Study in Italy - Study abroad destination

Costs & Funding - Study in Italy

A realistic breakdown of tuition, living costs, the ISEE fee system, scholarships, and DSU grants — with city-by-city comparisons and budgeting examples for Italy.

Updated March 1, 2026 8 min read

Costs & Funding

Italy is one of the most affordable study destinations in western Europe, and the income-based tuition system means many students pay far less than the maximum rate. When you combine low tuition with DSU grants, university scholarships, and affordable living costs outside Milan, studying in Italy can be remarkably accessible.

Here is the honest picture: total costs for international students typically range from EUR 8,000 to EUR 20,000 per year, including tuition and living expenses. With funding, many students bring that figure down significantly.

Tuition Fees (2025-2026)

Public University Tuition

Italian public universities use the ISEE (Indicatore della Situazione Economica Equivalente) system to calculate tuition based on family income and assets.

ISEE Bracket	Typical Annual Tuition
Under EUR 13,000	EUR 0-200 (often fully waived)
EUR 13,000-20,000	EUR 500-1,500
EUR 20,000-30,000	EUR 1,500-2,500
EUR 30,000-50,000	EUR 2,500-3,500
Over EUR 50,000 / maximum rate	EUR 3,000-4,000
International students (no ISEE)	EUR 1,000-4,000 (university-specific flat rate)

Pro tip: Even if you cannot obtain a standard ISEE as an international student, many universities accept an ISEE Parificato — a special calculation for students with income earned abroad. Ask the university's fee office (ufficio tasse) about this option.

Private University Tuition

University	Annual Tuition (EUR)	Financial Aid
Bocconi	12,000-14,000	Extensive need-based and merit-based aid; ISU Bocconi grants
LUISS	8,000-16,000	Merit scholarships, need-based reductions
Cattolica	4,000-9,000	EDUCatt scholarships and housing
Humanitas	15,000-20,000	Merit scholarships for medicine

Comparison with Other Countries

Country	Typical Annual Tuition (International)	2-Year Master's Total
Italy (public)	EUR 900-4,000	EUR 1,800-8,000
Germany (public)	EUR 0-300 (semester fees)	EUR 0-600
France (public, non-EU)	EUR 3,770	EUR 7,540
Netherlands	EUR 12,000-20,000	EUR 24,000-40,000
UK	GBP 15,000-35,000	GBP 30,000-70,000
US	USD 25,000-55,000	USD 50,000-110,000

Monthly Living Costs by City

Category	Milan	Rome	Bologna	Florence	Turin	Padua	Naples
Rent (shared apartment)	500-700	400-600	350-500	380-550	300-450	280-420	250-380
Groceries	200-300	180-280	170-250	180-260	170-240	160-230	150-220
Transport	22 (monthly pass)	35	27	35	22	20	35
Utilities (share)	60-100	50-90	50-80	50-85	50-80	45-75	40-70
Phone	8-15	8-15	8-15	8-15	8-15	8-15	8-15
Entertainment	80-150	70-130	60-100	60-110	50-100	50-90	40-80
TOTAL/month	870-1,287	743-1,150	665-972	713-1,055	600-907	563-850	523-800

Pro tip: University canteens (mense universitarie) serve full meals for EUR 2-5, depending on your ISEE bracket. DSU grant recipients often eat for EUR 0-2 per meal. This can save EUR 100-200/month compared to cooking at home.

Scholarships & Funding

DSU Regional Grants

The Diritto allo Studio Universitario (DSU) is Italy's right-to-study system, managed by regional agencies. These grants are the most important funding source for students in Italy.

