When it comes to the university education in Italy, especially medical faculties, engineering, architecture, economics, fashion and design faculties stand out.
Italy is home to the oldest universities in the world and has hosted the Bologna process at the University of Bologna in determining higher education standards in Europe.
The process was adopted in 1999 with the signature of 29 countries after negotiations at the University of Bologna to develop standards in academic subjects and higher education in Europe and to establish a fully harmonized higher education system.
Which categories Undergraduate Education in Italy is divided?
Undergraduate education in Italy can basically be divided into two categories:
- Universities: Includes public and private schools.
- Art, music and dance academies.
Universities and other academies provide 1 to 3 years of education and the application requirements are different for each institution.
Along with these options, you also have the option of taking preparatory education in Italy.
For more detailed information, you can take a look at our article about “Studying Foundation Program in Italy“.
The language of instruction in Italy is Italian or English. For international students, Italian language courses offered by universities are also available.
In addition, there are English language program options for foreign students in both undergraduate and master’s degrees.
If you want to enhance your language preference for Italian, there is also an Italian course for all levels.
University Education System in Italy
To study at university in Italy, you can choose from engineering, architecture, medicine, dentistry or any social sciences. In Italy, local and international students have a chance to study in both English and Italian language in each field.
The education system in universities includes similar or the same curriculum in public and private universities, while some schools provide theoretical education, some universities offer practical education opportunities.
Some of the English undergraduate departments preferred by foreign students to study at university in Italy are as follows;
- Digital Management
- Civil Engineering
- Electronic Engineering
- Product Design
- Economics and Business
- Environmental Sciences
- International Trade and Tourism
How many years is the education period of universities?
The years of education based on the fields of undergraduate and graduate education in Italy are as follows;
- Engineering education is 3 years, after 3 years, if you decide to do a master’s degree in 2 years, you can graduate with the title of master engineer.
- The architecture department is also 3 years, you can develop your career in the field of architecture by adding 2 more years of postgraduate education.
- Medicine and dentistry departments take 6 years.
- Veterinary medicine is 5 years.
- In other fields such as law, economics, business administration, economics and social sciences, the education year is 3 years, and 2 years of postgraduate education can be done on it.
Is There Diploma Recognition After Graduation in Italy?
The diploma you will obtain after graduating from any department in Italy is a blue diploma, which means that this diploma is recognized by all of the European Union countries. You can rely on this diploma with confidence in whichever country you want to continue your career.
Some of the Top Ranking Universities in Italy in the World
1 – University of Padua
The University of Padua provides education in various fields such as engineering, medicine, psychology, etc. The world ranking is 115.
2 – University of Bologna
The University of Bologna offers education in many fields, including economics, medicine, social sciences and sciences, and is ranked 122nd in the world.
3 – La Sapienza University of Rome
This university in Rome specializes mainly in engineering and has a world ranking of 125.
4 – University of Milan | University Education in Italy (Bachelor’s Degree)
This university in Milan is ranked 156th in the world.
5 – Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa
The Superiore di Pisa University offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in many different fields and has a world ranking of 183.
6 – Humanitas University
The world ranking of Humanitas University located in Milan, which includes departments such as medicine, dentistry and pharmacy, is in the range of 220 to 250.
Universities Offering Undergraduate Programs in English in Italy
There are more than 90 public universities in Italy, many of which teach in English. Some of the prominent universities are:
- University of Milan
- University of Venice Ca’ Foscari
- University of Turin
- La Sapienza University of Rome
- University of Padua
- University of Bologna
- University of Trieste
- University of Parma
- University of Trento
- University of Siena
- Luigi Vanvitelli University of Naples
- University of Florence
- NABA Art Academy
- Bocconi University
You can also take a look at our article “Italian Universities in the Top 500 in the World Ranking” for more detailed information.
Medical Education in English and Admission Requirements in Italy
You can study medicine in English as well as in Italian. Medical education in Italy lasts for 6 years.
