Study in Italy for Free: A complete Guide for Indian Students
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Housing the famous and oldest University of Bologna, Italy has been attracting over 1,000 students from across the globe to come and study there. There are a couple of cheap universities in Italy and various scholarships which help students study for free in Italy. Studying in Italy can be costly based on the type of course pursued, the type of university - either public or private and the type of accommodation. Check out the cost of studying in Italy and read the article for better lucrative choices.
Italy Free Education for Indian Students
Free education in Italy for Indian students is possible through two main possibilities: to apply for a scholarship and the second, to apply for early bird discounts in fees by applying to Italian universities well in advance. Though Italian Universities are not completely free, two ways allow a full reimbursement of tuition fees:
Scholarships based on merit
Universities publish various calls for scholarships that allow full reimbursement of tuition fees. These calls are usually based on merit, therefore on the average grade you have or on the number of credits, you have acquired compared to the total maximum credits you could acquire by keeping up with the exams. The following are the top scholarships offered at Italy universities for international students:
| Scholarship offered at Italy Universities |
Scholarship Amount Offered for Students |
|---|---|
| Bologna University Study Grants for International Students |
€11,059 |
| EDISU Piemonte Scholarships |
€11,000 |
| Padua International Excellence Scholarship Programme |
€8,000 |
| Bocconi Merit and International Awards |
€12,000 |
| Politecnico de Milano Merit-Based Scholarships for International Students |
€10,000 |
| Università Cattolica International Scholarships |
25% fee waiver |
Applying Earlier than the Deadline
A lot of Italian universities offer a concession of 5-10% to international students applying to the university before the deadline. Those who are willing to make a partial payment of their tuition fee as soon as they get offer letters from their respective Italian universities may be eligible for a 10% discount. Read more about How to apply at Italian Universities?
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Economic Concessions
With an ISEE value of up to €24,500, first-year students and students who meet the merit requirements are completely exempted from paying any tuition fees at Italian universities. Above this limit, fees are calculated for payment. This is usually more favourable for low-income belonging students but they must meet the merit requirements. ISEE is an indicator of the equivalent economic situation, a criterion based on which evaluation of the family's economic situation is rendered.
Check: Cost of Living in Italy
Tuition-Free Universities in Italy for International Students
Universities like the University of Bologna offer tuition fee waivers for international students. Thus, the University of Bologna is one of the tuition-free universities in Italy for international students. The University of Bologna offers a tuition fee waiver to deserving international students only, who register for either the first, second or single-cycle degree programs. Those who do are offered:
- Study grants of up to €11,000 gross (applying for Unibo Action 2); and,
- Tuition fee waivers (for those applying for Unibo Action 1).
Most of the fee for students applying for these cycles will be able to get this amount, which would fully cover their tuition costs.
Get more details at:
Cheap Universities in Italy for International Students
The following universities in Italy are considered as affordable or cheap for international students based on their annual tuition fees:
| Italy Universities |
Cheapest Annual Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| University of Bergamo |
€400 |
| €480 |
|
| University of Salerno |
€800 |
| Polytechnic University of Turin |
€1,250 |
| Free University of Bozen-Bolzano |
€1,300 |
| University of Pisa |
€2,500 |
| Politecnico di Torino |
€2,600 |
| University of Perugia |
€3,000 |
In conclusion, the university is not free but there are some concessions which, if you are in a complicated economic condition or if you are particularly good, allow you to have the exemption or reimbursement of university fees. Check: Italy Post Study Work Visa
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Study in Italy for Free FAQs
Q. Is ISEE for international students as well for admission to Italy university?
A. If there’s an international student or an Italian student living abroad, they are eligible to obtain a reduction in their University fees and also in their regional fee by submitting the ISEE-U parificato as proof of limited efficiency to pay for living and studying in Italy.
Q. Are international students eligible for free education in Italy?
A. Yes, international students are eligible for free education in Italy. They will be assessed based on their academic background, family income, potential and scope for exceptional performance academically in order to receive a full scholarship to support their studies in Italy.
Q. What are the ways to cut down on expenses of not studying free in Italy?
A. There are various ways of cutting down on expenses if not studying in a tuition free university in Italy. These include opting for on-campus housing accommodations because they are cheaper, opt for public universities because they are also cheaper and cut down on one’s personal expenses.
Q. Are there other universities besides University of Bologna which are tuition free in Italy?
A. No, there are no other universities besides Bologna University which offer a full tuition fee waiver to international students to study in Italy.
Q. Which are the top partial scholarships offered by Italian universities?
A. There are universities like Politecnico de Milano that offer partial scholarships varying from €5,000 - €10,000 during the course of study. Or there are other universities like Bocconi University which offer scholarships between €12,000 - €13,000, and others.
Q. Can I study free in Italy?
A. Yes, international applicants can study for free in Italy. There is a wide range of scholarships that are available for applicants from Italian universities. Apart from those, there are scholarships that are externally funded.
Q: Â What is the acceptance rate for Istituto Marangoni Italy?
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: Â Why do Indian students choose to study at Istituto Marangoni - Italy?
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: Â How can I get admission to the Sapienza University of Rome?
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: Â Is the Sapienza University of Rome good?
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: Â What is the ranking of the Sapienza University of Rome for MBA?
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.
Q: Â Is Istituto Marangoni, Italy cheaper than Istituto Europeo di Design?
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: Â Which international medical school in Italy is better - Rome La Sapienza or Bologna?
Rome La Spaienza and University of Bologna offer unique campus cultures and academic programs in medical streams. 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 Rome La Spaienza and 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 Bologna | #154 | 73% | Medical Fee: 750-1000 euros (INR 67K- 89K) |
Rome La Spaienza | #134 | 40% | Medical Fee: INR 2.53 L – 2.63 L |
Q: Â Is there any extra amount to be paid for the special 4-month semester in Milan, Italy?
There is no need to pay any tuition fee for that special semester in the IMB programme conducted in Milan, Italy. But the students have to take care of their expenses during their stay and travel that includes airfare, food, housing, visa and stay permit, public transportation.
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