With world-renowned universities, low tuition fees, and a lifestyle that blends culture with la dolce vita, Italy offers a unique blend of value and adventure. Italy isn’t just a postcard-perfect destination; it is also a surprisingly affordable study haven for international students. Let’s unpack how students can earn a degree here without depleting their savings.
Why Italy is a Smart Choice
Italy, renowned for its rich history and stunning landscapes, is also emerging as an attractive destination for budget-conscious students seeking international education.
One of the primary reasons Italy stands out as a smart choice for students on a budget is the relatively low tuition fees compared to other Western European countries and the United States. To sum up, the main reasons that make many international students choose to study in Italy in English are as follows:
1. Affordable tuition: Public universities charge lower fees for EU and non-EU students.
2. Cost of living: The cost of living in Italy is lower than in other EU countries, particularly in terms of housing, transportation, and food.
3. Scholarship and grants: Italian universities offer substantial financial support through scholarships and diverse aid programmes for international students.
4. Cultural ROI: Free museums, student discounts, and immersive history as part of daily life.
As we delve deeper into the various facets of studying abroad in Italy, we will explore specific Italy universities, living costs, scholarship opportunities, and tips on how to make the process more affordable and transformative.
Top 10 Cheap Universities in Italy for International Students
Here is a list of Italy cheap universities that offer affordable tuition fees and scholarships to students who want to get higher education there.
1. Politecnico di Milano (Polytechnic University of Milan) (QS Ranking: 111th)
Top European polytechnic institutions with the highest QS university rankings in Italy. This university collaborates with global enterprises such as Ferrari and Prada.
| Degree | Tuition fee
(non-EU students) |
Popular courses (examples) | Admission Requirements (Taught in English) |
| Undergraduate | €3,500-€4,000 per year | Industrial Design (€3,800 per year) | High school graduate; IELTS 6.0 or above; Entrance examination for engineering/design major |
| Postgraduate | €3,800-€4,200 per year | Mechanical Engineering (€4,000 per year) | Relevant bachelor’s degree; IELTS 6.0 or above; Portfolio (design major) |
| PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) | €0 (tuition waived with funding) | Architecture (€0; €15,000 per year allowance) | Master’s degree; Research plan; Two letters of recommendation |
2. Sapienza University of Rome (QS Ranking: 132nd)
On the central campus in Rome, students may visit the Vatican Museums for free.
| Degree | Tuition fee
(non-EU students) |
Popular courses (examples) | Admission Requirements (Taught in English) |
| Undergraduate | €1,000-€2,000 per year | Computer science (€1,500 per year) | High school graduate; IELTS 5.5 or above; Entrance examination for some courses |
| Postgraduate | €2,000-€3,000 per year | Aerospace engineering (€2,800 per year) | Relevant bachelor’s degree; IELTS 6.0 or above; Course matching assessment |
| PhD | €0 (€1,200 per month allowance) | Classical Literature (Free of charge; Allowance) | Master’s degree; Research plan; Two letters of recommendation |
3. University of Bologna (QS Ranking: 133rd)
The oldest university in Europe, with a rich cultural atmosphere.
| Degree | Tuition fee
(non-EU students) |
Popular courses (examples) | Admission Requirements (Taught in English) |
| Undergraduate | €2,200-€4,000 per year (based on household income, the fixed rate for non-EU students starts at approximately €2,500) | International Relations (€2,500 per year) | High school graduate; IELTS 5.5 or above; Pre-registration Certificate (Dichiarazione di Valore) |
| Postgraduate | €2,500-€4,500 per year | Economics (€3,000 per year) | Relevant bachelor’s degree; IELTS 6.0 or above; Motivation letter |
| PhD | €0 (Most programs are tuition-free); Allowance of €13,000-€15,000 per year | Law (Free of charge; Allowance) | Master’s degree; Research proposal; Interview |
4. University of Padova（QS Ranking: 236th）
Galileo once taught and offered generous scholarships for international students.
