Financing your studies in Italy | EFG - European Funding Guide

With a high standard of education and a great variety of cultural offerings, studying in Italy might be expected to be expensive. But tuition fees and living costs are moderate compared to the European average, unless you want to study in big cities like Rome. Fortunately, for international students, Italy offers financial support even if you’re not a native. But if you’re of Italian origin, you can profit from many programmes that offer you public support.

Studying without financial problems

Cost of your studies

Tuition fees

When it comes to the cost of an education in Italy, it may be considered cheaper than the US and the UK. The DSU or Diritto allo studio universitario manages queries and issues associated with costs. There is legislation for a minimum fee for enrolment and students’ contributions to their education should not surpass 20% of state funding. The average fee for public institutions is between 850 and 1000 € for Undergraduate studies, and 1000- 1400 € for Postgraduate studies. This is considerably lower than the typical 5,000- 8,500 € in some countries, but one must bear in mind that this cost increases considerably for private institutions.

Cost of living

Owing to the fact that many of the universities do not typically have their own dormitories, accommodation is often sought in close proximity to the institution. Nevertheless, in an effort to make it less of a hassle to find boarding as well as to cut cost for students, each university has a housing department that coordinates housing arrangements on behalf of students. Through the institutions’ housing departments, accommodation may cost roughly 350 € inclusive of transportation and other basic amenities. If the student opts for an arrangement independent of the university’s assistance it typically costs 300 – 1,000 €. It must be noted that EU students must secure a residence permit to live in Italy.

As is often the case in other countries, the cost of living is higher for students residing in the urban or suburban locations of Italy. Specific to Italy, cost of living is higher in the north, than the south. Arrangements for medical coverage over the duration of study are made available and are governed by international treaties between countries; however, students of EU countries must have specialised documentation, E11 or E18, issued by their national health authority. Non-EU international students must acquire private health insurance. It is advised that students contact the Italian Embassy in their respective countries, to ascertain the measures they need to take and what insurance companies can be of assistance to them.

Financing your studies

Public support

Since over 60% of the institutions are public institutions, there are opportunities for financial aid through various initiatives, inclusive of grants and bursaries, scholarships and waivers. For the most part, aid offered to international students is equal to that which is offered to Italians. Students may access financial assistance from state agencies and private organisations alike. As it relates to canteens, recipients of state financial aid benefit for free but a small cost is required of others.

Grants

Grants are given to students who demonstrate a legitimate need. As previously mentioned, grants are offered by the state and non-profit organisations alike. Similar to scholarships, you don’t need to repay monies received for grants. The John Cabot University offers assistant grants to students who have established a genuine economic need. The University of Bologna offers Study Grants. If the student is from a different jurisdiction but is of Italian lineage, such a student can benefit from The Order of The Sons of Italy (SIF) which gives both academic and leadership grants.

Scholarships

The government offers scholarships to international students for study/research projects related to or within the Italian education system. Whether you are enrolled in undergraduate or post graduate programmes, the government makes scholarships available to you; as a result, students who pursue advanced vocational training, art and music can find an avenue for cutting the cost of their studies. All students who are recipients of the state’s regional welfare services benefit from canteens, access to sports centres and facilities, grants, accommodation, facilities for the disabled and part time jobs. Though many grants are offered for research, ordinary or specialised grants are available as well. Depending on the availability of resources and the demand, benefits may be granted by request or through competitions.

Student Guides published and made available at each university at the beginning of the academic year, are made available as a source of information on the various opportunities or options that are available. The grants given are based on your economic need or merit and the need or approval of merit will be decided by regional authorities. Scholarships compiled by the DAAD are published once per year in the Borse di Studio per ‘Estero. While many scholarships are awarded based on merit after an assessment of a student’s GPA, alternative criteria for scholarships also exist. These may include religion, nationality or financial need.

Some local scholarships in Italy

Ca’ Foscari International College scholarship which is offered to undergraduates in their first year. This may be a partial or full scholarship in which students benefit from assistance with all expenses inclusive of accommodation.

There are also scholarships for Bachelor’s Programmes offered by the university of Milan.

EduItalia offers scholarships for students who wish to study the Italian language whether to become translators or to teach Italian as a second language.

Campus L’Infinito in Recanati also offers half scholarships.

Students’ Loans

Italian students can get loans from the Italian Student Loan Fund which offers up to 20.000 € toward students doing research at the Doctorate level. Students may also seek assistance from the Global Student Loan Fund.

Student Jobs

Students are afforded 150 hrs. in part time jobs to offset costs associated with studies. These positions are awarded based on regular attendance or enrolment and good academic performance substantiated by transcripts. It is also important to note that for such positions, students who are not recipients of funding from the EDISU are given first priority. If your country is a part of the EU you will not need a work permit to work and study in Italy. International students who are non-EU nationals have certain limitations as it relates to working in Italy though, since they cannot work for more than 20 hours per week and cannot work fulltime during vacations. Neither can non-EU nationals be engaged in any self-employment or business.

At 5- 15 € per hour, part time jobs are not enough to pay tuition fees of students in Italy, but it can assist in meals, energy bills and other amenities. Students can get jobs as library assistants and office attendants within the universities, but outside of the universities there are job opportunities in the IT and Media sectors, as well as vacancies in call centres and at trade fair shows.