Thousands of Indian students want to study in Italy, and for good reason. The country has well-known universities, low tuition, and a rich mix of history and culture. Italy has something for everyone, from world-class architecture programs in Milan to engineering degrees in Turin and medical studies in Padua. This guide tells you everything you need to know about studying abroad in Italy, including universities, scholarships, the visa process, costs, and tips from people who have been there before.
Why Indian Students Pick Italy
Education of the Highest Quality
Some of the oldest and most respected universities in Europe are in Italy. Every year, thousands of international students come to schools like the University of Bologna, Politecnico di Milano, and Sapienza University of Rome. Their degrees are recognized all over the world. Most programs now offer English-taught courses in a wide range of fields, including business, engineering, design, and medicine.
Low-cost Tuition and Living
Italy has much lower tuition costs than the UK, US, or Australia. The cost of living in smaller cities like Padua or Pisa is reasonable, and public universities charge between €1,000 and €4,000 per year. Many Indian students can now afford to study in Italy thanks to scholarships and part-time jobs.
A Lot of Culture and Lifestyle
Italy isn’t just about school; it’s about how you live. Life in Italy is full of color, flavor, and experiences, whether you’re drinking espresso in Florence, looking at art in Venice, or cheering on a Serie A team.
The Best Italian Colleges for Indian Students
Politecnico di Milano
Famous for its work in engineering, architecture, and design. It is one of the top 20 universities in the world for technical fields.
Padua University
One of the oldest universities in Europe, known for its great research and medical programs.
Rome’s Sapienza University
Famous for the humanities, law, and social sciences. Has more than 50 programs taught in English.
Bologna University
The oldest university in the world, known for its law, economics, and cultural studies programs.
Politecnico di Torino
A great choice for students in mechanical and automotive engineering, especially those who want to make strong connections in the field.
Popular Classes for Indian Students
Engineering and Tech
Italian technical universities are among the best in the world for civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering programs.
Management and Business
Students from all over Asia are interested in MBA and master’s programs in international business and fashion management.
Design and Architecture
Italy is where Renaissance art and design began. Programs here focus on creativity, sustainability, and new ideas.
Health and Medicine
The NMC and WHO recognize public universities’ medical programs that are taught in English and are affordable.
Scholarships for Indian Students Who Want to Study in Italy
1. Scholarships from the Government
- Invest Your Talent in Italy: Pays for school and gives postgraduate students a monthly allowance.
- Scholarships from the Italian government are available to Indian students who want to get a master’s or PhD.
2. Scholarships for College
Every college gives out scholarships based on merit and need. Some examples are:
- Merit Scholarships from Politecnico di Milano
- Scholarships for International Excellence at the University of Padua
The Erasmus+ Program
Lets Indian students study in more than one European country and pays for their tuition and living costs.
How Much It Costs to Study in Italy
Average Yearly Cost (in EUR) for Each Type of Expense
- Fees for school range from €1,000 to €4,000
- Rent, food, and utilities: €6,000 to €10,000
- Health insurance costs between €100 and €150
- Transportation: €250 to €400
- Total (approx.): €8,000 to €15,000 a year
You can save money by applying for regional scholarships and choosing student housing or shared apartments.
Visa and Admission Process for Indian Students
Step 1: Pick Your Program
Pick an Italian university’s bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD program that is taught in English.
Step 2: Fill Out an Online Application
Most universities let you apply online through university portals or Uni-Italia. Have scanned copies of your passport, transcripts, SOP, and LORs on hand.
Step 3: Get Your Offer Letter
After you are accepted, you will get a conditional offer, which is usually based on paperwork and verification.
Step 4: Get a Type D Student Visa
You can apply for your visa at the Italian VFS center. You will need your offer letter, proof of funds, insurance, and documents for your stay.
Step 5: Get a Permit of Stay
You have 8 days after you get to Italy to apply for a Permesso di Soggiorno.
Jobs for Indian Students in Italy
Work on the Side
During the school year, students can work up to 20 hours a week. Some common jobs are tutoring, helping with research, or working in hospitality.
Visa for Work After School
Graduates can get a job search permit for 6 to 12 months. If they find a job, they can then change it to a work permit.
