Studying in Italy: A Guide for American Students

Italy has emerged as a popular destination for international students, including those from the United States, drawn by its rich culture, world-renowned cuisine, and diverse landscapes. With a growing number of English-language programs and a mix of public and private universities, Italy offers a range of educational opportunities. This article will explore the requirements for American students seeking to pursue higher education in Italy.

Why Study in Italy?

Italy boasts the oldest university in the world, the University of Bologna, and has invested significantly in developing its education system to attract international students. Here's why Italy might be the right choice for you:

Diverse Programs: Italian universities offer programs across all scientific disciplines, from traditional fields like architecture, fashion, art, and design to STEM programs, social sciences, and medicine.
Affordable Education: Public universities in Italy offer significantly lower tuition fees compared to the US and UK, ranging from €1,000 to €4,000 per year for international students. Private universities, while more expensive, can still be competitive in cost compared to American institutions.
Cultural Experience: Studying in Italy provides an immersive experience in a country with a rich cultural heritage, offering opportunities to explore historical sites, art, and a vibrant lifestyle.
Accessibility: Italy's geographical location and excellent transport links ensure easy connections to the rest of Europe.
English-Taught Programs: With 60 of the 90 universities in the country offering programs taught in English, a lack of Italian language skills shouldn't discourage you from applying.

General Requirements for American Students

The requirements to study in Italy may differ depending on the university, degree level, and program. However, below are some general requirements to keep in mind when studying in Italy. American students considering higher education in Italy should be aware of the following:

Eligibility: Applicants must be older than 17 years old and have graduated from high school.
Language Requirements: Depending on the degree level and program, some Italian language proficiency may be required. However, many programs are available in English, particularly at the graduate level.
Prior Academic Achievement: Some universities in Italy may require a minimum GPA average from previous education.
Visa Obligation: Students from Non-EU countries applying for any degree level must obtain a visa to study in Italy.
Financial Security: Some universities may require proof of monetary funds to ensure that the student can afford to study in Italy.

Degree-Specific Requirements

Bachelor's Degrees

American students applying for an undergraduate degree in Italy must have completed 12 years of high school education and be qualified to enter higher education studies from their home country. The Italian government requires that American students have either an IB or 3 AP scores of 3+ to enroll in bachelor’s programs. A full year of college can substitute for the AP requirement, and some schools allow 3 academic college courses to substitute. Most universities require students to prove their Italian language proficiency and may even require students to undertake supplementary courses depending on their chosen study program.

Master's Degrees

To be eligible for admission to a master’s degree program in Italy, students must hold a prior bachelor’s or any degree that is equivalent to undergraduate studies. Typically, universities require a previously obtained diploma in the relevant fields they are applying for at the graduate level. Multiple degree programs are available in English for those who do not speak Italian. For master's studies abroad it is necessary to have a copy of your degree translated into English or the language required by each university. The required degree score varies from country to country, institution to institution or even school to school.

Read also: The Right Path After GCSEs

Doctoral Degrees (Ph.D.)

The third-cycle degree programs in Italy require students to have at least a bachelor's and master's degree diploma. Any additional advanced degree usually works to the advantage of the applicant. Depending on the university and study program, students may need to provide the university with a research proposal as part of the admission requirements.

Required Documents

With every admission application, documentation is an essential part that students must provide to the university they are applying to. Apart from functioning as identification, the required documents typically represent the applicants’ background, previous academic experience, achievements, skills, and other relevant information about the applicant. Depending on the study program and university, below are the most common documents that most universities ask students to include in their application process:

Application form: Typically, the admission requirements of most universities provide applicants with an application form with some basic written questions. Most universities now offer online application forms for all students.
CV and portfolios: Most universities in Italy -mostly graduate or postgraduate degree programs- require applicants to submit a resume to understand more about the applicants’ background experience, skills, extracurricular activities, and voluntary work. Some universities that offer architecture and design courses may ask applicants to provide the university with a portfolio of their personal and professional work.
Previous academic achievements: Previously earned degrees, training certificates, and high school or university transcripts help universities decide based on the applicant’s academic achievements. Applicants of Non-EU countries should translate and have an apostille stamp, except for those that issue diplomas per the Hague Convention. For bachelor's studies abroad it is necessary to have a high school diploma translated into English or the language required by each university. The required degree score varies from country to country, institution to institution or even school to school.
Cover letters or essays: Universities almost always ask applicants to write a statement of purpose to know more about the applicant and get an idea of why the applicant is applying for a certain degree (or scholarship, if applicable).
Declaration of value (Dichiarazione di Valore): Italian universities ask for the declaration of value for previously obtained diplomas to ensure their validity based on the Italian higher education system. This declaration is issued by the Italian Diplomatic Representative.
Recognition of qualifications: For applicants who come from certain countries, Italian higher education institutions require a certificate proving that the applicant has passed an entrance examination in the home country.

