Italy is extraordinary. The world’s oldest university — the University of Bologna, founded in 1088 — sits in a country that is simultaneously home to some of Europe’s most vibrant and intellectually stimulating cities, an unparalleled concentration of art, history, and culture, and increasingly, a competitive higher education system producing world-class graduates in engineering, design, medicine, economics, and the humanities.
For international students in 2027-2028, Italy offers something equally extraordinary: ten major scholarship programs that make world-class Italian education genuinely accessible regardless of financial background — from the Italian Government’s MAECI scholarships to Bocconi’s need-based aid, from regional DSU housing and meal support to the European Commission’s Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters.
This guide covers every scholarship, what it covers, who qualifies, and where to apply.
Table of Contents
Why Study in Italy in 2027?
Low tuition at public universities. Italy’s public universities charge among the lowest international student fees in Western Europe — approximately €900–€4,000/year depending on income level. The national income-based fee system (ISEE) means lower-income international students often pay minimal or zero tuition even without scholarships.
World-class institutions. The University of Bologna, Politecnico di Milano, Scuola Normale Superiore, Bocconi University, University of Padua, and Sapienza University of Rome are all globally recognized institutions with research quality competing directly with leading European universities.
Quality of life. Italy consistently ranks among the world’s highest quality-of-life countries — and its university cities (Bologna, Milan, Padua, Pisa, Rome, Florence) offer affordable student living relative to London, Paris, or Zurich.
Post-study pathways. EU Blue Card pathways and post-study work visas make Italy increasingly attractive for international graduates targeting European professional careers.
The Top 10 Italy Scholarships 2027-2028
🏆 1. Italian Government Scholarships — MAECI
Degree Level: Master’s, PhD, Research Coverage: €900/month stipend + Full/partial tuition + Medical insurance
The Italian Government Scholarship administered by MAECI (Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale — Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation) is Italy’s flagship international scholarship program — and the most comprehensive government-funded opportunity for international students in Italy.
What it covers:
- Monthly stipend of €900 for the scholarship duration
- Full or partial tuition fee waiver at your Italian university
- Medical insurance coverage throughout your study period
- Available for Master’s, PhD, and short-term research programs
Who can apply: Citizens of countries with bilateral education agreements with Italy — over 180 countries participate. Students must typically be under 28–35 years old depending on the program level. Applications are submitted through Italian Embassies and Consulates in your home country, or in some cases directly through the Italian government’s online portal.
Fields prioritized: All disciplines — sciences, humanities, arts, engineering, medicine, economics, and design all have eligible programs. Italy specifically prioritizes cultural heritage, fashion and design, and food science alongside STEM fields.
How to apply: Contact the Italian Embassy or Italian Cultural Institute (Istituto Italiano di Cultura) in your home country for current cycle details. The online application is typically submitted through the Italian government’s scholarship portal.
Deadline: Typically March–June of the year preceding enrollment — verify with your Italian Embassy for your specific country’s deadline.
👉 Official Website: esteri.it/en/opportunities/scholarships
🏆 2. Invest Your Talent in Italy (IYT)
Degree Level: Master’s (MS) Coverage: €900/month + 100% tuition waiver + Mandatory corporate internship
The Invest Your Talent in Italy (IYT) program is a distinctive government-funded scholarship that combines full academic funding with a mandatory paid corporate internship at an Italian company — providing not just a funded education but direct professional experience in Italian industry.
What it covers:
- Monthly stipend of €900
- 100% tuition fee waiver — complete coverage of Master’s program tuition
- Mandatory corporate internship with Italian companies (paid separately by the host company)
- Visa and administrative support
Who can apply: Citizens of specific eligible countries (check current list — typically includes India, Brazil, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Senegal, Tunisia, and others). Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree in engineering, economics, design, or related fields.
Why IYT is distinctive: The mandatory corporate internship component is unique among Italian scholarships. You gain experience at major Italian companies — potentially including Fiat Chrysler, Pirelli, ENI, Leonardo, or fashion and design brands — which significantly strengthens post-graduation employment prospects in Italy or globally.
