How to study, work and live in Italy

Education in Italy is good. The country is very famous for tourism and vacation drives with attraction spots like Colosseum, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre, among the most visited places for visitors. Italy is not only known for being one of the top tourist countries in the world, the education system is fabulous; it operates the bologna process. A study in Italy is affordable, most prestigious Italian universities are ranked in the top universities globally. Today, we shall be looking at an overview of how to study, work and live in Italy after graduation.

Italy houses some of the oldest universities in the world. The country is one of the most preferred countries for international students, thanks to its cheap tuition fee. In 1999, Italy’s education system was changed following the Bologna Process to develop a unified educational system across Europe. Since then, Italy has implemented a three-cycle system that includes:
First Cycle: Bachelor’s degrees (3 years) and single-cycle degrees
Second Cycle: Master’s degrees (2 years) and 1st level vocational masters
Third Cycle: Doctorate (5-6 years) specialization school and 2nd Level vocational masters.
Two semesters make up the school year. The first semester runs from September to December, with the second semester beginning in January and ending in February. In February, the second semester begins and ends in July. The start and end dates of semesters, degree programs, and examination periods vary per university, but each academic semester in Italy lasts about 20 weeks, with a 14-week teaching session and a 10-week assessment period.

Why study in Italy?

• Affordable tuition fee
The cost of obtaining a degree abroad can be expensive; nonetheless, some countries are cheaper than others which Italy has some of the cheapest universities in Europe. Tuition fees can range between 1000 -3500 EURS per year.

• Choose from a wide range of courses
Students have the luxury to choose from a wide range of courses from the 97 Italian universities, which are divided into several categories:
State universities: These are state-funded public institutions and make up the majority in Italy.
Other publicly funded universities: Funded by Province rather than the state.
Private universities: Non-state funded.

How to apply to study in Italy

1. Select the program and university of your choice
The first step to having a thrilling experience while studying in a foreign country starts with program choice. There are plenty of Italian universities offering loads of programs. To choose a program, make sure that you have done proper research about the course before making your decision.

2. Check the program entrance requirements
Visit the official webpage of your selected school, check the requirements as it relates to your course and degree.
Required Documents to apply for University in Italy
The documents you will be required to provide are listed below. Remember that these may vary depending on your course and university.
Identity Proof
Passport size photograph
Transcripts (Mark sheets and Certificates)
Application Form
CV
Letter of Motivation
Letter of Recommendation
Language proficiency test- For English Language requirements in Italian University, the below tests are taken:
TOEFL: Test of English as Foreign Language
TOEIC: Test of English for International Communication
IELTS: International English Language Testing System
C1 Advanced: previously known as Cambridge English: Advanced
Italian test: CILS: Certification of Italian as Second Language
CELI: Certificate of Knowledge of Italian Language

3. Apply for admission
The mode of application into Italian universities depends on applicants’ nationality and the cycle you are applying for. Students coming from EU countries can apply directly through the university’s website while non-EU would apply through the following channels.
Check with your preferred university to see if you are eligible to apply for the program you want. If you meet the admission standards, send a pre-application request to the Italian embassy in your home country. Your application will be submitted to the university of your choice by the Italian consulate or embassy.

4. Wait for the next step
After your documents have been submitted, within 2 – 4 weeks If successful, an Offer Letter would be sent to your mailbox. Congratulations! the next step is to start the visa documentation.

5. Apply for the Italy Student Visa
Applicants who do not come from visa-free countries to Italy must obtain a student visa before entering Italy. There are two types of Students visa in Italy:
The duration of your program would determine the type of visa to apply for.

1. Italy Type-C visa: Shorter Periods
This type of visa is obtained by students who wish to participate in a shorter program or language course shorter than 90 days. In Italy, students who are participating in student exchange programs or taking language classes choose the Type C Visa.
2. Italy Type-D visa: Longer Periods
This sort of Student visa for Italy is required for approved degree courses that have 20 academic hours per week or 80 hours per month.