Career Fields That Are Hot Right Now
- IT and engineering
- Style and Design
- Money and Business
- Health care and biotechnology
Advice for Indian Students Who Are Studying in Italy
- Learn some Italian. It will help you in your daily life and when you meet new people.
- Keep copies of all your schoolwork and identification documents.
- Before you send in your documents, always check them with Apostille.
- Apply for scholarships as soon as you can; they are competitive.
- Join Indian student groups to get help from others.
Life as a Student in Italy
Getting to Know a Culture
Student life in Italy mixes schoolwork with cultural activities, like making pizza and going to art festivals.
Traveling on a Budget
It’s easy to see Italy—or even nearby countries—on a student budget thanks to cheap trains and buses.
Food and Way of Life
Italian food is varied and doesn’t cost a lot. Most cities have Indian grocery stores and restaurants where you can get comfort food from home.
Why Italy is a Good Choice for 2025
Italy is trying to become a center for education around the world. One of the best places in Europe for Indian students to study is this country because it focuses on internationalization, has low tuition costs, and is friendly. Italy gives you both education and experience, whether you want to build a global career or learn about history.
Things You Should Remember Quickly
- The most recent official counts show that there are about 100,000 foreign students in Italy, and thousands of them are Indian students (Erudera).
- The number of Indian students studying abroad changed as a whole between 2023 and 2024 (national trends are important because they affect how quickly embassies process applications and how many scholarships are available) (ICEF Monitor).
- Italy’s official websites and Universitaly have updated information on how to get in, pre-enroll, and get a visa for 2025–26. Follow those pages if you want to plan for a semester or a full degree (uniitaly.it).
The Real Trade-offs
Studying in Italy will give you a lot of cultural exposure and a few low-cost public universities. However, you’ll also have to deal with red tape (visa processing, residency permits), language barriers if you choose to study in Italian, and a search for housing in popular cities. Make plans for both good and bad things.
6 Common Problems That Indian Students Have
- Embassies will reject or delay applications if they don’t have proof of funds, housing, or pre-enrollment (consmumbai.esteri.it)
- Not understanding the program’s language requirements: you might be able to sign up for an English-taught course but miss an important step in Italian.
- People who live in big cities like Milan, Bologna, and Rome spend more money than people who live in smaller towns.
- Late applications for scholarships or grants—deadlines and quotas mean that the first person in often wins (cgimilan.gov.in).
- Too much trust in agents you haven’t checked out—some consultants promise too much about getting a visa; check them out (goldenfuture.education).
- Bad planning before leaving for work and cultural reasons—students have to do things like get work permits, internships, and residence permits when they get there (uniitaly.it).
13 Useful Tips for Applying, Moving, and Studying in Italy
- Pick programs and apply 9–12 months before you want to start.
- Start with official sources like Universitaly, the Italian consulate pages, and the pages for university admissions. Take screenshots of every email and submission (uniitaly.it).
- Put together your visa documents in a packet that includes an acceptance letter, proof of blocked funds or an affidavit, health insurance, proof of accommodation, and your original academic transcripts. Don’t send in parts (consmumbai.esteri.it).
- Apply for scholarships at the same time. The deadlines for MAECI, university excellence funds, and Erasmus Mundus programs are all different, so keep track of them (cgimilan.gov.in).
- Learn some basic Italian before you go. Three months of focused study will help you with everyday life and work.
- Plan to spend at least 25–30% more than the average cost of living in your city.
- If cost and quick integration are important, pick a smaller city like Padua, Turin, or Perugia.
- Ask for references, written guarantees in the contract, and don’t pay the full amount up front when you hire a vet.
- Before you leave, get health insurance that meets visa requirements. Keep the policy and claim ID in several places.
- Make a plan for your resume and LinkedIn. Internships in Italy are based on relationships, so start networking before you get there.
- Be aware of the rules for student work: keep track of the hours you can work and how to register for taxes.
- You should keep digital copies of all your documents and two physical copies in a safe place. You’ll be glad you did at checkpoints.
- Before you arrive, get to know the student community. University Facebook groups, Indian student associations, and local Telegram/WhatsApp groups can help you relax.
Where to Find Reliable Voices: Experts and Influencers to Follow
You shouldn’t depend on just one YouTuber. Combine official channels with trusted academics and consultants.
