Study in Italy as an International Student: Complete 2027/28 Guide

To study in Italy as a non-EU student, you choose an English-taught program, apply to the university, file a pre-enrolment on Universitaly for that one course, and then apply for a type D study visa at the Italian embassy where you legally live. For the 2027/28 intake, the national deadline to lodge the visa application for bachelor's, master's and single-cycle degrees is 31 October 2027.

Italy is popular with students from Pakistan, India, Iran, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Egypt and Afghanistan because public tuition is set by each university and is often low, many programs are taught fully in English, and the rules are published every year in one ministry circular. This pillar guide walks you through the whole journey and links to a detailed guide for each step.

How studying in Italy works for non-EU students

Italy's Ministry of University and Research (MUR) publishes a circular that sets the rules for international students. The current one covers 2026/27 and 2027/28. It says each university sets its own application deadlines, its number of places for visa-requiring students, its admission tests and its documents, and must publish them on its website.

That means there is no single national application. You deal with three separate systems, in this order:

1. 1.The university portal – you apply, upload documents and get pre-evaluated or ranked.
2. 2.Universitaly – the free official MUR portal where you submit the pre-enrolment (preiscrizione) for one course, which the university validates.
3. 3.The Italian embassy or consulate where you legally reside – it decides on your type D study visa.

Step 1: Choose an English-taught program

Start on the official Universitaly course search, then read each university's own international admissions pages. In FindUniPath's database we currently track 88 Italian universities with English-taught options, including 166 bachelor's, 908 master's and 710 PhD programs. Master's programs are by far the biggest group.

Large public universities such as Bologna, Padua, Sapienza, Politecnico di Milano and Politecnico di Torino have the widest English offer. Smaller universities in the south and centre often have fewer programs but very low fees. See our guide to English-taught programs in Italy for where to look and what language scores you need.

Step 2: Check entry requirements

• Bachelor's (Laurea) and single-cycle degrees: a secondary school diploma after at least 12 years of schooling that gives access to university in your country. With fewer years, universities may ask for 1–2 years of university study or a foundation course.
• Master's (Laurea Magistrale): an official first-cycle degree (EQF level 6), with transcript and course programmes.
• PhD: a second-cycle degree (EQF level 7).
• Language: at least B2 English for English-taught programs; some universities ask for more.
• Tests: some programs use SAT, TOLC or CEnT-S; English-taught Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine use the IMAT.

The university alone decides whether your foreign qualification is acceptable. Our Italy university admission requirements guide covers GPA, tests and motivation letters in detail.

Step 3: Apply and pre-enrol on Universitaly

University application windows for international students usually run months before the visa deadline. For example, for 2027/28 the University of Padua's first call for programs with unlimited places runs 15 September to 15 November 2026, and Politecnico di Milano's early-bird engineering master's call runs 1 October to 1 December 2026. Many other universities have not yet published 2027/28 dates; for 2026/27 their calls often closed between February and May 2026.

Once accepted or pre-evaluated, you file the Universitaly pre-enrolment for one course only. From 2026/27 each university may validate only as many pre-enrolments as its places for foreign students plus 20%, so do not wait until the last week. Full timeline: how to apply to universities in Italy.

Step 4: Prepare documents and recognition

For the visa, your diploma must come with either CIMEA statements of comparability and verification or a Declaration of Value (DoV) from the Italian embassy. CIMEA is Italy's ENIC-NARIC centre and you apply through the CIMEA-Diplome platform. You may also need Italian translations and an apostille or legalisation. Details: documents, translation and legalisation for Italy.

Step 5: Apply for the type D study visa

With a validated pre-enrolment you apply for a national type D visa for study – university enrolment, valid 365 days with multiple entries. Fingerprints are mandatory for national visas since 11 January 2025, so you must attend in person. Typical requirements include:

• Proof of funds of €10,179.85 per year from lawful, traceable sources (your own or family money).
• Real accommodation – a dorm application alone is not accepted.
• Health insurance (the Islamabad checklist asks for at least €30,000 valid in Schengen).
• CIMEA statements or DoV, your B2 English certificate and the validated Universitaly summary.

The Islamabad embassy lists a €50 national visa fee for July–September 2026. Step-by-step help: Italy student visa guide.

Step 6: Arrive, get your residence permit and enrol

1. 1

   Request the permesso di soggiorno within 8 working days

   Use the postal kit at a post office (or a university help desk) and keep the receipt – it proves you are legally present.

2. 2

   Arrange health cover

   Universitaly says students can register voluntarily with the national health service (SSN) for €700 per calendar year, or hold valid insurance.

3. 3

   Finish enrolment and pay fees

   If you are not shown as enrolled on Universitaly by 31 January of the academic year, the visa is revoked.

4. 4

   Renew every year

   Ask for renewal at least 60 days before expiry; you need at least one exam in year one and two in later years.

How much does it cost to study in Italy?

Fees differ a lot. Some examples from official fee pages at the time of writing (October 2026):

On top of fees you need the visa funds, rent, food and transport. Read the cost of studying in Italy and scholarships in Italy for international students.

Applying from Afghanistan

A MUR note of 3 July 2026 also asks universities and consulates to assess candidates from conflict areas with reasonableness, taking into account displacement and lost documents, while keeping the legal requirements.

Is studying in Italy worth it?

For the honest full picture, read studying in Italy: pros and cons, and when you plan your career, work and stay in Italy after graduation. You can also browse all Italy guides on the Italy country hub.

Mistakes to avoid

• Waiting for the visa deadline. 31 October 2027 is the last possible date; university calls and pre-enrolment caps usually bite much earlier.
• Paying for visa appointments. The Islamabad and Tehran embassies warn that appointments are free and that unauthorised intermediaries are a fraud.
• Showing a sudden large deposit. Consulates look at account movements and family income, not only the balance.
• Using a dorm application as housing proof. Only real accommodation, such as a booking, a rental contract or a confirmed residence place, is accepted.
• Using fake or altered documents. Universities report them to the authorities, the consulate and CIMEA.

Your 2027/28 checklist

1. 1.Shortlist 3–6 English-taught programs and note each university's own deadline.
2. 2.Book an English test (IELTS, TOEFL or another B2+ certificate the university accepts).
3. 3.Start CIMEA or Declaration of Value requests and translations early.
4. 4.Apply on each university portal and pay any application fee.
5. 5.File the Universitaly pre-enrolment for your final choice.
6. 6.Prepare funds, accommodation and insurance, then book the visa appointment well before 31 October 2027.
7. 7.Track deadlines for free on FindUniPath so you never miss a call.