Study in Italy: Top Universities, Courses, Scholarships, Course Fees and Job Opportunities

Italy is a wonderful place to study and work with mesmerizing landscapes, divine Italian cuisine, vibrant culture, captivating art and architecture, and rich historical backgrounds. Apart from these, Italy also offers a standard education to students from all around the globe and promising career options to job seekers. In recent times around 1M+ students enrolled for studies in Italy. Around 62% of students enrolled for bachelors while 19.4% enrolled for master’s degrees in Italy. This blog discusses in detail the various aspects and requirements of studies and careers in Italy for International students.

Understanding Italian Culture and Language. 

With over 60 million people (about twice the population of Texas), Italy has rich culture and heritage. Italians give importance to family, art, music, and food. They love spending much time with the family and frequently host large gatherings and meals for the same. Italy is filled with some finest churches and castles with intricate paintings, and it is a hometown to great artists in history like Michelangelo and Da Vinci. When speaking of the language, the Italian language evolved from the Latin language. However, there are different dialects in different regions, and only the standard Italian language is used for writing officially. It is the official language of Vatican City and some regions of Slovenia and Croatia.

Apart from artists, Italy has also housed some exceptional writers in literature who produced excellent masterpieces. People in Italy have high standards for appearance and fashion. They dress up well and also exhibit confidence and style. Italians are widely Roman Catholics and have a saint for every profession. They also follow decent etiquette for even greeting and gifting people. All these are some of the culture and customs of Italians. Overall, it is a wonderful place to stay and study in.

Why Choose Italy for Your Study Abroad Journey?  

Italy is well known as the education powerhouse of Europe and attracts a huge crowd of international students every year. There are a lot of reasons why a student must opt to take up studies in Italy, and some of them are as follows:

• It is not required for a student to know the Italian language to take up studies in the country. Almost every college and university in Italy conducts programs and classes in English to help international students to benefit from it.
• The student gets exposed to Italy's rich culture and art while studying there.
• The quality of education in Italy is high, and it is also the home to some of the best universities, including the world’s oldest university, the Bologna University. Italy has been a hub for higher education for many years.
• The universities in Italy offer a variety of programs for International students to choose from visual arts, writing, and fashion.
• One of the fascinating things to enjoy while studying in Italy is Italian cuisine. The student can shop at local markets, taste heavenly delicacies, and get accustomed to Italian customs and etiquette.
• The top of all reasons to take up studies in Italy is that it is a student-friendly country with a low cost of living and a decent tuition fee.
• Italy has the pride of producing a large number of scientists and researchers. The country spends a considerable amount yearly to increase the quality of research conducted in its laboratories.

Top Universities in Italy for Indian Students

Apart from the rich art and culture, Italy has the best universities with excellent rankings worldwide. The universities in Italy have decent tuition fees and a relatively low cost of living, making it quite affordable for international students to study there. The following are some of the well-renowned Italian universities and their rankings worldwide:

Top Courses to Pursue in Italy for Indian Students

Being the heart of Europe and a country with a rich cultural heritage, Italy has recorded some of the best and oldest universities in the World. Apart from imparting knowledge, the courses in the universities of Italy are tailored to provide the best professional skills and training. Some of the most preferred courses in Italy by students all over the world are as follows:

Design Courses

Design courses in Italy offer various degrees, like masters in design, cars, interior design, fashion, accessory designs, and marketing of luxurious products. Some notable universities offering design courses in Italy are as follows:

• Public University in Milan
• Istituto Marangoni International
• Polimoda
• Istituto Europeo di Design
• Accademia Italiana

Art and Architecture Courses in Italy

Italy is a country filled with a lot of art and architectural beauty. Almost every street and city in the country are filled with Roman architecture. So taking up art and architectural studies in Italy has its significance. Universities that include this degree are as follows:

• Sapienza University of Rome
• Iuav University of Venice
• Politecnico di Milano
• Politecnico di Torino
• University of Bologna

Business and Management

This is one of the highly preferred courses in Italy and covers various topics in business management, policies and theories. Some major universities offering these courses are as follows:

• University of Turin
• Alma Mater Studiorum
• LUISS Guido Carli
• Bocconi University
• SDA Bocconi School of Management

Hospitality and Tourism

Italy facilitates and attracts tourism more than any other country. The magnificent and appealing cities provide various opportunities for hospitality and tourism. This includes courses like BBA in Sustainable Hospitality Management, BA in Tourism Management, BA in Hospitality Innovation and E Tourism, and BA in Economics and Business Management. Some major universities with hospitality and tourism degree are as follows:

