10 Things You Should Know If You Want To Study In Italy As An International Student

What Are The Requirements For International Students To Study In Italy?

Italy takes pride in being one of the world’s oldest civilizations. Every year, millions of tourists flock to the southern European country to learn about its rich and ancient history. International students have also been flocking to Italy for quite some time. The University of Bologna, the country’s oldest university, has been welcoming students since 1088 AD. If you are thinking about applying to study in Italy, there are a few things you should know about the country.

10 Things You Should Know If You Want To Study In Italy As An International Student

1.     You should learn a little Italian.

Although many Italians speak English, knowing at least basic Italian can get you a long way once you arrive in the country. Non-natives who make an effort to speak Italian are greatly appreciated by the Italians.

2.     Study in Rome

The capital city of Italy, Rome is home to around 4.3 million residents. The historic centre of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with sites such as the Colosseum and the Vatican. Due to its rich culture and history, Rome is perfect for foreign students and has something to offer everyone.

3.     Italy is home to the Europe’s oldest university.

The University of Bologna in Italy is Europe’s oldest university, having been founded in 1088 AD. In fact, it is the institution that gave rise to the term “university.” It was founded to promote legal studies, but it has since expanded to other disciplines.

4.     Italy offers cheap tuition fees

Your choice of institution will ultimately determine how much you pay for tuition. Public universities are generally cheaper in Italy charging an average of €1000 per year. Private universities are more costly; charging around €6000-€20,000. International students from other European countries pay the same tuition as Italian students.

5.     Not all students are required to present TOEFL

If you apply for an English-taught degree, you must provide proof of English language proficiency. This could take the form of certificates such as the TOEFL and IELTS. This does not apply to postgraduate students whose previous degree was taught in English.

6.     Acceptance rates vary

When choosing a university to apply for, it is important to check their acceptance rates. There are prestigious universities where you are most likely to get accepted and others where the reverse will likely be the case. Universities in Italy with high acceptance rates include; Politecnico Di Milano (90%), University of Bari Aldo Moro (90%), The American University of Rome (85%) and so many others.

7.     Cost of living is moderate

How much you spend a month while studying in Italy depends on where you are studying. Rome and Milan are the two most expensive cities for an international student in Italy. Living in either of those cities will cost you between €850 and €1450 per month. Living in Florence will cost around €850-€1300 per month.

8.     Scholarships are available

There are quite a number of scholarships to apply for if you need aid while studying in Italy. Some of them are fully funded while others are partially funded scholarships. The Italian Government Scholarship for International Students, Bocconi Merit and International Awards are some of them. Visit consistently this site or click the link above for list of scholarships in Italy.

9.     Health Insurance is required

All internationals students from a non-EU country staying more than 90 days need to have health insurance coverage for their full stay in Italy. You can obtain the health insurance from your country of origin and present it to the police in Italy within eight days of your arrival to get a resident permit.

10. There are limitations to work-study options

International students who are non-EU nationals have certain limitations as it relates to working in Italy. They cannot work for more than 20 hours per week and cannot work fulltime during vacations.

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