What DSU grants cover:

Full or partial tuition waiver
Housing in university residences (residenze universitarie)
Meal subsidies at university canteens
Sometimes a cash stipend (EUR 1,500-5,000/year)

Eligibility:

Income-based (ISEE or equivalent for international students)
Academic merit requirements (minimum credits per year)
Available to Italian and international students equally

How to apply: Each region has its own DSU agency. Apply through your university or directly:

Lombardy: DSU Lombardia
Emilia-Romagna: ER.GO
Lazio: DiSCo Lazio
Tuscany: DSU Toscana
Piedmont: EDISU Piemonte
Veneto: ESU Padova

Italian Government Scholarships

Invest Your Talent in Italy

For students from selected developing countries
Covers tuition and provides a monthly stipend
For Master's programs in engineering, economics, and design
Applications through ITA (Italian Trade Agency)

MAECI Scholarships

Ministry of Foreign Affairs grants
For postgraduate study, research, and Italian language courses
EUR 900/month stipend
Tuition waiver at public universities
Available to citizens of most countries

University-Specific Scholarships

University	Scholarship	Value
Politecnico di Milano	Platinum and Gold scholarships	Full tuition waiver + EUR 10,000/year
Bocconi	ISU Bocconi Merit Award	Up to full tuition + living expenses
University of Bologna	Unibo Action 1&2	Tuition waiver + EUR 11,000/year
University of Padua	International Excellence	Tuition waiver + EUR 8,000
University of Trento	Opera Universitaria grants	Tuition + housing + meals
Scuola Normale Superiore	All students	Free tuition + EUR 16,000/year stipend

Erasmus+ and EU Funding

If you are already a student at a European university, the Erasmus+ program funds semester or year-long exchanges at Italian partner universities. Grants range from EUR 250-350/month depending on the host country's cost of living.

Part-Time Work

Non-EU students with a valid study permit (permesso di soggiorno) can work up to 20 hours per week. EU students have no hourly restriction.

Job Type	Hourly Rate (EUR)	Where to Find
Bar/restaurant	7-10	Walk-in, Facebook groups
Tutoring	10-20	University boards, Superprof
Retail	7-9	Walk-in, Indeed.it
English teaching	12-25	Language schools, private
University assistant	10-15	University portals
Freelance/remote	Variable	Upwork, Fiverr

Pro tip: English teaching is the best-paid regular work for international students in Italy. Private tutoring pays EUR 15-25/hour, and demand is high in all Italian cities.

Budgeting Examples

Example 1: Master's at University of Bologna — 2 Years (Budget)

Item	Annual Cost (EUR)	2-Year Total (EUR)
Tuition (with ISEE)	1,500	3,000
Living costs (Bologna)	9,600	19,200
Health insurance	150	300
Books and supplies	300	600
Total cost	—	23,100
DSU grant	-3,000	-6,000
Part-time work	-4,000	-8,000
Net cost	—	9,100

Example 2: Master's at Politecnico di Milano — 2 Years

Item	Annual Cost (EUR)	2-Year Total (EUR)
Tuition (max rate)	3,800	7,600
Living costs (Milan)	13,200	26,400
Health insurance	150	300
Books and supplies	400	800
Total cost	—	35,100
Merit scholarship	-3,800	-7,600
Part-time work	-5,000	-10,000
Net cost	—	17,500

Example 3: Bachelor's at University of Padua — 3 Years (Budget)

Item	Annual Cost (EUR)	3-Year Total (EUR)
Tuition (low ISEE)	500	1,500
Living costs (Padua)	8,400	25,200
Health insurance	150	450
Books and supplies	300	900
Total cost	—	28,050
DSU grant + housing	-5,000	-15,000
Part-time work	-3,000	-9,000
Net cost	—	4,050

Financial Proof for Student Visa

Non-EU students must demonstrate sufficient funds for their student visa. Requirements (updated annually):

Requirement	Amount
Living costs	Approximately EUR 6,000/year (varies by consulate)
Tuition	As per enrollment confirmation
Health insurance	Valid policy for the stay duration
Return travel	Proof of sufficient funds

Non-EU students can enroll in the SSN (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale) for approximately EUR 150/year after arriving. For the visa application period and initial coverage, private insurance is needed. Compare student health insurance options for Italy to find suitable coverage.

