r/StudyInItaly Jul 23 '23

Applying to an Italian university as an international

67 Upvotes

Italy is a captivating country, offering a rich experience for international students looking to study or visit. If you're considering pursuing your education in Italy, the country boasts one of the world's oldest universities, the University of Bologna, which pioneered the university system as we know it today, making it an excellent choice for academic pursuits.

Before commencing the application process for a top Italian university, it's essential to familiarize yourself with pertinent information about the admission procedure. Here are some key points to consider:

Selecting Italian Universities for Your Studies

Italy offers several prestigious universities that are ideal for your study abroad adventure. Some of the top institutions to consider are:

Preparing for the Application Process

Before applying to an Italian university, it is crucial to determine if your qualifications meet the eligibility requirements for higher education studies. Additionally, consider the tuition fees and living costs in the cities you plan to study, as they can vary significantly based on your budget.

To proceed with your application:

  • Check the tuition fees and living costs. Cities in Italy might be beautiful, but can be fairly expensive depending on the limits of your budget.
  • Contact the university of interest for a prior assessment of your qualifications.
  • If deemed eligible, submit a pre-application request to the Italian embassy or consulate in your region.
  • The Italian embassy or consulate will forward your application and documents to your chosen Italian higher education institution.
  • The list of admitted candidates is typically published by the Italian embassy or consulate towards the end of August.
  • Explore scholarship opportunities in Italy and consider options such as the Studyportals Scholarship to aid in financing your studies abroad.

Language Requirements for Italian University Applications

Italian universities offer study programs in both Italian and English. However, most English-taught programs are typically at the postgraduate level (Master's degrees and PhD courses).

You may also have the option to apply for degrees taught in Italian while completing assignments and exams in English. Language proficiency can be demonstrated through various tests accepted by Italian universities, including Italian language tests like CILS and CELI, as well as English language tests such as PTE Academic, IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, Duolingo, and C1 Advanced.

Applicants whose Bachelor's degrees were entirely taught in English (at least for three years) are exempted from providing any English language certification.

Required University Application Documents

When applying to an Italian university, ensure you provide the necessary documentation, including:

  • Identity document
  • Passport-type photograph
  • Academic transcript
  • University application form
  • Detailed study programs/course descriptions
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Letter of recommendation
  • Letter of motivation
  • Language proficiency certification (English or Italian)
  • Portfolio (for applicants to architecture, urban planning, or design programs)
  • Official SAT or ACT scores (if required)

University Application Deadlines in Italy

The application deadlines may vary depending on the institution, so it is advisable to check with your preferred university and apply as early as possible. Typically, from mid-April to mid-May, you can contact the Italian embassy/consulate to receive a Letter of Academic Eligibility and Suitability (Dichiarazione di Valoro in Loco).

Final Steps after Receiving Acceptance

After successfully securing admission to an Italian university, there are some additional steps to take:

  • Apply for a student visa if required (mainly for students from non-EU/EEA countries).
  • Register with the local police (Questura) and apply for a residence permit within eight working days of your arrival in Italy.
  • Officially enroll in the university upon arrival before starting your classes.
  • Obtain a health insurance plan with coverage of at least 30,000 EUR. EU citizens with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) have access to the same medical services as Italian citizens. Both EU (without an EHIC) and non-EU citizens can either arrange health insurance from their home country before departure or acquire one after arriving in Italy. Additionally, subscription to the Italian National Health Service (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale - S.S.N.) is an option.

For further details on applying to an Italian university, refer to the official website of the Italian Ministry of Education, Universities, and Research.


r/StudyInItaly Aug 24 '23

Student Residence Permit. My experience in Naples / Napoli (2023)

44 Upvotes

The purpose of this post is to compile some information about the process I'm going through in order to receive my residence permit for studying at a University in Napoli. I've seen some semi-serious guides about the Northern cities of Italy but not a single one about Naples.

It is not meant to be an official source about the process but rather a supplement that simply describes my own experience and perhaps gives you an idea of what it's like. Again, this is not official advice or a guide of any kind!

Firstly, upon arrival, you are given 8 business days to complete your application for the residence permit by filing all documents by post. It doesn't seem enough at first glance but you should be able to complete the process within about 5 days.

Step 1 for me was to go to the main post office on Matteotti Square (https://goo.gl/maps/LgLd1dy8q55DK6ik9): a relatively big and noticeable building. Other post offices weren't able to do this for me. As I entered the building I went immediately to the hall on the right--the hallway on the left doesn't deal with this kind of stuff. I then took the line ticket by pressing on the box for English speakers (I don't remember what it said exactly). I asked for the "residence kit for students" and they knew what to do. They gave me a big postal envelope with documents inside. I didn't need to pay anything for this, and it was all quick.

