At this point, you’ve made a decision to study in Italy and you’re wondering “what are the best Italian universities, schools, or colleges for international students?”
Trust me you’re not alone in this line of thought. Many students who want to study in an international destination often want to study in the best universities in countries such as Germany, Korea, etc.
Italy is an interesting study abroad destination, especially for international students who love the unique cultures and welcoming traditions in the world.
In this article, we bring you the list of the best Italian universities and colleges for international students. Also, we made the facts clear on whether or not Italy is a good study destination for you.
Furthermore, we went ahead to detail how much the education cost is and all other concerns you may have about studying in Italy.
Below each best college, you will find a click that will lead you straight to the website of your school of choice.
It’s that simple!!!
If you want to find out about the best schools and colleges for higher education in Italy for international students, this piece is an all-inclusive guide you can work with.
Sit tight let’s get you informed!!!
Read Also: Italy Scholarships
About Italy
From the well-spelled-out rich history to the iconic municipalities of art, Italy is a very attractive study destination. Italy is globally acknowledged for its unique food culture and a bubbling community.
Its location in Southwestern Europe, on the Apennine peninsula, makes it an attractive site for all especially tourists. Basically, Italy is a top tourist attraction. In it lies the Pompeii, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Colosseum, Canals of Venice, and Lake Como.
These attract sightseers from all walks of life.
In addition to this goodness of nature, Italy is a home to quality and exceptional education system which makes it one of the best study abroad destinations for international students.
Therefore, we can honestly say that Italy is a homeland of “fun and studies all-in-one pack” making it ideal for international students.
Why You Should Study in Italy.
Just like I earlier stated, Italy is one of the most popular studies abroad destinations for international students.
You can be sure to find quality higher schooling at inexpensive tuition than other Western European countries.
Here are 7 reasons why Italian universities and colleges are increasingly the best options for international students;
- Italian universities have a strong global relationship with many international institutions.
- If you seek excellence and a degree that has a global recognition, then Italian universities are it.
- Also, most Italian universities counsel students during the course of their studies.
- Students who graduated from schools in Italy have a high employability rate.
- Universities in Italy are based on a credit system (ETCS) which means you can study according to your schedule.
- Also, international students in universities in Italy have access to many scholarships and financial aids.
- Besides academics, students get to have fun, explore and have one of the best study abroad experiences.
What is the Cost of Studying in Italy?
Talking about the tuition cost of Italian universities and colleges for international students, it might differ based on factors such as;
- School of choice.
- Program of participation.
- School status (private or public)
- Mode of study (Full-time or Part-time, Virtual or On-campus)
However, on a general note, the cost of tuition in Italy is less compared to other parts of Europe or North America.
Generally, a bachelor’s program costs about €900 to €4,000 per year at a public university in Italy whereas it costs €6,000 to €20,000 at private schools.
Read Also: Best Countries to Study in Europe for International Students
10 Best Universities in Italy for International Students
Here is a list of the best colleges and schools in Italy for international students;
#1. Sapienza University of Rome (Sapienza)
- Tuition: Click Here
- QS Ranking 2021: 171
- THE Ranking 2021: 201
- ARWU Ranking 2020: 151
Sapienza University is one of Italy’s best colleges for international students.
Although old, Sapienza is known to have produced many Nobel Prize winners as well as great Italian politicians. Their prowess in academics, teaching, and research has placed them among the top 3% in the world.
Some courses of repute offered at Sapienza are biomedical sciences, natural sciences, humanities, and engineering.
#2. University of Padua (UNIPD)
- Tuition: Click Here
- QS Ranking 2021: 216
- THE Ranking 2021: 251
- ARWU Ranking 2020: 201
The University of Padua is one of the best schools of higher education in Italy for international students. Through its 8 schools, UNIPD runs 32 departments with numerous courses.
Many love UNIPD because of its broad and multidisciplinary curriculum. This is why it is regarded as one of the best schools or colleges in Italy for international students.
Some courses offered by UNIPD include; Information Engineering, Cultural Heritage, and Neurosciences.
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#3. Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (UniSR)
- Tuition: Click Here
- QS Ranking 2021: 392
- THE Ranking 2021: 251
- ARWU Ranking 2020: 401
Here’s another private university in our list of universities in Italy for international students.
Vita-Salute San Raffaele University is known to be dedicated to Philosophy, Medicine, and Psychology. Not that other faculties do not exist, however, these 3 fortify the university’s practice of humanistic medicine.
Vita-Salute San Raffaele University ranks 1st in Italy for research quotations in international journals. Also, this institution is renowned for its exceptional primary care as shared by its corresponding medical institution, the San Raffaele Hospital.
Therefore, it’s not out of place to say Vita-Salute San Raffaele University is ideal for medical-related courses. And that makes it one of the best Italian colleges for international students.
#4. University of Bologna (UNIBO)
- Tuition: Click Here
- QS Ranking 2021: 160
- THE Ranking 2021: 167
- ARWU Ranking 2020: 201
If you’ve heard about the “Bologna Process”, it was named after the University of Bologna.