It is compulsory to take the IMAT exam in English, which is organized in more than 20 cities all over the world. You can check our “IMAT” page for exam duration, exam content, application, registration and more detailed details.
The best public Universities offering medical education in Italy are as follows:
- University of Pavia – Pavia
- University of Milan – Milan
- University of Milan Bicocca – Bergamo
- University of Turin – Turin
- University of Bologna – Bologna
- La Sapienza University of Rome – Rome
- University of Rome Tor Vergata – Rome
- University of Naples Federico II – Naples
- University of Padua – Padua
- Luigi Vantitelli University – Naples
- University of Messina – Messina
- University of Bari Aldo Moro – Bari
- University of Siena (Dentistry) – Siena
We can also review our article about ” Studying Medicine in Rome “.
In addition, some private universities also provide medical education. There is no significant difference in medical education between public and private schools in Italy. We can list private medical schools as follows:
- University of Cattolica – Rome
- University of San Raffaele – Milan
- Humanitas University – Milan
- UniCamillus – Rome
You can also examine our article” Studying Medicine at Private Universities in Italy ” in more detail.
Although the IMAT exam is obligatory in all public universities, private universities apply their own exams.
Please also check our page for the “IMAT course” organized by us.
Architecture Education in Italy | Studying Architecture in Italy
Here are some of the best architecture universities of Italy, many of which are also available in English:
- Politecnico di Milano (7th the best university in the world for Architecture)
- Politecnico di Torino (33rd the best university in the world for Architecture)
- La Sapienza University of Rome (among the world’s top 100 universities for Architecture)
- University of Venice IUAV (among the world’s top 100 universities for Architecture)
- University of Naples Federico II (among the world’s top 150 universities for Architecture)
- The University of Bologna (among the world’s top 150 universities for Architecture)
- The University of Padua (among the top 200 universities in the world for Architecture)
- Roma Tre University (among the top 200 universities in the world for Architecture)
- Humanitas University (Private University)
- University of Cattolica (Private university)
- San Raffaele University (Private university)
For more detailed information, you can check our page about ” Studying Architecture in Italy “.
Engineering Education in Italy | Studying Engineering in Italy
There are number of departments in the field of engineering in Italy. The basic principles required to design, build and maintain various machines, structures and systems are taught in the departments where students are trained in the field of General Engineering and Technology. In addition, students will also have the opportunity to specialize in courses such as mathematics, design, thermodynamics, as well as chemistry, mechanical, electrical engineering, etc. Some of the best engineering universities in Italy, most of which also have English study options, are:
- Politecnico di Milano (20th the best university in the world for Engineering)
- Politecnico di Torino (47th the best university in the world for Engineering)
- University of Bologna (119th the best university in the world for Engineering)
- La Sapienza University of Rome (127th the best university in the world for Engineering)
- University of Padua (the 133rd the best university in the world in Engineering)
- University of Naples Federico II (210th the best university in the world for Engineering)
- University of Pisa (218th the best university in the world for Engineering)
- University of Trento (229th the best university in the world for Engineering)
- University of Milan (286th the best university in the world for Engineering)
- University of Rome Tor Vergata (314th the best university in the world for Engineering)
- University of Genoa (378th the best university in the world for Engineering)
For more detailed information, you can check our page about ” Studying Engineering in Italy “.
Documents Required for Undergraduate Degree Applications in Italy
If you want to study at university in Italy, one of the main points you should know is the duration of education.
Medicine and dentistry education lasts for 6 years. Economics, finance, international relations at the undergraduate level in majority of countries lasts for 4 years, while these departments at the undergraduate level in Italy lasts for 3 years.
The documents required for application vary for each department, but they are generally as follows:
- Photocopy of only the front part of the passport
- Original and Italian translation of high school diploma
- A document proving that student has passed the university entrance exam (must be received in the year of application)
- If the student has already registered at a university, the student transcript
- If you are going to study in English, you should have test scores of IELTS 5.5 (minimum) or TOEFL 72 (minimum) (not required for all sections).
