TRIn Italy, a student who needs a visa first pre-registers on the Universitaly portal and applies for the visa once the university confirms. English-language medicine programs are entered through the IMAT exam, and the 2026 exam was held on 29 September. For 2026/2027 and 2027/2028, a B2 language level is asked for Italian or English programs.
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A student who needs a visa pre-registers on the Universitaly portal for the program they apply to. Once the university confirms the pre-registration, a visa appointment is booked. In 2026/27 and 2027/28, a B2 language level is asked for Italian or English programs, and B1 is enough for Foundation programs.
Politecnico di Milano accepted a TOL, TOLC-I, CEnT-S or SAT result for 2026/27 engineering bachelor's entry, and for design programs it uses TOLD. Bocconi asks for an online test for bachelor's applications, and Luiss runs a separate test for non-EU applicants. For English-language medicine there is the IMAT: a 60-question paper exam. The 2026 exam was held on 29 September.
A bachelor's (laurea) is three years and 180 ECTS, and a master's (laurea magistrale) is two years and 120 ECTS. The academic year mostly starts in October, and each university sets its own start date. Some programs are a single five-year cycle. Building Engineering/Architecture at Politecnico di Milano is one of them and is taught in Italian.
With a study residence permit, you can work up to 20 hours a week and up to 1,040 hours a year. In Milan, the monthly public transport pass for students under 27 is €22. In Bologna, a single room in a shared flat averages €400 a month plus bills, according to the university.
The universities are the country's top three schools according to the QS World University Rankings 2026.
Examples from current fees for international students, as published on the schools' own pages.
Politecnico di Milano estimate, Milan, the page does not give a year
For the university enrollment visa for the 2026/27 and 2027/28 academic years, at least €10,179.85 a year in funds is shown. This amount does not include the return ticket and unpaid fees.
A month-by-month plan for 2027 entry. Official date Our suggestion
Choose the program type: a four-week Italian course (e.g. Perugia) or a university summer school
Check the age requirement: at the Bocconi high school summer school in 2026, the student had to be 15 by the start of the program
Apply early for the summer school: Bocconi's 2026 applications closed on 9 April and places were full
Confirm accommodation. Bocconi asked €1,600 for a two-week room in 2026
Apply for a type C Schengen visa valid up to 90 days with the registration or pre-registration document
Course period. The Bocconi high school program in 2026 was from 13 to 17 July
Prepare a B2 English or Italian language certificate
Take an accepted exam such as SAT or CEnT-S for Politecnico di Milano engineering (the list is for 2026/27, so check for 2027/28)
Bocconi bachelor's Winter Session online application (deadline 3:00 pm, Italian time)
Last test day for the Bocconi Winter Session online test
Luiss Test (non-EU applicants, 2027/28 bachelor's)
Pre-register on the Universitaly portal and wait for the university's confirmation
IMAT for English-language medicine applicants. The 2026 exam was on 29 September, and the 2027 date will be confirmed by the official announcement
Last day to apply for a 2027/28 student visa. Universities may set earlier dates
Bocconi master's Round I application (deadline 11:59 pm, Italian time; application fee €100)
Bocconi master's Round II application
Bocconi Round I results and start of enrollment
Bocconi master's Round III application
Follow the 2027/28 application periods of public universities such as Politecnico di Milano
Complete the B2 language certificate
Pre-register on the Universitaly portal and wait for the university's confirmation
Last day to apply for a 2027/28 student visa. Universities may set earlier dates
Candidates who need a visa first pre-register on the Universitaly portal for the program they apply to. Once the university confirms the pre-registration, a visa appointment is booked. For the university enrollment visa, at least €10,179.85 a year in funds is shown for 2026/2027 and 2027/2028.
The IMAT exam is used to enter English-language medicine programs. The exam is in English and on paper. It has 60 multiple-choice questions and the top score is 90. Registration is through Universitaly, and in 2026 registration was open from 26 August to 9 September. Applicants living outside the EU compete in a separate ranking.
In 2026/2027 and 2027/2028, you apply to Italian or English programs with a B2 language certificate. B1 is enough for Foundation programs.
Last checked: October 2026. Rules and amounts can change. We check the current situation together before you apply.
A bachelor's degree (laurea) takes three years and is worth 180 ECTS credits. Applicants who need a student visa first pre-register on the Universitaly portal. For 2026/2027, the deadline for bachelor's and master's visa applications is 30 November 2026.
A master's degree (laurea magistrale) takes two years and is worth 120 ECTS credits. The application route is the same as for a bachelor's: you pre-register on Universitaly and apply for the visa after the institution approves it.
Programs can be taught in Italian or English. For 2026/2027 and 2027/2028, the required language level is B2 for programs in Italian or English and B1 for Foundation programs.
To enroll at a university, you need a student visa (visto per studio / immatricolazione). You can book a visa appointment after the institution approves your Universitaly pre-registration.
For university enrollment visa applications in the 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 academic years, you must show financial means of at least €10,179.85 per year. This amount does not include a return ticket or unpaid fees.
A study residence permit gives you the right to work part-time for up to 20 hours a week and up to 1,040 hours a year.
The academic year usually starts in October. The start date and term structure are decided by each institution.
In 2026/27 and 2027/28, at least €10,179.85 per year must be shown for a university enrollment visa. A return ticket and fees that have not been paid yet are not counted in this amount.
Public universities such as Politecnico di Milano and Bologna calculate fees based on family income. If the family has income abroad, a separate income calculation is requested. If you do not submit the documents, Bologna charges the highest amount for the program.
For 2027/28 bachelor's entry, Bocconi says it cannot accept non-EU applicants who do not live in Italy if they were born after 1 September 2010. If your date of birth is close to this limit, it is a good idea to check this before you apply.
For courses of up to 90 days, you get a short-stay Schengen visa (type C). The application asks for proof of enrollment or pre-enrollment in the course in Italy.
The University of Bologna says that for non-EU students, annual registration with the Italian health system (SSN) costs about €700, and renewing the residence permit costs about €120. The WAI ITALY health insurance listed on Bocconi's cost page is €140 for 1 year.
27 subjects, 5 schools. Programmes were checked on the schools’ own websites. Tap a subject to see what you study, what graduates do and the options in other countries.
Master'sTalking to Berkay was very easy; from the first meeting it felt like we had known each other for a long time. He explained the process clearly, without dragging it out. His energy is contagious.
What CEnT-S is, which sections it has, how it is scored and where you can take it. What you need to know for 2027 entry.
COUNTRIESUniversitaly pre-enrolment, entrance exams, fees calculated by income, money to show for the visa and the residence permit after you arrive.
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