Upcoming Intakes in Italy 2025-26

Want to study in Italy and wondering when to apply? Check out the upcoming intakes in Italy in 2025-26 and plan your applications accordingly based on the preferred intake dates. Also, get details about the timelines for different intakes in Italy.
Ciao, future student! Italy, a land of unparalleled beauty and academic excellence, is calling. International students eager to pursue their studies in Italy should be aware of the upcoming admission intakes. From the bustling September start to the vibrant January entry, we'll demystify Italy's application cycles, giving the inside scoop on timelines, key advantages, and what it takes to get accepted. Let's dive in and get future students ready for their Italian adventure!
- What are the Admission Intakes in Italy?
- Upcoming Intakes in Italy 2025-2026
- What is Fall Intake in Italy?
- What is Spring Intake in Italy?
- Fall Intake vs Spring Intake in Italy
- Does Italy Offer Free Education in Both Intakes?
- Documents Required for Admission in Italy’s Intakes
What are the Admission Intakes in Italy?
Ideally, there are two prominent admission intakes in Italy - Fall and Spring. Admissions are offered in the Fall intake in Italy, starting in September. On the other hand, the Spring intake in Italy begins the admission process from January. Also, the Fall intake of Italy is more competitive, while the Spring intake is slightly less competitive. Let us delve deeper to understand the upcoming intake for Italian universities and gain a detailed understanding of the admission processes in Italy.
Upcoming Intakes in Italy 2025-2026
The upcoming intake in Italy is the Fall intake, scheduled to begin in November this year and run through February 2026. At this time, applicants can gain a comprehensive understanding of studying in Italy. Explore the public universities in Italy, and consider the private universities as well to make an informed choice. If applicants feel that the upcoming intake is not a good fit, they can wait until next year to apply for the Spring intake. Review the details of both Italian intakes in the following section to help determine which one would be a better fit for the study.
What is Fall Intake in Italy?
The Fall intake, commonly referred to as the September intake in Italy, is the most popular. Since the Fall intake in Italy is the primary intake, the maximum number of applicants apply in this intake, and a high number of applicants get enrolled. A large part of admissions is dominated by this intake, which accounts for more than 70% due to the wide range of courses and universities available for admission.
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Advantages of Applying in Fall Intake in Italy 2025-26
Why international students consider applying to the Fall intake in Italy is because:
- A majority of Italian universities offer admission during the Fall intake, including the best 10 universities in Italy.
- All popular courses, including design courses and MBA, are offered during the Fall intake.
- Most scholarships in Italy are available to international students applying for the Fall intake.
- Since most of the courses are open for admission, a large pool of applicants get admitted in Italy’s Fall intake.
- Finally, around 80% of admissions are offered to students in the Fall intake in Italy, making it one of the most popular intakes.
Indian students who seek admission in Fall intake will benefit. The reason is that they can graduate from school or college and apply in September without wasting an academic year. Plus, all major courses and universities offer admission in this intake.
Fall Intake Timeline 2025-26
International applicants who wish to apply in the Fall intake in Italy can check out the timeline for this upcoming intake in Italy, set to begin in September:
Timeline for Fall Intake in Italy 2025-26 |
To Do List |
---|---|
November 2024 to March 2025 |
Shortlist courses and universities for admission |
April 2025 to May 2025 |
Appear for exams such as the SAT/ACT, GRE/GMAT, as well as the IELTS/TOEFL. |
May 2025 to June 2025 |
Begin the application process. Submit all relevant documents and scorecards. |
July 2025 to August 2025 |
Wait for the university to respond and give a verdict on the admission status. |
August 2025 to September 2025 |
Apply for a student visa once you have received an offer letter from the university. |
September 2025 to October 2025 |
Book tickets and plan for departure to study in Italy |
Applicants must note that admission deadlines vary by course and the university of application in Italy. Based on the Fall intake’s timeline, applicants must plan their application materials and prepare for the standardised and English language proficiency exams.
Top 5 Italian Universities Offering Admission in Fall Intake
Here are the top five Italian universities which offer admission to students in the Fall intake:
- University of Bologna
- Politecnico di Milano
- Sapienza University of Rome
- University of Milan
- University of Pisa
What is Spring Intake in Italy?
The January intake in Italy or commonly known as the Spring intake in Italy is the secondary intake. If not a significant chunk, but some part of the admissions is taken care of by the Spring intake in Italy. Though universities and course options are limited, there are still reasons why international students look at applying in this intake.
