Best 15 Cheapest Universities in Italy for International Students

Do you want to study abroad? The nation of Italy is an excellent choice for all international students. And here, we provide you with a guide to the top cheapest universities in Italy for international students.

The good news is that most universities in Italy have low tuition fees, a pleasant Mediterranean climate, and a distinct culture and history.

cheapest universities in Italy for international students

Whether you want to pursue a Laurea (bachelor’s degree ), Laurea Magistrate (Master’s degree), or Dottorato di Ricerca (Ph.D.), Italy’s prestigious universities can help you improve your knowledge and skills – at an affordable price.

We present to you the cheapest Universities in Italy for international students in this report.

Advantages of Studying in Italy – Why should you study in Italy?

It is advantageous to study in Italy. There are numerous reasons why you should consider studying in Italy. Among the reasons are:

  1. Italy is home to many great artists who will inspire you to become more focused and successful in your endeavors.
  2. Ranking second only to the United Kingdom, Italy is regarded as one of the most popular educational destinations for students,
  3. Italy is a culturally rich country, particularly in the arts, philosophy, music, fashion and design, literature, and other fields. You also get to be involved in the language that has been dubbed “the most romantic language.”
  4. The universities in Italy provide a diverse range of courses in the English language.
  5. Life in Italy is affordably priced.
  6. You can study in the English language at most Universities in Italy.

Note:

  1. The University of Bologna, which is one of the oldest universities in the world, offers English-taught programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
  2. Also, the University of Turin offers 2 undergraduate and 9 graduate courses in English.

What are the prerequisites for studying in Italy?

The requirements for studying in Italy (for international students) are as follows:

  1. Undergraduate applicants must be at least 17 years old at the time of application.
  2. They must also have completed at least 12 years of education, as evidenced by a high school diploma (translated into Italian).
  3. Applicants are required to provide the following documents:
    • Pre-enrollment application form (with 2 additional copies)
    • Declaration of value
    • Proof of proficiency in Italian and/or English
    • Photographs

Graduate students, on the other hand, must present a Bachelor’s diploma in lieu of a high school diploma.

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Top 15 Cheapest Universities in Italy for International Students

cheapest universities in Italy for international students

Now to the main aim of this article – what are the cheapest Universities in Italy for international students? The top choices are presented below (in no special order):

1. University of Florence

The University of Florence is one of the most affordable universities in Italy for international students,

The University of Florence is widely regarded as one of Italy’s oldest and most prestigious universities.

Founded in 1321 as a Studium Generale, this public educational institution is located in Florence, Italy. The university has campuses in the heart of Florence – including the Polo delle Scienze Sociali, Careggi, Sesto Fiorentino, Academia di Bella Arte, and S. Marta Institute.

UniFi is currently divided into twelve colleges. These are the Departments of Arts, Agriculture, Architecture, Law, Engineering, Education, Mathematics, Physics & Natural Science, Medicine & Surgery, Political Science, Pharmacology, and Psychology. These colleges provide over 130 degrees and courses.

It is ranked as one of the best in Italy and as a leader in the European Teaching Rankings.

As a result, UniFi is the top choice for approximately 36,500 students, 10% of whom are international.

The University of Florence also has a number of international partnerships with foreign universities, which allows students to pursue joint degrees that are awarded in affiliation.

 

 

2. Polytechnic University of Turin

Established in 1859, the Polytechnic University of Turin’s origins can be traced back to the Technical School for Engineers. It is Italy’s first technical university.

It is one of the best universities in Italy. The Polytechnic University of Turin is also regarded as one of the best in terms of impact rankings for climate action.

All of these honors are made possible by the university’s world-class programs, which include 28 undergraduate degrees, 32 Master’s programs, and 24 Ph.D. specializations. These programs are divided into 11 departments that specialize in Architecture and Engineering.

The Polytechnic University of Turin currently has over 29,000 students. Foreigners make up 15% of this group.

 

 

3. The Polytechnic University of Milan

Founded in 1863, the Polytechnic University of Milan is a state-supported institution. It is nationally recognized as the largest technical university in terms of student enrollment.

It has two main campuses in Milan, as well as campuses in five other cities throughout Italy.

The polytechnic is Italy’s best university for engineering studies.

It also has a low tuition fee for international students, which starts at 3,500 EUR per year, making it one of the cheapest universities in Italy for international students.

Undergraduates can choose from more thMaster’sfferent degree programs, and master’s students can choose from more than 20.

 

 

 

4. University of Turin

Founded in 1404 as a Studium Generale, the University of Turin is located in Turin, Northwestern Italy. It is one of Italy’s – and Europe’s – best universities.

After undergoing numerous changes over the course of six centuries, the university is now divided into 55 departments overseen by 13 faculties.

