Applying for a Masters in Italy

The process of applying to a Masters in Italy can be long and complicated with a lot of steps to get through. This page takes you through the process of applying for a Masters course in Italy.

Italy follows the Bologna three-cycle framework and requires a relevant Bachelors degree to undertake a Masters. If you completed your Bachelors outside of Italy, make sure your qualifications meet the requirements to be recognised as a valid degree in Italy.

In some cases, you will also have to sit an entrance exam. These are more common if you are applying to study:

• Architecture
• Medicine/Surgery
• Dentistry
• Veterinary Medicine
• Healthcare
• Education Sciences

You might also have to provide GRE or GMAT scores if you are applying for a Masters in Economics, Management, Finance or Business Studies.

Along with these academic/professional qualifications, if you are an international student, you might also need to provide proof of proficiency in the language your course will be taught in:

• If the course is taught in English: There are a number of Italian universities that provide courses in English. If your previous course was not taught in English, you can provide scores of an English language test (like IELTS or TOEFL) to prove your proficiency. You should check the university website for which language tests are accepted and recognised.
• If the course is taught in Italian: You will have to demonstrate a good command of the language if you opt for a course taught in Italian. Your university is likely to ask for a proficiency certificate for which you will have to take an Italian language test. There are two kinds of Italian language tests (CILS and CELI) that are administered by Universities for foreigners (Università per Stranieri).

We have more information on all the language tests for Italian Masters on our detailed guide.

The process of applying to a Masters course in Italy can get long and tedious. It is advisable to start the process at least 12 months before the start of the course. You should look at university websites for more information about enrolment procedures and deadlines.

If you are an Italian national or belong to the EU, you can apply directly to the university of your choice. You can enroll by completing an online registration process after which you will be assigned a unique identification number (matricola) which is needed to pay university taxes and register for exams.

If you are an international student, applying to study in Italy is a slightly more drawn-out process. You begin by applying to your desired university and course. You will usually be required to submit the following documents to complete your application

• Transcripts from previous studies
• A full CV
• Two or three references
• A personal statement
• A health insurance certificate
• Proof of language proficiency

You might have to submit Italian translations of diplomas and certificates from previous qualifications.

Once you've made an application to your university, you need to go through the pre-enrollment process which is mandatory if you require a student visa to be able to study in Italy.

The pre-enrollment application can be made through the Universitaly portal and should ideally be done between February and July of the year of your study.

You'll need the following information to complete the pre-enrollment

• Your personal information exactly as on your passport
• Your university's username. You should have got this information while making your application to your university. In case of any confusion, you msut contact your university directly.
• Information about the programme you are applying to
• A Confirmation of Eligibility letter you'll recieve from your university

The embassy then decides whether your application meets the criteria for a student visa.

Read the detailed guide on Italian student visas for international students for more information

Once you are through with this process, there isn’t really much left to do other than figuring out how to fund your Italian Masters and applying for a visa if you need one. You are then ready to immerse yourself in everything that Italy has to offer.

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