I will start out by saying that as of now, Italy is not doing well economically. Specially if you’re a non-EU/EEA citizen, chances of landing a decent job after your studies are slim. So, please keep that in mind!
- Education in Italy is not completely free for international students. Public universities charge very low tuition fees, although depending on the program it might be higher if you’re a non-EU/EEA citizen. Private universities charge considerably higher tuition fees than public universities, but it’s mostly the same for EU/EEA citizens as well students from other countries. Therefore, I recommend you attend a public university. Keep in mind, that you will have to shell out more money on living expenses which depends on where in Italy you are located. However, there are scholarships offered to international students depending on previous academic record and financial need which cover tuition and in some cases living expenses as well. Depending on which country you’re from, there may be scholarships on offer by external bodies. I will talk more about scholarship opportunities for international students later.
- Depending on the university and the course you are interested in, you might have to demonstrate adequate knowledge of the Italian language. There are courses that are taught in English but they are mostly at the postgraduate level (Masters/PhD). For admission to the latter, you will have to demonstrate proficiency in English.
- Italy has adopted a three-cycle degree system established by the Bologna process. The laurea which is the equivalent of a Bachelors degree, generally lasts for 3 years. The laurea magistrale which is the equivalent of a Masters degree, generally lasts for 2 years. There’s another degree known as the laurea magistrale a ciclo unico which is only offered in some fields such as medicine which is the equivalent of an integrated Masters degree (Bachelors + Masters) and generally takes around 5-6 years to complete. The Dottorato di ricerca which is the equivalent of a PhD is the highest degree awarded by Italian universities and generally takes 3-4 years.
- Admission to any of the aforementioned degree programs depends on your performance in the last degree. Depending on the university, degree program and level of study, you might have to pass a test.
More details on many topics are on the way, so keep reading! Grazie!