- Official: The pages for Universitaly, the Italian consulates in India (Mumbai and New Delhi), and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (italy.com)
- University accounts: The University of Bologna, the University of Milan, and the Politecnico di Milano all post updates on funding and courses
- Trustworthy consultancies and guides: GradRight and major study-abroad platforms publish information about scholarships and costs (use these to compare, not to make final decisions) (GradRight)
- Community sources: Indian student groups in Italy and alumni groups on LinkedIn can help you find housing and jobs
Look for sources that link to official pages and post screenshots of applications. Those are more trustworthy than general claims made in ads.
Things to Think About Before You Make a Decision
Some people think of Italy as a cheap place with a lot of culture and stress the importance of being able to move around Europe after graduation. Others say that the job prospects for non-EU students depend on their field of study and where they live. Both are correct. Choose a program: if you want to get a job in the creative arts and design field quickly, you can do so in Milan. If you want to work in the humanities, you may need to network more and be more flexible.
Last Things to Do in the Next 30 Days
- Choose three programs and open their application portals
- Write down the deadlines for scholarships and set reminders in your calendar (GradRight)
- Begin learning the basics of Italian and gathering paperwork for police checks and bank statements
- Become a member of official student groups at your university and in your area
In Conclusion, Should You Do It?
Italy is a good choice for a European degree in 2025 if you want to keep costs low, attend historic campuses, and have more English programs. Just make sure to plan ahead and treat administration like a project. Start early, use reliable sources, and be ready to change your plans.
I can do this for you if you want:
- Make a personalized application timeline for the program and intake you want to get into
- Make a scholarship tracker that you can use to keep track of due dates and requirements
Articles That Are Suggested
- Apoorva Anand wrote “5 Reasons Why Italy Is the Best Place for Indian Students to Study in Europe” for India Today on November 9, 2024 (India Today)
- Surbhi Gloria Singh wrote “Study in Italy: A Complete Guide to Fee, Cost of Living for Indian Students” for the Business Standard on October 23, 2024 (Business Standard)
- “Indian Students Are Moving to Italy Because of Attractive Scholarships and Job Opportunities Across Europe” by Ishani Duttagupta, The Times of India, Aug/Sept 2022 (updated)
Quotes from Experts
- “Indian students who study in Italy are investing in their future careers.” Italy is a center for manufacturing and exports. In addition, there are more than 600 Italian companies operating in India that want to hire Indian students who have studied in Italy.
- “Not all programs require students to learn Italian, especially since many universities offer courses in English only.” “However, learning some basic Italian can be very helpful for your daily life and for job opportunities.” — Ravi Srivastava, Co-Founder of YES Italy (Edexlive.com)
How LetzStudy Helped Three Students to Study in Italy
1. Prajwal Shetty: From Mangalore to Milan
Prajwal, who graduated from engineering in Mangalore, wanted to study design in Italy but didn’t know where to start. LetzStudy helped him make a list of the best design schools in Milan, took care of all of his applications, and helped him with the visa paperwork. Prajwal got an offer from Politecnico di Milano within a few months. He is currently interning at an Italian design firm and says, “LetzStudy made the whole process easy and stress-free.” They changed my confusion into confidence.
2. Ananya Rao: From Udupi to Padua
Ananya, a student of biotechnology, wanted to get her master’s degree in biomedical sciences abroad, but she wasn’t sure about scholarships and where she would live. LetzStudy helped her apply for the University of Padua’s English-taught programs and gave her advice on how to apply for DSU scholarships. She now goes to one of the oldest universities in Europe and often says, “LetzStudy didn’t just help me get in; they helped me start a new chapter of my life in Italy with clarity and comfort.”
3. Rohith Gowda: From Mysuru to Turin
Rohith had always loved working with cars and trucks. He went to LetzStudy when he heard that Italy had some of the best automotive programs. The team helped him with his visa interview prep, made a strong Statement of Purpose, and mapped out his academic background. He is now a student at Politecnico di Torino and says, “Without LetzStudy, I wouldn’t have known how to get into Italian universities.” They helped me at every turn.
Are you ready to start your journey? Contact LetzStudy today if you want professional help with every step of your study in Italy. Make an appointment for a personalized consultation and begin your Italian education journey with the professionals who have helped hundreds of Indian students do it.
👉 Go to LetzStudy.com to book your appointment now.
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