Cost of Studying in Italy for International Students 2025
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Cost of Studying in Italy for International Students 2025

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Aishwarya
Aishwarya Bhatnagar
Study Abroad Expert
Updated on Dec 19, 2024 19:10 IST
Indian students planning to study in Italy to pursue higher education will witness the lowest tuition fees. The cost of studying in Italy for international students is lower in comparison to other European countries and USA or Canada. But some universities in Italy can offer tuition-free education or can charge up to €35,000. The tuition fee at Italy universities varies with each level - for undergrad courses the fee can vary between €900 - €4,000 and postgraduate cum research universities can cost up to €3,500 for a year. 
Cost of Studying in Italy for International Students

There is also a difference in costs if the university in Italy is public or private because public universities in Italy are cheaper than private ones.

Check out: A Complete Guide for International Students in Italy

Cost of Studying in Italy Highlights 2025

Cost of Studying at Public Italy University 

Up to €12,000 per annum

Cost of Studying at Private Italy University 

Up to €35,000 per annum

Cost of Travelling  

Travel Pass: €35 (monthly) 

Annual Tuition Fee Costs 

€950 - 35,000 

Tuition-Free Universities in Italy 

20+ 

Scholarships Offered in Italy Universities 

Yes  

Cost of Course Books 

€30 - €45 per semester 

College Fees 

€300 - €600 (varies if one-time or annual)

Cost of Education in Italy by Degree 

The average annual cost of studying in Italy based on the level of education varies. The cost of studying at a private university in Italy for a specialised postgraduate course like an MBA in Italy is higher than at an undergraduate study. But pursuing an undergraduate or postgraduate degree from a public university in Italy can be cheaper or maybe free in comparison to a private university. Following is a level-wise cost of education in Italy analysis for reference:  

  • An undergraduate course is €900 - €4,000, costing approximately INR 79,701 - INR 3,54,228 for an Indian student.  
  • A postgraduate course in Italy can cost from €400 and can go up to €3,500.  
  • PhD and research-related courses can cost around €1,500 per annum. 

Check: Cost of Living in Italy

Tuition Fees in Italy for International Students 

The tuition fee in Italy for international students varies between private and public universities. Plus the fee lowers with the level of study in Italy as well. Following is a list of the top five Italian universities and their average tuition fee for undergraduate and postgraduate courses: 

Italy Universities  

Avg. Undergrad Courses Fee 

Avg. Postgrad Courses Fee 

Politecnico di Milano 

€3,500 - €3,900 

€35,000 - €40,000 

Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna 

€4,000 

€3,600 

Sapienza University of Rome 

€500 to €1,000 

€3,000 

Università di Padova 

€3,000 

€2,500 

University of Milan 

€3,500 - €9,800 

€3,000 

Get more details at Top 10 Universities in Italy 

Cost of Studying in Italy Cities for International Students 

The cost of studying in various Italian cities may fluctuate depending on their cost of living index ranks. There are top five cities in Italy which are the most expensive and attract a maximum number of international students annually, details of their cost of studying are as follows: 

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  • Milan: €6,500 per year 
  • Rome: €1,020 per year  
  • Venice: €5,000 - €17,000 per year  
  • Florence: €6,000 per year  
  • Bologna: Either free or €800 - €900 per year

Cheap Universities in Italy 

A lot of Italian universities reimburse the tuition fee for international students studying in Italy. There are a couple of cheap universities in Italy, details of which are given below for reference for international students specifically: 








Italy Universities  

Cheapest Annual Tuition Fee 

Bachelor’s Degree Programs 

University of Pisa 

€360  

Free University of Bozen-Bolzano  

€750 

Ca’ Foscari University of Venice 

€1,900 

University of Padua 

€2,630 

Sapienza University of Rome 

€2,825 

Master’s Degree Programs 

University of Bergamo 

€400 

University of Naples 

€480 

University of Salerno 

€800 

Politecnico di Torino 

€2,600 

University of Perugia 

€3,000 

Study in Italy for Free

There are universities in Italy which offer full tuition fee waivers for international students. These universities in Italy are commonly referred to as tuition-free universities in Italy for international students. The following universities offer full scholarships to international students, hence waiving their tuition fees: 







  • University of Bologna: €11,000
  • Bocconi University: €12,700 
  • University of Padova: €8,000

For master's degrees, Italy universities offer assistantships or research-related stipends to academically strong students. Hence, in a lot of cases, cost of studying in Italy for a master's or PhD can be covered under these funding options.

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Cost of Studying in Italy FAQs

Q. Are Italian universities' tuition free for Indian students?

A. In some cases, yes, Italian universities are tuition free for Indian students since they offer full scholarship to academically strong students. The amounts may vary with each university.

Q. How much does it cost to Indian students to study an undergraduate program in Italy?

A. For Indian students the cost of studying an undergraduate program in Italy varies between INR 72,000 to INR 24,00,000 approximately depending upon private or public Italy university.

Q. Can Indian students learn Italian for free while studying in Italy universities?

A. Yes, each Italian university conducts extra classes to teach Italian language to international students which can be attended free of cost. This can be beneficial for the students.

