The best public universities in Italy offer international students a combination of established academic reputations, research opportunities, English-taught degree programmes and comparatively accessible tuition structures. Institutions such as the University of Bologna, Sapienza University of Rome, Politecnico di Milano and the University of Padua are particularly well known internationally.
In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026, the University of Bologna is Italy’s highest-ranked institution at 130th globally, followed among major broad public universities by Sapienza University of Rome at joint 170th. Politecnico di Milano and the University of Padua are placed in the 201–250 band.
However, rankings should not be the only deciding factor. Course availability, tuition, scholarships, admission requirements, location and living costs can matter just as much. This guide compares leading Italian public universities from an international student’s perspective for 2026.
Why Choose a Public University in Italy?
Italy has a large network of state-funded universities offering bachelor’s, master’s, single-cycle and doctoral programmes.
For international students, public universities can be attractive because tuition is often linked to factors such as family income, country of residence, citizenship or programme type instead of using one high international tuition rate.
Other advantages can include:
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- Internationally recognised European degrees
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- English-taught programmes
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- Established research centres
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- Erasmus+ and international exchange opportunities
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- Regional and university scholarships
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- Tuition reductions and exemptions
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- Large international student communities
- Access to European academic and professional networks
Public does not automatically mean inexpensive for every student. Fees and living costs vary significantly by university and city, so students should calculate the complete annual budget before choosing.
How We Selected the Best Public Universities in Italy
This is not intended as a rigid 1-to-10 ranking.
The shortlist considers current international ranking visibility, academic reputation, subject strengths, availability of English-taught programmes, international admission systems, tuition structures, scholarships and support for students with foreign qualifications.
Specialised institutions such as Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa and Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies also perform strongly in international rankings. However, this guide focuses mainly on larger public universities offering a wider selection of bachelor’s and master’s programmes to international applicants. THE’s 2026 Italy ranking places both specialised schools among the country’s leading institutions.
Best Public Universities in Italy for International Students
University of Bologna
The University of Bologna is one of the strongest all-round choices for international students.
It offers programmes across economics, business, engineering, sciences, political science, law, humanities, medicine and other areas. For 2026/27, its catalogue includes numerous programmes delivered entirely in English. The university currently lists 82 English-filtered second-cycle programmes and multiple English-taught bachelor’s options.
Examples include Economics and Finance, Business and Economics, International Studies and a wide selection of English-taught master’s programmes.
Best suited for: Students wanting a highly recognised, multidisciplinary university with substantial international programme choice.
Tuition is calculated according to factors including the programme and family financial situation. International students from certain non-OECD or lower-income countries may also qualify for reduced fee structures.
Sapienza University of Rome
Sapienza University of Rome combines a very large academic portfolio with relatively accessible tuition for many international students.
For 2026/27, Sapienza reports 8 bachelor’s programmes and 45 master’s programmes taught in English. Fields range from engineering and computer science to economics, humanities, health sciences and social sciences.
For international applicants, full bachelor’s and master’s tuition is approximately €300–€1,500 per year, depending on country of residence and the applicable fee category. Scholarships based on merit or financial circumstances may also be available.
Best suited for: Students looking for broad course choice, relatively affordable tuition and life in a major European capital.
International applicants need to pay close attention to deadlines. For example, the 2026/27 pre-selection deadline for non-EU visa applicants to relevant English-taught programmes was May 15, 2026, with Universitaly registration required by June 30 for pre-accepted students.
Politecnico di Milano
For engineering, architecture and design, Politecnico di Milano deserves particular attention.
It is Italy’s largest technical university and has a strong international profile in engineering, architecture and design. QS currently places the institution at 87th globally on its university profile.
Master’s applicants with foreign qualifications need to meet programme-specific academic requirements and demonstrate English-language proficiency during the admission process.
For 2026/27, annual tuition for a standard study plan can reach approximately €3,943, depending on financial status and student category. Certain non-EU master’s students with a foreign first degree may be charged the maximum amount unless an applicable scholarship or exemption applies.
Best suited for: Engineering, architecture, industrial design, technology and innovation-focused students.
