English-Taught Programs in Italy: Where to Find Them & IELTS Needs

Italy offers a large number of English-taught programs, mostly at master's level. In FindUniPath's database we track 88 Italian universities with 166 English-taught bachelor's, 908 master's and 710 PhD programs. To be admitted you need at least B2 English (for example IELTS 5.5–6.5 depending on the university) and no Italian.

This guide shows where the programs are, how to search for them on official sites, which English tests and scores are accepted, and when you can skip the test. We only count programs taught fully in English.

Where to find English-taught programs

1. 1.[Universitaly course search](https://www.universitaly.it/en/cerca-corsi) – the official MUR database of Italian degree programs, with a language filter.
2. 2.Each university's 'programs taught in English' page – the most up-to-date list, with calls and deadlines.
3. 3.FindUniPath – track deadlines for free on FindUniPath and filter English-taught programs by country, level and intake.

Universities with the most English-taught programs

Counts come from each university's official program pages as collected in our database; they can change when universities update their offer for 2027/28. Of the 88 universities we track, 73 have at least one English-taught master's and 46 at least one English-taught bachelor's.

Example programs by level

Bachelor's (3 years)

• University of Bologna: Business and Economics, Economics and Finance, Economics of Tourism and Cities, European Studies, Building Construction Engineering.
• University of Padua: Psychological Science, Information Engineering, Earth and Climate Dynamics, Animal Care.
• Sapienza: Applied Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, Bioinformatics, Economics and Finance.
• Politecnico di Milano: Engineering Science, Industrial Engineering, Interaction Design, Process Engineering.

Master's (2 years)

• Sapienza: Artificial Intelligence, Transport Systems Engineering, Architecture – Urban Regeneration.
• Politecnico di Milano: Aeronautical Engineering and dozens of engineering, architecture and design programs.
• University of Pisa: Computer Science, Data Science and Business Informatics, Cybersecurity, Nuclear Engineering.
• University of Perugia: Engineering Management, Quantitative Finance and Data Science for Economics, Geology for Energy Resources.

Medicine and health (6-year single-cycle)

English-taught Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine at public universities use the national IMAT procedure on Universitaly. Examples include the University of Milan's International Medical School and Padua's Medicine and Surgery and Medicine and Surgery – MedTech, all six-year single-cycle degrees. In our counts, single-cycle degrees are grouped with master's. Private options such as UniCamillus, Humanitas and Campus Bio-Medico set their own tests and charge much higher fees.

English-taught programs at lower-fee universities

The big names are not your only choice. Several public universities with low fees for non-EU students also teach in English. Examples from their official program pages:

Fees at these universities for citizens of lower-income countries are among the lowest in Italy – see our cost guide for the exact rules.

Why there are fewer English bachelor's programs

Most Italian bachelor's degrees are still taught in Italian, while master's and PhD programs are where universities have expanded English teaching. In our data, master's programs outnumber bachelor's programs by more than five to one. If you want a bachelor's in English, shortlist early and apply to several universities, because places reserved for non-EU applicants can be small.

A practical alternative for some students is to complete a bachelor's at home and come to Italy for a two-year English-taught master's, where the choice is much wider.

English language requirements

The MUR circular says that for programs taught in a language other than Italian, the university certifies your language competence in the pre-enrolment, and the consulate accepts only internationally recognised certificates of at least CEFR B2, or equivalent university certificates covering all four skills. Universities may set a higher level.

Can you study in Italy without IELTS?

Sometimes. Common waivers on official pages:

• Previous degree taught in English: Politecnico di Milano waives the MSc certificate with a university statement; Padua and Bologna accept English-medium study.
• Native speakers or English-speaking countries: Padua exempts native speakers; Trento accepts a self-declaration from native-English countries.
• University tests: the University of Milan offers its SLAM entry test, and some Bologna programs use their own test.
• Other certificates: Cambridge, PTE, Trinity ISE II, LanguageCert and Oxford Test are widely accepted; Bocconi accepts Duolingo 110.

When do you need the certificate?

You do not always need your score on application day. The University of Padua lets applicants to its 2027/28 calls upload the certificate later, by 31 July 2027. Bocconi asks MSc applicants for the English certificate by 30 June 2027. The University of Milan asks for a certificate no more than three years old. For the visa, though, you need the certificate in hand, so plan your test well before the appointment.

Do you need Italian?

Not for admission to an English-taught degree. However:

• Some universities require Italian to graduate. Politecnico di Milano requires B2 Italian to graduate from its master's and offers a free course.
• Mixed-language tracks require Italian B2 too – for example at Politecnico di Torino. Avoid these if you do not speak Italian.
• Daily life, the residence permit process, rent and most part-time jobs are much easier with Italian.

Mistakes to avoid with English-taught programs

• Picking a mixed-language track by accident. Program names can look identical in English and Italian. Read the 'language of instruction' line on the official page.
• Taking a cheaper test the university does not accept. Check the exact list of certificates in the call before you book.
• Meeting the minimum but not the program's score. The B2 floor is national; programs like Sapienza's Business Management ask for IELTS 6.5.
• Forgetting the visa interview. Consulates can test your English at the appointment, so your real skills must match your certificate.
• Ignoring Italian completely. Even a short course before arrival makes the first months much easier.

Tips for choosing an English-taught program

1. 1

   Confirm the language of every year

   Some programs are English only in certain curricula or years. Choose programs taught fully in English.

2. 2

   Check the non-EU call and places

   Many programs have a limited number of places reserved for non-EU applicants residing abroad, for example 32 places in Bologna's Business and Economics bachelor's (2026/27).

3. 3

   Match the English score to the program

   Business and economics programs often ask for more than the B2 floor.

4. 4

   Compare fees for your nationality

   Read the cost of studying in Italy.

5. 5

   Apply in the first round

   See how to apply to universities in Italy and the admission requirements guide.

Applying for 2027/28? Some English-taught programs are already taking applications. The University of Padua’s first 2027/28 call for programs with unlimited places runs from 15 September to 15 November 2026, and Politecnico di Milano’s early-bird engineering master’s call runs from 1 October to 1 December 2026 with a reduced €50 fee. Most other universities publish their 2027/28 calls between December and February.

Next steps: the Italy student visa guide and the Italy hub.