Studying in Italy in 2026: Tuition Costs, Scholarships, and University Rankings

Italy remains one of the most affordable higher education destinations in Europe. Find out how much Italian universities cost in 2026, how to get a DSU scholarship and which universities are in the world's top 100

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Italy is one of those countries where the history of higher education began earlier than in most modern states: it was here that the first European university appeared, and since then the country has not lost its status as an educational center of the continent.

In 2026, this reputation was reinforced by concrete news: for the first time in history, an Italian university entered the top 100 of the QS world ranking. For those who are considering studying in Italy as an option for obtaining higher education abroad, this is a good reason to figure out what has changed recently and what to expect from admission, cost and student life.

Every year, tens of thousands of students from different countries come here - some under the Erasmus+ exchange program, some enroll directly in bachelor's or master's programs. Not only a diploma that is recognized throughout Europe is attractive, but also relatively simple admission conditions, flexibility in choosing subjects and state support, which really reduces the financial burden on the student.

Dreaming of studying abroad, but getting lost in the requirements for student visa documents? That's normal - the procedure varies depending on the country of study and your citizenship, and it can be difficult to figure it out on your own.

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How is the higher education system in Italy organized?

The Italian higher education system is considered one of the most accessible in Europe - and primarily due to the admission procedure. The number of study places is usually not limited, entrance exams or language tests are not required in most cases. A school certificate and a standard package of documents are enough: copies of your passport, motivation and recommendation letters, and for some programs - confirmation of your level of proficiency in the language of instruction.

The academic year is traditionally divided into two examination sessions – winter and summer, exams are more often taken orally, and the result is assessed on a scale from 0 to 30, where 18 points are considered the minimum passing score. Another feature is great freedom in forming one’s own curriculum: there is no rigidly fixed list of subjects, as in many other countries, here, the student largely determines the trajectory of his/her studies. Teaching is conducted in both Italian and English – the number of fully English-language programs has increased significantly in recent years, especially at the master’s level.

Read more about the Italian education system here.

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How much does it cost to study in Italy in 2026?

At public universities, the annual fee can range from €800–1,000, while private universities and art academies (especially in the field of fashion or design) charge €15,000–25,000 per year. That is, it is worth focusing not on the "average" figure, but on a specific university and field.

The ISEE system is important - it is an indicator that reflects the economic situation of the student's family, and it is on it that the size of the university fee depends. Most Italian universities operate a so-called "no tax area": ​​students whose family ISEE does not exceed approximately €22,000–30,000 (the threshold varies depending on the university) pay a minimum mandatory fee - usually only a regional fee and stamp duty, together about €150–160 per year - or are exempt from paying it completely. For families with income above this threshold, the contribution is calculated gradually and increases in proportion to wealth. Foreign students who cannot confirm ISEE in Italy submit documents about the income and property of the family at the place of residence - it takes longer, but it is quite possible.

Read how much it costs to live in Italy in 2026 at the link.

Scholarships and financial support for students in Italy

In addition to tuition fee reductions, Italy has a system of state scholarships DSU (Diritto allo Studio Universitario), which are managed by regional organizations - in different regions these can be ER.GO, EDISU, DiSCo or other structures.

For the 2025/2026 academic year, the minimum annual scholarship for students living apart from their family ("fuori sede") is around €7,100, and some regions - such as Piedmont or Emilia-Romagna - pay amounts above the minimum through additional funding. The ISEE threshold for eligibility for a scholarship is usually set at around €27,000–28,000.

Winners of the scholarship competition receive not only a cash payment, but also free meals in university canteens, a place in a student dormitory (if available) and an exemption from the regional fee. You have to reapply every year, and the deadlines usually fall in the summer – so it’s worth taking care of this in advance, not in the last week before the semester starts.

How long does it take to study at universities in Italy?

A bachelor’s degree in Italy is obtained in three years – the program is built mainly around theoretical courses, although practical classes are also provided, and the study ends with the defense of a thesis.