- Acceptance letter from the university you are applying to (You can request it from our advisors)
While all documents must be translated into Italian for applications, some universities also accept English translations. All listed documents should be sent to “info@pavaedu.com”.
You can also take a look at our article about “SAT TOEFL and IELTS Exams “.
Undergraduate Study Duration and Dates in Italy
The first semester of the academic year in Italy starts in September-October and ends in January-February, while the second semester starts in February and continues until July.
For more detailed information on Italy undergraduate applications and dates, we recommend you to fill out the application form and generally submit your applications before the end of December and the 15th of January.
The registration, application and acceptance of applications and the completion of preparations for university entrance is a process that continues until June at the latest, although it varies according to each university. For this reason, if you contact us as soon as possible, we can start your application processes immediately according to your university and department preference.
Life in Italy | Studying at University in Italy
Italy, which has hosted different cultures and history for centuries, has a trace in every street.
Endless history and dishes of Italy, which are very similar to Mediterranean cuisine, continue to attract both students and visitors as it has been for centuries.
From the snow-capped Dolomite Mountains in the north to the Mediterranean culture with warm seas in the south, every region of Italy is beautiful and exciting.
Italy is a very attractive country in different respects for international students looking for world-class and affordable education with a wide range of social activities.
Studying university in Italy is among the best options for a student. Italy, which has important universities for each department, also shows this in world university rankings.
Thanks to universities that offer incredible opportunities such as tuition fee waivers, scholarships for international students, dormitories and accommodation, many departments and universities in both Italian and English are waiting for those who want to study in Italy.
Undergraduate Study in Italy – Tuition Expenses
Public university fees in Italy usually range from 150 to 3,500 € per year. In private universities, it varies between 5.000 and 20.000 €. However, there are different scholarship opportunities in each region and university in Italy. The benefits of these scholarship opportunities differ according to the student and the family income of the student. Students who want to study in Italy on scholarships can earn number of scholarships. The results of these scholarships can be in the form of:
- You can pay tuition fees with a minimum amount.
- You can earn a scholarship of 2000 to 5500 euros per year.
- You can use the dining halls free of charge.
- You can take advantage of school accommodation options.
Are there universities free of charge in Italy, can you study for free?
While the prices of private universities in Italy can reach € 4000 to € 5000 per year, and there is no free education option in public universities but very low prices are paid compared to private universities. In other words, tuition fees are paid in the range of € 900 to € 1200 per year at state universities, but these tuition prices can be considered free of charge in addition to the scholarship you will benefit from while studying in Italy.
Undergraduate Education in Italy – Accommodation and Dormitory Facilities
Almost every university in Italy provides dormitory facilities. However, since there is a student limit for the dormitory, applications must be made on time.
Apart from this, there are also some agencies that universities have an agreement with. These agencies offer students various accommodation options. Fees vary according to the region, university, house, dormitory or quality of the hotel.
When making accommodation contracts, you should be careful about the conditions. An added and removed item can put you under great financial burden. For this reason, it is recommended that you get help from experienced and Italian-speaking people.
Fill in our application form and our team in Italy will help you with your adventure to Italy.
For detailed information, you can check our article about ” Accommodation in Italy “.
How to Apply for University Education in Italy?
For your university applications in Italy, you can start preparations after choosing the university you want to study at. We recommend that you start as soon as possible, as public universities may have limited quotas for undergraduate programs and competitive environments.
Undergraduate applications in Italy are slightly different for citizens of non-European Union countries. Therefore, we recommend that you contact us earlier.
You can apply to educational institutions by visiting the Italian Embassy or the Italian Consulate in your country. You need to fill in the application form according to the university degree you have chosen and submit all the necessary documents to the consulate. Missing documents may cause your application to be rejected. Every year, many students’ applications are rejected due to incomplete or incorrect procedures. Therefore, we recommend that you get detailed information from your education counsellor.