University of Padua
Founded in 1222, the University of Padua combines a long academic history with a strong current research profile.
It is particularly attractive for subjects such as science, engineering, psychology, medicine, biotechnology and economics.
English-taught programmes have programme-specific language requirements, usually requiring proof at the B1 or B2 CEFR level depending on the course.
For non-EU students living outside Italy in 2026/27, the published all-inclusive tuition contribution is approximately €2,790 for humanities programmes and approximately €2,990 for scientific programmes, with lower amounts available to eligible students from designated countries.
The university also announced up to 69 Padua International Excellence Scholarships for 2026/27, worth approximately €8,000 per year together with a tuition-fee waiver for successful applicants to eligible English-taught programmes.
Best suited for: Students wanting a research-focused university with strong science, health and multidisciplinary options.
University of Milan
The University of Milan, also known as La Statale, is another major public university with strengths across medicine, biological sciences, law, political science, humanities and related disciplines.
Its location offers students access to Italy’s largest commercial and professional centre, although living costs in Milan can be higher than in smaller university cities.
For 2026/27, international tuition varies according to country grouping and programme area. Depending on the applicable category, the overall annual charge can range from the low hundreds to approximately €4,300 before considering any applicable exemptions or reductions.
Best suited for: Students interested in science, medicine, humanities, law and social sciences who want to study in Milan.
University of Turin
The University of Turin is a large multidisciplinary public university offering courses in business, economics, law, science, humanities and technology-related subjects.
For 2026/27, English-taught undergraduate options include Business & Management, Economics and Finance with Data Science, and Global Law and Transnational Legal Studies. The postgraduate catalogue includes areas such as artificial intelligence, biomedicine and international cooperation.
For students whose families live abroad, tuition reductions may be determined using GDP per capita at purchasing power parity for their country of residence.
Best suited for: Students seeking broad academic choice in a major northern Italian city with English-taught options.
University of Pisa
The University of Pisa has a strong reputation in science, engineering, mathematics, computing and related academic fields.
For international students, it currently offers 17 master’s degree programmes taught completely in English, together with additional English-language academic opportunities.
For 2026/27, the maximum annual all-inclusive tuition contribution for students within the normal programme duration is approximately €2,900, with reductions available in qualifying cases.
Best suited for: Students interested in science, technology, engineering, artificial intelligence and research-based master’s programmes.
University of Pavia
The University of Pavia offers the environment of a smaller university city while maintaining a long academic tradition.
It can appeal to international students seeking programmes in medicine, engineering, economics, sciences and humanities without choosing a very large metropolitan area.
For non-EU students, the 2026/27 flat-rate tuition structure ranges approximately from €390 to €4,550 per year, depending on citizenship and area of study. Students may alternatively qualify for tuition linked to their family’s economic situation.
Best suited for: Students who prefer a smaller university city and want flexible international tuition arrangements.
University of Trento
The University of Trento is a younger university compared with institutions such as Bologna and Padua, but it has built a strong profile in areas including computer science, engineering, cognitive science, economics, mathematics, sociology and data science.
It offers several English-taught degree programmes and has historically used admission performance and academic progress as factors in tuition arrangements for some non-EU students.
Because the university’s publicly surfaced English-programme tuition information may vary by academic year and programme, applicants for 2026/27 should check the current course-specific fee page before budgeting rather than relying on older fee figures.
Best suited for: Students interested in technology, cognitive science, data, research and a smaller northern Italian university environment.
Politecnico di Torino
Politecnico di Torino is another strong option for international students focused on engineering, architecture and technology.
English-taught programmes can require B2-level English proficiency. Requirements vary by course and degree level.
Its 2026/27 tuition framework provides reductions, exemptions and fee calculations based on the student’s circumstances, and the university offers an official tuition-fee simulator.
Best suited for: Engineering, automotive, energy, architecture, telecommunications and technology students.
