One of the most popular travel destinations in Europe, the beautiful country of Italy is also a favorite study destination for many international students. The mountains of Dolomite and Apennine, the Italian Riviera, the famous Colosseum; Italy offers its unfathomable beauty, heritage and architecture to be marveled at.
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, the 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.
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 requirement 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 5 years. On successful completion of their program and have passed 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 by 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 the 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 Adams, 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.
- Italian Government Scholarships for Foreign Students – Scholarships are offered to Italian and international students pursuing a Master’s Degree, Higher education in Arts, Music, and Dance, Research, Ph.D. , and Language and Italian cultural courses.
- EDISUPiemonte 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 bachelor’s, master 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.
- UniversitàCattolica International Scholarships – A 30 percent deduction is awarded by the UCSC to international students.
- University of Padova Scholarships for All Degree Courses – Students from low-income families
- ScuolaNormaleSuperiore Ph.D. Scholarships – Ph.D. scholarships issued to 78 international students.
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, the student must have a job before applying for an extension of their permit.
Work Permit (Permesso di Lavoro) – A candidate can apply for a work permit after finding a job.
Self-employment (LavoroAutonomo) – 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 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.
Name of The Universities | World University Ranking (2017) | Year of Establishment |
University of Bologna | 201 | 1088 |
University of Siena | 501 | 1240 |
Sapienza University of Rome | 251 | 1303 |
University of Padova | 301 | 1222 |
University of Pavia | 301 | 1361 |
University of Pisa | 401 | 1341 |
University of Torino | 351 | 1404 |
University of Genova | 401 | 1481 |
University of Florence | 401 | 1859 |
University of Milan | 301 | 1924 |
University of Calabria | 351 | 1972 |
University of Milano – Bicocca | 351 | 1988 |
Polytechnic University of Milan | 183 | 1863 |
University of Rome Torvergata | 481 | 1982 |
University of Catania | 701 | 1434 |
University of Piemonte Orientle | 696 | 1998 |
University of Camerino | 973 | 1336 |
Italy offers the best education to its students at lower fees 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
ScuolaSuperioreSant’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 LIVING IN ITALY
| •Single room in a shared apartment: from | € 250 to € 400 a month + utilities |
| •Shared room in a shared apartment: from | € 150 to € 220 a month + utilities |
| •Food at a supermarket for one week: | € 40 approximately |
| •Meal in a University canteen: from | € 4 to € 6 for a full meal |
| •Monthly bus ticket | € 27 |
