Guide to studying in Italy

Procedures explained simply. Each page shows its official source and the date it was last checked.

Rules change every year: we always show the official source and the date on which our team checked the information.

Procedures

Key steps and typical timeline

From pre-enrolment to residence permit: an overview of a preparation year.

Official source : Studiare in Italia — Ministero dell'Università e della Ricerca

Checked on 06 Oct 2026

Procedures

The official portal for pre-enrolment requests from non-EU students.

Official source : Universitaly

Checked on 06 Oct 2026

Documents

Two ways to validate a foreign qualification, depending on what the university asks for.

Official source : CIMEA

Checked on 22 Sept 2026

Languages

Which certificate to submit depending on the programme's teaching language.

Official source : Studiare in Italia — Ministero dell'Università e della Ricerca

Checked on 15 Sept 2026

Scholarships

"Diritto allo Studio Universitario": scholarship, housing and meals based on income.

Official source : Ministero dell'Università e della Ricerca — Diritto allo studio

Checked on 01 Oct 2026

Housing

Halls of residence, flat shares, rooms: options and pitfalls to avoid.

Official source : Studiare in Italia — Ministero dell'Università e della Ricerca

Checked on 28 Aug 2026

Visa & residence

The type D study visa, then the residence permit to request upon arrival.

Official source : Ministero degli Affari Esteri — Il visto per l'Italia

Checked on 10 Oct 2026