MBBS In Italy

Fulfill Your Academic Dreams: Pursue Your MBBS in Italy

 
 
 

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Italy has become a major destination for medical education since 2009, when public Italian universities introduced medical programs taught in English. Currently, there are 13 public medical institutions, including the university of Bari, university of Bologna, university of Rome La Sapienza, and more, that offer English-taught MBBS programs.

Additionally, globally recognized MBBS universities approved by the National Medical Council (NMC) of India, the affordable tuition fees, curriculum covering basic science, clinical skills, and humanities, flexible cost of living, and more, make Italy one of the most preferred study abroad destinations for students seeking a medical degree.

Read this full guide to get all the details on studying MBBS in Italy for Indian Students .

Highlight Table

No of medical colleges 44
College TypeBoth Private and Public
Medium of InstructionEnglish-taught (13 universities)
Degree AwardedMD (Medicinae Doctor) Equivalent to MBBS in India
Duration of Degree6 years
Eligibility CriteriaGPA = 3.5/4.0 or more
English ProficiencyRequired
Entrance ExamIMAT & NEET 
Medical College RecognitionNMC/ECFMG/WHO/AMC/GMC UK

Why Choose Italy for an MBBS Course?

Pursuing an MBBS degree in Italy comes with a wide range of benefits. Some of the reasons why you must choose Italy for an MBBS course are:

  1. World Class universities: Italy is home to some of the world class universities, such as the university of Milan, University of Rome, and more. These universities offer MBBS programs that are recognized globally.
  2. Affordability: The public universities in Italy are super affordable due to their low tuition fees. Compared to other European countries, the cost of studying and cost of living are both affordable for the students.
  3. Quality Education: Italian universities are known for their high-quality education, with strong focus on research and practical training. Additionally, the country offers state-of-the-art facilities, world-class faculty, and strong research opportunities.
  4. Scholarships: Many Italian universities provide up to 100% scholarships to foreign students based on their merit and financial background. In Italy, students can study MBBS at ZERO tuition fee.
  5. Globally Recognized Degree: The MBBS degree in Italy is recognized by all the medical councils worldwide, including National Medical Council (NMC) of India.
  6. Promising Job Market: Italy is known for its strong economy, and there are plenty of job opportunities available for international students after graduation.

Top Medical Universities in Italy:

Italy is home to some of the highly reputed and recognized medical universities. Some of the top medical universities include
University QS Ranking
University of Milan 285
University Of Sapienza 132
University of Bologna 133
University of Padua 236
University of Turin 241
University of Florence 375
University of Pisa 382
University of Naples Federico II 347
University of Milan-Bicocca 513
University of Pavia 440
If you are confused about which university is best for your MBBS in Italy, YES Italy is here to help with FREE expert counselling for a confident decision.

Eligibility Criteria for MBBS in Italy for Indian Students:

To pursue your MBBS in italy, you must adhere to the following eligibility criteria:

  1. Age: You must be at least 17 years of age, and maximum 25 years.
  2. Academic Qualification: A high-school diploma with a score of at least 50% marks in physics, chemistry, and biology.
  3. Entrance Exam: For Indian students, a valid NEET Score of at least 50% is required. Additionally, a good score in the International Medical Admissions Test (IMAT Exam), is mandatory for all the candidates.
  4. English Proficiency: Proof of language-proficiency, such as IELTS (minimum 6.0) or TOEFL (minimum 80) is required for English-taught programs.
  5. Italian Proficiency: You need proof of Italian proficiency, such as CILS or CELI for Italian-taught programs.

Italy MBBS Course Style:

YearsSubjects
First Year

Anatomy

History

Second Year

Anatomy

Histology

Biochemistry

Physiology

Microbiology

Third Year

Pharmacology

Microbiology

Pathology

Clinical Posting

Fourth Year

Pharmacology

Microbiology

Pathology

Clinical Posting

Fifth YearSpecialization & Project
Sixth YearProject

Cost of Studying in Italy:

The cost of MBBS in Italy for Indian students is affordable compared to many other countries and varies by university. Here’s a breakdown of the tuition fees at some of the popular medical universities in Italy.

Universities Tuition Fee
University of Padua 4656
Humanitas University 1456
University of Rome La Sapienza 1156
University of Rome “Tor Vergata” 5250
University of Bari 1580
University of Pavia 4805
University of Bologna 3407

How to Apply for MBBS in Italy?