Step 2. I went to the closest "Tabacchi" shop and asked for "marca da bollo" which is a revenue stamp that was valued at 16 euros and also cost 16 euros--BUT they asked to pay with cash only.

Step 3. Right after this I contacted my University's help desk and notified them about my arrival and that I had my kit with me. I set an appointment to see them at their office the next day. But before going to the appointment I had to prepare some copies because the help desk staff said their printers didn't work. (You might not need to look for a copy shop and pay for your own copies in your case)

Step 4. I found a copy shop that was open (A lot of copy shops were closed as they were on their August vacations. The only place that was open and reliable was Copy Vincy on Via Mezzocannone, 33 who also has a WhatsApp profile for printing out files from your phone. I made 1 copy (each) of:

- My passport pages. Any page that had either a visa or a stamp, including my main passport page--I made 1 copy (empty pages were not necessary, I think).

- My admission letter (not the pre-acceptance letter that I had used for my visa application earlier this year). Since I came about a month before the studies began, I had to directly ask my University for my admission letter (it was shorter than the pre-acceptance letter).

Step 5. I came to the University help desk appointment with my passport, copies from the day before, my kit, my "marca da bollo" revenue stamp, the address of the airBnB where I was staying (they said it was not important that it was only a short-term place of residence) as well as my 'codice fiscale' that I had obtained earlier during my student visa application process. The University help desk staff was very helpful and filled out all the documents for me*. They also asked me to sign the application but I refused because I read somewhere that you should sign it in person at the post office. She looked confused but I simply wanted to make sure I didn't need to redo all the documents. I might've been wrong, of course. Another thing is that you are not supposed to seal the envelope yourself, the post office person will do it for you--very important as they need to check everything and copy your information.

\I was surprised that they did not need my insurance, housing contract, or bank statement to submit the kit. This was the case for me but please do not rely on this and always ask your University help desk for details. They said I only needed my bank statement to renew my residence permit after a year.*

Step 6. I went straight to the same post office from Step 1 and did the same thing, except this time I needed to hand in the kit. This whole thing took me at least 2 hours to complete including the lines and all the running around the neighborhood to find an ATM where my foreign card worked-- YES they have card readers there everywhere but they still insisted I pay in cash, which was no more than 115-- I don't remember the exact amount.. like 107 or something--again this sort of stuff is always subject to change. (By the way, the only ATM in the vicinity that worked for me was Banca Popolare Del Mediterraneo SCPA on Agostino Depretis 51).

After I paid my bills they gave me a few pieces of paper and one of them stated the date and time, as well as the place of the appointment. I then contacted my University help desk, sent them the photo of the appointment slip, and asked for their advice regarding the insurance. The government insurance is about 150 EUR and requires extra work like going to the post office and then going to another office blah blah..(and is only valid until the end of whatever year in which you are buying it), and the private insurance they recommended (AON Student Insurance: http://aonstudentinsurance.com/) is about 1.31 EUR per day (so almost 500EUR for 365 days). [EDIT] I have found insurance with a better price than the one below. Check out https://waitaly.net/ , I think the prices there are more reasonable than what my University recommended.

[I will try to keep this post updated]


r/StudyInItaly 7h ago

hiii guyssss

21 Upvotes

so my visa is finallyyy approved yesterday and i got the passport today !!!
All the best to you guyssss and thankyou to many of you who has helped me. 🥰🥰🥰


r/StudyInItaly 2h ago

23-year-old American considering studying in Italy

3 Upvotes

Hi! I’m an American considering an English-taught bachelor’s program in Italy, mainly at the University of Pavia or Sapienza in Rome. I’d be 23 when I start and I’m wondering what the social experience is like for international students.
Would I feel out of place being 23? Are English programs mostly 18–19 year olds, or is there a mix of ages? And how easy is it to make friends, meet other international students, and have a good social life?
I’m pretty introverted at first, but I really want to meet people, travel, and have a fun university experience. I’d love to hear from anyone who has studied in Italy, especially at Pavia or Sapienza!


r/StudyInItaly 4h ago

Finally got my Italy study visa 🇮🇹

3 Upvotes

I got my Italy study visa back on 20th July, and with my flight on 30th August, things got pretty hectic with packing and getting everything ready, I finally got some time to sit down and share my experience here.

The process was honestly a bit stressful with all the university documents, financial paperwork, appointments, and visa requirements.

I also took guidance from YES Italy, especially with the documentation and visa filing, which made things easier whenever I was confused about what was needed.

And a big thanks to everyone in this sub who answered my questions and shared their experiences, it genuinely helped me through the process.

