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Emrul Hasan
Professional Consultant
Italy, and the spring and first love all together should suffice to make the gloomiest person happy.”
– Bertrand Russell, philosopher
Oh, Buddy! Italy certainly has plenty of charms to tempt tourists and international students alike: a diverse landscape; an immense cultural and historical legacy; iconic and historic sites including Rome’s Colosseum and Pisa’s Leaning Tower; incomparable cuisine; an impressive history of inventions and discoveries… and, of course, universities in Italy include some of the world’s oldest and most prestigious. Did you know — the origin of the word ‘university’ is also attributed to Italy, and the University of Bologna is believed to be one of the very oldest in the world!
Trust me, Buddy! Praising Italy might be the most complicated thing in the world: From where do I even start!!!! Do I mention a bunch of famous Italians, like Da Vinci, Borgia, Versace, and Vivaldi? Or just mention the fields they revolutionized, like Architecture, Music, Engineering, and Fashion? Your Buddybee’s truly puzzled right now!
Hey, give me a break…. I could just focus on the brilliant landscapes and the UNESCO World Heritage sites, or how awesome Italian people are, with their pastas, wines, and signature hand gesture, but it would be redundant.
Yeah, yeah, I can sense the temptation already! But the bottom line simply is: Italy is awesome!
Okay, I’m not gonna get distracted, neither are you, huh! And we have to finally start exploring the higher studies in Italy, COME ON!
⦁ Top Institutions in Italy as per QS World Ranking 2021
There are 28 Italian universities mentioned in the QS World University Rankings. The following 10 universities are among the world’s top 500:
[4]
⦁ Degree and Institution Types
Hey, I already have mentioned the University of Bologna, remember? Based on the Bologna Process, the education system in Italy was reformed in 1999 to create a cohesive system of education throughout Europe. Since then, Italy has implemented a 3-cycle system consisting of the following:
⦁ First Cycle: Bachelor's degrees (3 years) and single-cycle degrees
⦁ Second Cycle: Master's degrees (2 years) and 1st level vocational masters
⦁ Third Cycle: Doctorate (5-6 years) specialization school and 2nd Level vocational masters [3]
In terms of types of institutions, there are 2 broad institutional categories that make up the higher education sector in Italy:
⦁ University institutions and
⦁ Non-university institutions, which include higher education in arts and music
Hey Buddy, are you curious about the business degrees Italy offers? Let me tell you something — the Italian economy is the 3rd largest national economy in the European Union. An MBA in Italy is such a popular option that will enrich your knowledge about how the business world functions nowadays. So, you can have high aspirations, huh! After all, who’s gonna stop my Buddy!
⦁ University Application Deadlines in Italy
Mid-April to mid-May: Deadlines for applications may vary according to each institution, so you need to always check with the university you are interested in and try to apply as early as possible. [6]
⦁ Cost of Studying and Living in Italy
I know that this is one of my Buddy’s biggest concerns while exploring his/her dream destinations. Tuition fees at Italian institutions actually vary, but they are generally lower than in other parts of Europe or North America and that makes Italian universities an enticing proposition for foreign students.
However, you should expect to pay more in case you choose to attend a private university. A bachelor’s course will, on average, cost €900 to €4,000 per year at a public institution. Fees at a private institution usually cost, on average, €6,000 to €20,000 per year. [2] If you are from the EU or EEA, you probably won’t pay more than Italian citizens. However, other international students should expect higher course costs.
But, as always, Buddybee has a great news for you. Guess what? Funds available!!!!!!
Yeah, Buddy! There are scholarships available and selective international students can apply for student loans and grants in Italy. The funding will be distributed according to your financial situation and academic merit. If you receive support, this can help with tuition fees, accommodation fees, and other living costs.
In Italy, institutions do not normally have halls of residence. They do however offer services to help you find a place to live. This can include university-owned housing, or helping you find suitable private housing. Private renting in Italy is a more expensive option, so make sure you have the budget for that!
⦁ Work while Studying in Italy
Getting a part-time job is a great way to help fund your studies in Italy. According to Italian law, students from EU countries have the same rights to work in Italy as Italian nationals, including full-time employment all year round. However, other foreign students with a permit to stay can work no more than 20 hours a week and 4 hours a day. [5] If you do wish to get a job, some Italian language skills may be a plus point.
In search of work, you can go to employment centers or seek the help of student employment departments at the university. Although most internships are free, some companies pay students from 500 to 1,180 USD/month.
⦁ After-Study Opportunities in Italy
If you decide to stay longer in Italy because you are planning to work in the country, that is no problem! For a visa longer than three months, you will always need the long-stay visa, which is also called the national visa. You will need to apply for this visa in person at the Italian embassy with the following documents:
⦁ A valid passport
⦁ Arranged accommodation administration
⦁ Purpose of extending your stay, such as a work permit or a university declaration
⦁ Proof of financial support during the stay [3]
But Buddy, you need to keep one thing in mind that the embassy can always demand more official papers. After your long-stay visa is approved, the visa will then be categorized for the purpose of staying in Italy such as a work visa, a student visa, or a family visa.
⦁ Visas
So, Buddy, depending on your nationality, you may need to get a visa to study in Italy. In case, you are from an EU or EFTA country, you won’t need a visa. But! If you are from any other country, you’ll need a visa. You can apply for that through a university or the Italian embassy. In order to apply for a visa, you:
⦁ Must have accommodation in Italy
⦁ Need to prove your financial stability to support yourself throughout your stay in Italy
⦁ Must be entitled to medical care
⦁ Original passport
⦁ Must have a letter of acceptance from the university if you are applying through the Italian embassy [1]
Moreover, all students, within or outside the EU, must apply for a residence permit. This needs to be done three months before the arrival.
⦁ Language
The national language of Italy is Italian, so it’ll a great chance for you Buddy to learn another language. Knowing multiple languages is a fantastic skill, my Buddy! And it will look great on your CV too!
If your course is taught in Italian, you will need to provide evidence of your language proficiency. Many institutions offer language courses, in case, you can’t provide this evidence or need to improve your skills. Besides, an increasing number of courses are being taught in English. You will need to provide evidence that your English skills meet the required standard for your specific course. In case you don’t meet these standards, most institutions offer courses that will allow you to improve your language skills. [2]
If you choose to study in English, your Buddybee will definitely encourage you to make the most of being in a new country. You should immerse yourself in the culture and traditions. Try your best to pick up the Italian language and interact with the locals to help you improve. This will make your time more enjoyable and has the potential to make you more employable!
Now let me mention some of the language tests accepted by universities in Italy:
⦁ Italian language tests
⦁ CILS – exam may be taken in Italy and at Italian Institutes of Culture worldwide
⦁ CELI – take the exam at certified centres in partnership with the University of Perugia
⦁ English language tests
⦁ TOEFL iBT
⦁ IELTS Academic
⦁ PTE Academic
⦁ C1 Advanced [6]
⦁ Applying to Study in Italy
Woohoo! You’ve made it Buddy. If you have come this far, you can definitely make your dream of studying in Italy a reality, trust me!
And hey! Know that Buddy’s right here, okay? If you have any other queries, you can ask for your Buddybee’s help any time! Keep chasing your dreams. Make them happen. You can do it, Buddy! Just go for it now!
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Nayeem Hoque
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