Deadline: Typically January–March — check with Italian Embassy in your country
👉 Official Website: esteri.it/en/invest-your-talent
🏆 3. Regional DSU Scholarships (Toscana / EDISU)
Degree Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD Coverage: Free accommodation + Free meals + Tuition exemption + Annual cash grant
The DSU (Diritto allo Studio Universitario) scholarships are Italy’s national student welfare system — and for international students who qualify, they represent one of the most comprehensive cost-of-living support packages available anywhere in Europe.
What it covers:
- Free university accommodation in university residences (dormitories)
- Free meals at university canteens (mensa universitaria) — one of the most underappreciated benefits, saving €150–€300/month
- Full tuition exemption — zero tuition fees
- Annual cash grant (varies by region and income level — typically €1,500–€6,000/year)
Who can apply: International students at Italian public universities meeting income and merit requirements. The DSU system is income-based — students from lower-income families (assessed through ISEE or equivalent international income declaration) receive the highest awards. Italy’s DSU is notable for considering family income in the country of origin, making it genuinely accessible to students from developing countries.
Regional bodies: Each Italian region administers DSU scholarships through regional bodies — EDISU (Piemonte, Liguria), DSU Toscana (Tuscany), ER.GO (Emilia-Romagna/Bologna), LaRSA (Lombardia), and others.
How to apply: Apply through your target university’s DSU office after enrollment. Application deadlines vary by region but typically fall in July–September of the academic year start.
👉 Find your regional DSU: dsu.toscana.it | er-go.it | edisu-piemonte.it
4. University of Bologna Study Grants
Degree Level: Bachelor’s & Master’s Coverage: Full tuition fee waiver + €6,500–€11,000 annual grant
The University of Bologna — the world’s oldest university and consistently ranked among Italy’s top three — offers study grants specifically designed for international students combining complete tuition waiver with a substantial annual cash grant.
What it covers:
- Full tuition fee waiver — zero tuition costs
- Annual cash grant of €6,500–€11,000 depending on income level and merit assessment
- Access to subsidized housing and meals through the ER.GO regional DSU system
Who can apply: International students admitted to bachelor’s or master’s programs at UNIBO with demonstrated financial need. Income assessment considers family income in country of origin.
Bologna’s advantage: Located in the gastronomically rich and culturally vibrant Emilia-Romagna region, Bologna offers one of Italy’s strongest student experiences at living costs significantly below Milan or Rome.
Deadline: Typically July–September for the following academic year
👉 Official Website: unibo.it/en/scholarships
🏆 5. Politecnico di Milano Merit Scholarships
Degree Level: Master’s (MS) Coverage: Gold: Full tuition + €8,700 stipend | Silver: 100% tuition
Politecnico di Milano — consistently ranked among the global top 20 for engineering and design and Italy’s most internationally recognized technical university — offers a tiered merit scholarship system for outstanding international Master’s students.
Two scholarship tiers:
Gold Scholarship:
- Full tuition fee waiver (100%)
- €8,700 annual stipend — one of the most generous university scholarships in Italy
- Awarded to the most academically exceptional international applicants
Silver Scholarship:
- 100% tuition fee waiver — zero tuition
- No cash stipend, but complete tuition elimination represents €13,000–€15,000 annual value
Who can apply: International students admitted to Politecnico di Milano’s English-taught Master’s programs in Engineering, Architecture, and Design. Selection is based purely on academic merit — GPA, degree classification, and academic recommendations.
Why PoliMi matters: Politecnico di Milano is Italy’s gateway to Europe’s design and engineering industry. Its graduates work at Ferrari, Armani, Pirelli, Luxottica, and dozens of other globally recognized Italian and European brands. A PoliMi degree with a Gold Scholarship is a genuinely career-transforming combination.
Deadline: Typically April–May for September intake — early application strongly advised as scholarship slots fill quickly
👉 Official Website: polimi.it/en/scholarships
6. University of Padua International Excellence Scholarship
Degree Level: Master’s Coverage: Full tuition waiver + €8,000 annual stipend
The University of Padua — one of Italy’s oldest and most distinguished research universities (founded 1222) and Galileo Galilei’s alma mater — offers International Excellence Scholarships to outstanding non-EU international Master’s students.
