Study in Italy: Application Process

Entry Requirements for Italian Universities

When applying to study a bachelor, master or PhD in an Italian university, there are several entry requirements that you should keep in mind. Follow these 6 easy steps to prepare the perfect application to an Italian university!  

Bachelor Studies

In order to meet entry requirements for a bachelor's degree at an Italian university, you must successfully have completed upper secondary studies, have a valid school leaving certificate and qualify for higher education studies in your home country. Keep in mind that many bachelor’s level programs in Italy are only offered in Italian, and you may need to prove your language abilities through a certified language test in order to be accepted to your program of choice. 

Master Studies

To study a master's degree at an Italian university, you will need to have a relevant bachelor or equivalent degree certification. Many Italian universities offer a wider breadth of programs in English at the master’s level. If your previous studies were not in English, you can prove your proficiency by taking a recognized English language test like TOEFL® or IELTS. You should confirm what language test scores are recognized by your institution with their international office. 

As part of the entry requirements to study abroad in Italy, you may need to submit any or all of the following documents when applying for the program of your choice.

• Identity document like a passport or EU identity card;
• Academic transcript of your previous studies;
• University application form;
• Letter of recommendation;
• Personal Statement; and
• Proof of language proficiency (English or Italian, depending on the program).

Depending on your institution and the language your documents are written in, you may also have to provide a certified translation of your documents into Italian. Always confirm any specific application requirements with your institution, as different schools and programs can have different entry requirements!

PhD Studies

To meet entry requirements for a PhD at an Italian university, you need a relevant diploma or master degree program. Some Italian universities also required for applicants to present their research proposal.

Things to Keep in Mind

Always check with the university to confirm the minimum grade you need to have and entry requirements you need to meet in order to study in Italy.

For certain competitive study programs (such as health and medicine, veterinary, education and architecture), higher education institutions may require specific admission exams.

Once all you’ve confirmed that you meet the specific entry requirements for your program, it’s time to make your application! Read below to discover what application process you should follow to study at an Italian university.

How to Apply

Similar to the process of applying for student visas in Italy,  there are different application procedures for applying to Italian universities depending on your country of origin and your current residency.

If you’re a European citizen, or non-EU citizen residing in Italy with a current and valid "permesso di soggiorno" you should apply directly to your university in Italy.

If you’re a non-EU citizen residing abroad, you should submit a pre-application request to the Italian Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence and indicate what institution and program you’re applying to. The officials will forward your documentation to the institution, and you should confirm with your institution how and when the results will be posted. Typically, results are either posted by the Embassy, or the institution will contact you directly.