How to apply

This guide is for students who are not EU citizens and live outside Italy. It follows the official rules of the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR) for the academic years 2026/2027 and 2027/2028. Each university can add its own rules and earlier deadlines, so always read the page of the program you want.

1. Choose a program and check the requirements

Use our university guide to find universities, then open each university’s official list of programs.

For a bachelor’s or single-cycle degree you need:

• A secondary school certificate after at least 12 years of schooling.
• If your country has a university entrance exam, the certificate showing you passed it.

For a master’s degree you need:

• An official first-cycle degree (bachelor’s level) that, in your country, lets you continue to a master’s.
• A transcript of your exams and course contents.

Language:

• For programs taught in Italian, you need Italian at B2 level at least. Each university runs its own test, preferably online, before you apply for the visa. Some certificates exempt you, for example the Perugia or Siena diploma of Italian language and culture, or CLIQ certificates at C1 or C2.
• For programs taught in another language, such as English, you need a certificate in that language at B2 level at least, covering all four skills.

Programs with an entrance exam: Architecture and Primary Education have an entrance exam. Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine follow special national rules (Law 26/2025). Check the program page for dates.

2. Prepare your documents

• Your original diploma (or degree) and, for master’s applicants, your transcript.
• A document that shows the value and authenticity of your qualification: a CIMEA statement (comparability and verification) or a Declaration of Value (Dichiarazione di valore) from the Italian embassy. If your country follows the Lisbon Convention, you may be able to download the comparability statement from CIMEA’s ARDI service.
• A Diploma Supplement, if your university issues one.
• Translations into Italian, where needed (for programs taught in English, the transcript may not need translating).
• Your language certificate.

If your final certificate is not ready yet, a provisional certificate from the official authority in your country is accepted. Self-declarations are not.

3. Apply to the university

Many universities ask you to apply first through their own admission portal, with their own deadlines. For example, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice accepts applications only through its online portal, not by email. The university checks your documents and decides whether to admit you.

4. Pre-enrol on Universitaly

Universitaly is the free, official portal for pre-enrolment. You fill in your pre-application there, and the university validates it online. Only students with a validated pre-application can apply for a study visa.

Being admitted by the university does not guarantee a visa, and a visa does not guarantee enrolment.

5. Apply for your study visa

With your validated pre-application, apply at the Italian embassy or consulate in your country of residence for a type D study visa (“Immatricolazione Università”).

• Deadline for the academic year 2026/2027: 30 November 2026. For 2027/2028: 31 October 2027. Universities can set earlier deadlines.
• You must show €10,179.85 per year of legal, traceable funds, suitable accommodation in Italy and health insurance. See How much it costs.

Read the study visa guide for the full checklist.

6. After you arrive

• Within 8 working days of arriving, apply for your residence permit for study. See the residence permit guide.
• Complete your enrolment at the university. University fees are usually paid before enrolment is finished, which happens after you receive your visa.
• Students who are not enrolled on Universitaly by 31 January of the academic year will have their visa revoked, and the Questura is informed.

This site gives general information only. Rules change often, so always check the official sources.