Winter Intake at Italian Universities – The What, When and Why

Welcoming almost 60,000 international students per year, Italy is a European hotspot for international study. Italian universities have two intakes per year, the autumn intake and the winter intake. If you’re part of the winter intake, you’ll start your degree in January or February.

If you’re thinking of starting a Masters in Italy this winter, we’ve detailed everything you need to know!

If you’d rather start your Masters at the beginning of an academic year, you can opt for the autumn intake.

Key features of winter intake in Italy
Application start time	March (the year before your course starts)
Application end time	September to October
Acceptance letters	October to November
Term dates	January to February start

The winter intake

If you’re part of the winter intake at an Italian university, you’ll probably start your course between mid-January and early February. Winter intake courses are generally less common than those starting in the autumn, but you’ll still find plenty of great courses available!

Italian universities often accept applications in a series of rounds. Each application window will usually last around 5-6 weeks.

Deadlines will vary widely between institutions, so it’s important to check your chosen university’s website to find out when you should apply. The first application round may open as early as the March before your start date, and close in April. The last round will generally open in September and close in October.

If your university accepts applications in rounds, it’s important that you check which round you are eligible for. For example, you may need to apply in an early round to be considered for a particular scholarship.

Non-EU students will likely need to apply in an earlier round because they are required to undergo an additional pre-enrolment stage. Later rounds are often reserved for EU and Italian students. This means that the latest deadline for non-EU students is likely to be in around March or April.

You can generally expect to hear back between four and six weeks after submitting your application.

The winter intake timeline

Applying for a degree in Italy as an international student can be a lengthy process, so it’s a good idea to start preparing at least one year before your intended start date. We’ve put together a rough application timeline so you don’t miss anything.

Step #1 – February/ March – Prepare and shortlist

It’s a good idea to start researching courses a few months before you’ll be submitting your application. Start by shortlisting programmes that you’re interested in and taking note of the deadlines set by specific institutions.

Step #2 – March/ April – Search for funding options

Though Italy is a relatively affordable location for postgraduate study, applying for extra funding can reduce costs even further! Check what fee reductions or scholarships are available from your university, and if you’re eligible. You can also apply for funding from the Italian government.

Depending on the opportunity you choose, you’ll either apply for funding at the same time as applying for your course, or you may need to submit a separate application (if you’re applying for a government grant, for example).

Bear in mind that you may need to apply in an earlier cycle if you want to be considered for a particular scholarship!

Read more about Masters funding in Italy.

Step #3 – April – Get supporting documents ready

Now it’s time to start working on your application. Exact requirements will vary between institutions, but you can expect to need several documents including transcripts of your previous degree(s), a personal statement and proof of language proficiency. We have more information in our guide to Masters applications in Italy.

Step #4 – May – Apply to your chosen university!

Now that you have everything ready, it’s time to make your application. This will usually be done directly to your university. This is the point at which you’ll upload most of your documents. You may also have to pay a small application fee. Check your university’s website for more specific instructions.

You should hear back from your university between four and six weeks after submitting your application.

Step #4 – June – Pre-enrolment (non-EU students only)

If you’re from a non-EU country, you’ll need to complete an extra step called pre-enrolment, which is required in order to apply for a student visa. This is usually done through a separate portal called Universitaly. You will need to specify the university and course you are applying to, and the details of your local Italian consulate or embassy.

Once the university’s foreign office has verified them, Universitaly will forward your details to the embassy or consulate, who will be able to proceed with your visa application.

Step #5 – July/ August – Apply for a student visa

Once you have completed the pre-enrolment procedure, you can apply for a student visa. This will usually be done in person at your local consulate or embassy. It can take around three months for a visa to be issued, so make sure to apply as soon as possible after your pre-enrolment is confirmed.

Read more about applying for an Italian student visa.

Step #6 – October/ Novemeber – Apply for accommodation

Securing accommodation in Italy, especially if it’s university-owned, can be competitive, so it’s a good idea to start your search well in advance of arriving. You can find out more about the types of housing on offer in our guide to student accommodation in Italy.

Step #7 – December/January – Get ready to fly!

Classes for the winter intake in Italy usually start between mid-January and early February, but it’s a good idea to arrive with some time to spare so you’ll have time to acclimatise.

Why should you study in Italy in the winter intake?

Though courses starting in the winter are less common, there are some good reasons to consider this option:

Since the winter intake is less popular, there may be less competition for courses places, funding and accommodation.
Doing a Masters over a calendar year can be the ideal choice for mature students looking to take a year out of work.
If you’ll be finishing your undergraduate degree the summer before starting your Masters, applying for the winter intake will give you an extra few months to prepare!

To find out more about Masters study in Italy, read our detailed guides to universities, accommodation, applications and more!

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Sarah Hastings-Woodhouse

Sarah joined FindAMasters as a Content Writer in 2021 and produces polished and thoroughly researched pages to inspire and inform prospective postgraduate students. In her time at FindAMasters, she has gained a comprehensive understanding of the postgraduate journey and has engaged with hundreds of prospective postgraduates while manning the advice stand at our popular study fairs.