collageEverybody wants to get an Italian higher education. That’s because there are some Italian universities that don’t charge application fees, while most schools in other countries do. It’s this reason which has led many students around the world to look into Italian universities. Would you like to know more? Keep reading, your Italian adventure is just getting started!
Students looking to study in Italy have been facing a lot of obstacles. You have to pay high tuition fees, which are not always refundable; you have to apply to the college directly and bear the cost of language courses (that can sometimes cost as much as $1,400 per semester); you have to take full-time courses and face the pressure of succeeding or failing when you’re thousands of miles away from home. Never fear. With collegelearners.org Italian universities without application fees, you don’t need to pay any of this.
To be sure, getting the right information online doesn’t come easy. However, the article below brings you the best and latest information on application deadlines for italian universities 2021, universities in italy for international students & tuition fees in italy for international students.
In this article, we will be discussing the top 10 Italian universities that do not charge any application fee.
Italy is a beautiful country with beautiful people. It has been ranked as one of the most beautiful countries in the world by UNESCO. It has a rich history and culture that makes it an ideal place to study in.
The Italian universities have great reputation globally and attract students from all over the world. They provide quality education at affordable prices without charging any application fees to foreign students. The following are some of the top Italian universities that do not charge any application fees for foreign students:
1) Politecnico di Milano – This university was founded in 1863 and is one of the oldest in Italy. It has seven faculties which include architecture, design, engineering etc., offering courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. It has a student body of over 23000 with about 2500 international students from around 100 different countries worldwide including India, China, Russia etc., making it one of the most diverse institutions in Europe. It also offers research opportunities for both undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as doctoral candidates who can receive financial support from Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Programme (EMSP).
A Quick Intro to Italy
When people think of Italy, their minds immediately associate it with pizza, pasta, and hand gestures. Italians are very known for their pasta; they are the top consumers of it!
During lunch, Italians usually have an enhanced meal with pasta as their first course, fish or meat comes second, and a dessert cannot be missed out of course. Besides pasta, a good cappuccino is also very much appreciated among the Italians.
Studying in Italy is very interesting, especially if you are to come from a modern country or city.
Hence the reason is that Italy is a famous country owning her roots from the ancient Greek and Roman civilisations. There is a lot of art, literature, poetry, and religion involved in Italy. Take your time to travel so you can discover a lot of origins (and dishes!).
Why Study in Italy?
We can tell from experience that international students who have studied in Italy did not regret moving there for one moment. They experienced the best time of their lives; with its breath-taking landscapes, amazing multicultural culture and its strong historical atmosphere.
Therefore, there is no better place than to study the field of fashion, design, architecture, applied science and arts in this country; international students will be guaranteed to get an enriching cultural experience.
Another reason to study in Italy is that the country offers a broad range of subjects throughout all universities. With a wide variety of courses, they also give the students the option to study some courses or programmes online.
This means that international students can pursue its degree programme also online. This shows that universities in Italy are very flexible in providing study programmes to all students, in different circumstances.
Still not convinced yet? Ok, we will give you one final reason that studying in Italy would benefit you!
That is simply because Italy has top-rated programmes with teachers coming from all over the world with a lot of practice experience and a vast network, meaning that professors can help students into professional success in practice.
What is the primary language of education?
Italian is the main language that is used for teaching and administration. However, due to the increasing influx of foreign students in the country, countless courses in several public and private universities offer degrees and courses that are taught in English. To study in English, Italian universities require international students to take the IELTS or TOEFL Exam.
Learning Italian is also encouraged and several international students chose to study the language for their benefit.
What are some of the most popular degrees in Italy?
Italy is known for having great programs for international students as well as having highly-ranked universities. Here are some of the degrees that are most popular with international students studying in Italy:
- Business
- Computer Science
- Medicine
- Nursing
Are international students eligible to work in Italy?
International students can work under certain restrictions within their student visa, depending on their status as EU citizens. Non-EU nationals can typically work for a maximum of 20 hours a week during term-time and not more.
Prepare to apply
Before applying to a university in Italy, first, you will need to check if your qualifications are considered eligible for higher education studies in Italy.
- Check the tuition fees and living costs. Cities in Italy might be beautiful, but can be fairly expensive depending on the limits of your budget.
- Contact the university you are interested in and ask for a prior assessment.
- The university will give you feedback regarding your eligibility; if you meet the admission requirements, then you will have to submit a pre-application request to the Italian embassy or consulate in your area.
- The Italian embassy or consulate will submit your application and documents to the Italian higher education institution you chose to apply to.
- The Italian embassy or consulate publishes a list of admitted candidates usually at the end of August.
Look for scholarship opportunities in Italy. You can also check out the collegelearners website to get some help on financing your studies abroad.
Italian Universities Without Application Fee
Are italian universities free?
Education of all levels is free for students and children of all nationalities provided that they are residents of Italy. Unfortunately, international students are not entitled to tuition-free education.
However, scholarships and bursaries are available for students if required, which can be offered through the university or via the student’s government. Under exceptional circumstances, these scholarships can sometimes cover the whole tuition fees based on the student’s potential.
How much does it cost to study in Italy?
This largely depends on the prospective university, the location in Italy and the student’s personal circumstances. Tuition fees tend to be very affordable and can typically range between EUR 850 and 1000/year in public universities.
Private universities tend to be significantly higher. Students of EU countries will further benefit from lower tuition fees. When considering the costs of living, the overall costs average between EUR 1000 to 1500/month.
tuition free universities in italy for international students 2022
Italy, without question, is one of the most beautiful and culturally rich countries of Europe. The country has become a top tourist destination with its overflowing wealth in architecture, history, culture, fashion and cuisine.
Through its rich tapestry of history and culture, one of the most iconic facts is that this nation is comprised of over 20 different regions. Each of these regions to have a certain degree of autonomy and therefore tend to have their own cuisine, dialects, traditions etc. due to the fact that Italy only became a unified country in 1861. This contributes to the country’s striking diversity and varying identity.
Although Italy has never had a smooth journey in terms of its history, it currently offers a truly aesthetic experience with a rich blend of tradition and colour.
The thriving community coupled with the aforementioned diversity in history, culture, cuisine and so on are some of the many factors that attract students to Italy for their studies, whether it’s for a full-time degree or for a year abroad.
It comes as no surprise that countless universities and institutions of higher education maintain partnerships and international exchange programs with several universities in Italy.
Education in Italy has always been a strong core of the country; after all, Italy is literally home to the oldest universities in the world, the University of Bologna.
Undeniably, Italy has a lot to offer to its prospective students. While it is indeed a great place to study for higher education purposes, it definitely does not imply paying high tuition fees nor does it come with high costs of living.
In this article, we bring to you a series of some of the cheapest universities in Italy. We highly recommend you consider these options if you are considering studying in this country while being cost-effective.
Higher Education in Italy
Because of the endless benefits of studying in Italy, a lot of international students prefer to be charmed by this country. In fact, Italy is home to one of the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world.
The Italian capital, Rome, home of the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, is also where Sapienza – Università di Roma is. Politecnico di Milano is located at the ‘Fashion Capital’ Milan, which also has the largest student community in Italy! Meanwhile, the ‘Culinary Capital, Bologna has Università di Bologna (UNIBO), which also known as is the oldest university in continuous operation.
Finally, Pisa, known for the world-famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, has Università di Pisa where one of the world’s most famous astronomers, physicists and inventors, Galileo Galilei studied.
A. Higher Education Institutions in Italy
There are around 90 universities in Italy, consisted of 58 state universities, nine higher schools specialised in postgraduate studies, 18 non-state universities, and 11 online universities.
The non-university sector includes higher schools of design, higher education in language mediation, higher integrated education, and higher education based on specific fields such as military studies.
Like most universities in Europe, the academic year in Italy is divided into two semesters as well, starting in September until February and then ending in July again.
Did you know? Italy is one of the four countries that created the European Area of Higher Education (EHEA) which was launched along the Bologna Process. The EHEA aimed to implement reforms on higher education. This way, higher education in these countries will be more compatible and quality assurance. Today, there are 48 member countries since its inception 18 years ago.
Universities in Italy
The universities in Italy are divided into following: the state-run universities, the private universities, technical universities, and the superior graduate schools.
| State-run Universities | Other Publicly-funded Universities | Private Universities | Superior Graduate Schools |
|---|---|---|---|
| They have the full backing of the government, but still, have autonomy on their own affairsFully-equipped with facilities and centers to better aid students and faculty | Universities that are funded by province, rather than a state | Officially recognised by the Ministry of Education and funded by tuition fees and private entitiesCan set a cap on the number of students they choose based on their criteria | Scuola Superiore Universitaria in ItalianThese schools focus on offering postgraduate education qualifications – Master’s and Doctorate |
Technical Schools
These institutes are designed to train their students in specific industries.
B. Pathway to Studying in Italy
The length of your study depends on the path you wish to take. Here’s a basic duration of study in Italy
C. Top Institutions in Italy as per QS World Ranking 2021
There are 28 Italian universities mentioned in the QS World University Rankings. The following 10 universities are among the world’s top 500:
D. After Study Opportunities in Italy
If you decide to stay longer in Italy because you are planning to work in the country, that is no problem! For a visa longer than three months you will always need the long-stay visa, also called the national visa. You need to apply for this visa in person at the Italian embassy.
The following documents will be needed:
- A valid passport
- Arranged accommodation administration
- Purpose of extending your stays such as a work permit or a university declaration
- Proof of financial support during the stay
Keep in mind that the embassy can always demand more official papers. After the long-stay visa is approved, the visa will then be categorised for the purpose of staying in Italy such as a work visa, a student visa or a family visa.
Applying to Study in Italy
A. Language Requirements
If your study programme is in English, you will need to attach all the results you received during your English courses. This is not the case for international students that already live in an English native-speaking country, such as the UK or Australia.
If you are planning to follow a study programme in Italian, you will need to have a minimum level of B2, which is according to the Europass Language Passport Classification. Anything lower than B2 will not be accepted!
B. Visa Requirements
Residents from the EU countries do not have to apply for a visa if they want to study in Italy. Non-EU residents, however, will need a student visa. You can apply for that through a university or the Italian embassy. In order to apply for a visa, you:
- Must have accommodation in Italy
- Need to prove you are financially stable to support yourself throughout your stay in Italy
- Must be entitled to medical care
- Original passport
- Must have a letter of acceptance from the university if you are applying through the Italian embassy
Moreover, all students, within or outside the EU, must apply for a residence permit. This needs to be done three months before the arrival.
Tuition Fees
Each university is determining its own tuition fee, but on an average between €850 and €1000 euros for all degree levels! In the case of superior graduate schools, it differs significantly per institution, but the tuition fees start at a minimum of €1500.
If you think this is over your budget: there are scholarships available in Italy and some international students can apply for student loans and grants in Italy.
| Study Level | Tuition Fee, Per Year, in EUR | Tuition Fee, Per Year, in USD |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 850 – 1,000 | 925 – 1,080 |
| Master’s Degree | 850 – 1,000 | 925 – 1,080 |
| Doctorate’s Degree | 850 – 1,000 | 925 – 1,080 |
| Superior Graduate Schools | Approximately 1,500 | 1,620 |
Universities With No Application Fee in Europe
It is certainly not economical to keep spending huge amount of monies on application fees in different universities abroad while at the end of the day none of these universities may consider you for admission.
Application fee is something I have been praying to be entirely scrapped but it seems it can hardly be so. Some universities said that the fee takes care of application logistics and I have no power to question this so what I can do for my readers is to give them other options.
There are many amazing universities in Europe with no application fee that you can submit your applications to and be sure of saving some bucks towards tuition unless you have plans of studying on scholarship.
You know, application fees for some universities cost up to $75, this way you will be spending $750 to apply for admission in just 10 universities maybe in the US. Here, I am going to give you at least 10 universities that would charge you no dime for admission application and I will be helping you save a whopping $750!
Calculate that amount in your local currency so you know how much this information is really worth.
Here at collegelearners.com we give information totally for free, our desire is to help you achieve your dream to study abroad and we are very committed to seeing this come to pass. Whatever it would take, we will provide information against all odds; we will walk with you side by side to success.
Cheap Universities in Italy
1. University of Florence
- Tuition fees: From € 1040
- Link to website
The University of Florence is a public research university located in the stunning city of Florence. It is one of the oldest and most influential institutions of higher education in the country. The university’s origins date back to the early 14th century when it was founded. Academically, the university is comprised of 12 main departments ranging from agriculture and economics to law and medicine.
Collectively, over 126 different degrees and courses of study are offered. Currently, a student population of over 52,000 study and pursue degrees within the university’s walls.
This cheap university in Italy has been consistently ranked as a top institution in the university league tables; the QS university rankings have placed the university in the top 500 in the world.
It holds multiple international partnerships with foreign universities. This provides students with the chance to pursue joint degrees that are awarded in collaboration. Furthermore, the university is a high profile research centre and forms one of the intellectual hubs of the country.
2. University of Siena
- Tuition fees: From € 1800
- Link to website
Located in the city of Siena in Tuscany, the University of Siena is a public research university that was founded in 1240. It is the oldest and most reputed university in the region and was the first institution to be publicly funded. It offers studies for a student enrolment of over 22,000.
The university is comprised of 15 academic departments that are organised under 5 main faculties including Biomedical & Medical Sciences, Experimental Sciences, Economics, Law & Political Sciences and the School of Arts.
Unlike the majority of universities in Italy, the University of Siena is a campus city and the institution forms an integral part of the city. Students have access to one of the most thriving communities in the country with a strong thirst for research, knowledge and learning. The university is very carefully and strongly organised to provide the best in terms of cutting-edge teaching facilities.
3. Free University of Bozen-Bolzano
- Tuition fees: From €1340
- Link to website
The Free University of Bozen-Bolzano is a private-public research university that is primarily located in Bolzano in Northern Italy. Founded in 1997, it is one of the more recent additions to the higher education system in the country.
Iconically, the aim of this cheap university in Italy aim is to provide a multilingual, practically-oriented educational experience towards its students. As a result, degrees and courses of study are offered in either English, German or Italian. With its focus on applied teaching, a large proportion of teaching take place as practical training and workshops.
Currently, the university has a student population of over 5000 students, of which approximately 20% come from outside of Italy. The Free University offers more than 30 undergraduate and graduate programs for the students across a range of disciplines including natural sciences, social sciences, education, engineering and economics. Teaching is administered through 3 major campuses in Bolzano as well as Bruneck and Brixen.
4. University of Turin
- Tuition fees: From €2800
- Link to website
The University of Turin is a public university located in the city of Turin (or Torino) in Northwestern Italy. Established in 1404, the university is among the oldest institutions in Europe and is ranked among the top universities in Italy. It is further ranked among the top 500 universities in the world.
Currently, the university has a student population of over 70,000. Students have access to a wide array of degrees and courses of study provided by 55 academic departments. Several courses such as Biotechnology, Sports Sciences, Military Sciences and Conservation Studies are unique to this institution in Italy alone.
5. University of Padua
- Tuition fees: From €2500
- Link to website
Founded in 1222, the University of Padua is considered to be the second oldest university in the world. Originally founded as a school of law, this affordable university in Italy is at the highest rank in Italy and currently has over 61,000 students. The university’s central campus is located in the city of Padua in Northern Italy.
Some of the iconic alumni that the university has produced include the likes of Nicolas Copernicus (formulated the model of the current Solar System), Vesalius (the father of modern human anatomy) and Federico Faggin (inventor of the microprocessor).
6. Ca’Foscari University of Venice
- Tuition fees: From €1844
- Link to website
The Ca’Foscari University of Venice is a public university located in the iconic city of Venice. It was originally established in 1868 as a business school but has since expanded to an international world class institution with over 25,000 students. Academically, the university is comprised of 8 academic departments.
Furthermore, the disciplines of economics and modern languages are among the most highly ranked in the country. With over 700 international exchange programmes fostered through foreign university partnerships, the Ca’ Foscari University draws in over 1500 foreign students every year to its institution. Courses are administered in both English and Italian.
7. Sant Anna School of Advanced Studies
- Tuition fees: From €3500
- Link to website
The Sant Anna School of Advanced Studies is a public research university located in the city of Pisa. Founded in 1987, it is one of the most recent institutions to be included in the country’s system. Its focal point of education is in teaching the applied sciences. Examples of the degrees and courses offered by the university include business sciences, economics, law, political science, agricultural studies, medical sciences and industrial sciences.
The 2000+ students who are currently enrolled at the university therefore have access to over 50 different courses of study, be it at the bachelors, masters or doctoral study level. With its increasing excellence in academics, this one of the cheapest universities in Italy has been ranked in the top 10 of the Times Higher Education’s 150 Universities under 50.
8. University of Bologna
- Tuition fees: From €2000
- Link to website
Holding pride as the oldest university in the world, the University of Bologna was founded in 1088 and is one of the crown jewels of the higher education system in Italy. With a student population of over 80,000, the university not only is the largest institution in the country but is also consistently ranked as the top university in the country. 11 major schools and 33 academic departments constitute the academic system of the university.
Through these departments, 101 first-level degrees (3 year courses) and 108 second-level degrees (2 year courses) are offered. Afterwards, students are eligible to apply for Masters or Doctoral programs as well.
The university is spread across 5 main campuses (Bologna, Forli, Cesena, Rimini and Ravenna) as well as an international campus in Buenos Aires. It has established itself as a global hub for academic teaching and research with multiple partnerships across the world.
9. Polytechnic University of Milan
- Tuition fees: From €3500
- Link to website
Considered to be the largest technical university by student enrolment, the Polytechnic University of Milan is a state-supported institution that was founded in 1863. The university mainly specializes in providing education in the disciplines of engineering, design and architecture.
The Polytechnic holds rank as the best university in Italy to pursue studies in engineering. This cheap university in Italy operates through two main campuses in the city of Milan with additional campuses in five other cities across the country.
Over 30 different degrees are offered to undergraduates while over 20 programs for Masters are offered. International programs like the ATHENS and ERASMUS draw in around 1000 foreign students on an annual basis.
10. University of Trento
- Tuition fees: From €1000
- Link to website
The University of Trento is a public university located in the Northern Italian city of Trento. Established in 1962, it has expanded into an institution of high quality research and education with a student population of over 17,000.
Academically, the university comprises of 7 faculties which collectively offer around 51 programmes and courses of study as well as multiple graduate courses. The university strongly believes in internationalising education and therefore hosts the largest number of international partnerships in the country.
With regards to its global rankings, the university has been consistently ranked among the top 500 universities in the world since 2007 (based on the Times higher education rankings).
Universities With No Application Fee in Europe
( universities in Europe with no application fee )
- TU Munich – Germany
- University of Vienna – Austria
- University of Oslo – Norway
- Vrije Universiteit Brussels – Belgium
- RWTH Aachen -Germany
- Gent University – Belgium
- University of Glasgow – UK
- University de Montpellier – France
- Politecnico di Milano – Italy
- Paris Tech – France
More on European Universities Without Application Fees
These universities though as popular as they are, do not charge application fees and this is a great favour to applicants. You do not have to spend your tuition fee on application only to stare at the offer when you finally receive it with no money to process it.
Some of the universities on this list, like the Glasgow University are featured among the best universities in the world and also have several scholarship programs yet they do not charge any application fees for both students outside Europe and those within.
These universities in Europe with no application fee are my recommendations for international students who are not very quite sure if they would be admitted in Europe if the apply to study there.
Here is a list of the top 11 European Universities with no application fee for international students.
1.RWTH Aachen, Germany
RWTH Aachen is the leading engineering university in Germany, often being counted among the top 30 universities in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering in the world. It has a vibrant student population of over 45,000 students. The university is located in several patches of the Aachen city and has several industrial collaborations.
Some of the courses are also taught in partnership with the neighboring University of Bonn, University of Cologne and the University of Maastricht.
If you are keen to pursue MS in Germany in STEM fields, this university must be on your list. Aachen is one of the most affordable cities in Western Europe with proximity to Cologne, Dusseldorf, Dortmund, Bonn, Brussels, Eindhoven and Maastricht.
Times Higher Education ranks RWTH Aachen at #87 in the 2019 Overall University Rankings of the World.
2. Politecnico di Milano, Italy
3. ParisTech, France
ParisTech is not one university or college. It’s basically a collegiate system of 10 engineering colleges just like the Oxford and Cambridge. FYI, the University of Oxford consists of 39 colleges like Worcester College, Exeter College, Hertford College, Kellogg College, St. John’s College etc.
Each of the 10 engineering colleges under the Paris Tech has a specialized stream. For example, Agro ParisTech has specialized courses in agriculture, agrotech and forestry. Chimie ParisTech is popular in France for its chemistry-related courses. ENSAE ParisTech is famous for its economics and finance courses.
ParisTech graduates are highly regarded in France. Most of the campuses are located in Central Paris or on the outskirts of Paris. A countable number of courses (rare) are available as far as Bordeaux, like the Aerospace specialization.
4. Ghent University, Belgium
Ghent University, established in 1817, is the second-best university in Belgium in terms of research output and innovation after KU Leuven. It is ranked between 120-140 in the QS World Rankings.
Although a lot of courses are in Dutch, there are ample Master’s courses in English without an application fee, ranging from law to engineering.
Bioscience Engineering and Biomedical Engineering are niche areas of research in the university and it is considered one of the best universities in Europe in this field.
5. University of Glasgow, UK
The University of Glasgow ranks high for humanities, basic science, life sciences, biology and clinical medicine. However, I wouldn’t rank it among the top 100 universities when it comes to engineering.
40% of the student population is international. Hence, you can expect the student population to be quite diverse. It is located on the west side of the city with a lot of bars and shisha lounge nearby.
tuition free universities in italy for international students
universities with no application fee for international students
list of universities in italy
6. University de Montpellier, France
Montpellier in the south of France is an amazing student city. Nearly 20% of the population in the city are students. The location- ‘South France’- is enough to excite someone, given the proximity to the sea beaches and an excellent climate throughout the year.
The university has several collaborations with CNRS, the government research agency in France as well as industries. If you are aiming for MS in France, this university should be on your list of colleges.
7. TU Munich, Germany
The second most funded university in Germany. TU Munich is known for its proximity to industry and has carved out a name for its ’employer reputation’.
TU Munich has the top-ranked Computer Engineering postgraduate programs in Germany. Times Higher Education has consistently ranked it among the top 50 universities of the world in 2017,2018 and 2019.
8. University of Vienna, Austria
9. University of Oslo, Norway
10. Vrije Universiteit Brussels, Belgium
11. University of Twente, Netherlands
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