Acceptable evidence:

Bank statements (3-6 months history)
Scholarship letters
Sponsor declarations with financial proof
Government funding letters

Money-Saving Tips

Apply for ISEE Parificato — Even as an international student, you may qualify for reduced tuition
Use university canteens — Full meals for EUR 2-5, subsidized for grant recipients
Live outside the city center — Save EUR 100-200/month on rent
Cook at home — Italian groceries are excellent and affordable; shop at local markets
Get a student transport pass — Monthly passes cost EUR 20-35 in most cities
Apply for every grant — DSU, university scholarships, and external funding
Study in the south — Naples, Bari, and Catania have living costs 30-40% lower than Milan
Shop at discount supermarkets — Eurospin, Lidl, and MD are significantly cheaper than Esselunga or Conad

Next Steps

Explore programs and universities — Find programs at universities offering the best financial aid
Apply to universities — Start your application with our step-by-step guide
Check visa requirements — Understand financial proof requirements
Plan your living costs — Detailed guide to housing, transport, and daily expenses

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to study in Italy as an international student?

Public university tuition ranges from EUR 900-4,000/year depending on your program and ISEE calculation. Living costs range from EUR 600-1,400/month depending on the city. Total annual costs are typically EUR 8,000-20,000 — far less than the UK, US, or Australia.

What is the ISEE system for tuition in Italy?

ISEE (Indicatore della Situazione Economica Equivalente) is Italy's income-based tuition calculation. Your fees are determined by family income and assets. Low-income students can pay as little as EUR 0-200/year. International students who cannot obtain an ISEE often pay a flat rate set by the university.

Can I study in Italy for free?

Effectively yes. Students with family income under approximately EUR 13,000 (ISEE) can receive full tuition waivers. Additionally, DSU grants from regional agencies can cover tuition, housing, and meals. The Scuola Normale Superiore in Pisa is tuition-free for all admitted students.

What are DSU grants?

DSU (Diritto allo Studio Universitario) grants are provided by regional agencies across Italy. They cover tuition fees, housing in university residences, and meal subsidies at university canteens. They are income-based and available to both Italian and international students.

What scholarships are available for international students in Italy?

Key options include Invest Your Talent in Italy (government scholarship), MAECI scholarships (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), DSU regional grants, university-specific merit scholarships, and Erasmus Mundus for joint programs. Bocconi, Politecnico di Milano, and Bologna offer generous merit awards.

How much does student accommodation cost in Italy?

University residences (DSU housing) cost EUR 150-350/month. Shared private apartments range from EUR 250-600/month depending on the city (Milan highest, southern cities lowest). A private studio costs EUR 500-1,000/month.

Can international students work in Italy?

Yes. Non-EU students with a study permit can work up to 20 hours/week. EU students have no hourly restriction. Typical student wages are EUR 8-12/hour in hospitality, retail, and tutoring.

How much money do I need to show for an Italian student visa?

Non-EU students must demonstrate approximately EUR 6,000 per year (updated annually) for living costs, plus tuition fees. This can be shown through bank statements, scholarship letters, or sponsor declarations. Some consulates may require higher amounts.

Related Guides

✨

Why Study in Italy

Italy combines the world's oldest university tradition, affordable public tuition (EUR 900-4,000), global leadership in art, design, and fashion, and an unmatched quality of life — here's why over 96,000 international students choose it.

🗺️

Plan Your Studies in Italy

A complete planning timeline for studying in Italy — from choosing your program 12 months out to navigating pre-enrollment, the Italian academic calendar, and arrival logistics.

🎓

Programs & Universities in Italy

A comprehensive guide to Italy's 97 universities, degree types, and how to choose the right program — from Politecnico di Milano to Bologna to Bocconi.

📝

Admissions & Application

Everything you need to apply to Australian universities — documents, deadlines, portals, and tips to make your application stand out.

🛂

Visa & Arrival

Complete guide to the Australian student visa (Subclass 500) — requirements, Genuine Student test, processing times, and your first-week checklist after landing.

🏡

Living in Italy

Everything you need to know about daily life as an international student in Italy — housing, healthcare, transport, food culture, and navigating Italian bureaucracy.

💼

Work & Career in Italy

Your complete guide to working while studying in Italy — student work rights, typical wages, finding jobs, the post-study job search period, and career pathways in Europe's creative and industrial heartland.