• Guglielmo Marconi University
• Rome Business School
• University IULM - Milan
• University of Parma
• ESCP Business School

MBA Courses

Italy has some of the world-ranked b schools and universities that offer quality education to students. MBA degree includes courses in luxury brand management, technology management, finance, business, international management, and more. Some prestigious universities offering MBA in Italy are as follows:

• LUISS Business School
• University of Pisa
• Bologna Business School
• University of Florence
• University of Padova

Cultural Studies

This includes diplomas, short courses, PG degrees, and certifications in this magnificent country's art, history, and archaeology. Some of the universities offering this course are:

• ASERI
• Rome School of Communications
• ALMED
• Tor Vergata University of Rome

Engineering

Italy offers plenty of options to study engineering like mechanical, wood, automotive, aerospace, civil, automation engineering, and more. Some universities offering Engineering degrees in Italy are:

• Politecnico di torino
• University of Padua
• University of Rome Tor Vergata
• University of Trento
• University of Pisa

Medicine

Medical degree in Italy offers various fields like endocrinology, cardiology, neurology, pediatrics, pathology, orthopedics, radiotherapy, and more. Some universities offering Medical degrees in Italy are:

• University of Milan
• University of Padua
• University of Turin
• University of Florence
• University of Bologna

Law

This includes degrees like European and International law, IT law and legal informatics, law of Internet Technology, master in Corporate Law, and more. Universities providing this degree are:

• University of Bologna
• University of Milan
• University of Padua
• Sapienza University of Rome

Social Sciences and Humanity

This includes degrees like bachelor's and master's in International Cooperation, World Politics, Public Administration, and International Relations. Universities providing this degree are:

• University of Pavia
• University of Rome Tor Vergata
• University of Milan
• University of Turin
• The Catholic University of Sacred Heart

Admissions Process and Requirements in Italy for Indian Students

Applying to Italian universities is quite simple. Any non-EU student can approach the Italian embassy at their place and submit a pre-application request correctly mentioning the degree and university selected. There are two intakes in Italian universities which are as follows:

• First Intake – September – January/February
• Second Intake – February – July

Requirements to Apply to an Italian University

• A duly filled application form
• Recent Photographs
• Copies of the school certificates and degree certificates
• Test scores of the English proficiency tests
• Updated resume and CV
• Letters of Recommendation
• Letter of Motivation
• SAT/ACT scores
• Statement of Purpose
• Portfolio of the candidate

Application Process in Italy

The candidate can follow the below-mentioned steps to apply to an Italian university:

• Log in to the university’s portal and submit the application
• Select international students’ registration in the Italian tax ID section and fill in the details carefully.
• Fill in the academic details like the program chosen, degree, course completion date, and the appropriate qualification, and then click submit.
• Upload the right documents and submit the application

Exams to Take Up To Study in Italy

In order to take up studies in Italy, a student has to clear certain foreign entrance examinations to prove their language and academic skills. Some of these foreign entrance tests are as follows:

English Proficiency Tests

The English proficiency test scores may vary from one university to the other. The following are the accepted English proficiency tests in Italian universities:

• IELTS – Most Italian universities prefer the International English Language or IELTS. A student has to score anywhere around 5.5 to 6.5 band scores to get into a Canadian university
• TOEFL – This is yet another important English test to take up studies in Italy. A student has to get the following scores in TOEFL :

- TOEFL iBT – around 79 – 90

- TOEFL CBT – around 213

- TOEFL- around 547

• PTE Academic – A student has to score around 42 – 50 PTE scores to get into universities in Italy.

Italian Language Proficiency Tests

The universities in Italy ask for Italian language proficiency test scores for certain courses with the Italian language as the medium of instruction. Some of the Italian language proficiency tests are as follows:

• Certificate of Knowledge of the Italian Language or the CELI
• Certification of Italian as a Foreign Language – CILS
• Italian Language Project Dante Alighieri – PLIDA
• Italian Certification – IT

Academic Tests

Along with the language tests, Italian universities also ask for the academic exams scores like the following:

• GRE – The Graduate Record Examination or the GRE is for students who wish to pursue degrees like MSC and MBA. A student has to achieve an average score of around 150 to get through the examination
• GMAT – The Graduate Management Test, or the GMAT, is for students pursuing Business and Management courses in universities and B-schools. A student has to score around 550 – 600 to get admission into Italian universities.
• MAT – The Mathematics Admissions Test or the MAT is for a few undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Italy
• IMAT – The International Medical Admissions Test, or IMAT, is for students pursuing ug medical courses in Italian universities.