Applying to study MBBS in Italy is fairly easy. Here are the few steps that you need to follow to get admitted to a university in Italy:

  1. Prepare for Entrance Exam: As an MBBS aspirant, you need to give two entrance exams to study in Italy – NEET & IMAT. Prepare for these tests before to ensure that you pass the tests with required scores.
  2. Submit Applications: Next you need to fill in the application form (which is easily available at the university website).
  3. Obtain Visa: Once you receive your admission letter, apply for student visa and ensure that you have all the required documents ready.
  4. Acquire Health Insurance: To study MBBS in Italy for Indian Students, you need to obtain health insurance coverage before arriving in Italy.

Documents Required:

Here are the required documentation that you must keep ready while applying to study MBBS in Italy:

  • High school transcripts (12th grade or equivalent)
  • NEET scorecard (for Indian students)
  • IMAT scorecard
  • Proof of English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL)
  • Passport-size photographs
  • Student visa
  • Health insurance documentation

Important Deadlines

Here are the deadlines that can come handy while applying for an MBBS degree in Italy.

StagesTimelines
Pre-enrollment for Indian StudentsApril – Aug
Online enrollment for IMAT Admission TestJuly
Admission Test (IMAT) 2025 ExamSeptember
Preliminary anonymous rankingEnd of Sept
Enrollment process post receiving an acceptance letterMid-Oct
Commencement of classesEnd of Oct

Scholarships for MBBS in Italy:

International students can apply for various scholarships and grants that can further bring down their total expenditure of their degree in Italy. Here are some of the Scholarships in Italy available for international students:

  1. Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome Scholarship,
  2. University of Bologna Study Grants,
  3. EDISU Piemonte, and
  4. Fully-funded Italian Government Scholarships.

     

These scholarships can be in terms of fee waiver or cover the tuition fees, based on the merit and financial background of the students.

Read More : Study in Public University Italy With 100% Scholarships

Student Visa Process for Italy:

All the non-EU students require a Type D student visa to pursue long-term academic programs. The visa process includes getting admitted to the university (received offer letter), preparing key documents, applying through the Italian embassy, and obtaining a residence permit once in Italy. Here’s a list of steps that can help you obtain your student visa smoothly:

  1. Get Admission Offer: Apply and receive an official Letter of Acceptance or Pre-enrollment confirmation (Form A) from an Italian university. For most programs, you’ll need to pre-enroll via Universitaly.it.
  2. Documents Required:
    • Valid passport (with at least 2 blank pages)
    • Visa application form (available on embassy website)
    • University admission letter
    • Proof of accommodation in Italy
    • Proof of financial means (€460/month or about €6,000/year)
    • Health insurance (minimum €150/year for students)
    • Flight reservation (not always required)
    • Passport-size photos (2-4 copies)
    • Pre-enrollment receipt (via Universitaly)
    • Academic transcripts and certificates (with translation + legalization/apostille)
  3. Apply for a Student Visa (Type D): You’ll need a long-stay national visa (Type D) for study purposes if your course is over 90 days.
  4. Visa Processing: Visa Processing time is generally between 2 to 6 weeks (varies by country) 
  5. Travel to Italy: Once your visa is approved, you can travel to Italy.
  6. Apply for a Residence Permit (Permesso di Soggiorno): Once you reach italy, you need to take care of: Within 8 working days of arriving in Italy:
  7. Go to a local post office (Poste Italiane) and apply for a residence permit kit.
  8. Submit: passport, visa, university acceptance, health insurance, financial proof.
  9. You’ll receive a postal receipt (keep it safe!) and an appointment at the immigration office.
  10. Fee: ~€100 (depending on the length of stay)

Worried about student visa formalities for Italy? YES Italy offers FREE counselling to help you handle it with confidence and ease!

Career Opportunities After MBBS in Italy:

Completing an MBBS (or MD) from Italy opens doors to a wide range of local and international career options. With a globally recognized medical degree, MBBS graduates can choose to specialize, practice, research, or pursue alternative roles in healthcare. Here are some promising options:

  • Postgraduate Specialization in Italy (Residency)
    • Apply for medical residency programs in Italy (usually in Italian) (it requires passing a national admission exam)
  • Practice Medicine in Italy
    • Requires registration with the Italian Medical Council (Albo dei Medici)
    • Language proficiency (Italian B2 or higher) is mandatory
  • Medical PG Abroad (e.g., USA, UK, Germany, India)
    • Take licensing exams like USMLE (USA), PLAB (UK), or FMGE (India)
    • Italian MD is widely accepted, with proper credentialing
  • Research & Academia
    • Join PhD programs or clinical research projects in Europe
    • Italy is part of the EU’s Horizon Europe research initiative
  • Public Health or Hospital Administration
    • Work in global health NGOs, Italian healthcare system, or EU health departments
    • Additional certification in public health or management is helpful
  • Work with International Organizations (e.g., WHO, Red Cross)
    • Italy’s location and affiliations offer access to global health agencies
  • Medical Writing & Consulting
    • Leverage medical knowledge for pharma companies, journals, or health-tech startups
  • Start a Clinic or Private Practice (in home country)
    • Return with an international degree and set up a practice
  • Telemedicine/Health Tech Startups
    • Italy’s digital health sector is growing, with opportunities for tech-savvy doctors

