Study in Italy
One of the most popular travel destinations in Europe, the beautiful country of Italy is also a favorite study destination for many international students. They can pay a visit to the renowned Colosseum, the Italian Rivera, and the Dolimite and Apennine mountains.; Italy offers its unfathomable beauty, heritage and architecture to be marveled. One may catch a look at the Pope on a visit to the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. The beautiful water city of Venice guarantees its visitors a view that is sure to remain fossiled in their memories for times to come.
Milan, Italy’s largest city and home to one of the greatest paintings the Renaissance witnessed – The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci.
Why study in Italy?
Italy is a land that proficiently speaks the language of art, history, and physics. Home to extraordinary minds like Leonardo da Vinci and Galileo Galilei; Italy has come to be associated as a country proficient in applied sciences. Italian minds are generations ahead, while the world was introduced to the Renaissance, industrialization; the works of Guglielmo Marconi laid the foundation of wireless communication; which the world today cannot be fathomed without.
As an Indian student pursuing study in Italy, education provided is of great competence, is highly sought after and the cost of living in Italy is lower when compared to other European countries.
Top Universities in Italy
12 of the 30 Italian universities listed in the QS World Ranking for Top Universities are within the top 500 in the world.
- Domus Academy & NA
- Istituto of Marangoni
Quality of Education
Among the oldest universities in the world are those in Italy. The country has given to the world – leading scientist, revolutionaries, artist, and many Noble Prize laureates. Italian universities are acclaimed around the globe and stand as epitomes in fields of culture, Architecture, Applied Sciences, Art, Medicine, Engineering, Industrial Designs, and Economics.
The quality of education offered through all institutions of Italy is unmatched. The combination of superior teaching and the openness of the country to welcome international students, have made many overseas students turn to Italy in dreams of crafting successful educational and career paths.
An Indian student studying in Italy can achieve great heights with the quality of degrees they graduate with. Degrees earned through the educational institutions of Italy are recognized through Europe and across the globe. Universities counsel students during the length of their courses.
Top Courses for Indian students studying in Italy
Indian students choose Italy to study-
- Science and Technology
- Art and Design
- Social Studies
- Education
- Humanities
- Health
- Hospitality
- Fashion
- Management
Degrees that an India student can achieve from their study in Italy
- Bachelor in Fashion Art Direction
- BA in Performing Arts
- Bachelor’s Degree in Digital Management
- Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistic and Cultural Mediation
- Bachelor in Business Studies
- Bachelor in International Politics and Government
- Bachelor of Arts in Sports Management
- Bachelor of Arts in Tourism Management
- Degree in Information Engineering
- Masters in Economics
- Masters in Area & Cultural Studies
- Masters in Architecture
- Masters in International Relations
- Masters in Fashion Design
- Masters in Business Administration
Career Outlook
Graduates of Italian universities have favourable work opportunities throughout Europe and beyond. 16 Italian Universities are ranked in the top 300 of the QS Ranking for Employability; credited to the active participation of The State in maintaining the quality of education.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Corporation grants scholarships to students. Economics, biology, pharmaceutical chemistry, are other sciences that appear attractive in the Italian employment market.
Working while studying in Italy
According to Italian legislation, an Indian student who has a work visa is allowed to work 20 hours per week. Students who have an employment offer from an Italian firm are granted a work permit. Italian companies may hire students as interns. Students are paid 500 to 1000 EUR. A student is not permitted to work when enrolled in a course that lasts fewer than three months.
Scholarships for Indian students
According to Italian legislation, an Indian student who has a work visa is allowed to work 20 hours per week. Both national and regional government scholarships are available to Indian students.
Mentioned are scholarships that an Indian student studying in Italy can avail.
- Italian Government Scholarships for Foreign Students – Scholoarships are offered to Italian and international students pursuing Master’s Degree, Higher education in Arts, Music, and Dance, Research, Ph.D. , and Language and Italian cultural courses.
- EDISU Piemonte Scholarships – Meritorious students pursuing Bachelor’s degree, Masters, Ph.D., at one of the Universities of Piedmont.
- Bologna University Study Grants for International Students – The University of Bologna offers international students the chance to earn scholarships for pursuing bachelors, masters and Single cycle degree programs at the University of Bologna.
- University of Pavia International Scholarships for Developing Country Students – Awarded to international students from developing countries.
- Bocconi Merit and International Awards – Awarded to bright international students enrolling into Bachelors and Master programs with the University of Bocconi.
- Politecnico de Milano Merit-Based Scholarships for International Students – Awarded to International students that pursue a Master of Science program.
- Politecnico di Torino International Scholarships – Awarded to international students to attend academic programs in the field of Engineering and Architecture.
- Università Cattolica International Scholarships – A 30 per cent deduction is awarded by the UCSC to international students
- University of Padova Scholarships for All Degree Courses – Students from low income families
- Scuola Normale Superiore PhD Scholarships – Ph.D scholoarships issued to 78 international students.
