Italy · Study Abroad
How to study in Italy as an international student — application steps, student visas, and living costs.
AI-drafted, editorial review pending. The official links below are checked — confirm specifics with the authority.
Quick answer
To study in Italy you pre-enroll through the Universitaly portal and apply to the university; once admitted, you apply for a type-D student visa at the Italian consulate and, after arrival, request a residence permit (permesso di soggiorno). Explore options on Universitaly and Study in Italy and apply by the deadline.
International study in Italy is coordinated through universities and AFAM institutions, with Universitaly used for many pre-enrolment and visa-support procedures for non-EU applicants.
- Universitaly publishes international-student procedures and is the official free access portal for pre-enrolment applications.
- The university evaluates admission and foreign qualifications; visa issuance remains with the competent Italian consulate.
- For degree studies, check course deadlines, pre-enrolment windows, language requirements and permit steps before travel.
Step-by-step
- 1
Choose your course and institution
Choose your program, pre-enroll on Universitaly and apply to the university; explore options on Study in Italy.
- 2
Meet academic and language requirements
Meet the academic entry requirements and prove language ability (e.g. an English or local-language test) at the level the course demands.
- 3
Apply for admission
Apply for admission through the relevant application route by the deadline, with transcripts, test scores and supporting documents.
- 4
Receive offer and enrollment document
On acceptance, obtain your official enrollment/acceptance document, which you will need for the visa application.
- 5
Apply for your student visa
Apply for a type-D student visa at the Italian consulate; after arrival, request your residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) within eight days.
- 6
Arrive, enroll and know the rules
Arrive before the term, complete enrollment and any residence registration, and note the rules on part-time work and post-study stay.
Checklist
- Course, level and institution chosen
- Academic + language requirements met
- Admission application submitted by deadline
- Offer + enrollment/acceptance document received
- Proof of funds + health cover prepared
- Student visa applied for + granted
- Arrival, enrollment + registration done
- Work-hours and post-study stay rules understood
Official authorities
- Universitaly — international students
Official international-student procedures for Italian higher education.
- MUR — Study in Italy
Official MUR information for non-EU students resident abroad.
Frequently asked questions
What is Universitaly?
The official portal for pre-enrollment to Italian universities, a step many international applicants must complete before the visa.
What is a permesso di soggiorno?
The residence permit you must request soon after arriving in Italy to stay legally for the duration of your studies.
Are courses in Italian or English?
Both — many programs are in Italian, but Italian universities offer a growing number of English-taught degrees; check each one.
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.
Government portals
- Italian Government — Official portal of the Italian Government
- Ministry of the Interior (residence) — Residence permits (permesso di soggiorno) and immigration
- Revenue Agency (Agenzia delle Entrate) — Italian income tax, VAT, and tax code (codice fiscale)
- Visa for Italy (MAECI) — Visa requirements and applications from abroad