| Degree | Tuition fee
(non-EU students) |
Popular courses (examples) | Admission Requirements (Taught in English) |
| Undergraduate | €2,500-€3,500 per year | Psychology (€2,800 per year) | High school graduate; IELTS 5.5 or above; Entrance interview (for some courses) |
| Postgraduate | €2,800-€4,500 per year | Data Science (€3,500 per year) | Relevant bachelor’s degree; IELTS 6.5 or above; Academic transcript |
| PhD | €0 (€16,000 per year allowance) | Physics (Free of charge; Allowance) | Master’s degree; Research plan; Language proof (English/Italian) |
5. Politecnico di Torino (Polytechnic University of Turin) (QS Ranking: 241st)
A core industrial institution in Italy, the cradle of talent for the Fiat Group.
| Degree | Tuition fee
(non-EU students) |
Popular courses (examples) | Admission Requirements (Taught in English) |
| Undergraduate | €3,000-€3,800 per year | Automotive Engineering (€3,500 per year) | High school graduate; IELTS 5.5 or above; Entrance examination for some courses |
| Postgraduate | €3,800-€4,200 per year | Sustainable Energy (€4,000 per year) | Relevant bachelor’s degree; IELTS 6.0 or above; Course matching assessment |
| PhD | €0 (€16,300 per year allowance) | Artificial Intelligence (Free of charge; Allowance) | Master’s degree; Research proposal; Interview |
6. University of Naples Federico II (QS Ranking: 347th)
One of the oldest public universities in Italy, close to the ancient city of Pompeii.
| Degree | Tuition fee
(non-EU students) |
Popular courses (examples) | Admission Requirements (Taught in English) |
| Undergraduate | €1,000-€1,500 per year | Marine Biology (€1,200 per year) | High school graduate; IELTS 5.5 or above; Entrance examination for some courses |
| Postgraduate | €1,500-€2,000 per year | Civil Engineering (€1,800 per year) | Relevant bachelor’s degree; IELTS 6.0 or above; Course matching assessment |
| PhD | €0 (€14,000 per year allowance) | Archaeology (Free of charge; Allowance) | Master’s degree; Research plan; Language proof |
7. University of Florence (QS Ranking: 375th)
The birthplace of the Renaissance, collaborating on internship programs with Gucci and Ferragamo.
| Degree | Tuition fee
(non-EU students) |
Popular courses (examples) | Admission Requirements (Taught in English) |
| Undergraduate | €1,800-€2,200 per year | Art History (€2,000 per year) | High school graduate; IELTS 5.5 or above; Pre-registration Certificate (Dichiarazione di Valore) |
| Postgraduate | €2,200-€2,500 per year | Fashion design (€2,300 per year) | Relevant bachelor’s degree; IELTS 6.0 or above; Portfolio (design major) |
| PhD | €0 (€15,000 per year allowance) | Oenology (Free of charge; Allowance) | Master’s degree; Research proposal; Language proof |
8. University of Pisa (QS Ranking: 382nd)
Einstein once gave a speech here, located adjacent to the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
| Degree | Tuition fee
(non-EU students) |
Popular courses (examples) | Admission Requirements (Taught in English) |
| Undergraduate | €1,800-€2,200 per year | Archaeology (€2,000 per year) | High school graduate; IELTS 6.0 or above; Entrance examination for Science Courses |
| Postgraduate | €2,200-€2,800 per year | Computer Engineering (€2,500per year) | Relevant bachelor’s degree; IELTS 6.0 or above; Academic transcript |
| PhD | €0 (€13,000 per year allowance) | Physics (Free of charge; Allowance) | Master’s degree; Research plan; Recommendation letter |
9. University of Trento (QS Ranking: 506th)
Italy’s “Silicon Valley”, has multilingual teaching, and is adjacent to the Alps.
| Degree | Tuition fee
(non-EU students) |
Popular courses (examples) | Admission Requirements (Taught in English) |
| Undergraduate | €1,500-€2,500 per year | Data Science (€2,000 per year) | High school graduate; IELTS 5.5 or above; Pre-registration Certificate (Dichiarazione di Valore) |
| Postgraduate | €2,000-€3,000 per year | Environmental Engineering (€2,500/ year) | Relevant bachelor’s degree; IELTS 6.5 or above; Course matching assessment |
| PhD | €0 (€15,600 per year allowance) | International Law (Free of charge; Allowance) | Master’s degree; Research plan; Interview |
10. University of Siena (QS Ranking: 691- 700th)
One of the oldest universities in Italy, and has a rich history in research, humanities and the social sciences.
