Our Guides to Masters Study in Italy – 2025

Brilliant landscapes, quaint towns and World Heritage sites, there is so much to see and do while you study a Masters in Italy. Not to forget the lovely Italian people and food that make Italy one of the most sought-after postgraduate study destinations. Studying a Masters in Italy gives you the opportunity to study at universities that have existed for centuries and live in a cultural and gastronomical centre.

• Variety– Italy is known for its excellent education system which is built on foundations like scientific research and creativity. With different kinds of higher education institutions, each offering specialised courses, your Masters course will be a fulfilling and rich learning experience.
• Affordable – A Masters in Italy will cost you a lot less that other popular study destinations in Europe. This has been possible because of the public-funded universities with fees between €900 and €4,000. And, there are a number of scholarships available for both national and international students.
• Historic universities – Italy is home to the world’s oldest university: The University of Bologna. Ring any bells? You’ve probably heard of the Bologna Process…This university introduced the three-cycle degree process across Europe and allowed for easy credit transfer between qualifications and countries.
• Courses in both Italian and English – To attract more international students, Italian universities now offer more and more course in English. They still encourage students to take the time to learn Italian during their stay in the country. When in Rome, I guess!
• The wonderful climate – You have the chance to enjoy the wonderful and warm Mediterranean climate whether in the heart of the city with some pasta and wine or at one of the many beaches in the country.

Masters courses at Italian universities

Italian universities offer courses that are more theoretical and follow a structure that is similar to the one in the UK and other parts of the world. There are usually two kinds of Masters courses available to study at an Italian university:

• Graduate Degree (Laurea Magistrale) is equivalent to a Master of Science according to the European university system. You obtain a graduate degree after two years of study in a specific sector. If you are an international student, you can gain admission into a Laurea Magistral, provided your current degree is recognised in Italy. A Laurea Magistrale, then, gives you access to a doctoral programme. Universities also sometimes offer a Lauree Magistrali a Ciclo Unico in the fields of Medicine, Pharmacy, Law and Architecture which can last up to five or six years.
• Specialising Masters and Continuing Education Programmes are offered as specialisations of postgraduate degree courses and focus on professional education. These courses provide knowledge required for certain professional areas of work. However, it is important to note that these degrees are not recognised as part of the Bologna process and may not be internationally recognised.

Masters courses at Italian Institutes for Higher Artistic Education

Institutes for Higher Artistic Education offer courses in fields like visual arts, music, dance, drama and design. Courses at these institutes are organised in a three-cycle system. A Masters course at such institutions is provided as a second-level academic degree (also called Diploma accademico di secondo livello) Studying usually last two years and the courses are equivalent of a Bologna process second cycle qualification.

To gain admission into a second cycle degree you need to have obtained a first cycle degree from an Institute for Higher Artistic Education or an equivalent foreign degree that is recognised in the country.

Assessments for a Masters in Italy

An Italian Masters usually takes two years and is awarded after obtaining 120 ECTS made up of core courses, electives, seminars and the dissertation. The dissertation itself is worth 30 ECTS.

Studying a Masters in Italy will mainly involve lectures, tutorials, group work and course work. You can expect to have additional practical sessions too if you are studying Engineering or Science. The last semester of your course is focused solely on your dissertation which could be based on theory, placement or a research project.

Academic calendar for Masters in Italy

A Masters degree is usually divided into four semesters: two semesters for each year of study. The first semester usually runs from September/October to January/February and then the second runs from February to July. You should consult your university website for exact dates and academic calendars.

Italy has so much to offer outside of the classroom from some of the best food to discoveries in science and arts. Be sure to immerse yourself in the culture of the country while you are there. Have a peek into what your everyday like could look like in our living in Italy guide.

If you think Italy could be the place for you to study your Masters then find out more information on applications, fees, funding and visas below.