Studying Psychology in Italy

Studying psychology in Italy is one of the more underrated choices for international students and that’s slowly changing. Italy combines genuinely affordable tuition with universities that have serious research traditions in the field, and an English-taught undergraduate degree is available if you know where to look.

This guide covers the real picture: which universities offer English programs, what the admission process actually involves, what exams you need, and what it costs.

Why Study Psychology in Italy?

Italy isn’t usually the first country people think of for psychology. Actually that’s worth questioning.

The University of Padua has one of the oldest and most respected experimental psychology departments in Europe. Its research networks span cognitive sciences, neuroscience, and information engineering. Graduates are connected to the international job market through strategic partnerships. Which means your network starts building before graduation, not after.

What makes Italy particularly appealing right now is the expansion of English-taught options. Universities like Bologna, Pavia, and Cattolica have opened new programs in recent years, giving international students more real choices than before. Add Italy’s income-based tuition model to that, and you’re looking at a genuinely competitive alternative to studying psychology in the UK or the US, without the debt that typically follows.

The degree runs 3 years at bachelor’s level and 2 years for master’s. Five years total to complete both, then you move forward.

Universities Offering Psychology Education in Italy

Studying psychology in Italy is possible in Italian as well as in English. If you do not rely on your Italian language level, our Italian language  course will be sufficient at the beginning. If you have a plan to do a master’s degree in Psychology taught in English in Italy and continue your professional life in Italy, you need to make an agreement with the Italians for the program you are studying.

English-Language Programs

• University of Padua
• Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (Milan)  3-year BSc in Psychology, fully English-taught

English-taught master’s programs:

• University of Padua: Clinical, Social & Cross-cultural Psychology; Cognitive Neuroscience & Clinical Neuropsychology; Developmental & Educational Psychology
• University of Pavia: Psychology, Neuroscience & Human Sciences
• University of Bologna: Social Psychology; Organizational Psychology
• Università Cattolica: Psychology; Consumer Behaviour applied to Food, Health & Environment
• Luigi Vanvitelli University: Cognitive Processes Psychology
• La Sapienza University of Rome: Clinical Psychosexology
• San Raffaele University: Cognitive Psychology in Health Communication
• University of Bergamo: Clinical Psychology

Doctoral programs in English:

• University of Bologna

Italian-Language Programs

• University of Cagliari
• University of Brescia
• University of Bergamo
• University of Florence
• University of Milan
• University of Milan-Bicocca
• University of Naples Luigi Vanvitelli
• University of Messina
• University of Naples Federico II
• University of Palermo
• University of Perugia

In addition, you can check our article about “Top 500 Italian Universities”.

Undergraduate Education in Psychology at the University of Padua

Undergraduate program at Department of Psychology of University of Padova lasts for 3 years. Its long tradition in experimental psychology has been shaped through contacts with experts in the cognitive sciences, neuroscience, information engineering, physiology and biology. The main research areas of the department are clinical and health psychology, cognitive, behavioral and emotional neurosciences (including neuropsychology and psychophysiology), experimental and cognitive psychology, comparative and evolutionary psychology, ergonomics, human factors, psychophysics, and quantitative and mathematical psychology.

These programs are;

• Psychological Science:  full-time, in-person in Padua
• Techniques and Methods in Psychological Science: this one runs mainly online. Worth knowing before you apply: the day-to-day experience is quite different from the campus-based program, so make sure you’re choosing the right one for how you actually want to study.

It is an international department where education is organized entirely in English, offering students a basic knowledge of the main areas of psychology, including general, social, dynamic and scientific research methods. As an international environment, the University of Padua connects students wishing to study psychology in Italy with the international labor market through strategic partnership agreements. Students will be able to carry out professional work in the fields of psychometric, psychosocial and developmental assessment, in educational institutions, companies, third sector organizations and human resources management, in public and private structures.

This degree program is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in psychology. It includes both compulsory and optional courses and aims to build the scientific basis for your future studies in psychology and prepare you for work in a variety of sectors. Theoretical learning will be integrated with practical work and experimental activities, so that you will enjoy attending lectures and work in study groups. Seminars and workshops will also be part of the studies. The aim of the University is to encourage its students to take a critical approach to their studies and to gain an international perspective.

For more detailed information, you can take a look at our articles about “Undergraduate Education in Italy” and “Master’s Degree education in Italy“.