| Degree | Tuition fee
(non-EU students) |
Popular courses (examples) | Admission Requirements (Taught in English) |
| Undergraduate | €1,400-€1,800 per year | Cultural heritage protection (€1,600 per year) | High school graduate; IELTS 6.0 or above; Mathematics examination (Science Courses) |
| Postgraduate | €1,800-€2,200 per year | Financial Mathematics (€2,000/ year) | Relevant bachelor’s degree; IELTS 6.0 or above; Academic transcript |
| PhD | €0 (€13,500 per year allowance) | Medicine (Free of charge; Allowance) | Master’s degree; Research proposal; Recommendation letter |
（The data in the above table are all for the year 2024）
Things that (International students) need attention
Tuition fee difference:
1. Tuition fees for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes at public universities in Italy are usually classified based on household income, and non-EU students mostly adopt fixed rates.
2. PhDs are generally tuition-free and receive stipends (competitive application required).
Language requirements:
1. English-taught courses: IELTS 5.5-6.5 (some science and engineering courses have higher requirements).
2. Italian language courses: Submit the B1/B2 certificates (such as CILS, and CELI)
Others:
1. Obtain the pre-registration certificate (Dichiarazione di Valore) through the Italian embassy.
2. PhD allowance is based on the university’s public funding standards (such as the ERC program and the National Scholarship). For further details, students can visit the university’s official website directly.
Scholarship programmes in Italy (2024)
The scholarship situation of low-cost universities in Italy for international students is also worth mentioning. Most public cheap universities in Italy set up generous scholarships for students with excellent academic performance to support their lives. This financial support has also led to more international students choosing to study abroad in Italy. The following is a list of the scholarship situation of the 5 top universities in Italy.
1. Politecnico di Milano
| Scholarship | Amount | Deadline | Application Requirements |
| Merit-based Scholarships | Tuition fee reduction of 50%-100%;
€5,000 per year living expenses (for some top students) |
May 31st every year | Undergraduate/ postgraduate freshmen with academic performance ranking in the top 10% (Recommendation letters and transcripts are needed.) |
| EDISU Lombardia | Full tuition waiver;
€5,000-€7,000 per year living expenses |
June 30th every year | Annual household income ≤€25,000 (Proof of economic assessment by ISEEU is required). |
2. Sapienza University of Rome
| Scholarship | Amount | Deadline | Application Requirements |
| Sapienza Excellence Scholarship | Full tuition waiver; €12,000 per year living expenses (Only for postgraduate) | July 15th every year | CGPA≥3.5/4.0; Submit the research plan and pass the review of the academic committee |
| LazioDisco Scholarship | Up to €5,000 per year (can be combined with tuition fee reduction) | August 31st every year | Have resided in the Lazio region for at least one year; Proof of financial status. |
3. University of Bologna (QS Ranking: 133rd)
| Scholarship | Amount | Deadline | Application Requirements |
| Study Grants for International Students | €11,000 per year (Full tuition waiver and €6,000 living expenses ) | April 30th every year | Undergraduate/postgraduate freshmen with a GPA of ≥3.5/4.0; a Motivation letter and an academic recommendation letter are required. |
| Borse di Studio (Regional Scholarship) | Tuition reduction: €6,000 per year living expenses | June 15th every year | An ISEEU economic assessment (household income ≤€25,000 is preferred) |
4. University of Padova
| Scholarship | Amount | Deadline | Application Requirements |
| Padova International Excellence Scholarship | Full tuition waiver; €12,000 per year living expenses (Only for postgraduate) | February 28th every year | Top 5% in academic performance, required with a personal statement and two recommendation letters |
| Invest Your Talent in Italy | Full tuition waiver; €900 per month living expenses (Only for postgraduate students in engineering and technology) | March 31st every year | To be selected by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs requires a project proposal. |
5. Politecnico di Torino
| Scholarship | Amount | Deadline | Application Requirements |
| TOPoliTO Scholarship | Full tuition waiver; €8,000 per year living expenses | June 15th every year | Top 5% in academic performance, required with a personal statement and two recommendation letters |
| EDISU Piemonte | Free accommodation; €5,200 per year living expenses | July 31st every year | Household income ≤€25,000 (ISEEU certification required) |
Things to watch out for international students
1. Cumulative Application: Most universities allow simultaneous applications for both university-level and regional scholarships (such as EDISU combined with university scholarships).