MBBS In Italy Vs MBBS In India

Feature MBBS in Italy MBBS in India
Duration 6 Years 5.5 years(including 1-year internship)
Medium of Instruction English (for international programs) English or regional languages
Entrance Exam IMAT (mandatory) + NEET (for indian students) NEET (mandatory)
Annual Tuition Fees €500 – €4,000 (INR 45,000 – INR 3.5 Lakhs) INR 10,000 – INR 1 Lakh (govt), INR 5 Lakh – INR 25 Lakh (private)
Scholarships DSU & University-specific (can cover up to full cost of education in Italy) Limited (mostly merit-based or state-specific)
Living expenses €600 – €1,100/ month INR 10k -INR 25k/month (varies with cities)
Quality of Education High (EU standards, research driven) Varies by institute
Recognition Globally recognized (including WHO & NMC) Recognized by NMC
Global Exposure High – multicultural learning environment Low – mostly domestic students
Career opportunities EU-wide practice options, PG in Europe/USA Mostly limited to India unless additional exams

How YES Italy Helps Indian Students for MBBS in Italy?

YES Italy is one of the most trusted platforms that provides assistance to Indian students in fulfilling their dream of studying in Italy. As leading Italian Education Consultants in Delhi, we offer comprehensive support—from university selection to post-arrival assistance—customized to meet every student’s individual needs.

  1. University Selection & Application Assistance: At Yes Italy, our expert counselors help you choose top Italian universities based on your academic profile and goals. Additionally, we guide you through the entire application process, including document preparation.
  2. Pre-enrollment via University Portal: Our admission exports offer step-by-step support for mandatory pre-enrollment on university websites.
  3. Visa Guidance & Documentation: With Yes Italy, you get personalized support in compiling and submitting visa applications. Additionally, we help you with mock interviews, and embassy appointment booking.
  4. Scholarship Assistance: Not to mention, Yes Italy also provides you support in choosing and applying for popular scholarships like DSU and university-specific grants.
  5. Post-Arrival Services in Italy: Our experts also provide support with residence permit (Permesso di Soggiorno) application. Further, you can seek assistance with health insurance, tax code, and more support by our Italy experts.

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Answer You Need To Know

Frequently Asked Questions

Get the most appropriate answers to all your questions about enrolling in Italian universities. Our team of highly qualified and experienced education consultants will guide you through every stage of the process! Get in touch with YES Italy consultants anytime and from anywhere!

Yes, you can study MBBS in Italy in English. Several top Italian public universities offer English-taught MD programs specifically designed for international students. These programs are 6 years long and follow the European medical education standards.

To study MBBS in Italy, Indian students must have a minimum NEET score of 50% (qualifying score) to meet the eligibility criteria.

Yes, you can study MBBS in Italy in English. Several top Italian public universities offer English-taught MD programs specifically designed for international students. These programs are 6 years long and follow the European medical education standards.

Yes, NEET is mandatory for Indian students who wish to pursue MBBS (MD) in Italy. The Medical Council of India (NMC) requires Indian students to clear NEET if they plan to study medicine abroad and later practice or appear for licensing exams in India.

Yes, it’s possible to do MBBS in Italy at little to no cost, especially at public universities. While tuition fees typically range from €500 to €4,000 per year, many international students, including Indians, receive the scholarships.

For Indian students, following tests are required to get an MBBS degree in italy:

  • IMAT (International Medical Admissions Test)
  • NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test)

The cost of pursuing an MBBS (MD) in Italy is highly affordable compared to other countries.

  • Tuition Fees at Public Universities: €500 – €4,000 per year
  • Tuition Fees at Private Universities: €15,000 – €25,000 per year
  • Living Expenses: Approximately €600 – €1,100 per month (including accommodation, food, transport, etc.)

Further, international students can also apply for DSU scholarships, which can cover full tuition, provide free meals, rent support, and an annual stipend

To study MBBS in Italy, Indian students typically need a minimum of 50% overall in their 12th grade (high school) exam, with a focus on Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. They also need a valid NEET score of at least 50%. Additionally, some universities may require a good score on the International Medical Admissions Test (IMAT)

Student Visa