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Italy’s historic treasures and magnificent cuisine continue to draw visitors as they have done for centuries. From the snow-capped Dolomites in the North to the warm maritime Mediterranean culture of the South, Italy’s regions are diverse and exciting. For the international student seeking world-class but affordable education, with a wide range of social and leisure activities, few countries are as exciting a choice as Italy.
The country’s cultural importance extends back to ancient times and the past greets the student of history and archaeology on every street corner. For many, Rome is still the Eternal City, the centre of an empire that – some 2,000 years ago – stretched from rainy Britannia to the deserts of Syria. At its height it also encompassed Egypt, much of North Africa and nearly all of Continental Europe.
Italy’s Ancient Roman monuments, magnificent as they are, tell only part of the story. The Renaissance of the 14th to 17th century originated in Italy (as the Rinascimento) and sparked innovation and revolutions in art, architecture, philosophy, religion and the sciences across Europe. Intellectual activity and creativity flourished, carrying gems of ancient and medieval thought into the modern world.
• Plenty of top universities with an impressive international environment
• Italy is an affordable destination for international students
• Easy ways to travel the country
• A country full of wonders
• No pineapple on your pizza!
• Late nights are a given in Italy
• So many English-taught degrees you won’t know what to choose
• The ridiculous graduation ritual
• Surrounded by arts, architecture and fashion
• Great place to meet your soulmate
Sr. | State | Universities |
1 | Italy | Ca’ Foscari University of Venice |
2 | Italy | Global Campus of Human Rights |
3 | Italy | LUISS University |
4 | Italy | Politecnico di Milano |
5 | Italy | Politecnico di Torino |
6 | Italy | Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies |
7 | Italy | Sapienza University of Rome |
8 | Italy | SDA Bocconi School of Management |
9 | Italy | Università Iuav di Venezia |
10 | Italy | Università IULM |
11 | Italy | University of Bologna |
12 | Italy | University of Florence |
13 | Italy | University of Milan |
14 | Italy | University of Naples Federico II |
15 | Italy | University of Padua |
16 | Italy | University of Pisa |
17 | Italy | University of Rome Tor Vergata |
18 | Italy | University of Trento |
19 | Italy | University of Turin |
20 | Italy | University of Verona |
• Official name: Italian Republic (RepubblicaItaliana)
• Capital: Rome (Roma), nickname “The Eternal City”
• Amount needed for living costs: €12,000 (~US$13,500) per year
• Average international undergraduate tuition fees: from €900 (~US$1,000) per year
• Borders with France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia
• Italy has numerous islands, and the mainland is famously shaped like a boot.
• There are two independent states within Italy, both enclaves: Republic of San Marino and Vatican City.
• Italy has the only active volcano in mainland Europe: Mount Vesuvius. Of Italy’s 14 volcanoes, three others are active: Mount Etna, Stromboli and Vulcano.
• Europe’s third-largest economy, eighth largest in the world
• 51 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, more than any other country
• Official language: Italian. Other recognized linguistic groups have co-official status including French, German, Ladin and Slovene.
• Main religion: Roman Catholic
• Currency: Euro (€)
• Main exports: engineering products, textiles and clothing, machinery, motor vehicles, transport equipment, chemicals, tobacco, minerals, and nonferrous metals
• Italy’s national football (soccer) team has won the FIFA World Cup four times, in 1934, 1938, 1982 and 2006 – only Brazil has been more successful.
• Other popular team sports in Italy include volleyball, basketball and rugby.
• There is a European law safeguarding the ‘traditional Italian pizza’.
• The language of music is in Italian (for example mezzo, lento, andante, allegro, vivace and presto).
• Famous Italian cheeses include Parmesan, from the Parma area in Northern
• Italy and mozzarella, traditionally made using Italian buffalo milk.
• Time zone: Central European Time (UTC+1), UTC+2 in the summer
• International dialing code: +39
• Internet domain: .it
To begin studying as an international student, there are a range of entry requirements you may have to meet.
The academic requirements (including evidence of English language skills) you need to study will vary depending on the level of education you want to study. Universities and schools can have different entry requirements, so read the course information on their websites carefully.
The costs associated with studying at university or school overseas vary greatly. It depends on the nature of the program, the length of your stay, the distance you travel and the kind of lifestyle you want when you get there.
1. When deciding what and where to study, start by thinking about your academic interests and your career goals.
2. Take some time to research specific courses, subjects and options for internships or work placements.
3. Look at the campus location, rankings, the amount of time you would like to spend away from home and the total cost of studying and living overseas.
4. Studying overseas is about more than just the course. Think about what kind of lifestyle you prefer – do you want to be in a cosmopolitan city, or a quiet country town? Would you prefer to choose a city where there are other students from your nationality? Do you want to be close to the beach? Do you want to live on campus?
5. If you would like to explore the option of staying in the country to work after your studies you will need to find out about the migration policies in place and also be aware that these government policies can change at any time.
Your career prospects will benefit hugely from your experience of studying, living and socialising overseas. It’s your opportunity to develop a wealth of new skills, perspectives and stronger English language skills and seek work experience from the sort of employers you’d like to work for.
The skills and qualifications employers and professional registration bodies require will vary from country to country. If, for example, you are working towards a career with strict entry requirements such as medicine, engineering, accounting or teaching, do some research with the relevant registration bodies in your home country for advice.
There is a limited number of partial scholarships and bursaries available for international students. The amount varies by level of study and by institution. These scholarships are competitive and you need to demonstrate exceptional academic achievements.
Working while you study can help complement your study and living experience. If you pursue a course at degree level or above you may be permitted to work while on an international student visa.
Before you undertake any paid work, you need to make sure that your visa allows it. The opportunity for students to work part-time during their studies varies from country to country.
Many universities have a dedicated job centre on-campus for students that advertise job opportunities to help students develop skills. The university careers service is also a useful source of information.
We recommend you begin your application process at least a year in advance to give enough time for your applications to be processed and to prepare for your time overseas.