Study in Italy as an International Student: The Complete 2027/28 Guide

Step 1: Understand the system before you apply

Applying as a non-EU student happens in two parallel tracks, and both are mandatory:

1. The university's own application or pre-evaluation, where the university checks your documents and eligibility.
2. Pre-enrollment on the Universitaly portal, the Ministry's official platform. Non-EU citizens living outside Italy must submit this online pre-enrollment to request a type D study visa.

Many students assume that university acceptance is enough. It isn't. Enrollment can't be confirmed without the Universitaly pre-enrollment, and the steps must be completed in the right order.

Step 2: Understand how the deadlines work

Official 2027/28 dates haven't been published yet. The Ministry normally releases the procedures for each academic year in advance, and every university then sets its own calendar. To see what to expect, look at how the 2026/27 cycle worked:

• At one university, pre-enrollment was split into several application windows, starting in January and running into June, with different deadlines after each window.
• Restricted-access programs had an earlier cutoff, set at 31 August 2026 at that university.
• The Italian consulate in Melbourne set the visa application deadline for the 2026/27 year at November 30, 2026, and only accepted students whose pre-enrollment had been validated by their university.

The lesson: deadlines vary widely by university and program, and the earliest windows open in January. Waiting until summer is how students lose a year. Use autumn and winter to prepare, so you're ready the moment applications open.

Your 2027/28 timeline

WhenWhat to do

Now to December 2026

Choose your field, shortlist universities, check language requirements, and start any needed Italian or English test preparation

January to March 2027

Gather documents, get diplomas apostilled or legalized, and request your qualification assessment. The first Universitaly windows may open

Spring 2027

Submit the university application and Universitaly pre-enrollment. Restricted-access programs (like medicine) have separate tests and earlier deadlines

Summer 2027

Get your pre-enrollment validated, then book your consulate appointment as early as possible

Late summer to autumn 2027

Receive your visa, arrange housing, and travel

After arrival

Residence permit, tax code, and university enrollment

Treat this as a planning framework, not official dates. We'll confirm the real calendar as soon as it's published.

Step 3: Get your study visa (type D)

After your university validates your pre-enrollment, you apply at the Italian embassy or consulate in your country. Two important points:

• Pre-enrollment on Universitaly does not guarantee a consulate appointment, so book early.
• University acceptance doesn't guarantee a visa. The diplomatic authorities make the final decision.

Typical visa documents include a valid passport, your admission or pre-enrollment confirmation, proof of financial means, proof of accommodation, and health insurance. Requirements vary by consulate, so always check your local one.

Step 4: Understand the real costs

Italian public universities set tuition on a sliding scale, usually based on family income documents (the ISEE). That's why the range is so wide, from a few hundred euros per year at the low end to several thousand at the high end. Private universities and some programs cost more.

Beyond tuition, plan for:

• Housing, the largest cost, especially in Milan, Rome, and Bologna
• Food and transport
• Health insurance
• Residence permit fees and administrative costs
• Document legalization and translation

Scholarships and regional DSU grants exist, but they have their own deadlines and income requirements, so ask early.

Step 5: What happens after you arrive

Arriving with a visa is only the beginning. In your first weeks, you'll typically need to:

• Apply for your permesso di soggiorno (residence permit) within days of arrival
• Get a codice fiscale (Italian tax code), needed for almost everything
• Complete your university enrollment
• Open a bank account and arrange housing and health coverage

Our guide to your first 30 days abroad walks through the settling-in steps week by week.

Do I need to speak Italian?

It depends on the program. Many universities offer English-taught degrees, especially at master's level, while others require proof of Italian. Some universities set a separate deadline just for verifying Italian-language ability. Even for English-taught programs, basic Italian makes daily life, bureaucracy, and part-time work much easier, and starting a course now gives you a real head start.

Can I work while studying?

Non-EU students on a study permit are generally allowed to work part-time within legal limits, but the rules depend on your permit and situation. Check this before counting on income in your budget.

Common mistakes that cost students a year

• Missing the Universitaly pre-enrollment, or filing after the deadline
• Submitting incorrectly legalized or translated diplomas
• Underestimating how long it takes to get a consulate appointment
• Choosing a restricted-access program without checking its earlier deadline
• Not budgeting for housing, which is often the biggest surprise

How Antonov & Partners helps

We guide you through the whole journey so nothing falls through the cracks:

• University and program selection based on your profile
• Pre-evaluation, Universitaly pre-enrollment, and admissions support
• Document apostille and legalization
• Study visa preparation
• Italian language courses through our partner Italianme
• Housing, arrival, and residence-permit guidance
• Long-term planning for residency, work, and life in Italy

FAQ

What is Universitaly?
It's the Italian Ministry's official portal, where non-EU students living abroad submit the pre-enrollment needed for a study visa.

When should I start applying for 2027/28?
Start preparing now. Documents, language requirements, and legalization take months, and the first application windows can open as early as January.

Is the Italian study visa guaranteed if I'm accepted?
No. The consulate makes the final decision.

Is studying in Italy cheaper than in other European countries?
Often yes for tuition, but costs depend on your program, city, and income documents.

Can I stay and work after graduating?
There are pathways, depending on your situation. We can review your case.

Start your Italian journey the right way

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