Academic Program and Courses

Each academic year consists of two semesters. The curriculum across three years covers:

Year 1: Basic Concepts of Psychology; Brain and Behaviour; Developmental Psychology; Social Psychology and Communication; Dynamic Psychology; Philosophy of Science; Basic Research Methods in Psychology; Academic English

Year 2: Statistical Methods in Psychology; Work and Organisational Psychology; Clinical Psychology;   Psychology of Individual Differences; Principles of Psychodynamic Psychology

Year 3: Introduction to Clinical Health Psychology; Language Psychology; Spatial Cognition; Cognition and Sensory Perception; Genes and Behaviour

Each year includes elective courses to reach the required credit total. Falling short of the annual credit requirement can put your scholarship at risk the following year, something worth keeping in mind from day one.

Each year, students have to choose elective courses to achieve the required amount of credits.

Career opportunities

Graduates of psychology program can find professional employment in public or private institutions, education sector, third sector businesses and organizations.

Under the supervision of a professional psychologist, they might work in health promotion services that concern individual, groups, organizations and communities. All these sectors are concerned with psychometric assessment, psychosocial assistance and human resource development throughout the life.

Moreover, you can read our article about “Job Opportunities After Graduation in Italy”.

Language requirements

A B2-level English certificate is required and must be in hand by 31 July of your application year. IELTS, TOEFL, or an equivalent internationally recognized exam all qualify. The coursework itself is entirely in English, so the certificate is just confirming what you’ll already be doing.

Undergraduate Psychology at Cattolica University

Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore runs a 3-year English-taught BSc in Psychology at its Milan campus. It’s a smaller, more structured environment than the large public universities class sizes are intentionally kept small, and the academic support model reflects that. The curriculum covers human behaviour, mental processes, and emotional development through a mix of lectures, lab sessions, and seminars. Applications for 2026/2027 are closed; the next window opens in autumn 2026 for 2027/2028 entry.

Scholarships and fees

The primary route for international students is the DSU (Diritto allo Studio Universitario)  a regional, need-based scholarship. Students at public universities with a declared annual family income below roughly €25,000 may qualify for:

• Tuition reduced to €156/year
• A cash grant of €5,000–€8,000 annually (the exact figure depends on your region and whether you live away from home)
• A free cafeteria meal card
• Dormitory access with priority allocation

The application window opens in mid-July and closes in early September. Miss it and you wait a full year. From the second year onward, you also need to meet a minimum credit threshold to keep the scholarship worth tracking from your first semester.

For more detailed information, you can take a look at our article about “Scholarship Opportunities in Italy”.

If you would like to obtain more information about the Department of Psychology at the University of Padua, please fill out our application form. Our expert consultants will contact you as soon as possible.

Advantages of Studying Psychology in Italy

• In Italy, the duration of undergraduate education is 3 years and the duration of postgraduate education is 2 years. For this reason, you can finish your education life in a short period of time and take faster steps towards for becoming a psychologist or for working.
• After finishing your university studies in Italy, you get a “blue diploma”. Thanks to this diploma you can find an opportunity to work anywhere in Europe.
• Compared to other European countries, studying psychology in Italy is quite economical and of high quality.
• Studying psychology in Italy give you a chance to learn both Italian and English, and you will have an international cultural and social environment with students coming from many different countries.
• Your living costs in Italy will be affordable as your tuition costs are calculated according to your family income.

Studying Psychology in Italy – Application Requirements

Undergraduate Entry Requirements

• Completed 12 years of education
• For Turkish students, this means obtaining a valid YKS score that makes you eligible to choose a 4-year bachelor’s degree in Turkey; placement at a Turkish university is not required
• B2 English certificate (IELTS, TOEFL or equivalent) obtained by 31 July
• Passed the English-PSY admission test with a score of at least 20/50 (EU students) or 10/50 (non-EU students) to appear in the ranking list

Master’s Entry Requirements

• Undergraduate degree in psychology or a closely related field
• B2 English certificate (IELTS, TOEFL or equivalent)
• A solid academic average  requirements vary by university but a competitive GPA makes a real difference
• A current CV
• Two reference letters

Doctoral Entry Requirements

Applicants holding one of the following are eligible, regardless of age or citizenship:

• A Laurea Magistrale or Laurea Specialistica (second-cycle master’s degree)
• Laurea Vecchio Ordinamento (degree under previous Italian regulations)
• An equivalent degree from an AFAM institution
• A foreign master’s degree considered equivalent to the above

The English-PSY Admission Test (Padua)

For Padua’s English-language psychology programs, the admission test is called the English-PSY test. It’s administered online by CISIA, the same consortium that runs other Italian university entry exams. This is separate from the TOLC-PSI, which applies to Italian-language programs.