A master’s program takes another two years and is focused on deeper specialization.

An interesting nuance: for employment in Italy, a bachelor’s degree is often enough, so those who plan a scientific career, doctoral studies or want to obtain a narrowly specialized qualification most often go for a master’s degree.

Find the best cities in Italy for moving and working here.

Italian universities in the world rankings 2026

In the QS World University Rankings 2026, Politecnico di Milano entered the top 100 of the world ranking for the first time in the history of Italian higher education, taking 98th place - this is the best result among all Italian universities in the entire history of the ranking. It is followed in the global standings by Sapienza University of Rome (approximately 128th place) and the University of Bologna (around 138th place), while the University of Padua also remains firmly in the top 200. In total, 43 Italian universities are included in this year's ranking - this shows how competitive and at the same time recognized the Italian academic sector remains.

The strongest positions of Italian universities are traditionally associated with architecture, design and urban planning - it is in these areas that the Politecnico di Milano, Turin and Bologna universities regularly enter the profile world rankings for individual disciplines.

Employment quotas in Italy for 2026-2028 are here.

Popular areas of study at universities in Italy 2026

Fashion and design remain the hallmark of Italian education - it is not for nothing that Milan and Rome are considered the world capitals of fashion. Here you can study not only clothing design, but also digital design, product design or interior design.

Hospitality and tourism is another area with constant demand: hotel management and event organization courses are taught by industry experts, and the country itself, with thousands of hotels of various levels, is a practical "training ground" for future specialists.

The humanities and social sciences provide insight into how modern society works, from public administration to international relations. And business education, particularly MBA programs, remains one of the country's strengths: SDA Bocconi Business School regularly makes it into the world's best MBA programs rankings according to the Financial Times.

Top 5 Universities for International Students in Italy

The University of Bologna is the oldest university in Europe with strong programs in the arts, humanities, and life sciences.

Sapienza in Rome is the largest Italian university, offering programs in almost every field, including engineering, medicine, economics, and law.

Politecnico di Milano is a leader in design, engineering, and architecture, and, as mentioned above, the first Italian university in the QS top 100.

Ca' Foscari in Venice specializes in humanities, economics, and international relations, and has a wide range of English-language programs.

The University of Padua is one of the oldest universities in the world with strong programs in medicine, life sciences, and social sciences.

Find the world's leading universities where you can study in English here.

Student visa to Italy: what you need to know?

To study in Italy for more than 90 days, foreign students need a national visa type D. The application is submitted after enrollment at the university - that is, first you need to receive official confirmation of enrollment, and only then collect a package of documents for the consulate: confirmation of enrollment, proof of financial capacity, health insurance policy, confirmation of housing in Italy. After entering the country, you need to apply for a residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) within eight working days - without this, you will not be able to legally stay in the country for the entire period of study.

The list of required certificates and requirements differs depending on the country from which the application is submitted, so before traveling, it is worth checking the current requirements for your case - this will save a lot of time and nerves during the application.

Before applying for study at an Italian university, it is worth understanding the requirements for a student visa in advance - because the absence of even one certificate can lead to a delay in considering the application or refusal.

“Guide for Study” from Visit World contains step-by-step instructions for applying for a student visa: from filling out the application form to passing the visa interview, a full list of required documents, as well as the current cost of application and terms of consideration of the application. Additionally, the guide contains practical advice for those who are going to study abroad for the first time - from everyday life hacks to the nuances of adaptation in a new country. All information comes to your email immediately after payment, so you can prepare for submitting documents without unnecessary stress and unnecessary inquiries at the consulate.

Learn more about the “Guide for Study” and apply for it on the Visit World portal.

Reminder! Studying in Europe is becoming one of the most realistic ways to obtain a residence permit. We have already told you which countries give the greatest chance of staying after studying, finding a job and moving to permanent residence.

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