What it covers:
- Full tuition fee waiver
- €8,000 annual stipend — paid in installments throughout the academic year
Who can apply: Non-EU international students admitted to English-taught Master’s programs at the University of Padua with exceptional academic records.
Padua’s strengths: Medicine and health sciences, mathematics, astronomy, engineering, agriculture, and humanities. Padua’s historic location in the Veneto region provides easy access to Venice, Verona, and the Dolomites.
Deadline: Typically April–May for September/October intake
👉 Official Website: unipd.it/en/international-excellence-scholarship
🏆 7. Scuola Normale Superiore PhD Scholarship
Degree Level: PhD Coverage: 100% tuition exemption + Free board & lodging + Research allowance
The Scuola Normale Superiore (SNS) in Pisa is one of the most elite academic institutions in Europe — a small, intensely selective research institution often compared to France’s ENS or the UK’s All Souls College Oxford. Acceptance to SNS is itself an extraordinary distinction.
What it covers:
- 100% tuition exemption — zero fees
- Free board and lodging — accommodation and meals provided at the SNS residential college in Pisa
- Research allowance — budget for research activities, conferences, and fieldwork
- Monthly stipend for personal expenses
Who can apply: Exceptional doctoral candidates in mathematics, physics, natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences. The selection process is intensely rigorous — only the most academically outstanding candidates are accepted.
Why SNS is extraordinary: SNS operates on an explicit meritocracy model — all successful applicants receive full board, lodging, and research support regardless of financial background. The residential college model creates a uniquely immersive intellectual community comparable to Oxford and Cambridge colleges.
Deadline: Typically May–June — check the official SNS website for current doctoral cycle announcement
👉 Official Website: sns.it/en/phd-programmes
8. Bocconi University Financial Aid and Merit Scholarships
Degree Level: Bachelor’s & Master’s Coverage: Merit: Full tuition coverage | Need-based: Tuition reduction
Bocconi University — Europe’s most respected economics and business university outside of the UK, ranked among the global top 10 for economics — operates one of the most sophisticated and well-funded student financial aid systems of any European university.
Two scholarship tracks:
Merit Scholarships:
- Full tuition coverage for the highest-achieving admitted international students
- Selection based on academic excellence — GPA, standardized test scores, and application quality
Need-Based Financial Aid:
- Partial to significant tuition reduction based on demonstrated financial need
- Income assessment considers family financial situation in country of origin
- Can be combined with merit awards for the most financially eligible exceptional candidates
Who can apply: International students admitted to Bocconi’s bachelor’s or master’s programs in economics, management, finance, law, and political science.
Bocconi’s career value: Bocconi graduates are among the most sought-after in European finance, consulting, and business. Major employers including McKinsey, Goldman Sachs, BCG, and European Central Bank actively recruit from Bocconi. A Bocconi degree with full scholarship funding represents extraordinary long-term career ROI.
Deadline: Aligned with Bocconi’s admission rounds — typically November–February for September intake
👉 Official Website: unibocconi.eu/scholarships
9. University of Milan Excellence Scholarships
Degree Level: Master’s Coverage: Full tuition fee exemption + €6,000–€8,000 annual stipend
The University of Milan (UNIMI) — Italy’s largest university and one of its leading research institutions, ranked among Europe’s top 100 — offers excellence scholarships for outstanding international Master’s students across its extensive faculty range.
What it covers:
- Full tuition fee exemption — zero tuition costs
- €6,000–€8,000 annual stipend depending on merit assessment and financial need
- Priority access to university housing through the Milan DSU system
Who can apply: International students admitted to English-taught Master’s programs at UNIMI with strong academic records.
Milan’s advantage: As Italy’s economic capital and Europe’s fashion and design hub, Milan provides exceptional career networking opportunities across finance, fashion, media, technology, and design industries. The UNIMI campus is located in the heart of Milan.
Deadline: Typically April–June — check UNIMI’s scholarship portal for current cycle dates
👉 Official Website: unimi.it/en/study/scholarships
🏆 10. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees
Degree Level: Master’s Coverage: Full tuition + €1,000–€1,400/month stipend + Travel allowance
The Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJMD) — funded by the European Commission — is the most financially generous Master’s scholarship available in Italy (and Europe), with several EMJMD programs including Italian universities as consortium partners.