Quick Comparison of Public Universities in Italy
| University | City | Strong Areas | 2026 International Student Consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Bologna | Bologna | Business, law, sciences, humanities, engineering | Very broad English-taught portfolio |
| Sapienza University of Rome | Rome | Engineering, sciences, humanities, economics | Approximately €300–€1,500 tuition for many international students |
| Politecnico di Milano | Milan | Engineering, architecture, design | Strong specialist technical option |
| University of Padua | Padua | Science, medicine, psychology, engineering | Excellence scholarships and English programmes |
| University of Milan | Milan | Medicine, science, law, humanities | Broad state university in a major business city |
| University of Turin | Turin | Business, law, AI, economics, science | Multiple English-taught degrees |
| University of Pisa | Pisa | Engineering, AI, science, mathematics | Approximately €2,900 maximum all-inclusive tuition before applicable reductions |
| University of Pavia | Pavia | Medicine, engineering, science, economics | Approximate non-EU flat rate of €390–€4,550 |
| University of Trento | Trento | Data, computing, cognitive science, engineering | Strong technology and research profile |
| Politecnico di Torino | Turin | Engineering, architecture, technology | Specialist technical university |
Tuition figures are approximate planning figures and may exclude regional taxes, stamp duties or course-specific charges. Always check the fee rules for your programme and student category.
How Much Do Public Universities in Italy Cost?
One reason students investigate the best public universities in Italy is the potential for relatively manageable tuition compared with many other international study destinations.
However, Italy does not have one standard international tuition fee.
Fees may depend on:
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- university
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- degree programme
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- family financial circumstances
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- country of residence or citizenship
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- EU or non-EU status
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- academic progress
- scholarship eligibility
For example, Sapienza currently publishes international tuition of approximately €300–€1,500 per year, while the University of Pisa lists a maximum all-inclusive contribution of approximately €2,900 for 2026/27. Padua’s published non-EU contribution is approximately €2,790–€2,990, depending on programme group.
Politecnico di Milano can reach approximately €3,943 per year for a standard study plan in the maximum contribution category.
Students should compare tuition together with accommodation and daily living costs. A lower university fee in an expensive city does not necessarily produce the lowest total study-abroad budget.
Scholarships for International Students in Italy
International students can explore several types of financial assistance.
These may include:
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- university merit scholarships
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- regional right-to-study scholarships
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- tuition waivers
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- income-based fee reductions
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- Italian government scholarships
- programme-specific awards
For example, Padua’s 2026/27 International Excellence Scholarship provides eligible successful students with approximately €8,000 per year together with a tuition waiver.
The Italian government also operates scholarship programmes for eligible foreign citizens, although eligible study levels, countries, deadlines and amounts vary by annual call.
Students should apply early because scholarship deadlines may occur well before final enrolment.
Admission Requirements for International Students
Requirements differ by university and course.
For bachelor’s programmes, students normally need an eligible secondary-school qualification. Italian universities generally assess foreign qualifications according to national rules and their own admission requirements.
For master’s programmes, applicants normally need a recognised bachelor’s degree in a relevant academic area.
Additional requirements can include:
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- academic transcripts
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- passport
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- curriculum vitae
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- statement of purpose
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- references
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- portfolio for selected design or architecture programmes
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- admission tests
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- English or Italian language evidence
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- qualification recognition documents
English-taught programmes commonly ask for proof of English proficiency. For example, Padua specifies B1 or B2 depending on the programme, while several Politecnico di Torino programmes require B2 English.
Never assume that one university’s requirements apply to another.
How to Apply to a Public University in Italy
The typical process is:
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- Shortlist universities and programmes. Compare academic content, language, eligibility, tuition and location.
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- Check programme-specific requirements. Look carefully at deadlines for applicants with foreign qualifications.
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- Submit the university application. Complete any required pre-selection, entrance test or academic evaluation.
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- Receive the university’s admission or eligibility decision.
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- Complete Universitaly pre-enrolment if you require a study visa. Universitaly is the official free government portal for this process.
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- Apply for the Italian study visa.
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- Complete final university enrolment after meeting all conditions.