Cost of studying in Italy
Italy offers the best education to its students at fees lower structures than most European countries.
Cost of studying in Italy for Indian students per year-
| Public Universities | EUR 850 – EUR 1,000 | Approx INR 76,000 – INR 90,000 |
| Prestigious Public Universities | Exceed EUR 1,000 | Approx INR 90,000 |
| Private Universities | EUR 3,000 – EUR 35,000 | Approx INR 2,68,000 – INR 31,24,00 |
Tuition fees at top-universities for Indian students studying in Italy
| Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna | EUR 4,000 | Approx INR 3,58,000 |
| University of Bologna | EUR 3,000 | Approx INR 2,68,000 |
| University of Padua | EUR 2,600 | Approx INR 2,33,000 |
| Polytechnic University of Milan | EUR 3,900 | Approx INR 3,49,000 |
| University of Trento | EUR 4,000 | Approx INR 3,58,000 |
Cost of Accommodation for Indian students
The average Indian student’s monthly living expenses range from 700 to 1000 euros. EUR 300 to EUR 600 is the average living cost a student has to incur.
- Students living by themselves could spend anywhere around EUR 400 – EUR 700 per month
- Students using student accommodation spend EUR 250 – EUR 300 per month
- Students sharing apartments spend EUR 250 – EUR 500 per month
The cost of accommodation varies largely on the area of habitation. Cost of staying in Milan and Rome is significantly higher than the rest of Italy.
Transportation in Italy
An Indian student in Italy can find using public transportation convenient. Services like buses, trams, trains and metros can be used to navigate around cities. A student could end up spending EUR 25 to EUR 45 monthly. Train fairs can cost EUR 20 for a single trip, but if booked in advance student could avail of a 20 per cent discount.
Education System of Italy
Italy has 16 public universities, 30 private universities, and 11 public research organizations. Typically the education system of Italy comprises of-
- Nursery school
- Elementary school
- Lower secondary schools or Middle schools
- Upper secondary or Vocational training
- University
More than two thirds of the population of university age, attend university and nine tenths of the population attend high schools.
The State has the final say in deciding the competencies that are required to be met by the education system. In other words it is the State that decides the number of students, maintenance of quality, teaching staff, and other financial resources. It is the responsibility of the Ministry of Education and The Ministry of University and Research to administer education on a national level.
The Ministry of Education has offices called the Regional School Offices- these offices are bestowed with the duty of guaranteeing that minimum education requirements are met.
Secondary education
- Upper secondary school education
Upper secondary schools make available vocational as well as general programs; courses at the said level of education run for a duration of 5 years. On successful completion of their program and having passes the final exam, students earn certificates that qualify them for higher education.
- Regional Vocational Training system (IFPs)
Students enrolling into IFPs have program durations of 3 to 5 years. Courses of this nature are accredited with training agencies or upper secondary schools. Students with an IFP qualification have access to higher regional vocational programs, and under special conditions may also apply for short courses at higher education level.
Higher Education
After receiving their undergraduate degrees, students may apply for further education offered by any of the institutions mentioned below –
- Universities
- Polytechnics
- High level arts, music and dance education institutes (Afam)
- Higher schools for language mediators (SSML)
- Higher technical institutes (ITS)
The criteria for a student to be admitted into any of the Afams, SSMLs, and Universities are set by The Ministry of Education and in some cases by degree imparting individual academic bodies.
Programs with ITS institutes are available to students that have graduated from upper secondary schools and to those that have completed their vocational training through a 4 year program. Students may avail of short-term bachelor courses that follow the Bologna structure.
Visa Application
An Indian student stands entitled to a C-Visa or a D- Visa.
Short-stay Visa or C-Visa – Available to students pursuing short courses generally courses that run for less than 90 days
Long-stay Visa or D-Visa – Available to students pursuing degree courses that are of minimum duration of 20 hours a week or 80 hours per month, and lasting for more than 90 days.
Work Permits
International non-EU students need a work permit to be able to work while studying. Permissible work hours are the same for international as well as EU students. Students pursuing courses of less than 3 months duration are not permitted to work.
Residence Permit (Permesso di Soggiorno) – Non –EU citizens with a resident permit are allowed to stay back for a period of 6 to 12 months after completing their study. To continue staying back in the country, it is important that the student has a job before applying for an extension of their permit.
Work Permit (Permesso di Lavoro) – A candidate can apply for work permit after finding a job.
Self-employment (Lavoro Autonomo) – This visa is awarded to candidates that set-up a business in Italy or work as freelancers.
There are three such types of work permits –
- The Italy Startup Visa – Given to international citizens who wish to start up an innovative business in Italy
- The Italy Freelancer Visa – Given to international non-EU citizens that are self-employed or work as freelancers in Italy, but do not have their own venture.
- The Italy Entrepreneur Visa – An international citizen who is willing to implement an investment plan not less than EUR 5,00,000, and is beneficial to the Italian economy.
