Few nations are as interesting as Italy for international students looking for a world-class education at an affordable price. Along with education, the country has a diverse selection of social and recreational activities. The country’s cultural significance dates back to ancient times, and it’s heaven for history and archaeology students. The University of Bologna, which is steeped in history, has been welcoming students since 1088. It is the world’s oldest university, and its founding gave the city one of its nicknames: la dotta, or “the learned one.” The city initiated the Bologna Process, which developed a set of norms for excellence in higher education within the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).
In Italy, there are over 500 English-taught study programmes. More than a dozen foreign degree courses taught in English are offered by the University of Rome Tor Vergata alone. Tor Vergata, which was founded in 1982, is considered one of Europe’s greatest young colleges, with high student satisfaction and far-above-average employment rates. Some of Europe’s greatest business schools may be found in Italy, including the famed SDA Bocconi in Milan, the country’s financial hub. Its MBA programmes consistently rank among the best in the world and Europe, and its alumni include many notable business leaders.
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Make sure to take in expenses such as housing, food, health insurance, and travel, as well as your tuition price, when evaluating the estimated cost of studying before leaving India. A comprehensive budget plan will help you better manage your living expenses. The online tool ‘STUDY in ITALY’ helps prospective international students to quickly analyse practical information and insights available at various Italian universities. Details can be found here: https://studyinitaly.esteri.it/en/home_borse
Cost of Living
In Europe, Italy is a low-cost study location with a student visa costing roughly 50 euros and health insurance costing around 120-150 euros. Monthly living expenses for Indian students in Italy vary between 300 and 700 euros which include food, transportation, and/or entertainment costs.
While large cities such as Rome and Milan have high housing and living costs, smaller cities are substantially less expensive. Sharing housing with other students is the most cost-effective option, or you can choose to live with a native Italian family, which will expose you to the culture while also allowing you to save a significant amount of money. You should anticipate paying between 150 and 200 euros per month on accommodation on average.
In Italy, transportation is not too expensive, with public transportation being the most convenient mode of movement. A monthly tram, metro, or bus pass will cost between 25 and 45 euros, depending on the town or city where you live. If you want to visit other cities/towns in Italy, trains are another good option because you may save up to 70% on train tickets if you book ahead of time.
If you buy all of your groceries from the local market store, your monthly spending will be between 150 and 200 euros on an average. Some of the cheapest stores are Lidl, Penny Market, and Esselunga. In a mid-range Italian restaurant, a one-time lunch will cost you between 8 and 16 euros.
Who can apply for a study visa?
The first step in obtaining an Italian student visa is to apply to an Italian university. You’ll receive a letter of acceptance from an Italian university, which you’ll need for the visa application.
While EU/EEA students do not require a visa to study in Italy, other international students do need a visa. You must apply for one of the following visa kinds depending on how long you expect to remain in Italy and what you plan to study: Short-stay visa (type C) – if you are applying for a language or short course that will last less than 90 days, and Long-stay visa (type D) – if you are applying for a degree programme that will last more than 90 days and will have at least 20 hours of classes per week (or 80 hours per month). Students from India who wish to study in Italy must first apply for a ‘D’ type visa and then seek a residence permit after they arrive in Italy.
To apply for a visa in Italy, it is mandatory for individuals who do not belong to a Schengen country to have travel or health insurance to cover repatriation and medical expenditures. International students have the same rights to free medical and health benefits as their Italian counterparts thanks to such medical insurance. To qualify for such benefits, you must have a European Health Insurance Card that certifies that you are fully insured.
For acquiring a student visa in Italy, there are no additional language requirements. However, you must pass one of the English language examinations IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, or PTE Academic to pursue an English-taught degree at an Italian university.
The remaining documents demand confirmation of sufficient financial resources to fund your education, at least 900 euros each month. A student visa requires a paid health insurance of 150 euros for the first year of studies, a copy of a previous education diploma, and an acceptance letter from an Italian university, as well as receipt of the visa application cost.
Scholarships in Italy and other ways to save money
The government of Italy may charge zero tuition fees from students depending solely on their financial circumstances. Students will be eligible for this scholarship from the first day of their university studies and will simply have to pay the annual enrollment fees/education tax. To apply for a scholarship, you’ll need a family income certificate as well as the necessary papers from the Italian government.
Furthermore, certain Italian universities provide international students with scholarship programmes for higher education courses. where a student receives a stipend of 5200 euros from an Italian public institution.
‘University of Bologna Study Grants for International Students’ and ‘Padua International Excellence Scholarship Programme’ are some of the popular scholarships for students who wish to pursue a Bachelor/Master’s Degree in Italy.
In Italy, one can save money on food by ordering takeout pizzas and looking for ‘pizza al taglio’ to order pizza by the slice. In cafes, standing by the counter rather than sitting at a table will almost always save you money on your sandwich or coffee.
When it comes to saving money on travel, students can nearly always get discounts on transportation passes by presenting their university ID. In addition, there is a discount for women travelling alone at night in numerous major towns, including Rome and Florence.
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