Study in Italy

Italy is a country that offers international students umpteen opportunities to learn when it comes to the culture and education they provide. The country's interests set in fields like art, architecture, gastronomy, and even business and management will provide candidates with a chance to learn about different things during their short stay in the country. The country is one of the best educational hubs for international students, irrespective of their chosen field of study. Candidates can join over 64 public universities and other business schools.

Students can immerse themselves in the country's culture if they put their heart into it, increasing their chances of getting better-paying jobs after completing their education. The country offers over 500 English programs, allowing students to live in the country without learning the local language if they wish to do so. A few of the country's best programs are in arts, design, fashion, etc. The government also offers international students many scholarship options from which they can benefit.

Benefits of Studying in Italy

Candidates wishing to study abroad will find that Italy offers them high-quality education and specializations in every field. Students can find programs in the humanities, sciences, commerce, etc., at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctorate levels. Students will also be able to learn in the multicultural environment the country provides. A few other benefits of studying in Italy include-

• Italy offers high-quality education in art, design, fashion, business, etc., internationally acclaimed, which will allow candidates to work anywhere in the world upon completing their education in the country.
• The country offers umpteen scholarships that non-EU candidates can benefit from. The scholarships are provided both on merit and need basis and are often provided by the universities the candidates have enrolled in.
• Students will be able to learn about the country's culture and country, which will benefit them in shaping their perspective concerning their field of education. The multicultural environment lets candidates make more contacts, which will benefit them.
• Education is affordable in Italy for international students, especially if the student has enrolled in a public university.

Eligibility for Studying in Italy

The eligibility requirements that international students must meet while applying for a program in Italy depend on the university and the course they are applying to. Students should enquire about the university's requirements by contacting the admissions office. However, there are general requirements that candidates must meet while applying for any program in the country.

The documents and eligibility requirements include-

• A valid passport
• Educational Transcripts
• English language proficiency like TOEFL or IELTS
• Proof of Italian Language Proficiency, if required
• Personal Statement
• Letters of Recommendation

Cost of Studying in Italy

The cost of studying in Italy varies based on the university the student has applied to and the degree level they have applied for. The tuition fee in public universities is comparatively lower than that of enrolling at private universities. This is the same concerning the program the candidate is enrolled in. Students who have taken up a degree in the field of humanities will have a considerably lower tuition fee than those who have taken up a program in the field of business and management.

The tuition fee that candidates must pay if they are enrolled as undergraduates at public universities ranges from €1,000 to €4,000 per yearâ€"the cost of a private university for the same will range between €6,000 and €20,000. However, while education might seem expensive for international students, they can apply for scholarships that are both merit-based and need-based and will cover a considerable part of their education.

Degree Programs in Italy

Italy offers international students the option of studying at undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate programs along with diploma programs and certification programs that students can take up according to their interests. The country has over 64 universities that offer courses in different fields of study. The country also offers candidates with international programs taught in English, which students can take up.

While students can take courses in the humanities and sciences, they will also be able to find excellent programs that fall under business and management. The country has a few business schools that rank the best internationally. Candidates can take over 500 English-taught courses without having to learn Italian. However, learning the local language will always be beneficial, especially regarding future career prospects.

The country also offers exceptional programs in the sciences, including engineering and architecture. These universities also offer students different specializations, including control systems engineering, industrial engineering, biomedical engineering, etc. A bachelor’s program lasts 3 to 4 years, whereas a master’s program can run for 1 to 2 years, depending on the field of study.

Top Universities in Italy

A few of the top universities in Italy are-

• University of Bologna
• University of Padua
• Sapienza University of Rome
• University of Milan
• University of Naples Federico II
• University of Pisa
• University of Turin
• University of Trento
• University of Florence
• University of Genoa

Scholarships to Study in Italy

Italy offers international students plenty of scholarships that are merit-based and need-based. The scholarships are offered at undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. A few of the scholarships that candidates can apply for include-

Politecnico International Scholarship

This scholarship is offered by Politecnico di Torino and is provided to international students pursuing a course in engineering and architecture. The scholarships they provide include Alta Scuola Politecnica, COLFUTURO scholarship loans, Eni Project-Petroleum Engineering, Invest Your Talent in Italy, and TOPoliTO. The amounts provided for each of these scholarships vary, but most are merit-based. The scholarship amount ranges from €5,000 to €10,000 annually and sometimes includes tuition waivers.

EDISU Piemonte Scholarships

This scholarship is provided to international students who are not EU nationals and is awarded to students who are doing their undergraduate, postgraduate, or doctoral degrees. The University of Piedmont provides the scholarship; hence, the student must be enrolled at the university to receive this scholarship. It is a merit and need-based scholarship that students can apply regardless of whether they are doing a full-time or part-time course. The amount provided as part of the scholarship will vary based on the needs of the student and the conditions under which they apply. It covers accommodation expenses for students who reside outside the university.

Scuola Normale Superiore Ph.D. Scholarships

International and domestic students in the humanities and sciences taking a doctorate in the country can apply for this scholarship. They award over 78 scholarships annually and provide candidates with full academic financial support. This will cover the tuition fee, cost of living, and other educational expenses the candidate might incur during their study. The fields they cover in humanities include philosophy, Italian studies, history of art, classics, etc., and the fields under sciences include physics, computational methods, molecular sciences, nanoscience, etc.

Working While Studying in Italy

International students who wish to work while studying in the country can do so if they have a residence permit for studying. However, they will only be able to do subordinate work on a part-time basis. If they wish to work for more than the stipulated number of working hours or if they wish to be self-employed in the country, they will have to convert their residence permit into one for subordinate work.

Students working part-time will be able to work for a total of 1,040 hours per year, which implies that they can work 20 hours per week. Students can do internships as part of their course, which will not be counted as official work.

Some places where students will be able to work are-

• Fast-food restaurant
• Supermarkets
• Warehouses
• Social Media Marketing

Career Options in Italy

Graduates who wish to work in Italy after completing their education will find that the unemployment rates in the country are high. But at the same time, candidates can find jobs according to the field they plan to work in, especially if they are proficient in English. Everyone in the country who has a Social Security number will be able to reap the benefits offered by the government, including public healthcare, pensions, work leave, etc. The most commonly sought-after career paths are from the education and tourism industries. Popular career options that candidates that pursue in Italy are

• ICT Professional
• Marketing, Creative Design Professional
• Teaching
• STEM Occupations
• Mechanical Engineer
• Software Engineer
• Project Manager
• HR Manager