Visa processing time

The visa processing time for Italy takes between 7-15 working days, but this depends on the region where you are applying from because some embassies or consulates usually have more applications than others.

Top Universities in Italy

University of Rome Tor Vergata
Sapienza University of Rome
Siena university
Polytechnic di Torino
University of Milan
University of Cassino
Ca’ Foscari university
University of Pisa
University of Florence

Cheap Universities in Italy

1. University of Florence
Undergraduate Tuition Fee Link
2. Polytechnic University of Turin
Undergraduate Tuition Fee Link
4. University of Milan
Undergraduate Tuition Fee Link
5. University of Camerino
Undergraduate Tuition Fee Link
6. the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia
Undergraduate Tuition Fee Link
7. Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
Undergraduate Tuition Fee Link

Top English-speaking universities

John Cabot University (JCU)
The University of Milan
University of Bologna
University of Turin
Polytechnical University of Turin
University of Milan

Tuition

Italian universities offer one of the cheapest tuition in the European zone. EU students may study tuition-free, but there are no tuition-free universities for non-EU students unless if offered a full scholarship to study in Italy. The tuition fee on average costs around 1,000 EUR per year, but can cost more for private and top-ranked universities.

Living Expenses

There is no certain amount that a student must have to settle expenses because the cost can vary depending on the location, and general lifestyle of an individual; but, you’ll need between €900 and €1,300 a month to cover other miscellaneous.
The living cost of some cities differ. Rent prices in Italy are likely to be expensive in the cities, but they may be quite affordable in the countryside. It is important you know the cheap and expensive cities in Italy. Check them out.

Italian expensive cities

Milan
Rome
Florence
Genoa
Bologna

Italian cheapest cities

Palermo
Catania
Bari
Padova
Naples
Trieste
Treviso
Turin
Pisa

Do Italian universities require application fees?

At most Italian universities, there are no application fees. However, if your selected school is highly exclusive, you may be required to take an admission test, which can attract some costs.
How is tuition paid in Italian universities?
In Italy, students often pay their university fees in three installments for the academic year. The precise timing varies depending on the university. You can pay the first installment when you enroll in your degree program in the autumn.
Bachelor’s or Master’s is usually between September and November.
The second one is in late autumn or winter – usually December or January
The third installment is in spring – usually between March and May.

Are there scholarships for international students?

There are some scholarship opportunities for international students that want to study at one of the universities in Italy. Check if your university is offering one.

Can I work while studying at university in Italy?

You are allowed to work as an international student in Italy to help pay for other expenses. Non-EU students can work up to 20 hours per week (1,040 hours per year), but they cannot start a business.
The so-called “150 ore” is a popular choice among students searching for part-time work. These are 150 hours spent working for the institution by a chosen group of students.

Stay back after study in Italy

Italy allows foreign students (bachelor’s degree excluded) who wish to stay back after completing their studies back to search for a job, however, the student must enroll for either a masters or Ph.D. program to be able to get a resident permit (“Permesso di Lavoro” in Italian). The stay-back period might last anywhere from 6 to 12 months, depending on the program and university. If a student is unable to find work during that time, he or she must return to their home country. As a result, overseas students can only stay in Italy after completing their master’s and doctoral degrees.

Highlights

EU students who want to stay in Italy after finishing their studies will need a residence permit, but they will not need a specific employment visa. As long as they work in Italy, they can extend their residence permit. Non-EU students will need a “permesso di Lavoro” (work permit). After they finish their studies in Italy, as well as a student residency permit, which is only accessible to graduate students (masters and Ph.D.).

Conclusion

The application mode for admission in Italy differs by country; you must check the website of your chosen school to know the procedures. A study in Italy is good for international students and among the cheapest in Europe. Tuition at public Italian institutions ranges from €1000 to €4,000 per year on average. They may differ depending on the course you enroll in and, more crucially, your family’s income. For the university to establish your fee level, you must apply to have your household income assessed.