The faculties are   Agriculture, Education, Economics, Law, Foreign Language and Literature, Letters and Philosophy, Mathematics and Natural Science, Medicine and Surgery (with the Second Faculty of St. Luigi Gonzaga), Pharmacy, Psychology, Veterinary Medicine, and Political Science.

With nearly 67,000 students, the university has one of the highest enrollment rates in Italy. Its foreign population, however, is smaller than most, accounting for only 8% of the total.

This figure is expected to rise in the future. This is because the university is one of the few in Italy that offers English-taught programs.

The University of Turin, also known as UNITO, has one of the lowest tuition fees in Italy for international students.

 

 

5. University of Milan

Founded in 1924, the University of Milan is regarded as one of the best universities in Italy.

It has over 45,000 students, including a 6% foreign student population, and is located on a 500,000 square-meter campus.

This beautiful campus is home to ten schools: Humanities, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Law, Agriculture and Food Science, Science and Technology, Pharmaceutical Science, Exercise and Sport Science, Political and Social Science, and Linguistics and Cultural Mediation.

These faculties offer a total of 134 undergraduate and graduate programs.

 

 

6. University of Camerino

Founded in 1336, the University of Camerino (UniCam) has a current student population of 10,000. It is one of the cheapest universities in Italy for international students. It was formally recognized as a university by Pope Benedict XIII in 1727. This allows it to offer programs in Medicine, Jurisprudence, Mathematics, and Theology.

UniCam is currently divided into five specialized schools: Science and Technology, Law, Pharmacy, Bioscience and Veterinary Medicine, and Architecture and Design. The first four are located on the campus north of Camerino, while the latter is in Ascoli Piceno, Marche, Italy.

Tuition for international students at this university begins at 356 EUR per year for undergraduate programs and approximately 425 EUR for graduate programs.

 

 

7. University of Modena and Reggio Emilia

The University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, one of Italy’s first (and best) universities, dates back to 1175. Although it ‘disappeared’ in the 13th century, it was eventually granted an imperial charter before the turn of the 17th century, resuming operations that continue to this day.

The university is organized into 14 departments that are grouped according to specializations and are located in the administrative region of Emilia-Romagna. Engineering, Life Science, Communication and Economics, Law, Education and Humanities, Language & Culture, Diagnostic & Public Health Medicine, Neural Science, Medical & Surgical Science, Chemical & Geological Science, and Physics & Mathematics are the 14 departments.

The university currently has over 20,000 students, with international students accounting for 6% of the total.

 

 

8. Ca’Foscari University of Venice

The Ca’Foscari University of Venice (formerly the Royal High School of Commerce) is one of Italy’s (and Europe’s) top institutions. Founded in the year 1868, the Ca’Foscari University of Venice currently enrolls more than 25,000 students – 10% of which are international students.

It currently has 8 departments offering programs in bachelor, master, and doctorate levels of study. The departments are Management, Economics, Philosophy & Cultural Heritage, Molecular Science & Nanosystems, Environmental Science & Computer Science, Humanities, Linguistic & Comparative Cultural Studies, and Asian & Mediterranean Studies. 

The university is named after the Ca’Foscari Palace on the Grand Canal. This is where the campus has been located since its establishment in the 19th century.

 

 

9. The University of Bologna

With tuition fees starting at 2,000 EUR, the University of Bologna is one of the cheapest universities in Italy for international students.

Founded in 1088 as a research-intensive higher education institution, the University of Bologna is the world’s oldest university in continuous operation.

The University of Bologna is divided into 11 schools and 33 departments. It offers a wide range of programs such as computer science and engineering, physics and astronomy, mathematics, agricultural sciences, and others.

 

 

10. The University of Padua

Established in the year 1222, the University of Padua is the second-oldest university in Italy and the world’s fifth-oldest surviving university.

The tuition fee for international students at the University of Padua starts from 2,500 EUR, making it among the cheapest universities in Italy for international students.

The institution has also been recognized by various ranking platforms and was recently ranked by Times Higher Education (THE) among the 201 – 250 universities in the world.

The University currently has 8 schools divided into 32 departments offering a wide range of degrees in bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate levels of study.

 

 

11. The Free University of Bozen-Bolzano

Situated in one of Europe’s most fascinating regions, the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano is at the crossroads of the German and Italian economies and cultures.

Its trilingualism in teaching and research, high level of internationalization, and ideal study environment ensured by its excellent facilities are just a few of the reasons why the Free University of Bozen-Bolzana consistently ranks in top positions in national and international rankings.

The university has three campuses in Bolzano, Brixen, and Bruneck and offers a variety of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate programs.

The five faculties in the University are Computer Science, Design and Arts, Economics and Management, Education, Science and Technology.