Q. Are there any loans available to fund studies in Italy for international students?

A. Yes, there are loans and funding options available for international as well as Indian students to fund their education in Italy. More details are available at - Education Loan to Study in Italy

Q. The college fee at each Italian university is one time or every semester?

A. The college fee of €300 - €600 depending upon the Italian university, is usually a one time payment, unless specified by the university at the time of admission to its students.

Q:   What is the acceptance rate for Istituto Marangoni Italy?

A:

According to a few unofficial sources, Istituto Marangoni acceptance rate is around 80%. This means that the institute is not too selective at the time of granting admissions. As per an unofficial source, about 67% of BA students at Istituto Marangoni are international. If the acceptance rate is considered to be around 80%, then it means that students having a good academic background and meeting all the requirements have a higher chance of getting admission.

Q:   Why do Indian students choose to study at Istituto Marangoni - Italy?

A:

Indian students choose to study at Istituto Marangoni in Italy for several reasons. With a broad choice of undergraduate and graduate executive programs in business, fashion, and design offered by Istituto Marangoni, students have the chance to collaborate on industry projects with renowned businesses and establish high-level connections with the fashion and luxury sectors. Students who wish to work in the fashion and design industries find the school's approach appealing as it combines the newest trends, industry advancements, and practical skills. The possibility to work on real-life industrial projects and the association with the prominent fashion company N21 are other factors that make Istituto Marangoni a desirable option for Indian students. 

Q:   How can I get admission to the Sapienza University of Rome?

A:

Sapienza University of Rome offers a number of certificates, diplomas and degree programmes at the undergradaute and postgradaute levels .To get Sapienza University, international students must meet the course-specific and general admission requirements. Check below the general admission requirements for international students are:

  • International applicants must have a high schoolDiplomaearned after at least 12 years of study for a Bachelor’s program
  • International applicants must have at least a 3-year bachelor’s degree from arecogniseduniversity in a relevant discipline for a Master’s program
  • Students must have at least an upper-intermediate knowledge of English or Italian (B2 level), depending on their chosen program
  • Proficiency in the English language

Q:   Is Istituto Marangoni, Italy cheaper than Istituto Europeo di Design?

A:

Istituto Marangoni in Italy offers a range of fashion design courses with varying tuition fees. For example, the tuition fee for the MA in Fashion & Luxury Brand Management is $31,500 per year, and the tuition fee for the MA in Fashion Styling, Creative Direction & Digital Content is $30,900 per year. On the other hand, IED Istituto Europeo di Design offers undergraduate programs with tuition fees ranging from $16,124.90 per year to $32,249.79 for international students. Therefore, the tuition fees at Istituto Marangoni can be higher or lower than IED, depending on the specific programme and duration chosen. 

Q:   Which university is better to study as an international student in Italy, University of Pavia or the University of Bologna?

A:

 University of Pavia or the University of Bologna offer unique campus cultures and academic programs. While they share a great reputation, there are subtle differences between the two universities. The below table compares the rankings, fees and acceptance rates of University of Pavia or the University of Bologna . Overall this information could be useful for students who are considering them.

Here is the comparison highlighting the differences between the Universities:

Name of The University

Ranking

Acceptance Rate

1st Year Tuition Fee

University of Pavia 

#469

50%

INR 36K

University of Bologna

#154

73%

INR 54K- 1L

Q:   Is Bocconi University, Italy a better option than IIM Ahmedabad for doing MBA?

A:

Both Bocconi University in Italy and IIM Ahmedabad are prestigious institutions for pursuing an MBA. According to the Financial Times Global MBA Ranking 2023, SDA Bocconi School of Management is ranked 6th, while the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad is ranked 51st. SDA Bocconi's MBA programme is known for its high international mobility rank, strong alumni network, and a significant salary percentage increase after graduation. On the other hand, IIM Ahmedabad is recognised for its excellent career progress rank and high overall satisfaction. The choice between the two institutions depends on various factors such as career goals, location preferences, and specific programme offerings. It is important for prospective students to carefully consider their individual priorities and conduct thorough research before making a decision.

Q:   Is the Sapienza University of Rome good?

A:

Yes, the Sapienza University of Rome is one of the finest and among the best universities in the world. Sapienza University of Rome rankings consistently puts Sapienza University among the top universities globally and nationally. The QS World University Rankings 2024 ranked the Sapienza University of Rome #134 in the world. Meanwhile, the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2024 ranked the Sapienza University of Rome in the range of #181 in the world. Also, the U.S. News and World Report 2023 ranked the university #125 among the global universities

Q:   What is the ranking of the Sapienza University of Rome for MBA?

A:

The Sapienza University of Rome offers a variety of MBA programs to international students. Sapienza University of Rome programmes in the business and management are recognised all over the world. The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2023 ranked Sapienza University in the range of #201-250 for its business and economics programmess. Sapienza University has improved its rankings significantly from last year’s #251-300 in the same category.

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Aishwarya Bhatnagar
Study Abroad Expert

Aishwarya is a professional Writer currently working as a Study Abroad Expert in the Editorial Team at Shiksha. She has over 5 years of experience and is skilled at creating Online Content with leveraged knowledge i... Read Full Bio

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