For 2026/27, visa pre-enrolment for visa-requiring students is handled through Universitaly. The national deadline for visa applications for ordinary bachelor’s and master’s degree courses is no later than 30 November 2026, but individual universities can and often do set significantly earlier deadlines.
Sapienza is a clear example: its 2026 English-programme pre-selection deadline for non-EU visa applicants was May 15, with its own Universitaly deadline of June 30.
Do not wait for the national November deadline before starting a university application.
University acceptance also does not guarantee a student visa. The final visa decision remains the responsibility of the competent Italian diplomatic or consular authority.
Which Italian Public University Should You Choose?
The right university depends more on your course and circumstances than on a single overall ranking.
Choose Bologna if you want a large multidisciplinary university with extensive international programmes.
Consider Sapienza if you want broad course choice, relatively accessible tuition and life in Rome.
Choose Politecnico di Milano if engineering, architecture or design is your priority.
Consider Padua for research-intensive science, health, psychology and engineering programmes.
Look at Milan for science, medicine, law and humanities in a major economic centre.
Consider Turin for business, law, economics, artificial intelligence and multidisciplinary study.
Look at Pisa if your focus is mathematics, engineering, science or technology.
Consider Pavia if you prefer a smaller student city with established academic traditions.
Explore Trento for computer science, data, cognitive science and research.
Choose Politecnico di Torino when specialist engineering or technology is your main goal.
Course quality within your subject matters more than simply selecting the university with the highest overall ranking.
Common Mistakes When Choosing a University in Italy
Students often focus too heavily on rankings while ignoring course-level factors.
Other mistakes include applying after the international deadline, assuming all programmes are available in English, comparing tuition without comparing living costs, and assuming an admission offer guarantees a student visa.
Another common problem is waiting too long to arrange accommodation. Cities such as Milan, Bologna and Rome can have competitive student housing markets.
Check the complete financial and academic picture before accepting an offer.
FAQs
Which is the best public university in Italy for international students?
There is no single best choice for every student. The University of Bologna is currently Italy’s highest-ranked institution in the THE World University Rankings 2026 and offers a broad selection of international programmes.
For engineering and design, Politecnico di Milano may be a stronger subject-specific choice.
Which Italian public universities offer programmes in English?
Universities including Bologna, Sapienza, Padua, Turin, Pisa, Trento and both major polytechnic universities offer English-taught programmes.
Availability is much greater at master’s level at some institutions, so students should verify their exact degree level and subject.
Are public universities in Italy free for international students?
Not normally. Students generally pay university contributions, regional charges and other applicable fees.
However, tuition reductions, exemptions and scholarships can make studying considerably more affordable for eligible students.
Which public university in Italy is affordable for international students?
Sapienza is notable for published tuition of approximately €300–€1,500 per year for many international bachelor’s and master’s students, depending on country of residence.
Pisa, Padua, Bologna and other institutions also offer reductions or income-linked systems.
Is IELTS mandatory for public universities in Italy?
Not universally. Universities require evidence of proficiency in the language of instruction, but accepted certificates and exemptions vary.
Some universities accept alternatives when previous education was completed entirely in English. Always check the specific programme requirements.
Can international students get scholarships at Italian public universities?
Yes. Scholarship opportunities can come from universities, regional authorities and the Italian government.
Eligibility may depend on merit, financial circumstances, nationality, programme or study level.
Do international students apply through Universitaly?
Non-EU students who require a study visa generally complete official pre-enrolment through Universitaly after following the admission procedure of their chosen university. Universitaly is the official government portal for this process.
Key Takeaways
The best public universities in Italy for 2026 provide international students with strong academic programmes, established research environments and, in many cases, tuition structures that are more accessible than those found in several other major study destinations.
Start by selecting the right course rather than the highest-ranked university. Then compare English-language availability, admission requirements, tuition, scholarships, living costs and deadlines. A university that fits your academic goals and budget is ultimately a better choice than one selected on ranking alone.
This article is for educational and informational purposes. University admission requirements, tuition fees, visa rules, scholarships, immigration policies and post-study opportunities may change. Students should verify the latest information with the relevant university, government authority, immigration department, embassy or official source before making a decision.
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