The test covers 50 questions in 100 minutes, split across five sections with individual time limits:

Scoring: +1 correct / 0 unanswered / −0.25 wrong.

One thing that trips people up: you do not register for this test separately. Once you complete Padua’s pre-enrollment and pay the €60 application fee, your test registration happens automatically. The test itself is online, you’ll need a computer with a webcam, a stable connection, and a separate phone or tablet for identity verification via Zoom.

Reference application dates (verify annually on Padua’s official site):

• Pre-enrollment window: approximately January–March
• Test date: approximately mid-April
• Rankings published: approximately May
• Application fee: €60 (non-refundable)

TOLC-PSI  For Italian-Language Programs

If Italian-language psychology is your route, the exam you need is the TOLC-PSI, not the English-PSY test. Same 50-question format across the same five sections, but in Italian with an additional 30-question English section appended.

You can sit it multiple times throughout the year, once per month, across sessions running roughly February to November. Results appear immediately after in-person sessions, or within 48 hours for the remote version. The score you submit to your chosen university is up to you most universities accept your best result if you sit it more than once.

How to Become a Psychologist in Italy

A bachelor’s degree on its own doesn’t qualify you to practice. Here’s what the full path looks like:

1. Complete the 3-year bachelor’s
2. Complete the 2-year master’s
3. Complete a supervised practical traineeship
4. Pass the state licensing exam (Esame di Stato)
5. Register with the Ordine degli Psicologi (Order of Psychologists)

Clinical work in Italy is conducted in Italian, so language proficiency matters if you plan to practice here. International clinics that operate in English exist, but they’re a small part of the market.

Studying Psychology in Italy – Tuition Expenses

One important detail that every individual who wants to study psychology in Italy is curious about is university fees. University fees in Italy vary between 156 € and 3500 € and based on the family income calculated for each student. According to this situation, scholarship opportunities might be offered based on your family income. Due to the high exchange rate, students usually benefit from a discount on tuition fees and you can also receive an annual scholarship of € 4000 to € 8200. In addition to these, extra discounts and scholarships are also given according to the student’s success and/or daily free meal.

Studying Psychology in Italy Accommodation Facilities

Accommodation and dormitory facilities are available at most universities in Italy. Students have options ranging from single rooms to shared apartments, at prices to suit most budgets.

Monthly costs in Padua typically sit between €300 and €500 lower than Milan or Rome, which makes it one of the more manageable northern Italian cities for a student budget.

If you cannot find a place to stay, most universities have agreements with private housing providers that offer verified options near campus.

For more detailed information, please see our article about “Accommodation in Italy“.

Using the Pava Education counselling service will set you on the best route to become a psychologist. Please fill out our application form for studying psychology in Italy and university admission processes without wasting time. Our expert education consultants will contact you as soon as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work as a psychologist in Italy after graduating?

The bachelor’s alone isn’t enough. You need the master’s, a supervised traineeship, the state exam, and registration with the professional order. Practicing clinically also requires functional Italian.

What does a newly graduated psychologist earn in Italy?

Entry-level salaries typically fall between €2,000 and €2,500/month, varying by employer and specialty. The blue diploma opens doors across the EU, where salaries in some countries run considerably higher.

Is YKS required?

Yes. Turkish students need to have sat both the TYT and AYT and cleared the minimum threshold. You don’t need to have been placed at a Turkish university  just crossing the threshold is enough.

Is there Erasmus for psychology?

Most Italian public universities with psychology programs have active Erasmus partnerships. The standard requirements apply: language proficiency and a minimum credit count.

Studying psychology in Italy is a decision that makes financial and academic sense for the right student. The programs are real, the costs are manageable, and the path from admission through to licensure  is clearly defined. The moving parts (English-PSY test, scholarship deadlines, visa timeline) are manageable with the right preparation.

At Pava Education, we work with psychology applicants from the first research stage through to enrollment. If you want to map out your options and timeline, fill out our application form and a consultant will reach out.