Italy is one of the preferable destinations in Europe for international students. So, the study in Italy for Indian students is easy, as for nationals of other countries. Italian universities, colleges, and other educational institutions welcome thousands of students from Asia, African, and other parts of the world. Similarly, living in Italy as a student is a wonderful experience that offers many educational and career benefits. Hence, let’s discuss the steps required to pursue a degree in Italy.
Set your Goal
First, to do study in Italy for Indian students could be beneficial if they choose the right pathway and set the goals. Therefore, you will need to decide whether you want to study there through a scholarship or aspire to enroll in an affordable institution in Italy.
Luckily, international students take advantage of both options, but you must choose your one pathway. Let’s have a look at the brief of available options.
Affordable Universities
A large number of Indian students seeking affordable education are heading towards Europe for their higher studies. Furthermore, Italy is one of the top-most countries of Europe that provides a wide variety of educational programs with low tuition fees.
However, the tuition fees in Italy for international students vary in terms of universities, degrees, and courses they opt for. Hence, I furnished some inexpensive educational institutes in Italy to give you an idea about their tuition fees for international students.
Sapienza (University of Rome)
Sapienza, also called the University of Rome, was founded in 1303, making it the oldest university in Rome and the largest in Europe. Also, there are 115,000 students at Sapienza. So, the Indian students and other foreign citizenship can pay enrolment fees in installments, for instance:
- 1st installment €300
- 2nd installment €350
- 3rd installment €350
- Regional Fees €140
- Total €1.000
University of Pisa
The fee for enrolment in a degree program at the University of Pisa depends on the student’s country of origin. It can vary from a minimum of €356 to a maximum of €2,452. Studying in Italy for Indian students at Pisa University could be very cost-effective, especially for Masters and Doctoral degrees.
University of Florence
The University of Florence is one of the most significant higher education institutions located in the beautiful city of Florence. It is primarily a public research university, embracing 12 departments ranging from agriculture and law to economics and medicine. The university offers over 126 different courses and degrees with a minimum tuition fee starting from € 1040.
University of Siena
Another public research university- the University of Siena, is the most reputed educational institution in Italy. It features 15 academic departments, programmed under five main faculties, including Experimental Sciences, Political Sciences, Economics, Biomedical & Medical Sciences, and the School of Arts. Indian students can study in any of these faculties with a tuition fee starting from € 1800.
Free University of Bozen-Bolzano (Unibiz)
The Unibiz is located in Bolzano in Northern Italy. The university offers study courses and degrees in either English, Italian, or German.
Furthermore, it offers over 30 undergraduate and graduate programs having disciplines of social sciences, economics, education, natural sciences, and engineering. So, the study may vary; for example, if a student pursues a Master in Accounting and Finance, the course duration will be 2 years, and tuition fees are € 748.50 per year.
Ca’Foscari University of Venice (Unive)
The Unive is an international top-notch educational institution located in the scenic city of Venice. Moreover, it offers 28 degrees in English, 35+ professional Masters’s programs, and 15,000+ internships opportunities.
To study in Italy for Indian students, especially in Venice, might be a dream. So, your dream may come true because the Ca’Foscari University of Venice is quite affordable. For example, the maximum tuition fee for 2021/2022 is €1,705 for bachelor’s degree programs. Similarly, the tuition fee for master’s degree programs is €1,928.
University of Trento (Unit)
A public university that has now expanded to a research and education institution lies among the cheapest universities in Italy. It is located in the Northern Italian City of Trento and offers 51 programs and courses in 7 faculties. Moreover, it also offers multiple graduate programs. The institution has a tuition fee starting from €1000, making it much more affordable than other universities in Italy.
Also Read: Affordable Short Courses in Ireland for International Students
Scholarships in Italy
Italian educational institutions offer various scholarships programs. Therefore, the scholarship programs are very significant to study in Italy for Indian students to reduce the education cost. So, you can pursue your degree in Italy through full or partial fee waivers programs. Moreover, some of the popular scholarships in Italy that Indian students can benefit from are:
- Università Cattolica International Scholarships
- Padua International Excellence Scholarship Program
- Bocconi Merit and International Awards (for undergraduate or graduate students- 50% tuition fee waiver program)
- Italian Government Scholarship Program for Foreign Students
- Politecnico di Torino International Scholarships ( to undergraduates for enrollment in engineering and design degree programs)
- Scuola Normale Superiore Ph.D. Scholarships
- EDISU Piemonte Scholarships
- Bologna University Study Grants for International Students (eligibility requires SAT or GRE test and required qualifications from an institution outside of Italy)
- Politecnico di Milano Merit-Based Scholarships for International Students.
Cost of living to study in Italy for Indian students
It’s not that easy to study abroad unless a student has a handsome amount of money. The cost of living in Italy varies from city to city and the sort of accommodation you choose.
Aside from program costs, students will need to pay for their food, transportation, phone, internet, books, etc. The average cost of living in Italy for Indian students would range around approx. 800-1200 Euros per month that may include:
- Independent housing costs: €300 – €700/month
- Shared accommodation: 250-500 Euros/month
- Food & transportation costs: €150 – €250/month
- Phone, internet & Entertainment: €100 – €200/month
Student visa
Indian students who want to study in Italy will need to apply for a “D” visa. So, the Italian study visa fee for Indians is 50 Euros (around INR 4380). Furthermore, their travel or health insurance must include medical and repatriation expenses.
Can Indians study in Italy for free?
The Italian government is trying to draw students from around the world to the country. As a result, international students can study there on a minimum budget. However, Indian students cannot pursue a degree for free in Italy.
FAQ
Yes, you can stay in Italy after graduation once you become a resident. So, it all depends on your visa. A letter of qualification will be issued by your university, which is a letter that states you have achieved your degree and can apply for a proper visa. This is a special permit that allows you to stay in Italy and find work.
For those who want to study in Italy, IELTS is not mandatory in all schools for international students. Instead, they recognize a wide range of English-language proficiency tests, including the TOEFL, the TOEIC, and the Pearsons Test of English.
Yes, foreigners can study in Italy for free. The country offers several funded programs to international students to help them finance their education. The Italian government, for example, has a variety of scholarships for international students, including grants for women and minorities, and financial help for students from developing countries. Italian schools also offer monetary rewards for international students, occasionally in partnership with other companies or organizations.
Yes, you can study in Italy in English. In Italy, most universities offer both English and Italian courses, and some offer only English courses. You can also find private language schools that offer language classes in a variety of languages, including English.
Conclusion
The process to enroll, visa, and then start to study in Italy for Indian students is quite straightforward. You can easily find a suitable Italian university online, choose a degree or course and launch your enrollment application. If a university or college accepts your request, you will win an acceptance letter. Therefore, this article covers important aspects that you may consider if planning to study in Italy. Moreover, I enclosed relevant links wherever necessary to get the latest information from official sites.