There are many opportunities for international students who want to study in Italy for free. Several public and private organizations offer fully funded scholarships for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
Furthermore, Italian universities offer a wide range of courses in English , so knowledge of the Italian language is not necessarily required to study in Italy.
Types of Scholarships Available in Italy for International Students
There are different types of scholarships in Italy that fully cover tuition and living expenses. The main categories are:
- Italian Government Scholarships
- Regional Scholarships
- Scholarships offered by individual universities
Additionally, if you are a citizen of a low-income or developing country and your family income or assets are entirely outside of Italy, you can be admitted to study at most Italian public universities by paying a reduced flat fee .
Italian Government Scholarships for International Students
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) offers scholarships to international students and Italian citizens residing abroad (IRE).
To apply for a MAECI scholarship, your country of origin must be included in the list of eligible countries , which can be found on the official website of " Study in Italy ", along with all the information to submit the application.
These scholarships are intended exclusively for academic programs offered in Italy and are available for postgraduate degrees or research projects .
Scholarships from Italian local authorities for international students
These are called regional scholarships because they are awarded by the local government of each Italian region. They are awarded based on merit and financial need and are available to both Italian and international students.
If your family income is below a certain threshold, these scholarships can be fully funded , covering tuition, housing, and meals.
To register, visit the official website and select the region where the university you are interested in is located. For example, in Veneto the competent body is ESU Padova (Regional Company for the Right to University Education).
Fully Funded and Merit-Based Scholarships in Italy
Several Italian universities offer fully funded scholarships based on academic merit. Here are two significant examples:
University of Bologna Scholarships for International Students
For the academic year 2025/26, the University of Bologna Alma Mater offers 30 scholarships to deserving international students. These scholarships cover the entire tuition fee .
Eligibility Requirements:
You must have obtained, or be in the process of obtaining, a qualification valid for access to a second cycle degree course (master's level);
You must have taken the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) test;
You must provide documentation relating to your family 's financial situation (more details are available on the university's official website);
You must be under 30 years of age at the time of application.
University of Padua International Excellence Scholarship
The University of Padua offers 62 fully funded scholarships to international students with excellent academic records.
These scholarships are available for both undergraduate and graduate courses , but only for courses taught in English .
Eligibility criteria:
You must not have Italian citizenship (except in cases of dual citizenship);
You must have a non-Italian secondary school diploma (for candidates for the three-year degree) or a non-Italian degree (for candidates for the master's degree) that qualifies you for admission to the Italian university system;
You do not have to reside in Italy ;
You must enroll in one or more degree courses taught in English at the University of Padua.
Who can apply for a fully funded scholarship in Italy?
If the scholarship is need-based , you must demonstrate that your family income is below a certain threshold. This is done by submitting an official document called ISEE Parificato , which certifies your economic situation according to Italian standards.
If the scholarship is merit-based , it often requires excellent academic achievement and/or high scores on tests such as the SAT, ACT, GRE, or a good GPA .
What documents are needed to apply?
Usually, when you enroll in an Italian university, you can apply for scholarships at the same time. Often, there is no need to submit a separate application.
Typical documents required are:
Copy of passport or identity document
Copies of academic transcripts and/or diplomas
Language proficiency test
Curriculum vitae
Cover letter and/or letters of recommendation
Standardized test scores (if required)
ISEE Parificato or similar documentation certifying the financial situation
If you need support for your application to study in Italy with a full scholarship, you can contact our team at Welcome Association Italy: we will help you make the whole process smoother.