STUDY IN ITALY

 Italy’s historic treasures and magnificent cuisine continue to draw visitors as they have done for centuries. From the snow-capped Dolomites in the North to the warm maritime Mediterranean culture of the South, Italy’s regions are diverse and exciting. For the international student seeking world-class but affordable education, with a wide range of social and leisure activities, few countries are as exciting a choice as Italy.

1.  High quality academic programs which are internationally recognized. 
2.  Possibility of utilizing visa-free travel to the EU countries. 
3.  Possibility to obtain a regional scholarship for students with a low family income. 
4.  Unique scholarships and funding opportunities for all. 
5.  Very low tuition fee which depends on family income ranging €300 to €2000. 
6.  Right to work 20 hours a week. 
7.  Opportunity to continue their studies in any university in Europe. 
8.  Wonderful climate. 

Italy is a budget-friendly study destination in Europe. While the cost of accommodation and living can be high in large cities like Rome or Milan, smaller cities are much cheaper. Larger universities usually offer support in finding accommodation; with luck you might get a place in a cheap student home.

 Compared to other countries in Europe, Italy’s public universities are also relatively cheap. On average, public universities in Italy charge around 1,000 EUR per year. Top-ranked prestigious universities might charge more. A special case is the University of Rome Tor Vergata, where tuition fees are tied to your family’s financial situation: Based on the income, you are charged from a low minimum around 150 EUR to a maximum of around 5,000 EUR per year. 

 Italians are known to be welcoming, open people. You will make local friends quickly. And they will teach you that eating out and enjoying high-quality, healthy food are fundamental to la dolce vita (“the sweet life”) for every Italian.

 Although you will get by with only a handful of words and phrases in Italian, English is not widely spoken outside the academic context, and you will definitely benefit from taking some lessons in Italian before and during your stay. That is especially true if you should decide to stay and work in Italy after graduation.

 Cultural activities include everything from traditional local festivals to major international sporting events. Italian night life is always lively, especially in cities. In summer, the majority of people head for the sea or countryside. For quality of life, unforgettable, charming Italy provides value for any student. 

• One of Italy’s biggest student hubs is Milan which is also the economic capital of the country. Located in the north, this glamorous city attracts a lot of students in many fields, namely Business, Fashion, and Engineering. 
• South of Milan, Bologna is a large city known for its ancient university and… the Bolognese pasta dishes. It offers a wide range of English language programmes, which makes it a favourite for many international students. 
• Another big city that is a student hub is —of course— the capital city, Rome. A true open-air museum with so much history on the streets, the Eternal City provides degrees focusing on Arts, Design, Film, Medicine, and more.  
• For those who prefer smaller yet vibrant student cities, Pisa, Padua, and Pavia are all great places to consider. 

• Passport/ID card 
• Passport type photograph 
• Academic transcript 
• University application form 
• CV 
• Letter of recommendation 
• Letter of motivation (Adding a letter of motivation as a supporting document is useful, even if your university doesn’t require it.) 
• Language proficiency (English or Italian) 
• Portfolio (for students of Architecture, Art and Design, and related programmes) 
• Exam results, SAT, ACT, or IMAT  

• IELTS: IELTS assesses English proficiency by giving a grade between 0 and 9 in four categories: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Ultimately, it takes the average of these four parts so you get a grade out of 9. To give you an idea of the minimum required grade, one of the top universities in Italy, the University of Bologna requires a minimum of 5.5 in IELTS. 
• TOEFL: Also consisting of the same four categories, TOEFL gives a score between 0 and 30 for each category. Instead of taking an average, it sums up the results so the maximum grade is 120. If we take the same example of the University of Bologna, the required grade for admission is 80. 

While Italy still has high youth unemployment rates, this rate is decreasing compared to previous years.  

It is possible to get a job after graduation but your field and your Italian level will play a big role. Since industrial activities take place in the north of the country, such as Milan, Turin, and Bologna, jobs related to engineering, architecture, design, and business studies are more likely to be in this area. In southern Italy, agriculture and tourism are the main work areas. 

Patience is key when applying for jobs in Italy as an international student. Your chances will be higher if you have a good level of Italian, have an in-demand degree, or have contacts that are willing to provide referrals for you. Doing related internships and working part-time are the best ways to grow your network abroad.