Harvey among those associated with it. Its historic anatomical theatre survives to this day, reflecting a long tradition of medical education. The university now offers English-taught degrees in subjects including medicine, psychology, engineering and biology. Padua combines a rich academic heritage with the opportunity to study fields concerned with human health, technology and the environment.

Università di Pavia

The University of Pavia is particularly interesting for applicants who want to study medicine in English. Its six-year Harvey Medicine and Surgery Course combines medical science with clinical training at institutions such as Policlinico San Matteo, Maugeri and Mondino. Students gain experience under the supervision of doctors and lecturers, while those in later years can also watch live broadcasts of surgical procedures through the Campus ON AIR project. The university’s close ties with hospitals are an important part of Pavia’s medical identity.

Applying to universities in Italy — how should you prepare?

Italy does not have one identical application process for every degree programme. The starting point is the university’s admission regulations, often called a bando or call for applications. These set out the deadlines, required documents, entrance exam rules and ranking procedures.

It is worth dividing your preparations into five stages:

1. Choose your subject and language of study. Check the programme level and the qualification it awards.
2. Confirm that your school qualifications meet the requirements. The university assesses whether your school-leaving qualification allows you to enter your chosen programme. Completing at least 12 years of education is generally important; applicants from shorter education systems need to establish which additional conditions apply.
3. Identify the required test. Depending on the programme, this may be IMAT, CEnT-S, the relevant TOLC, a university’s own test or another form of assessment.
4. Prepare your documents. You will usually need identification, your school-leaving certificate and exam results, plus the required proof of language proficiency. Any additional translations, CIMEA documents or a Declaration of Value should be prepared according to the university’s instructions.
5. Keep track of separate deadlines. Your application, test registration, scholarship application and enrolment after receiving an offer may each have a different deadline.

The Universitaly portal plays a role in IMAT, applications to medicine and pre-enrolment procedures for applicants who need a visa, among other processes. However, it does not replace all the forms and steps required by the university.

CEnT-S, TOLC and university entrance tests

For subjects other than medicine, be cautious about older guides. CEnT-S replaced the former English TOLC-E, English TOLC-I and English TOLC-F from late 2025. It may be used for admission to selected English-taught programmes in science, engineering and economics. Each university specifies which test, test dates and format it accepts.

Studying medicine in Italy in English

English-taught medical degrees in Italy last six years and are structured as single-cycle programmes. Medicine and Surgery degrees cover basic sciences and clinical training. Before applying, look into how placements are organised, which hospitals work with the university and what language requirements apply when communicating with patients.

Medicine at public universities

Examples include the University of Bologna, the University of Pavia and the University of Padua. Admission to English-taught programmes covered by the national procedure involves the IMAT exam. The number of places and ranking rules are published for each admissions cycle.

Changes to admissions for medicine taught in Italian should not automatically be assumed to apply to English-taught programmes. For the 2026/2027 academic year, MUR has published separate examination rules for programmes taught in English.

What is IMAT?

IMAT — the International Medical Admissions Test — is an entrance exam taken in English, used for admission to selected medical programmes in Italy. It tests biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics, as well as reasoning and reading comprehension skills.

According to the format described by the University of Pavia, the test consists of 60 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 100 minutes. Before taking the exam, however, applicants need to consult the current MUR decree and admission regulations. Details, scoring and dates should not simply be carried over from previous years.

There is no fixed score that guarantees a place at medical school. Your exam result, the number of available places, ranking rules and applicant category all matter. Citizenship and residency status may affect which admissions route applies to you.

Preparation should focus on the required syllabus, scientific vocabulary in English and timed practice questions. Mock papers help you assess not only your knowledge, but also your pace and decision-making under time pressure.

Can you study medicine without IMAT?

Yes — some private universities run their own entrance exams. Examples include Humanitas University and Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore. You will need to look separately at the test syllabus, deadlines, costs and admission regulations for your chosen programme.

Another interesting option is MEDTEC School, run jointly by Humanitas and Politecnico di Milano. This six-year English-taught programme combines medicine with biomedical engineering. Applying to a private university does not mean admission without a selection process.

Do you need Italian for an English-taught medical degree?

Studying in English does not rule out an Italian language requirement for clinical training. For example, the University of Bologna requires B1-level Italian to take part in clinical placements from the second year. Communicating with patients is a reason to include Italian language learning in your plans from the start of your degree.

After graduating in medicine, you will need to establish the requirements for obtaining a licence to practise in the country where you intend to work.

How much does it cost to study in Italy?

Public universities

Tuition fees at public universities in Italy may depend on your family’s financial circumstances, your programme and your student status. The University of Padua gives an indicative fee range of zero to around €3,000 per year, depending on the reductions you qualify for. This is not a single rate that applies across the country.

When looking at costs, distinguish tuition fees from the regional tax and other compulsory charges. Also ask which documents are needed if your family earns income outside Italy. Depending on the university’s procedure, these may include foreign financial documents or an ISEE/ISEEU parificato.

Private universities

Well-known private universities in Italy include Bocconi in Milan, which specialises in business, economics and finance, as well as Humanitas University and Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, which offer medicine in English. Annual tuition fees are typically in the €10,000–€20,000 range, with some programmes costing more than €20,000.

Private universities also offer scholarships and tuition fee waivers, which can significantly reduce the cost of studying. Bocconi runs a financial support programme offering partial and even full tuition fee waivers, taking the family’s financial circumstances into account. However, the availability of support depends on the university and programme. For example, the UCSC International Scholarship does not cover medicine at Cattolica’s Rome campus.

Living costs in Italy — how should you plan your budget?

As a rough guide, allow around €800–€1,500 per month for living costs in Italy, excluding tuition fees. This covers accommodation, food, transport and everyday expenses, with the amount depending mainly on the city and your housing arrangements. In smaller cities such as Pavia, you may be able to manage on a lower budget, while in Milan your spending may exceed this range, particularly if you rent a flat on your own. Accommodation usually takes up the largest share of the budget, so a room in a shared flat or university residence can significantly reduce monthly costs.

Scholarships and financial support in Italy

It is worth exploring university scholarships, tuition fee reductions and regional right-to-study programmes — diritto allo studio alongside one another. Depending on the scheme, support may include a cash grant, a place in a student residence, meals or reduced fees.

For means-tested support, your family’s income and assets matter, as does preparing the required documents correctly. Institutions may require translations and legalisation of documents issued abroad. Continued support may also depend on your academic progress.

Admission to university does not automatically mean you will receive a scholarship or a place in student accommodation. It is always worth familiarising yourself with the local rules.

Student life, exchanges and internships

Studying in Italy can involve more than attending classes on one campus. Selected programmes offer Erasmus+, international internships and double-degree pathways. The University of Bologna runs application rounds for Erasmus+ traineeships, while the University of Padua publishes its range of double-degree and joint-degree programmes.

When comparing universities, find out whether the opportunities you are interested in are available on your course, what the participation requirements are and whether time abroad fits your study plan. Italian will also be useful in everyday life beyond university, from finding accommodation to making local friends.

Plan your studies in Italy with Tuteer

Are you interested in medicine in Italy, business in Milan or an English-taught engineering degree? Start by comparing programmes and creating a preparation timeline. A good plan should take account of university requirements, entrance exams, language skills and your budget.

Contact Tuteer to discuss your study options and the support available as you prepare to study abroad. Find out which subjects and skills to develop to meet the requirements of your chosen programme.