What it covers:
- Full tuition fees at all partner universities
- €1,400/month living allowance for non-EU students (for full 24-month programs)
- €1,000/month for EU students
- Travel and installation grant (€1,000–€3,000)
- Mandatory health insurance
Italian universities in EMJMD consortia (selected):
- Politecnico di Milano — engineering joint programs
- University of Bologna — sustainability and agricultural programs
- Sapienza University of Rome — sciences and humanities programs
- University of Padua — life sciences programs
- University of Florence — environmental and cultural heritage programs
Who can apply: Students from every country worldwide with a bachelor’s degree. Non-EU students receive priority for the full €1,400/month scholarship package.
Deadline: Each program has its own deadline — typically October–January for September intake. Use the official EMJMD catalogue to find programs with Italian partners.
👉 EMJMD Catalogue: eacea.ec.europa.eu/erasmus-mundus
Quick Reference — All 10 Scholarships
| # | Scholarship | Level | Key Coverage | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Italian Government (MAECI) | Masters/PhD | €900/mo + tuition | Mar–Jun |
| 2 | Invest Your Talent (IYT) | Master’s | €900/mo + 100% tuition | Jan–Mar |
| 3 | Regional DSU (EDISU) | All levels | Accommodation + meals + tuition | Jul–Sep |
| 4 | University of Bologna | Bachelors/Masters | Full tuition + €6,500–€11,000 | Jul–Sep |
| 5 | Politecnico di Milano | Master’s | Gold: tuition + €8,700 | Apr–May |
| 6 | University of Padua | Master’s | Full tuition + €8,000 | Apr–May |
| 7 | Scuola Normale Superiore | PhD | Tuition + board + lodging | May–Jun |
| 8 | Bocconi Financial Aid | Bachelors/Masters | Full/partial tuition | Nov–Feb |
| 9 | University of Milan | Master’s | Full tuition + €6,000–€8,000 | Apr–Jun |
| 10 | Erasmus Mundus EMJMD | Master’s | Full tuition + €1,400/mo | Oct–Jan |
Health Insurance in Italy — What International Students Need
All international students in Italy must have health insurance. Italy offers two primary options:
SSN (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale) — Italian National Health Service: International students with a valid residence permit can voluntarily enroll in the SSN through their local ASL (Azienda Sanitaria Locale). Annual enrollment fee approximately €150–€200 — one of Europe’s most affordable national health enrollments. Covers GP visits, specialist referrals, hospitalizations, and emergency care.
Private insurance (for initial period or specific visa requirements): Before SSN enrollment is processed, private insurance is needed. Best options:
- Cigna Global: cigna.com
- Allianz Care: allianzcare.com
MAECI and IYT scholarships include medical insurance — check your specific award letter for coverage details.
Banking in Italy — Set Up Before You Arrive
Wise — Best Pre-Arrival Option Italian IBAN openable from home country. Your scholarship stipend can be received from day one. 👉 wise.com
N26 — Best Digital Bank Full Eurozone license with Italian IBAN. Open with passport only. English interface. 👉 n26.com/en-it
UniCredit or Intesa Sanpaolo — Traditional Italian Banks Best for students who prefer in-branch service and physical card. Student accounts available. 👉 unicredit.it | intesasanpaolo.com
Final Thoughts — Italy Is More Affordable Than You Think
Italy’s reputation as an expensive travel destination often misleads students into thinking Italian education is beyond reach. The reality is the opposite. Between Italy’s income-based low public university tuition, the extensive DSU regional support system, and the ten scholarships in this guide — studying in Italy is genuinely accessible to students from all financial backgrounds worldwide.
The world’s oldest university. Politecnico di Milano’s engineering and design prestige. Bocconi’s European business school leadership. Scuola Normale Superiore’s elite doctoral programs. The Erasmus Mundus experience across multiple European countries.
Apply early. Apply to multiple scholarships simultaneously. Italy is waiting.
👉 Italian Government Scholarships: esteri.it/en/scholarships 👉 Study in Italy Portal: studyinitaly.esteri.it 👉 Erasmus Mundus: eacea.ec.europa.eu
