Application Process to Study in Italy

Are you going to apply to Italian universities soon? Then you must check out the application process for applying to Italian universities in this article. We will cover everything you would need in order to complete an application to Italian universities. So check out the article now and understand the process in detail.

Positioned in Southwestern Europe, Italy rests on the Apennine peninsula and boasts some of the world’s most renowned universities with excellent faculty and updated infrastructure. The country adopted the ‘Bologna Process’ in 1999, when it was incepted for the enhancement of higher education quality and to promote transparency. Italy’s University of Bologna is featured among the oldest educational institutions worldwide and is the oldest operational institute in the world. Europe’s best business school, SDA Bocconi, is found in Italy and its alumni have done exceptionally well in their respective domains.

Educational institutions in Italy have been acknowledged on international platforms for the quality of knowledge imparted and thus have attracted students from all over the globe. Many of these universities have also been ranked among the top 200 institutions in QS World University Rankings every year. Students targeting universities in Italy are also offered substantial financial support to assist their education. More than 500 courses are taught in English in the country, with the University of Rome Tor Vergata alone offering over a dozen of these courses.

Indian Students in Italy

According to the data released by the government of India in 2023, approximately 6,000+ Indian students were pursuing higher education in Italy. Also, as per the latest development which the Italian government has roped in to attract more foreign crowds, the annual quota of work permits given to 5,000 has been increased in 2023. The target set for the year 2024 is 75,000 workers holding foreign nationalities.

Students from India interested in pursuing postgraduate courses in architecture, engineering, economics, advanced technologies, design, or management can apply for the ‘Invest Your Talent in Italy program’, where they would get to study in some of the renowned institutions.

Check: Study in Italy for Free

What is Invest Your Talent in Italy Program?

This program lets one study various masters and postgraduate programs which are taught in English. The main objective of these courses is to polish a student’s technical, academic, and professional skills. Those enrolled for these will undergo 3-4 months of on-the-job training at top Italian organisations. The set eligibility for these programs requires students to be holding a 3 or 4-year bachelor’s degree.

Applying for Admission in Italian Universities

Application procedure in Italian universities is more or less the same. International students staying outside the EU should reach out to the Embassy of Italy or the Consulate in their home countries and submit a pre-application request. They are supposed to state what university or college are they applying to and the degree they would be pursuing. The institute which you will target will receive your concerning documents from the Embassy officials. Your result will usually be declared by the Embassy or you will be intimated by the institution in question.

The following should be kept in mind by the students before applying for admission to Italian universities:

• Studying and Living Expenditure: Before applying for a university, visit its official website and check out its latest tuition fees and assumed living expenditure. You can filter out the universities as per your budget. You have to calculate the session-wise set fees and other expenses related to conveyance, accommodation, amenities required, etc. This is a significant step as it will save you time and effort.
• Contacting the University: Students can contact the university authorities handling the admissions and request them to analyze their candidature as per the eligibility set by them. The university will inform you whether you fit the bill or not. If their response is positive, you will have to send a pre-application request to the Italian embassy located in your area.
• Submission of your Application: Your admission application and related documents will then be forwarded by the Italian embassy to the Italian institution which you have finalized for studying.
• List of Admitted Students: Usually by August end, a list will be published by the Italian embassy which will feature all the admitted students.

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Documents Required for Admission into Italian Universities

Before applying to any institute of higher education in any country, you need to be aware of all the important documents which will be required to complete the admission process. Students should make sure that all the documents should be authentic, complete, and clearly printed so as to not face any rejection.

Below listed documents should be kept ready before initiating the admission process:

• Application form
• Valid passport or ID card/documents
• Passport size latest photograph
• Duly accomplished pre-enrollment form
• Academic transcripts and certificates
• Resume/CV
• Letter of Recommendation
• Letter of Motivation
• Language Proficiency Score
• Standardised test scores if applying for:
  • UG: SAT / ACT
  • PG: GMAT / GRE

Steps to Apply for Admission to Italian Universities

Overseas students should follow the below-mentioned steps in order to apply for admission at any Italian university. The admission process steps mentioned below are explained for UG/PG courses separately.

For Undergraduate Courses

Eligibility Criteria: Students should have completed upper secondary studies and should possess an official school leaving certificate. For the unserved, many Italian universities teach bachelor’s level programs in Italian. In such a case, students will have to prove their language proficiency by appearing for a certified language test.

• Make a list of all the Italian universities you wish to target and filter the best ones out. Go through all the courses offered at the selected university for international students. Also, make sure that you meet the set eligibility criteria for the chosen program.
• Reach out to the selected institute or university and request for a prior assessment. They will scrutinize your academic qualifications and achievements and provide feedback regarding the same.
• After it is confirmed that you meet the requirements, send a pre-application request to the Italian embassy in your home country by sending your completed application form, in order to obtain a Letter of Academic Eligibility and Suitability. You also need to send your school leaving certificate’s copy and all the university entry exam’s result certificates and also two passport-sized photographs, out of which one should contain your signature.
• After your documents are received by the embassy or consulate, they will deposit them along with your application to the Italian university where you’re planning to study.
• The embassy will then publish the selected candidates’ list by the end of August.

Check: Top Affordable & Cheap Universities in Italy

For Post-Graduate Courses

Eligibility Criteria: Students should possess a bachelor’s or equivalent degree, of minimum 3 years, in a relevant subject. Masters-level programs are also offered in the English language at Italian universities.

The application process for a master’s degree remains the same as that of the bachelor’s degree program, with minute differences. The following documents should be submitted when applying for a master’s program in Italy:

• Academic transcripts, diplomas and certificates
• Resume
• 2-3 references
• Personal statement
• Health insurance certificate
• Those applying for a course in economics, finance, business studies or management may have to submit their GMAT or GRE scores.

Also when applying for admission to Italian universities, check out how to apply for a scholarship to study in Italy or an education loan to study in Italy to fund their education.

Related Reads: Gap Certificate for Studying Abroad

Students keeping the aforementioned things in mind while applying for their dream course will never face any issues during the entire application submission process. With distinct reputed Italian universities offering a plethora of courses, of every level, students from countries all across the world wish to study short-term or long-term courses at these. The information provided above simplifies the application process, making it error-free and easy.

Q. I wish to pursue my higher education from Italy but there's a gap in my academic tenure. Will I be accepted?

A. Yes, gaps are accepted in Italian universities. So if you're applying for a bachelor's program, a maximum of 2 years of a gap is acceptable and for the master's degree, a maximum of 8 years of gap is acceptable. Make sure you're able to justify these gaps when required.

Q. How many intake sessions are there for international students in Italian universities?

A. There are a total of two intakes in Italian universities every year and colleges and overseas students can apply for either of these. The first intake happens in September and continues till January or February. The second one begins in February and concludes in July.

Q. I want to study a short-term course in Italy. Is it easy to obtain an Italian student visa?

A. Yes, obtaining a short-term stay or Type C visa is easy for international students when planning to study in Italy. You only need to be holding a valid passport and proof of the program enrolled. A few other basic requirements will need to be fulfilled by you.

Q. Is it mandatory for the international applicants to provide TOEFL or IELTS scores as proof of English language proficiency in Italian universities?

A. Yes, you need to provide either IELTS test or TOEFL test score for admission into an Italian university requiring you to learn a course in English. 

• IELTS = 5.5 bands
• TOEFL PBT = 507 to 557
• TOEFL CBT = 180 to 217