Study in Italy
Design, Architecture, Engineering, and Affordable Excellence in the Heart of Europe by Stratagem Scholars
Why Study in the Italy?
Italy offers a unique blend of academic heritage, affordability, and world-renowned excellence in design, architecture, engineering, fashion, and arts. With over 60 public universities, hundreds of programs taught in English, and some of Europe’s most generous scholarships for international students, Italy is one of the most value-driven study destinations in the EU.
Whether you aim to pursue a STEM degree, join an elite design/fashion institute, or build a global career in business and humanities, Italy offers both heritage and innovation — at a fraction of the cost of other Western nations.
Top Universities to Study in Italy
Listed below are some of Italy’s top-ranked universities, highly preferred by international students.
Politecnico di Milano – Engineering, Design, Architecture
University of Bologna – Oldest university in Europe, Multidisciplinary
Sapienza University of Rome – Sciences, Humanities, Engineering
University of Padua – Medicine, Economics, Law
Politecnico di Torino – Engineering, Automotive, Architecture
Bocconi University – Business, Economics, Finance
University of Milan – Biotechnology, Sciences
University of Pisa – Data Science, AI, Literature
Istituto Marangoni – Fashion, Luxury, Design
Domus Academy / NABA – Interior Design, Fashion, Visual Arts
Italy is home to both public universities and elite design schools with strong global rankings and industry linkages.
Admission Requirements
Applying to universities in Italy requires academic records, language test scores (such as IELTS, TOEFL, or CILS/CELI for Italian programs), and a well-written personal statement. Below is a simple checklist and intake timeline.
Academic Records
(10+2 for UG, Bachelor’s for PG)
Entrance Exams
IELTS / TOEFL / Duolingo (IELTS 6.0+ recommended)
Portfolio
Required for design, fashion, and architecture programs
Interview
For certain UG & PG programs (esp. Architecture, Medicine, etc.)
Application Timelines
Fall (Sep/Oct)
Jan – May
Primary intake for all programs
Spring (Feb/Mar)
Oct – Dec (limited availability)
Available in select programs at private institutions
Stratagem Scholars helps with university shortlisting, portfolio review, and Universitaly pre-enrollment.
Visa Rules & Updates
• Visa Type – Type D National Student Visa (issued via Embassy)
• Work Rights – 20 hours/week during study
• Post-Study Stay – 6–12 months extension to search for jobs
• PR Pathway – Available via EU Blue Card or long-term stay
• Health Insurance & Financial Proof – Mandatory (approx. €7,000–€8,000)
• Academic Recognition – Student visa requires Declaration of Value (DoV) or CIMEA equivalency
Stratagem offers end-to-end support for visa SOPs, embassy bookings, document legalization, and DoV/CIMEA process.
Tuition Fee Range
| Institution Type | Tuition (€) | INR Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
|
Public Universities
|
€1,000 – €4,000
|
₹90,000 – ₹3.5 Lakhs/year
|
|
Private Institutions
|
€6,000 – €20,000
|
₹5 – ₹17 Lakhs/year
|
|
Design/Fashion Schools
|
€10,000 – €25,000
|
₹9 – ₹22 Lakhs/year
|
|
Institution Type
|
Tuition (€)
|
INR Equivalent
|
|---|---|---|
|
Public Universities
|
€1,000 – €4,000
|
₹90,000 – ₹3.5 Lakhs/year
|
|
Private Institutions
|
€6,000 – €20,000
|
₹5 – ₹17 Lakhs/year
|
|
Design/Fashion Schools
|
€10,000 – €25,000
|
₹9 – ₹22 Lakhs/year
|
Plan your Italy education wisely with transparent fee estimates and customized financial planning tools.
Most Italian universities offer performance-based tuition waivers, making it one of the most affordable EU destinations.
Scholarship Opportunities
| Scholarship Type | Offered By |
|---|---|
|
Invest Your Talent in Italy (IYT)
|
Government of Italy – for PG students from India
|
|
Regional Scholarships (LazioDisco, EDISU, DSU)
|
Based on family income (up to 100% tuition + stipend)
|
|
University-Specific Awards
|
Polimi, Bocconi, University of Bologna, etc.
|
|
Fashion & Design Grants
|
Offered by Domus, NABA, Istituto Marangoni
|
|
Scholarship Type
|
Offered By
|
|---|---|
|
Invest Your Talent in Italy (IYT)
|
Government of Italy – for PG students from India
|
|
Regional Scholarships (LazioDisco, EDISU, DSU)
|
Based on family income (up to 100% tuition + stipend)
|
|
University-Specific Awards
|
Polimi, Bocconi, University of Bologna, etc.
|
|
Fashion & Design Grants
|
Offered by Domus, NABA, Istituto Marangoni
|
Stratagem helps with income document translation, scholarship applications, and grant management post-arrival.
Student Life in the Italy
Our Italy Student Life Blog includes practical guides on:
- Affordable housing in Milan, Rome, Florence, Bologna
- Italian cuisine, adapting to food culture, and budgeting for groceries
- Living in design districts: Navigli, Porta Romana, etc.
- Navigating public transport and student cards
- Internship and job search tips for fashion, tech, and finance sectors
- How to manage university classes, exams, and credit system (ECTS)
Real student journeys, cultural survival tips, and visa experiences from Indian students in Italy.
Cost of Living Calculator– Italy
| Expense Category | Monthly Cost (€) | INR Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
|
Shared Housing |
€300 – €600 |
₹27,000 – ₹54,000 |
|
Food & Groceries |
€150 – €250 |
₹13,000 – ₹22,000 |
|
Transport |
€25 – €50 |
₹2,200 – ₹4,500 |
|
Utilities & Internet |
€80 – €120 |
₹7,000 – ₹10,500 |
|
Personal Expenses |
€100 – €200 |
₹9,000 – ₹18,000 |
Stratagem’s cost planner helps you budget based on region (Northern Italy vs Southern Italy).
How Stratagem Scholars Supports Your Italy Journey?
We specialize in Italy’s multi-layered admission and scholarship process for both public and private institutions:
• University shortlisting – STEM, Arts, Business, Fashion
• IELTS, portfolio, SOP, and CV preparation
• Scholarship planning – IYT, DSU, regional grants
• Universitaly pre-enrollment and DoV/CIMEA documentation
• Visa application support and embassy guidance
• Post-arrival setup – Accommodation, PR strategy, job search
