Universities in Italy

Italy has one of the oldest university traditions in Europe: the University of Bologna dates from 1088, the University of Padua from 1222 and the University of Naples Federico II from 1224. Today the system is large and closely regulated. According to the Ministry of Universities and Research (MUR) statistics portal, 2,026,774 students were enrolled at Italian universities in the 2024-25 academic year, and 415,553 graduated with a first- or second-level degree in 2024.

SpainExchange lists 93 universities and university-level institutions in Italy, with the largest groups in Rome, Milan, Florence and Naples.

Types of universities

Italian law recognises four types of university:

• State universities, such as Sapienza Università di Roma, founded in 1303
• legally recognised non-State (private) universities, whose degrees have the same value as State degrees, such as Luiss Guido Carli in Rome
• legally recognised non-State distance-learning (telematic) universities, which teach online while exams and thesis defences take place in person, such as Università Telematica Internazionale UNINETTUNO
• specialised graduate schools focused on research and doctoral training, such as the Scuola Normale Superiore and the Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna in Pisa

Alongside the universities, 144 institutions belong to the AFAM system (Alta Formazione Artistica, Musicale e Coreutica: fine arts academies, music conservatories and design schools), which awards first- and second-level academic diplomas equivalent to degrees.

How degrees work

Italian credits (CFU) are equivalent to ECTS: one credit corresponds to about 25 hours of work, and a full year is 60 credits. Degrees follow three cycles:

• Laurea (bachelor's degree): three years, 180 CFU
• Laurea Magistrale (master's degree): two years, 120 CFU
• Laurea Magistrale a ciclo unico (single-cycle degree): five years and 300 CFU for subjects such as law, pharmacy and architecture, or six years and 360 CFU for medicine and dentistry
• Dottorato di ricerca (PhD): at least three years, and most programmes pay a monthly scholarship

The academic year starts in the autumn. Most bachelor's programmes are taught in Italian, while several master's programmes are taught in English. Some universities work in more than one language: at the Libera Università di Bolzano the official languages are Italian, German and English.

Admission for international students

Each university decides on admission and evaluates foreign qualifications itself. Requirements vary by programme and can include an admission test or interview and proof of language level; universities test Italian for courses taught in Italian. The usual steps for students from outside the EU are:

• choose a programme and check its entry requirements with the university
• complete the pre-enrolment application on the Universitaly portal
• receive a letter of eligibility for enrolment from the university
• apply for a student visa at the Italian embassy or consulate; for degree programmes in the 2026-27 academic year the deadline is 30 November 2026
• within eight working days of arrival, apply for a residence permit for study

EU and EFTA citizens do not need a visa. Students with fewer than 12 years of schooling can take a foundation year, and the Università per Stranieri di Siena and the Università per Stranieri di Perugia run year-round Italian language courses. For the recognition of a foreign qualification, Universitaly refers students to CIMEA, the Italian ENIC-NARIC centre.

Costs and funding

Fees at State universities depend on family income, measured by the ISEE indicator; foreign students need an ISEE parificato. There is a national No Tax Area that reduces or waives fees for low-income students, and universities add their own rules. At Sapienza, for example, first-year bachelor's and master's students with an ISEE of no more than €24,000 pay no tuition fees, and there is a separate fee scale for students with foreign citizenship or income. Private universities set their own fees.

Scholarships come from the regional right-to-study agencies and from the universities, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAECI) offers scholarships for foreign students. PhD scholarships are currently €16,243 per year. Students who are not covered by an EU health card must take out private health insurance or enrol in the national health service (SSN).

How to choose a university

• Language of instruction: Italian for most bachelor's degrees; English is more common at master's level
• Type of institution: State, private, telematic or specialised graduate school
• Admission: some programmes require an admission test or an interview before the course starts
• Fees: ISEE-based at State universities; check the scale for foreign income
• City and housing: regional agencies manage student residences and grants

Frequently asked questions

Can I study at an Italian university in English?

Yes, especially at master's level. Most bachelor's programmes are taught in Italian, while several master's programmes are taught in English.

How much does a public university in Italy cost?

Fees at State universities depend on family income (ISEE). Low-income students can be exempt; at Sapienza, for example, first-year students with an ISEE of up to €24,000 pay no tuition fees.

How do I apply to an Italian university from outside the EU?

Contact the university, complete the pre-enrolment application on Universitaly, and apply for a student visa with the letter of eligibility. For degree programmes in 2026-27 the visa deadline is 30 November 2026.

Are degrees from Italian private and online universities valid?

Yes, if the university is legally recognised: degrees from recognised non-State and telematic universities have the same value as State degrees.