Language Proficiency

The language requirements depend on the university, the degree program, and the courses that the applicant will take. Universities and Institutions of Higher Education in Italy require Italian language proficiency proof for applicants at the undergraduate level. However, exemptions for this requirement include:

Italian high school diploma (non-Italian diplomas are accepted).
A middle school diploma obtained in Argentina with at least 5 years of Italian-taught courses.
B2 or higher language proficiency certificate issued by the members of the CLIQ (Quality Certification of the Italian Language).

Graduate or postgraduate degree programs may require proof of English or Italian proficiency, depending on the medium of instruction. For English-taught courses, applicants must have one of the following proofs:

B2 or higher language proficiency certificate.
TOEFL PBT (507-557 points)
TOEFL CBT (180-217 points)
TOEFL IBT (80-99 points)
IELTS (5.5 bands)
TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication)

For degree programs that offer courses only in Italian, students must submit proof of a B1 or B2 Italian language proficiency. The IELTS certification is one of the most popular for studying abroad, but also for work.

Read also: Explore CFK

Visa Requirements for Non-EU Students

Applicants from Non-EU countries must get a student visa in order to study at higher education institutions in Italy. To get a student visa, applicants must gather several documents that the embassy requires. Here are the required documents for a student visa to study abroad in Italy:

Passport: The passport must be issued within the last 10 years, valid for three months after the intended stay, plus two attached photographs. The passport is a necessary document that you must have for studying abroad.
Cover letter.
Visa application form.
Proof of financial support (bank statement).
Health insurance.
Proof of tuition fee payment.
Copy of the scholarship (if applicable).

It is crucial to bear in mind that non-EU students are often required to have their secondary education validated in Italy and must submit the Dichiarazione di Valore (Declaration of Value) to prove that they have done so. This service is provided by Italian consulates or embassies in the student’s country of residence. It is a lengthy procedure, which may negatively impact on students’ visa application process and delay their arrival in Italy.

Costs and Financial Aid

Higher education in Italy is considered affordable for international students. The tuition fees can range from €500 to €3,000 depending on whether the university is public or private. Furthermore, most universities in Italy offer scholarships for students who show academic excellence. Tuition fees at private universities, such as Vita e Salute or Humanitas in Milan, range in cost from €7,000 to €25,000 per year. Public universities' tuition fees range from €1,000 to €4,000 per year for international students. Family income bands are applicable and determined based on the Indicator of Equivalent Economic Situation.

In terms of living costs, you’ll need roughly €12,000 (~US$13,500) per year to cover accommodation, food, transport, entertainment, and other expenses, with expenses higher in the north of the country.

Scholarships

Most universities internationally provide scholarships for studying abroad, covering either all or part of the tuition fees. Most countries that have invested significant funds in the development and evolution of their education system to make it attractive to international students offer government scholarships to help young talent thrive academically at their universities. Italian universities offer merit-based and needs-based scholarships (both full and partial). These often cover tuition fees, accommodation, and living expenses and are awarded on an annual basis. You can also look for scholarships in your country of origin, as for example in Greece, where many scholarships are given for studying abroad every year. Brive Scholarships help you fund your dream by completing study abroad applications through our innovative platform.

Top Universities in Italy

Italy has around 90 universities, the majority of which are publicly funded. A total of 30 universities in Italy feature in the QS World University Rankings, of which 12 make it into the world’s top 500. Here are some of the top universities in Italy:

Politecnico di Milano: Ranked particularly well for its art and engineering courses.
Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa: A small university established in 1810.
Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna Pisa: Another prominent institution in Pisa.
Università di Bologna (UNIBO): Lays claim to being one of the very first universities established.
Sapienza - Università di Roma: One of the world’s oldest universities, founded in 1303.
Università degli Studi di Milano: A leading university in Milan.
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore: Another internationally ranked university in Milan.
University of Milano-Bicocca: A well-regarded university in Milan.
Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi: Known as one of Europe’s top business-focused universities.
Università di Pisa: A prominent university in Pisa.

Applying to University in Italy

Admission Requirements

Each university and program has its own specific admission requirements. Generally, the candidate will need:

High school diploma: Equivalent to the Italian diploma maturita (12 years of education)
Entrance exam: Some universities, especially for fields such as medicine, engineering, and architecture, require entrance exams, entry tests, or a portfolio. These include IMAT for medicine, and English TOLC-I or TOLC-E for STEM and economics subjects, respectively. Some Italian universities or programs accept the SAT in lieu of an entrance test. Places are awarded based on the ranking number, assigned according to the results of the entry test or SAT. Bocconi University requires SAT scores above 1,400, or alternatively advises candidates to take the Bocconi admission test.
Proof of language proficiency: For English-taught programs: TOEFL or IELTS (typically to B2 level, according to CEFL). This requirement is often waived for candidates from schools with English as the language of instruction.