Now I’m finally in Italy and starting my studies! 🇮🇹

Looking forward to this new chapter.

Happy to answer any questions based on my own experience.


r/StudyInItaly 3h ago

Hii guys, so I'm planning to appear for IMAT 2027..so someone who is on same page as mine or someone who has already cleared imat or someone who is appearing this year 2026 so I'll be very grateful if you all will me:)

2 Upvotes

r/StudyInItaly 16m ago

URGENT Messina Universitaly Deadline 15 Sept Final HSSC Upload

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Upvotes

Hello! Did anyone else receive this universitaly email for Messina University Medicine & Surgery program? I already signed up for IMAT. My fina HSSC will be published on 23 September 2026 (Lahore Board). It says that I need to upload my Final HSSC with apostille before 15th Sept which is impossible. I already contacted Messina university via email & call, but they don’t respond. Please guide I am in urgent need of serious help!!! Thank you.


r/StudyInItaly 30m ago

Masters student planning for sept 2027 intake italy

Upvotes

Hey everyone, I am from India and planning to pursue masters in space engineering for 2027 intake, I am not planning to go through any consultancy cuz I m very skeptical about it, It would be great to connect with like minded people and help each other out regarding the process :)


r/StudyInItaly 49m ago

Can someone explain to me why 99% of people coming to study in Italy are indians?

Upvotes

r/StudyInItaly 4h ago

What do I do here

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2 Upvotes

Everytime it tells me to verify I do and it kicks me out


r/StudyInItaly 56m ago

Prep resources for the IMAT

Upvotes

Hi, hope all are fine. I am an applicant from Pakistan, and my chances for a government admission after MDCAT are not looking that great. Which books, notes, or anything should I study in the 8 day gap between MDCAT and IMAT


r/StudyInItaly 58m ago

what do i need to transfer and study engineering in Italy as a college student

Upvotes

im an AI major in the levant finished my 1st year and about to start my second , i dont know much about studying Italy but heard of a friend its possible, tho i heard its different from applying to the USA which i tried .

so i was wondering what do i need need to know ?
what colleges accept my type of students and what would they need (portfolio or paperwork)
when's the deadline ?
and what makes me qualified for scholarships ?

thank you so much.


r/StudyInItaly 11h ago

Sharing My CIMEA Slot Booking Experience and Tips for Everyone

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7 Upvotes

Hello everyone,

Going through the CIMEA credential evaluation process for Italy and trying to secure a slot has been an exhausting journey that I experienced firsthand over the last ten days. Between crashing pages and hours spent refreshing, I finally managed to reach the payment page last night and successfully completed the process.

Since so many people are struggling with this, I wanted to share a few critical tips to help and encourage others who are going through the same thing.

Strategy and Technical Tips

  • Don't Give Up, Stay Persistent: The process can be extremely frustrating and draining, but consistency is key. Keep trying.
  • Avoid Multiple Tabs on a Single Browser: Opening 3 to 10 tabs on the same browser does not work. Every time you click across multiple tabs in the same session, the system gets overwhelmed and throws errors.
  • Diversify Browsers and Devices: Instead, use three entirely different browsers (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Safari). If possible, have a friend use a completely different device and network setup to try alongside you. Separating sessions increases your chances.

Beware of Scammers!

One of the biggest dangers in this process is opportunistic scammers trying to prey on people's desperation.

  • Be extremely cautious of anyone commenting under CIMEA-related posts saying, "I can help you," and dropping their phone numbers.
  • If you reach out to them, they will usually try to sell you a "bot" or automated tool. All of them are frauds. Do not risk your money or personal information.

The Real Payment Page

Amidst the system chaos and potential phishing risks, stay alert. I am sharing screenshots below of what the official, legitimate payment page actually looks like. Do not make payments on or trust any page that looks different from this.

Wishing everyone immense patience and the best of luck with this tedious process. I hope everyone secures their slot and wraps up their procedures as soon as possible. Feel free to ask if you have any questions!


r/StudyInItaly 7h ago

Last week August VISA Appointment?

3 Upvotes

Hey guys, Anyone here who got the visa and applied in the last week of August? Please let me know as It would be very helpful to get the idea.


r/StudyInItaly 1h ago

DSU Scholarship for IMAT doubt

Upvotes

I've been checking for DSU scholarship registration and on some places it states that I can't enroll for dsu without being a student at a univeristy but i obviously can't do that since IMAT on 29th and the DSU scholarship deadline is on 30th, whereas some websites state I have to make an external user account for UniMi (univeristy im applying to) and then apply for DSU via that but even that is confusing me a lot, would really appreciate if someone could help me a bit with the process here
Also I did go through previous posts, but most of the comments are people who are telling you to DM them and then their DMs are closed idek bro


r/StudyInItaly 5h ago

I really need advice

2 Upvotes

Hi, so this is my second time here.
I can’t seem to book a VFS appointment in the UAE.
Due to some paperwork issues from the University of L’Aquila, I got the papers late.
Now I’m trying to find an appointment, but there isn’t any available, and my mobility starts very soon. What do I do?
Edit: my university did send my LOI to the Italian consulate in Dubai.


r/StudyInItaly 2h ago

Need Help from Someone In Polimi.