Cost of Living in Italy for Indian Students

Cost of Living Charges

The cost of living for International Students in Italy is considerably lesser than in other European countries. The cost of living can be broken down into many factors, like accommodation, tuition fees, travel, and food. It also varies with different cities; for example, the cost of living in Rome and Milan is higher than that of Turin, Catania, and Naples. Therefore it will be best to select the right place to stay in and in a place that will be easy to commute to college to cut down on a few expenses. The following is the breakdown of the cost of living charges in Italy:

Tuition Fee

• Public Universities - € 900 - € 5000 approximately per year
• Private Universities - €6000 - €25000 approximately per year

Accommodation Charges

• Rented apartment ( single person) - € 500 - €800 approximately per month
• Student accommodations - € 300 - €400 approximately per month
• Shared apartment - €250 - €500 approximately per month

Transportation Costs

• Tram/Metro/ Bus Tickets - €25 - €50 approximately per month

Food Costs

• Groceries - €100 - €200 approximately per month
• Italian Restaurants - €8 - €2.50 approximately per person

Other Charges

• Phone and Internet Bills - €30 - €50 approximately per month
• Social activities and Entertainment - € 30 - €50 approximately per month
• Study materials and Books - €35 - €50 approximately per month

Top Scholarship Programs for Indian Students in Italy

The following are some of the top scholarship programs for the reference of international students:

• Scuola Normale Superiore Ph.D Scholarships - Ph.D. programs
• Politecnico International Scholarships- Masters of Science programs
• Bocconi Merit International Awards - Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees
• Padua International Excellence Scholarship Programs- Bachelor’s and Master’s programs
• Italian Government Scholarships for Foreign Students - Master’s, AFAM, and Ph.D. programs
• Regione Veneto Scholarships - Bachelor’s, Master’s, Single-cycle, Ph.D. programs
• EDISU Piemonte Scholarships - Bachelor’s, Master’s degree, Ph.D. courses, or Single Cycle Master’s degree
• University of Bologna Study Grants for International Students - Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees
• The University of Cattolica International Scholarships - All degree programs

Career Opportunities and Life after Graduation in Italy

Italy provides countless options for international students to begin a successful career there. The students learn many new things and are exposed to many opportunities in Italy, which in turn helps them grow personally and professionally. The following are some of the in-demand fields in Italy for International students:

• Tourism and Hospitality
• Information Technology
• Marketing and Advertising
• Language and translations
• Art
• Architecture
• International Business
• Research
• Healthcare
• Engineering
• Manufacturing

Visa Process for Indian Students in Italy

The visa processing for Indian students involves several steps. Therefore, starting the process well in advance is important to avoid any last-minute delays. It is also to be noted that there will be constant changes in the visa regulations. Hence, a student should keep checking the Italian embassy or consulate to get updated information. A general overview of the general visa process is as follows:

• The first main step is to obtain the acceptance letter from the university because that is the first thing required for the application of the Italian visa
• There are two types of visas for students :

- Type D Student Visa: For degree programs ( for stays longer than 90 days)

- Type C Short-Stay Student Visa: For degree programs ( for stays up to 90 days)

The student has to choose the right visa type that suits his/her purpose.

• The next step is to gather all the required documents like the below:

- Duly filled and signed visa application form

- A valid Passport

- Passport-sized photographs

- An Acceptance Letter

- Proof of sufficient funds

- Proof of accommodation arrangements in Italy

- Health Insurance

- Proof of transportation

• The next step is to pay the visa fee at the Italian embassy or consulate in India. This may require booking an appointment well in advance.
• The candidate should then attend the interview as a part of the visa processing.
• The candidate should then provide the biometrics to the consulate.
• Lastly, the candidate has to wait for the processing and then collect the visa from the consulate.
• On arrival, the candidate should acquire a residence permit if he/she stays more than 90 days in the country. This has to be done within 8 days of arrival date in Italy.

Ways to Find Jobs in Italy

• The candidate must try building the network by attending various fairs and alumni events and contacting field experts.
• Tailoring the resume and CV according to the needs of the Italian job market is mandatory.
• Taking up Italian language classes and improving language skills is a plus.
• Searching for jobs in Italy through online job portals can be very helpful.
• Taking up internships and freelancing is also equally important while searching for jobs.
• The candidate can reach the university's career center anytime for career guidance.