Submitting the Application

Applications for universities in Italy are usually submitted online. Most universities have their own online application portals, but there is also a centralized platform, Universitaly (similar to Ucas in the UK, or Studielink in the Netherlands), for international students. To apply, candidates need to:

Create an account: This is done either on the university’s application portal or via the Universitaly platform.
Fill in the application form: Provide personal details, academic background and the degree they want to apply for.
Upload the required documents:
- Certificate of secondary education or high school diploma. For students applying in their final year of high school (and especially with predicted grades for A levels), it may be necessary to submit an enrollment certificate from the school
- Curriculum vitae
- Academic transcripts, usually for the last two or three years of high school
- Proof of language proficiency.
- Letter of motivation and application essay, as required
- Reference letters or contact details for referees (if required)
- Portfolio (for design, architecture, and arts).

Application deadlines for international students are usually between April and July.

Pre-Enrollment

It is a headache called “pre-enrollment”. This procedure was put in place in the days before the internet and has not changed with the times. First, a student applies to a college in Italy. The school then issues a pre-acceptance letter (or rejection). The student takes the the pre-acceptance letter along with a ton of other required documents to the Italian embassy in their home country for pre-enrollment. This also begins the visa process. But wait-it’s potentially even more complicated! Some undergraduate programs have an entrance exam. SAT and ACT can substitute for many of them, but not for all. For instance, all the medical programs require entrance exams as do programs like architecture. Private universities tend to offer their entrance exams in the spring and often offer them in cities around the world. Public universities generally offer theirs on campus in Italy in September. And by September I mean a mere month before classes begin.

Applying for a visa

EU citizens do not require a visa. Non-EU citizens must apply for a student visa in their home country. If offered a place at an Italian university, non-EU students must submit to the Italian consulate their admission letter, a valid passport (with at least two blank pages and valid for at least three months beyond the planned stay), proof of financial resources (at least €6,000 per year, to cover living expenses), health insurance and proof of accommodation.

Overcoming Challenges

Applying to colleges in Italy can present unique obstacles:

Pre-enrollment: This complicated procedure requires students to take a pre-acceptance letter and other documents to the Italian embassy in their home country.
Entrance Exams: Some undergraduate programs, especially in medicine and architecture, require entrance exams.
Educational Equivalence: The Italian government requires that American students have either an IB or 3 AP scores of 3+ to enroll in bachelor’s programs due to the difference in years of education.

Living in Italy

Living in Italy as a student offers a unique and enriching experience. Here are some key aspects to consider:

Accommodation

Italy can still offer affordable student accommodation, thanks to its more sustainable international student numbers. Bocconi, for instance, provides a centralized campus that even provides housing-most of which is on campus! They currently have seven student residences with an eighth opening the summer of 2018. Rooms are single occupancy and range from 600-700 Euros per month.

Student Life

Italy is home to some of the world's best cities for students, offering a high standard of living and a large and diverse student population. The cities are cosmopolitan and coexist alongside a wealth of historical sites. Milan, for example, is recognized as a world leader in the fashion and design industries. Many cities get much of their life from their student population, who organize all kinds of parties, shows, and cultural events.

Transportation

Milan is extremely easy to get around-both as it pertains to the city and getting elsewhere in Italy and Europe. You can get to Lugano, in Switzerland, in under 90 minutes and Rome in under three hours.

Universities with Less Competitive Admissions

If you're seeking colleges in Italy that aren't too challenging to get into, consider these options:

University of Bologna: Offers several English-taught programs and has less stringent admission requirements compared to other top-tier universities in Italy.
Polytechnic University of Turin: Known for its Engineering and Architecture programs, this university balances competitiveness with accessibility.
University of Catania: Located in Sicily, the University of Catania has less competitive admission procedures yet a rich academic offering, especially in the Humanities.
John Cabot University: An American liberal arts university based in Rome. This could be a good fit if you're looking for smaller classes and an American-style degree program taught in English.
American University of Rome: One university that provides a uniquely American college experience while overlooking the historic city of Rome.

Spotlight on Bocconi University

Bocconi University in Milan stands out for its international approach to education. It focuses primarily on business and economics-related programs and offers English-taught bachelor’s, master’s, and MBA programs. Bocconi backs up its international approach with resources, including professors fluent in English and a diverse student body. The university also provides opportunities for further international exposure through Erasmus and bilateral agreements with schools around the world. Bocconi has resources and structures to support their students growth and development outside of the classroom as well.

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