2. Early Application: The deadlines for highly competitive scholarships (such as the University of Padova) are early. It is recommended to prepare the materials six months in advance.
3. The above scholarship amounts and conditions may be subject to annual adjustments. Please be sure to check the latest announcements on the university’s official website before applying.
6 Ways to Keep Costs Even Lower When Studying Abroad in Italy
To help you keep costs even lower while enjoying your time in this beautiful country, here is a guide for international students with some practical tips.
Choose Affordable Living Locations
Studying abroad in Italy is a rich experience. Besides choosing a cheap university in Italy to reduce the cost of living in Italy, one can also achieve the goal by choosing affordable accommodation. Opt for student housing or shared apartments rather than hotels.
Websites like Airbnb or local rental platforms can offer affordable options to help students. Consider finding housing through your university, as they often have partnerships that provide discounts.
Cook Your Meals
Eating out can quickly add to the expense. Cooking for yourself is more cost-effective. Invest in some basic cooking supplies and prepare your meals. Visit local markets for fresh produce, which is often cheaper and of better quality than supermarkets. Cooking for yourself is also better for physical and mental health.
Use Public Transportation
Familiarise yourself with the public transportation system. Trains, buses, and trams are often more economical than taxis. Consider getting a student pass for unlimited travel, which can save money over time. Additionally, it’s a good idea to download transportation apps that provide real-time updates, schedules, and route options. These tools may assist you in navigating the system efficiently and avoiding delays.
Take Advantage of Student Discounts
Always carry a student ID, as many places offer discounts on attractions, transportation, and dining. Museums, theatres, and even restaurants often have special rates for students. It’s a great way to save money while exploring the surroundings and enjoying new experiences. When planning an outing, make a list of places you want to visit and inquire about student rates ahead of time. This can help you budget more effectively and take full advantage of the savings available to you.
Explore Free Activities
Many cities in Italy host free events, concerts, and festivals, especially during the summer. Look for community calendars and tourist information centres for details on free activities and attractions. Consider joining student organisations or clubs related to your interests; they often organise group outings that can include free entry to events.
Consider a Part-Time Job
If your visa allows, you can consider finding a part-time job or internship. This not only helps with expenses but also provides valuable work experience and the opportunity to practice your Italian. Make sure to explore various sectors that align with your interests. Many universities in Italy offer job boards or resources to help students find suitable positions.
Additionally, engaging in a part-time job or internship can help you build a local friend network and work connections in Italy, which may be beneficial for future development.
Conclusion: Your Affordable Universities Adventure in Italy Awaits
As you embark on this exciting educational journey in Italy, remember that the experience goes beyond just academics. Italy boasts a rich tapestry of history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes that will enhance your educational adventure. By choosing to study at one of the affordable and cheap universities in Italy, you are not only investing in your education but also opening the door to a world of opportunities.
So, prepare for your affordable university adventure in Italy. Your journey through Italy’s rich academic landscape is just beginning, and it promises to be an experience filled with learning, exploration, and personal growth.
FAQs
What is the ISAT for international students?
ISAT (International Student Admissions Test) is an admission test required as one component of entry applications set by some specific universities or courses for applicants. Mostly, ISAT ranks the test-takers scores and screens out students with high competitiveness, so it is important to get higher scores within the context of studying abroad.
How to find a job for an international student in Italy?
Utilize job search websites. Also, check specialized field job boards like IT Jobs or TechCareers. Take advantage of your university’s career services, which may offer job listings, resume workshops, and interview preparation sessions.
Which course is in demand in Italy?
In Italy, courses related to technology, healthcare, and the arts are generally in high demand. Additionally, Business Administration, Tourism Management, and Fashion Styling and Communication are also sought-after areas.
As the lead contributor to this platform, I bring over 15 years of experience navigating the dynamic landscape of higher education. Through this platform, I deliver rigorously researched content on emerging trends in studying abroad, lifelong learning and cross-cultural competency development. Every article integrates practical knowledge, study resources, and case studies that empower stakeholders to make informed decisions.
