How much is tuition really?

The published figure is the top band. With a documented low household income the same program can cost under €1,000 a year, and a DSU regional grant can reduce it to zero plus a maintenance payment. File the ISEE paperwork — it is the single highest-value step in an Italian application.

Are there enough English-taught programs?

Yes at master level, particularly in engineering, architecture, design and economics. Undergraduate English-taught options are much narrower.

Can I work while studying?

Yes, up to 20 hours a week. Wages are lower than in Germany or the Netherlands, so treat work as supplementary rather than as a funding plan.

What about after graduation?

You can convert your student permit into a twelve-month permit to look for work, and then into a work permit once you have an offer.

Study in Italy

Italian public universities scale tuition to household income, so the published maximum is rarely what a student from a lower-income household actually pays. Combined with regional DSU grants that can cover fees, accommodation and meals, Italy is often the lowest total-cost route into a well-ranked European technical or design university.

Typical tuition: €900–€4,000 / year
Living cost: €750–€1,150 / month
Work while studying: 20 hrs / week
Post-study stay: 12 months
Main intakes: September, February
Teaching language: English, Italian

Indicative figures for the country — not yet checked against official sources. Confirm with the university and the immigration authority before relying on them.

Popular universities

Milan, Italy

Public

Politecnico di Milano

Programs: 3
World ranking: #111

Bologna, Italy

Public

University of Bologna

Programs: 1
World ranking: #154

Turin, Italy

Public

Politecnico di Torino

Programs: 1
World ranking: #252

Popular programs

Politecnico di MilanoMilan, Italy

MSc Computer Science and Engineering

Master'sEnglish24 monthsScholarships

See how you match

Tuition: €3,900 / year
Deadline: Feb 11, 2027
Requirements: Bachelor degree in computer engineering, computer science or a related field
At least 30 ECTS in computing and 20 ECTS in mathematics

View details

Politecnico di MilanoMilan, Italy

MSc Architecture — Built Environment Interiors

Master'sEnglish24 months

See how you match

Tuition: €3,900 / year
Deadline: Feb 11, 2027
Requirements: Bachelor in architecture, building engineering or design
Design portfolio (mandatory, assessed)

View details

Politecnico di MilanoMilan, Italy

BSc Management Engineering

Bachelor'sEnglish36 monthsScholarships

See how you match

Tuition: €3,900 / year
Deadline: Jan 15, 2027
Requirements: Secondary school diploma giving access to university in your country
TOL entrance test in mathematics, logic and physics

View details

Politecnico di TorinoTurin, Italy

MSc Mechatronic Engineering

Master'sEnglish24 monthsScholarships

See how you match

Tuition: €2,800 / year
Deadline: Mar 31, 2027
Requirements: Bachelor in mechanical, electronic or automation engineering
Coursework in control systems and electronics

View details

Computer Science Architecture & Design Engineering Economics & Finance Business & Management

Admission requirements

A bachelor degree with the subject credits the program specifies
Pre-enrolment on the Universitaly portal, which the consulate requires for the visa
A declaration of value, CIMEA statement or Diploma Supplement for non-EU qualifications
IELTS 5.5–6.5 for English-taught programs, or B2 Italian for Italian-taught ones

English-taught programs

5 of the 5 programs listed here for Italy are taught in English.

Find programs

Application process

1Apply on the university portal in the relevant admission call — technical universities run several rounds per year.
2Submit your ISEE income assessment if you want income-scaled tuition or a DSU grant; this is a separate deadline and missing it costs real money.
3Complete pre-enrolment on Universitaly once admitted.
4Apply for the study visa, then obtain your permesso di soggiorno within eight days of arriving.

Frequently asked questions

Official resources

Universities change fees and deadlines without notice. Use the official source link on every fact before making a decision.

Study in ItalyFind programs

Study in Italy

Popular programs

Politecnico di MilanoMilan, Italy

MSc Computer Science and Engineering

Master'sEnglish24 monthsScholarships

See how you match

Tuition: €3,900 / year
Deadline: Feb 11, 2027
Requirements: Bachelor degree in computer engineering, computer science or a related field
At least 30 ECTS in computing and 20 ECTS in mathematics

View details

Politecnico di MilanoMilan, Italy

MSc Architecture — Built Environment Interiors

Master'sEnglish24 months

See how you match

Tuition: €3,900 / year
Deadline: Feb 11, 2027
Requirements: Bachelor in architecture, building engineering or design
Design portfolio (mandatory, assessed)

View details

Politecnico di MilanoMilan, Italy

BSc Management Engineering

Bachelor'sEnglish36 monthsScholarships

See how you match

Tuition: €3,900 / year
Deadline: Jan 15, 2027
Requirements: Secondary school diploma giving access to university in your country
TOL entrance test in mathematics, logic and physics

View details

Politecnico di TorinoTurin, Italy

MSc Mechatronic Engineering

Master'sEnglish24 monthsScholarships

See how you match

Tuition: €2,800 / year
Deadline: Mar 31, 2027
Requirements: Bachelor in mechanical, electronic or automation engineering
Coursework in control systems and electronics

View details

Admission requirements

A bachelor degree with the subject credits the program specifies

Pre-enrolment on the Universitaly portal, which the consulate requires for the visa

A declaration of value, CIMEA statement or Diploma Supplement for non-EU qualifications

IELTS 5.5–6.5 for English-taught programs, or B2 Italian for Italian-taught ones

Application process

1Apply on the university portal in the relevant admission call — technical universities run several rounds per year.

2Submit your ISEE income assessment if you want income-scaled tuition or a DSU grant; this is a separate deadline and missing it costs real money.

3Complete pre-enrolment on Universitaly once admitted.

4Apply for the study visa, then obtain your permesso di soggiorno within eight days of arriving.

Study in Italy

Popular universities

Politecnico di Milano

University of Bologna

Politecnico di Torino

Popular programs

MSc Computer Science and Engineering

MSc Architecture — Built Environment Interiors

BSc Management Engineering

MSc Mechatronic Engineering

Admission requirements

English-taught programs

Popular cities

Application process

Frequently asked questions

Official resources

Study in Italy

Popular universities

Politecnico di Milano

University of Bologna

Politecnico di Torino

Popular programs

MSc Computer Science and Engineering

MSc Architecture — Built Environment Interiors

BSc Management Engineering

MSc Mechatronic Engineering

Admission requirements

English-taught programs

Popular cities

Application process

Frequently asked questions

Official resources