At the University of Bologna, students have over 232-degree programs. 84 are international and 68 are taught in English.
The major disciplines in this research-based institution are medicine, hard sciences, economics, mathematics, engineering, and philosophy.
Actually, these courses are offered in any of the UNIBO 5 campuses with no adulteration in the quality of education.
#5. Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies (SSSA / Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna de Pisa)
- Tuition: Click Here
- QS Ranking 2021: –
- THE Ranking 2021: 170
- ARWU Ranking 2020: –
The Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies is also known as Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna. SSSA is one of the best public universities or colleges in Italy for international students.
Basically, they are best known for advanced learning, teaching, and research. Hence that’s why we recommend it for graduate students willing to study in Italy.
They major in fields such as social and experimental sciences. Its economics program is No. 1 in Italy
#6. Scuola Normale Superiore (La Normale)
- Tuition: Click Here
- QS Ranking 2021: –
- THE Ranking 2021: 181
- ARWU Ranking 2020: 401
Scuola Normale Superiore is one of the best universities in Italy open to international students.
La Normale as it is popularly called focuses on training teachers and in the Teaching category, La Normale ranks tops in several rankings.
However, the school has extensions that offer programs such as mathematical & natural sciences, humanities and political & social sciences.
Although they have a very competitive and highly selective admission process, students who get into la Normale do not pay tuition.
#7. University of Trento (UniTrento)
- Tuition: Click Here
- QS Ranking 2021: 403
- THE Ranking 2021: 301
- ARWU Ranking 2020: 401
Although the University of Trento started out as a social science institute, it has greatly expanded into other fields such as biology, psychology, physics, mathematics, industrial engineering, economics and law.
Via its 10 academic departments and doctoral schools, UniTrento offers the best of education in Italy.
Also, UniTrento values internationalization and has alliances with educational institutions globally.
#8. University of Milan (UniMi / La Statale)
- Tuition: Click Here
- QS Ranking 2021: 301
- THE Ranking 2021: 351
- ARWU Ranking 2020: 151
The University of Milan is a leading public research university in Italy.
It is the only Italian institution that is included in the 23-member League of European Research Universities.
Also, it is one of the largest universities in Europe with 10 faculties, 33 departments and 53 research centres.
UniMi is best known for courses such as sociology, philosophy, political science, and law.
#9. University of Milano-Bicocca (Bicocca / UNIMIB)
- Tuition: Click Here
- QS Ranking 2021: 521
- THE Ranking 2021: 351
- ARWU Ranking 2020: 301
The University of Milano-Bicocca has two locations: Milan and Monza.
UNIMIB major subject areas are psychology, medicine & surgery, sociology, law, sciences, economics, and educational sciences.
If you’re a research enthusiast, Bicocca will suit you well.
Their research covers a wide range of topics with a cross-disciplinary approach.
#10. Politecnico di Milano (PoliMi)
- Tuition: Click Here
- QS Ranking 2021: 137
- THE Ranking 2021: 351
- ARWU Ranking 2020: 201
The Polytechnic University of Milan is the largest technical university majoring in engineering, design, and architecture.
PoliMi, one of Italy’s pride universities, hence why it’s on the list of best universities and colleges for international students.
Also, this college focuses on experimental research and technological transfer for a more productive world.
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Frequently Asked Questions on the Best Universities in Italy for International Students
Is Italy Good For International Students?
A good study destination will depend on the student.
However, what we do know is that Italy is a popular destination for most international students.
Due to the quality education, Italian universities offer, Italy has about 32,000 international students including those on exchange programs.
Does Italy Have Good Universities?
Absolutely, you just have a list of the best 10 above.
In fact, several of Italy’s higher education schools are among the top-ranked universities in Europe.
Can I Study In Italy For Free?
You can only study in Italy for free if you apply to Italian universities which offer scholarships.
And keep in mind that each Italian scholarship has its own requirements.
Merit-based scholarships require a certain GPA to qualify.
Do Italian Universities Teach In English?
Yes, some Italian universities offer programs both in Italian and English.
But most English study programs are available for postgraduate level, Master’s degrees and PhD courses.
Read Also: Best Countries to Study Abroad in Asia 2020
Is it Easy To Get a Student Visa for Italy?
Yes, it’s quite easy.
You can apply for a visa at the Italian embassy or consulate in your home country.
It’s ideal you schedule a visa interview 4-6 weeks in advance.
Usually, the processing time of your application may take between 1 – 3 weeks.
Therefore, it’s ideal for you to apply for a student visa at least 3 months before your arrival in Italy.
Do International Students Pay Higher than Italian Citizens?
If you are from the EU or EEA, you probably won’t pay more than Italian citizens.
However, other international students should anticipate higher course costs.
Summary
When considering the countries that offer valuable opportunities for higher education, Italy is a good study destination.
And if you’re looking at getting the best education, send in your admission application to any of the universities in the list above.
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References
- https://worldscholarshipforum.com/best-universities-italy-international-students-ranking/
- https://www.study.eu/best-universities/italy