Advantages of Applying to Spring Intake in Italy 2026-27
There are multiple advantages of applying in the Spring intake in Italy and they are as follows:
- Class sizes are smaller and enrollments are faster in the Spring intake of Italy.
- MBA in Italy is also available in the Spring intake, along with a few other courses at popular Italian universities.
- Competition for admission is lower because fewer applicants are applying.
- The processing time for a student visa in Italy is also faster for the Spring intake.
- Finally, Spring intake in Italy constitutes 20-30% of the annual enrollment in the country, offering fewer choices but better admission.
Indian students who have missed the deadlines for Fall intake in Italy can consider applying in the Spring session. Applicants can benefit from applying in the Spring intake in Italy only if they plan well in advance without wasting any time.
Spring Intake Timeline 2026-27
For those planning to apply for admissions in the Spring intake in Italy can check out the following timeline:
Timeline for Spring Intake in Italy 2026-27 |
To Do List |
---|---|
August 2025 to September 2025 |
Shortlist courses and universities for admission |
September 2025 to October 2025 |
Appear for exams such as the SAT/ACT, GRE/GMAT, as well as the IELTS/TOEFL. |
October 2025 to November 2025 |
Begin the application process. Submit all relevant documents and scorecards. |
December 2025 to January 2026 |
Wait for the university to respond and give a verdict on the admission status. |
January 2026 to February 2026 |
Apply for a student visa once you have received an offer letter from the university. |
February 2026 to March 2026 |
Book tickets and plan for departure to study in Italy |
Although not many courses are offered during the Spring intake, except for the popular MBA program in Italy, applicants must plan their applications and submit them accordingly.
Top 5 Italian Universities Offering Admission in Spring Intake
Here is a list of top five universities that offer admission in the Spring intake in Italy:
- University of Padova
- Politecnico di Torino
- University of Florence
- University of Siena
- University of Macerata
Fall Intake vs Spring Intake in Italy
To understand the comparison between Fall intake and Spring intake in Italy, here is a detailed analysis:
Feature |
Fall Intake in Italy |
Spring Intake in Italy |
---|---|---|
Start Month |
Mid-September / Early October 2025 |
Late February / Early March 2026 |
Application Window |
Generally January - June 2025 (varies by university and program) |
Generally September - December 2025 (varies by university and program) |
Course Availability |
High (most programs offered) |
Moderate to Limited (fewer programs) |
Popular Programs |
|
|
Scholarships |
More abundant |
Limited |
Admission Chances |
Higher due to more seats, but more competitive overall |
Competitive but less crowded |
Visa Processing Time (Non-EU) |
Longer due to higher volume of applicants (apply 3-4 months in advance) |
Quicker due to lower volume |
Best For |
|
|
Visa Application Deadline |
Typically by July 2025, but can be earlier (check specific university/consulate) |
Immediately after acceptance, by January 2026 |
This comparison will help students in making a choice as to when they should apply - Fall or Spring season in Italy.
Does Italy Offer Free Education in Both Intakes?
Yes, there is an option for free education in Italy, available in both intakes. Public universities typically offer free education in Italy. Based on the choice of universities and courses, applicants can avail themselves of free education. Though the Fall intake in Italy reserves a significant part of the scholarships, the Spring intake may also have exceptions. So international applicants applying to the University of Bologna or other public universities can avail full scholarships irrespective of the intake.
Documents Required for Admission in Italy’s Intakes
Here is a list of documents that applicants would require to apply to study in Italy:
- Academic transcripts
- High school diploma/Bachelor's degree
- Passport copy
- CV
- SOP
- LORs
- Language proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL for English, CILS/CELI for Italian)
- Portfolio (for design/architecture)
Choosing the appropriate intake for an Italian university to study is a pivotal decision. While the Fall intake offers a broader spectrum of courses and scholarship opportunities, the Spring intake provides a valuable alternative for those who need more preparation time or missed the earlier deadlines. Regardless of the choice, meticulous planning and timely application are key to securing a spot in Italy's esteemed universities. With this comprehensive guideline, applicants are well-equipped to make an informed choice. If not, sign up for free Shiksha Abroad Counselling and seek expert help by requesting a call back from our counsellors.
Such universities are listed given below. But, to know the exact course for which the universities offer teaching in English, it is best advised to check with the university:
- Bocconi University
- LUISS University
- University of Bologna
- University of Pavia
- Politecnico Di Milano
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The University of Bologna MS fees is around INR 1 L - 4 L for first-year, which vary by specializations for international students. The table below includes popular MS specializations at the university with first-year fees: