Study Abroad in Italy

To study abroad in Italy can be a mind blowing experience but you might not know all about the educational system of Italy and why students from different countries of the world troop in to this country.

In this post, you will find out all about studying in Italy ranging from its educational system, scholarships obtainable, visas and requirements, reasons why students choose Italy and the cost of living in Italy for International students.

Study Abroad in Italy

Italy is Europe’s favorite nation, with its diverse beauty, culture and history. With its capital in Rome and a population of over 60.6 million across the country, Italy has a total of 30,000 international students flocking into it per year.

Choosing to study abroad in Italy will give you a lot of access to so many cultural activities, touristic and historic heritage, from the alps located in the north of Italy to the southern part of Italy where the coastal beaches are found.

Educational system of Italy

Italy follows the Bologna system of education since the year 1999, which is a system of 3+2, which means you can graduate from an Italian University with Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees after 5 years.

High Schools in Italy

High schools to study abroad in Italy are broken down into different kinds of subjects and they last in the duration of 5 years. This system of high school education is unique in a way that every school has a major subject it teaches throughout and only students who are interested in such subjects can get admitted into the school.

Types of High School available to study abroad in Italy

• Liceo classical (classic high school)
• Liceo scientifico (scientific high school)
• Liceo linguistico (language high school)
• Liceo delle science umane (human science high school)
• Liceo artistic (artistic high school)
• Liceo musical coreutico (music high school)

University Education in Italy

Italy is home to the oldest universities in Europe withe the oldest university being the University of Bologna founded in 1088, followed by University of Padua, in 1222 and the University of Neples, in 1224.

Universities in Italy are quite affordable compared to their western Europe counterparts and the quality of the education found in these universities are undeniable.

Italian universities while being good at what they do and having a great quality has some areas in which they are outstanding and these areas are fashion and architecture.

Top 5 Universities to Study Abroad in Italy

1. University of Bologna
2. Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies Pisa
3. Scuola Normale Supérieure di Pisa
4. Sapienza University of Rome
5. University of Padua

Tuition Fees in Italy

Tuition fees in Italy are significantly lower and affordable than any other country in Europe.

In Italy, tuition fees are dependent on the higher institutions but there is a legal minimum and maximum cost which cannot exceed 20% of state funding.

Below are the average costs of some universities in Italy

• Public University

The average tuition fees for a public university has a range of €900 – €4,000 per year and this cost is dependent on the following: if you are an EU student or non EU student, the institution of choice and the program or level of study

• Private University

These universities are more expensive than the public universities with tuition fees ranging from €6,000 – €20,000 annually.

Costs of Studying Abroad in Italy

Apart from tuition fees, students have to buy or shop for their respective needs in the market and also a place to sleep is a basic need especially for an international student and these all have to be considered before or while you study abroad abroad in Italy.

Students housing is often managed by the International office of the University. These offices provide information on the renting houses which are affordable than the cost of getting a house on the private market. These offices advice the students on the best location for them to stay in as well as the prices being considered.

Housing in Italy especially in bigger cities can be expensive and can range from a cost of €300 – €600 a month.

And for other living costs of some basic needs, the following are estimated values

1. Meal: A meal in Italy costs €15
2. Coffee: Are you a coffee drinker? It costs €1.35 per coffee
3. Beer: €51
4. For the movie freeks, a cinema ticket costs €8
5. Transportation monthly: €35

Students Visas to Apply to Study Abroad in Italy

Students visas are issues by the Italian embassies in the student country of origin.

EU students can enter Italy with a valid passport or an EU I.D card and can stay in Italy without a visa for the duration of their studies.

This is not the case for non-EU students, as they will have to obtain a visa before entering the country.

Types of Visa for Non-EU Students

There are only two types of visas for non-EU students and each of them have the same requirements you have to present before you can obtain them

1. Visa type C: This visa is for short term stay or a travel visa. It is valid for one or more entries and has a period of not more than 90 days.
2. Visa Type D: This is the long stay visa which lasts for more than 90 days

Required Documents to Apply for a Visa

• Valid passport
• Letter of acceptance from institution of choice in Italy
• Completed Visa Application form
• Copy of Itinerary to and from Italy
• Proof of no criminal records
• Proof of language proficiency in Italian or English
• Proof of adequate financial means to support oneself (between €450 – 515 monthly)
• Proof of accommodation
• Proof of payment of application fee

Working and Studying Abroad in Italy

International students who are EU nationals can work in Italy along side studying but they must not exceed 20 hours per week of swork during study periods but can take more during vacations.

Non-EU students can work during studies if they obtain a work permit which requires a job offer from an Italian boss or employer of labor. And usually to process this permit takes an average period of two months depending on the region in Italy one stays.

Scholarships and Funding Available to Study Abroad in Italy

There are so many funding and scholarship opportunities waiting and open for students, especially International students in Italy.

Some of these scholarships cover tuition fees as well as living costs while others are often limited to just the tuition fees and are given to students who having better grades from previous studies

1. Italian Government Scholarships for Foreign and IRE students

This is offered to International students as well as Italian citizens studying abroad in other countries and this scholarship is available for the following programs

• Master’s degree
• AFAM courses
• PhD programs
• Research endeavors

2. EDISU Piemonte Scholarship: These are available to both EU and Non-EU students that enrolled in a full time program in the university of Piedmont

3. Bologna University Study Grants for International Students: This university awards 48 study grants to international students who attend this school.

4. Bocconi Scholarships in Italy for International Students: This scholarship takes record of student economic situations and academic performance when deciding on its recipients. It covers full tuition worth of €12,700 annually.

5. Politecnico di Torino International Scholarship: for international students studying either engineering or architecture programs at the polytechnic of Turin.

Tips for Studying Abroad in Italy 

You want to study abroad in Italy? Well there are a few things that you need to know about studykfe and how you could cope with Italians and their way of life and how you can enjoy to the fullest your stay in the country.

1. Be open minded
2. Learn the language: Even if your program is English , you have to learn and understand the Italian language to be able to move about freely and connect with the folks of the town.
3. Pack smart: it is one mistake of international students to pack a lot of clothes when traveling. Get what you need, things more important and essential when traveling to study abroad in Italy.
4. Be social with the locals: Getting social or talking with the locals is one way of knowing Italy faster and safer. Italian citizens are known for their friendly and welcoming behavior, so use it to your advantage of knowing the place more.
5. Travel around Europe
6. Sightsee with Italy: the architecture of Italy is known around the world, so what would you do as a student who wants to study abroad in Italy? Go for sight seeing, embrace the nature and the structure of buildings, take pictures of places in Italy.
7. Eat anything Italian
8. Enjoy the coffee culture
9. Dress like a local
10. Avoid scams: Scammers are everywhere, on the streets, on the internet and in schools. It is wise to be careful and stick with someone who knows the place and the way of life of the location in Italy.

Study Abroad in Rome

Rome is known for centuries as a home of rich history and culture. The “Eternal City” of Rome offers a rewarding international education experience.

4 Reasons to Study Abroad in Rome

1. Visiting world-renowned landmarks: Visiting the Vatican is a must, regardless of one’s religion. Taking in the architectural wonders of Vatican city including staring at the Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel is an unforgettable experience. What about the Colosseum, one of Rome’s greatest architectural and engineering structure. It was once the site of gladiator battles and it is a historical sites to visit.
2. There’s a program for everybody: No matter what you major in, be it engineering, science, politics, history, fashion, studying abroad in Rome provides a rich educational experience. Courses in art, photography, film, communication ls, psychology and religions are also available in Rome study abroad programs.
3. Learning a new language: Do you know that the Italian language is easy to learn for English speakers? Learning in Rome will definitely immerse you in the Italian language and if you are an English speaking student, it’s a bonus to you.
4. There are Exciting Excursions: When you study abroad in Rome, you are located at the center of Italy and the heart of Europe. You literally have the world to travel at your doorstep. Luckily for you, there are programs available in Rome that offers a lot of travel opportunities as part of the study package. Look out for day trips to Assisi, Spells and Umbria region included in your program. Trips to Venice, Sicily, Sorrento, Naples, Pompeii and Capri Island should be on your bucket list.

There are a lot of places to visit as an international student studying abroad in Italy, not to mention the homely and friendly people you will see around you.