Study in Italy
#1 UNESCO cultural heritage
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Why study in Italy?
Art, fashion, design and cuisine — Italy offers a unique cultural experience with strong universities and academies.
Italy’s historic universities excel in design, architecture, hospitality and humanities. Students live immersed in UNESCO heritage while earning recognised degrees.
Italy's university system has a history that predates most institutions in the world — the University of Bologna was founded in 1088 — and that tradition has concrete consequences for how it works academically: philosophical debate, dense reading, respect for intellectual complexity, and an academic culture that values depth over efficiency are traits that students coming from Latin American or US systems find both challenging and enriching. For those coming from more results-oriented systems, the Italian academic style can require a mindset shift.
Politecnico di Milano deserves special mention: it is consistently the best-ranked institution in Italy in engineering, architecture, and design, with a global reputation in design thinking, industrial design, and architecture that makes it the unavoidable reference for students in those fields. Many of Latin America's best designers and architects have come through the Poli, and that Latin America–Politecnico alumni network is a real asset for those considering the program. The program is demanding and competitive, but the quality of the creative environment in Milan during the studies is hard to match at any other destination in the world.
Italy also has a scholarship program for international students from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MiC / Ministero degli Affari Esteri) with an annual call specifically for Latin American citizens. Italian government scholarships partially or fully cover tuition and living expenses, and are processed through Italian Embassies in each country. These programs are less known outside Europe but have real spots and represent a genuine opportunity for those who research them in advance.
Capital
Rome
Languages
Italian
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Population
60 million
Climate
Mediterranean
Visa
National student visa (Type D)
Who Fits Italy as a Study Destination?
Studying in Italy combines three elements that are hard to find together: quality public universities at relatively low cost, incomparable cultural heritage as a living environment, and a central EU/Schengen position. The Italian university system has ancient and respected institutions — the University of Bologna is considered the first university in the Western world — with recognized strengths in engineering, design, architecture, fashion, gastronomy, cultural heritage, and the humanities.
Politecnico di Milano and Politecnico di Torino are global references for industrial design, architecture, and engineering. Bocconi University in Milan offers internationally recognized economics, management, and finance programs. For a Latin American student who wants Europe at a more accessible cost than the north, Italy is a concrete option.
Italian is a real requirement for most undergraduate programs — though there's a growing catalog of English-language master's degrees — and the Italian university system's bureaucracy can be complex. Students who have patience and organization tend to adapt well.
Milan, Bologna, Rome: Choosing by Field of Study
Milan is Italy's economic and fashion capital with the highest concentration of top-tier design, fashion, management, and engineering programs. It's also the most expensive city for housing. Bologna has one of the world's oldest universities, excellent quality of life, an active cultural scene, and more manageable living costs than Milan or Rome.
Rome is the largest city with an academic offering in humanities, archaeology, architecture, and the arts that is uniquely enriched by the historical context itself. Florence and Turin are mid-sized university cities with strong programs in restoration, cultural heritage, and design. Naples and the southern cities have low living costs and historical universities with solid reputations in medicine and law.
For English-language programs, Politecnico di Milano, Bocconi, and some Bologna and Rome universities have master's offerings specifically designed for international students who don't speak Italian.
Admission, Visa, and Italy-Specific Documentation
The Italian university admission process involves the Dichiarazione di Valore (DoV) — a document issued by the Italian Embassy or Consulate in your home country to validate foreign credentials — and in some cases translation and legalization of academic documents. This is the most bureaucratic step and must be started several months in advance.
The Italian academic year begins in October in two semesters. For government scholarship applications (borse di studio from DSU/INPS), deadlines are usually in the summer of the previous year. The Italian student visa (visto per studio) is processed at the Italian consulate in your country of residence.
For Italian-language programs, the required level is generally B2 certified by CELI or CILS (Italian university certifications) or PLIDA. For English-language programs, requirements match other European universities: IELTS 6.0–7.0 depending on the program level.
Living in Italy: Daily Life, Bureaucracy, and Quality of Life
Housing in Italy is managed primarily through the private market: shared apartments (casa in affitto condivisa) are the norm for university students. DSU (Diritto allo Studio Universitario) student residences are very affordable but selective — accessed through scholarship or income thresholds. Facebook groups and Idealista are the most-used platforms for apartment searching.
One of the first things to handle on arrival is getting the Codice Fiscale (tax number) — required for practically everything, including opening a bank account, signing contracts, and registering at the university. It's processed free of charge at the Agenzia delle Entrate.
Student quality of life in Italy has a genuinely unique cultural dimension: the food, the architecture, the museums, the Mediterranean lifestyle. The morning espresso at the bar, the neighborhood market, a weekend trip by train to another city — these are experiences that become part of everyday student life in Italy in a way that's genuinely hard to match.
Applying to Italy Through ApplySite
ApplySite can guide you in selecting programs in Italy — especially English-language master's degrees at Politecnico, Bocconi, and other institutions — at no extra cost. Tuition goes directly to the institution.
Given the document complexity of the Italian process (Dichiarazione di Valore, Codice Fiscale, visa), an advisor can help you understand the correct sequence and realistic timelines. Starting twelve months before the October intake is strongly recommended.
If you have questions about the Italian level required or whether an English-language program in Italy is the best fit for your goals, an early advisor consultation can clarify things before the process begins.
Work while you study
You may be allowed to work part-time
Up to 20 hours/week while studying
Cost of living in Italy
Budgeting before you move to Italy is essential. Below are approximate monthly costs; figures vary by city and lifestyle.
Housing
€500 – €1,000/month
Food
€250 – €400/month
Transport
€70 – €100/month
Extras
€150 – €250/month
Student visa for Italy
To study in Italy you typically need National student visa (Type D). ApplySite guides you through the process.
Secure your place
Receive your official letter of acceptance for your visa application.
Gather documents
Passport, acceptance letter, proof of funds, photos and any country-specific forms.
Apply for your visa
Complete the official application and pay government fees.
Travel to Italy
Once approved, you are ready to start your international study journey.
Major cities in Italy
Italy has several cities with strong institutions, different living costs and student communities.
Programs in Italy
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FAQs about studying in Italy
Costs depend on program and institution. Typical monthly living costs: housing €500 – €1,000/month, food €250 – €400/month, transport €70 – €100/month, extras €150 – €250/month. ApplySite helps you find options within your budget.
Language requirements depend on the program. Language courses often start from beginner level. Degree programs may require IELTS, TOEFL or equivalent scores.
Up to 20 hours/week while studying Part-time work can offset living costs and build international experience.
Processing often takes 4–12 weeks depending on nationality and season. Start early. ApplySite can outline timelines for your case.
No. Searching, comparing and applying through ApplySite is free for students. We connect you directly with institutions — no agency commission.
Information subject to change
Visa rules, costs, work rights and study conditions can change. Last reviewed May 2026. Confirm with official sources or an ApplySite advisor. Figures are indicative only.