Programs are offered in English, Italian, and German. This is to accommodate as many students as possible. It currently has a student population of 4,050.

International students at the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano pay a tuition fee of 1,340 EUR.

 

 

 

12. The University of Trento

Founded in 1962, the Trento University has always sought to establish alliances and mutually beneficial relationships with Italian and foreign institutions and organizations.

The University (which had previously been private) became public in 1982 with a statute guaranteeing self-government.

With over 16,000 students, 600 professors and researchers, and the same number of technical and administrative staff, the University can provide an ideal environment for study and research.

Times Higher Education ranked the university 198th in the overall university rankings (THE).

The university has 11 departments that offer bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in subjects ranging from industrial engineering and physics to humanities and psychology. There are three research education centers as well.

The doctoral school offers a variety of programs, including biomolecular sciences, information and communication technology, environmental engineering, and others.

 

 

13. Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies

The Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies is a public research university with a special status in Pisa, Italy. Founded in 1987 from previously existing institutions, the Sant’Anna School of Advance Studies focuses solely on applied sciences.

Its low tuition fee is low and starts at 3,500 EUR. Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies is listed among the cheapest universities in Italy for international students.

Over 2,000 students are enrolled in various programs leading to bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees. Business sciences, legal sciences, industrial engineering, information engineering, and other degree programs are available.

 

 

14. The University of Siena

Founded in 1240, the University of Siena is located in Siena, Tuscany, Italy. It is one of the oldest and first publicly funded universities in Italy. Best known for its Schools of Law, Medicine, Economics, and Management, the University of Siena is a great option for international students.

It has over 20,000 students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate degree programs such as biotechnologies, finance, dentistry, chemical sciences, and others.

Tuition fees for international students at the University of Siena start at 1,800 EUR, making it one of the cheapest universities in Italy for international students.

 

 

15. European University of Rome

The European University of Rome (EUR) is a private, legally recognized university that releases academic qualifications with legal value.

The EUR offers Bachelor’s Degrees in Economics and Business Management (L-18), Psychological Sciences and Techniques (L-24) and Tourism and Land Management (L -15), Master’s Degree in Economics and Innovation Management (LM-56)  and Psychology (LM-51); Master’s single cycle Degree in Law (LMG-01)  and Sciences of Primary Education (LM-85 bis). Furthermore, it offers Ph.D. and training courses.

The European University of Rome, founded in 2004 by the religious congregation of the Legionaries of Christ, is part of the great tradition of the  Catholic Church and an international network of universities.

An international university committed to guiding future professionals and founded on high human values. A fantastic option for ethical and cultural education.

EUR belongs to an international network with more than 70 years of experience in the education field.

 

 

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Cheap Italian Universities offering Bachelor’s degrees

  1. University of Pisa – Bachelor’s degree starts at 356 EUR/year
  2. Free University of Bozen-Bolzano – Bachelor degree start at 748 EUR/year
  3. Ca’Foscari University of Venice – Bachelor degree starts at 1,894 EUR/year
  4. International Telematic University UNINETTUNO – Bachelor degree start at 2,000 EUR/year
  5. University of Padua – Bachelor’s degree starts at 2,622 EUR/year
  6. Sapienza University of Rome – Bachelor degree start at 2,821 EUR/year
  7. Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore – Bachelor degree start at 3,500 EUR/year
  8. University of Pavia – Bachelor’s degree starts at 4,500 EUR/year

Cheap Italian universities offering Master’s degrees

  • University of Genoa – Masters start at 0 EUR/year
  • University of Pisa – Masters start at 356 EUR/year
  • University of Bergamo – Masters start at 400 EUR/year
  • University of Naples Federico II – Masters start at 476 EUR/year
  • The University of Modena and Reggio EmilMaster’sMORE – Masters start at 660 EUR/year
  • University of Salerno – Masters start at 800 EUR/year
  • The University of Cassino and Southern Lazio – Masters start at 800 EUR/year
  • Politecnico di Torino – Masters start at 2,601 EUR/year
  • University of Perugia – Masters start at 3,000 EUR/year
  • University of Pavia – Masters start at 3,500 EUR/year

Conclusion:

I hope this information on the cheapest universities in Italy for international students was helpful. The next time you consider studying abroad, think of Italy. In Italy, there are a lot of affordable universities that you can find. Enrolling in these schools will help you fulfill your dream of studying in Italy without paying a lot. These institutions also provide well-rounded academic programs and curriculums, allowing students to earn a degree with less burden on their pockets.

As we have seen, international students can study a variety of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in Italy.

It is important to take a look at all your options when selecting where to attend post-secondary school. And the Italy is a great place for international students.

Take advantage of the information in this article to advance your academic life and get a degree from a university in Italy.

Do well to share this link with your family and friends.

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