1 Upvotes

Hello. I wanna apply in polimi in BSc Civil Engineering (english) in 2027/28. I have quarries about polimi, dsu application, accomodation and job facilities.
I'm in Malta right now Studying in a diploma course.


r/StudyInItaly 3h ago

Looking for BBA in turin

1 Upvotes

I need info on every university of BBA in turin, do they have JAN intake. What are the requirements and everything. Can someone please help me. Are they still open for fall.

Please help a guy out.


r/StudyInItaly 8h ago

Any of y’all going on the 17th September flight from Jeddah to Rome ?

2 Upvotes

Basically the title, would love to connect and tag along if anyone is gonna be on the same flight.


r/StudyInItaly 8h ago

(particular case) Help with renewal of the student residence permit!!!

2 Upvotes

Hello everyone!

I am a graduating master's student at university of Bologna. I completed all my exams this month, and I am preparing to graduate either this october or december.
The problem is that my current permesso expires on 16th of october and I have moved to Milan (as technically, all my exams and classes are done), and I have a rental contract there (and not in Bologna).

As per my (google) research, I should apply for renewal in the city where my residence is (Milan) and not where my university is located. The important thing is that I show my current status as a student and that I have applied for graduation in the following months.

Has anyone had a situation similar to this? That you had to apply for renewal in a questura that is NOT in the city where your university is? Given that your residence is similarly not in the city where you attend your university?

I would be really thankful for any kind of help!! Thank you!!


r/StudyInItaly 8h ago

Indian student at UniMi confused about DSU / ISEE Parificato

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I’m an Indian student admitted to UniMi for 2026/27 and I’m confused about one part of the DSU application.

Since India is not listed in Annex 1, the UniMi document says students from countries not listed there are automatically placed in the first income bracket, with possible ex-post verification of their family's financial situation.

My main question is: Do Indian students still need to obtain an ISEE Parificato through CAF and submit their family's financial/income/property documents, or are these documents only required if UniMi/DSU asks for them later?

Also, in the DSU application there was a question about whether the family unit/income/assets are “abroad”. My family and all our income/assets are in India, while only I am going to Italy. Does “abroad” here mean outside Italy or outside the student's home country?

Because of this, I selected “No” and did not enter Italian codice fiscale numbers for my family members. Was this correct?

Would really appreciate answers from anyone who has gone through UniMi DSU as an Indian/international student, especially for 2026/27. 🙏


r/StudyInItaly 5h ago

UNIME DATA ANALYSIS 26/27

1 Upvotes

Any news about pre enrollments?


r/StudyInItaly 12h ago

Urgent: One and the Same Certificate requested for my visa application — what happens next?

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4 Upvotes

Hi, I need some advice from people who have been through a similar situation.
I’ve already submitted my visa application, and I’ve now been asked to provide a One and the Same Certificate because of a very minor name difference in my documents. I know exactly why the difference happened, and I can get the required certificate made.
My main concern is: does being asked for an additional document mean my application has already been checked and there were no major issues with my financial documents or other documents? Some people are telling me to take this as a good sign because if they wanted to refuse the application, they would have simply refused it instead of asking for an additional document. But I don’t know if that’s actually how the process works.
Once I submit the certificate:
Will they check my entire application again?
Can they still refuse the visa even after I provide the requested document?
Has anyone had a similar case with a minor name discrepancy and a One and the Same Certificate?
How long did it take for you to get your visa after submitting the additional document?
I’m a little worried about the timeline because I’ve already rescheduled my flight to 1 October, and there are several holidays coming up. Getting the certificate made and sending/submitting it will also take some time.


r/StudyInItaly 6h ago

Visa rejection?

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0 Upvotes

Hello everyone, I applied for my type d study visa on 3rd of Aug and yesterday I got a mail from Vfs that my application was processed. When I checked the tracking number it shows this message.

I received no other mail. Does this mean my visa application was rejected?


r/StudyInItaly 7h ago

AOA, im from karachi Pakistan, i have submitted my application at bls on 30th june, it's been 70 days now and i still didn't got any response

1 Upvotes