Applying to universities in Italy

Applying to universities in Italy

University application procedures in Italy vary depending on whether you are an EU or a non-EU student, and whether you’re applying at undergraduate (referred to as ‘first cycle’) or graduate level (second and third cycle). The Study in Italy website run by the Italian Ministry of Education has all the information you’ll need about applying to universities in Italy – but keep reading for an overview of key steps.

In general, the first step is to contact your chosen university to check the entry requirements for your degree program. Once your eligibility is confirmed, you must submit a pre-application request form to the Italian embassy or consulate in your country of origin along with the relevant documentation (see below). You will need to get your documents translated into Italian by an approved translator. The form you need to fill out will vary depending on whether you are an EU or non-EU student and your degree subject. For example, non-EU students applying to study at institutions for arts, design, music and dance will need to fill in the form Model A-bis, while other students will need to fill the form Model A.

Documents you may need to provide include:

• Completed application form to receive a Letter of Academic Eligibility and Suitability (Dichiarazione di Valoro in Loco/ DV);
• Completed relevant pre-enrolment form;
• Copy of your school leaving qualification if you are an undergraduate applicant, or copy of your undergraduate qualification certificate if you are a postgraduate applicant;
• Transcript of exams, including name of each passed exam and syllabi of each course attended;
• Two passport-sized photographs, one of which you must sign;
• Any other documentation that can support your application (translated into Italian);
• You may also need to provide proof of proficiency in Italian by presenting the results of an Italian language exam.

If you are an EU student, the embassy through which you are applying will send you a Letter of Academic Eligibility and Suitability (Dichiarazione di Valoro in Loco/ DV), which acknowledges your foreign studies prior to applying to universities in Italy. The embassy will then send your documents to your chosen university and you will receive confirmation of acceptance (or rejection) directly from the university. If you are a non-EU student, the Italian embassy or consulate will find out if your application meets the criteria for a visa to study in Italy.

Applying for a visa to study in Italy

You will only be issued a visa to study in Italy if you can demonstrate that you:

• Have suitable accommodation in Italy;
• Have sufficient funds to cover all costs you might incur while studying in Italy (including tuition, accommodation, transport, textbooks and living costs);
• Have sufficient funds to be able to travel back to your country of origin at the end of your studies, or proof that you have already purchased a return ticket;
• Are entitled to medical care in Italy, either through private health insurance or an agreement between Italy and your native country;
• You might also need to show proof of certificate of payment in full for your degree program.

You can find out if you will need a visa to study in Italy using this handy tool offered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministero degli Affari Esteri). Most of the time, the visa is free; however, some candidates may need to pay a visa processing fee. You will also need to present all necessary documents giving evidence of the requirements outlined above, as well as:

• Completed visa application form;
• Evidence of having paid the visa application fee (if applicable);
• Passport valid for at least three months after your course ends;
• Two recent passport-sized photographs, one of which you must sign.

Tuition fees, living costs and financial aid in Italy

Tuition fees at universities in Italy differ depending on the institution and course, as institutions set their own rates. According to government guidelines, average fees are between €850 and €1,000 (~US$900-1,060) per year at public universities in Italy, while private universities will be more expensive. Some specialized courses may also charge higher fees, while doctoral students receiving a grant from their university of choice will not need to pay fees.

In terms of living costs, you’ll need €12,000-18,000 (~US$12,740-19,120) per year to cover accommodation, food, transport, entertainment and other expenses. When budgeting, you should keep in mind your lifestyle and spending habits, as well as where you’ll be based – major cities and tourist areas will be more expensive than smaller towns, especially in the north of Italy.

International students are eligible for the same scholarships and grants as local students, assessed by academic merit or financial need. This applies to scholarships, student loans, housing assistance, meal tickets and fee waivers. These services are managed by the university’s DSU Office (Diritto allo Studio Universitario – Right to Education), which also provides useful information and services for students including counseling, extra-curricular activities, sports, transport and other practical matters.

Arrival in Italy

Having arrived in Italy, all students (including those from within the EU) must apply for a residence permit (Permesso di Soggiorno). Non-EU students on a long-stay student visa (more than 90 days) need to apply for this at their local post office within eight days of arrival, while EU nationals should register at their local Ufficio Anagrafe (registry office) within three months of arrival. International students on a short-stay student visa (up to 90 days) must make a declaration of presence (Dichiarazione di Presenza) to the local police (Questura). You should carry the declaration of presence or residence permit with you, as you may be asked to show it to police or public safety officers.