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Did you Know that over 30 Italian universities are ranked in the QS World University Rankings 2025, with many of them being public universities. Exactly! So, definitely it would not be wrong to say that Italy is not just famous for its art, architecture, and food, but also offers world-class education at public universities, which are both affordable and globally recognized. For international students, choosing a top public university in Italy is a great idea, as it would provide them access to cutting-edge research, globally accredited programs, and a multicultural academic environment, all at a very low cost as compared to the US and UK.
In this article, we will talk about the best public universities in Italy, cost of education, scholarships, eligibility criteria, and much more.
| Features | Details |
|---|---|
| Top Public Universities | Politecnico di Milano, University of Bologna, Sapienza, Padua, Torino |
| Tuition Fees | €1,000 – €4,000/year at public universities |
| Scholarships | MAECI, DSU, regional & university-based options |
| Programs for International Students | Several English‑taught Master’s programs, Erasmus & exchange networks |
| Cost of Living (monthly) | €500–1,000 (depending on city) |
Italy is known for offering world-class education at an affordable price, all thanks to the significant government funding. Here are some of the reasons why choosing an Italian public universities are a great idea:
Ready to study at a top Italian public university? Connect with YES Italy today and get complete guidance for admission, scholarships, and visa support
Italy is home to some of the most prestigious and affordable public universities in Europe. These institutions offer a wide range of English-taught programs, strong international support services, and globally ranked degrees. Here are some of the best public universities in Italy for international students:
Politecnico di Milano is Italy’s highest-ranked technical university known for its engineering, design and architecture courses. The university offers a wide range of English-taught programs to international students.
QS Ranking | 98 |
Tuition Fees | €3,500 – €3,900 |
Scholarships | Merit-based, MAECI |
Eligibility | Bachelor’s degree, IELTS 6.5+ |
Courses | Engineering, Design, Architecture |
Sapienza University of Rome is one of the oldest, largest and the top public universities in Europe. The university offers globally recognized programs in science, humanities, and social sciences.
QS Ranking | 128 |
Tuition Fees | €1,000 – €2,500/year |
Scholarships | DSU Lazio, MAECI |
Eligibility | Bachelor’s degree, IELTS 6.5+ |
Courses | Physics, Medicine, Economics |
The university of Bologna is also known as the “mother of universities’, and is one of the oldest universities in the Western world. It is famous among students for its wide academic offerings, innovative research, and a vibrant student culture.
QS Ranking | 138 |
Tuition Fees | €2,000 – €3,000/year |
Scholarships | Unibo Action, MAECI |
Eligibility | Bachelor’s degree, IELTS 6.5+ |
Courses | Law, Arts, Data Science |
Established in 1222, the University of Padua is one of Italy’s most prestigious public universities in Italy for masters. It stands out for its excellence in biomedical sciences, engineering, psychology, and humanities, and offers over 40 English-taught programs.
QS Ranking | 233 |
Tuition Fees | €2,500 – €3,000/year |
Scholarships | Padua Excellence, DSU |
Eligibility | Bachelor’s degree, IELTS 6.5+ |
Courses | Engineering, Biology, Psychology |
Politecnico di Torino is known for its technical education and close industry partnerships. The university offers courses in engineering, architecture, and industrial design.
QS Ranking | 242 |
Tuition Fees | €2,800 – €3,200/year |
Scholarships | EDISU Piemonte, MAECI |
Eligibility | Bachelor’s degree, IELTS 6.5+ |
Courses | Civil Engg., AI, Architecture |
University of Milan is one of the major public research universities that offer diverse programs in science, humanities, economics, and law. The university offers English-taught master’s degrees, and a strong focus on interdisciplinary learning.
QS Ranking | 276 |
Tuition Fees | €2,000 – €2,500/year |
Scholarships | DSU, University Grants |
Eligibility | Bachelor’s degree, IELTS 6.5+ |
Courses | Political Science, Biotechnology |
University of Pisa is known for its affordable, and high-quality education in central Italy. The institute is a historic academic institution, especially strong in mathematics, engineering, and computer science.
QS Ranking | 343 |
Tuition Fees | €2,500 – €3,000/year |
Scholarships | DSU Toscana, MAECI |
Eligibility | Bachelor’s degree, IELTS 6.5+ |
Courses | Mathematics, AI, Medicine |
Located on the outskirts of Rome, Tor Vergata is a top public university in Italy known for its strong programs in economics, engineering, and medicine. It offers several English-taught master’s degrees and is part of the YUFE (Young Universities for the Future of Europe) alliance.
QS Ranking | 355 |
Tuition Fees | €2,500 – €3,000/year |
Scholarships | LazioDisco, MAECI |
Eligibility | Bachelor’s degree, IELTS 6.5+ |
Courses | Business, Engineering, Economics |
Established in 1224, the University of Naples – Federico II is the oldest public university in Italy. It is well known for its strong academic programs in engineering, science, and medicine. The university is expanding its global presence and now offers an increasing number of courses taught in English for international students.
QS Ranking | 379 |
Tuition Fees | €1,000 – €2,000/year |
Scholarships | DSU Campania, MAECI |
Eligibility | Bachelor’s degree, IELTS 6.5+ |
Courses | Engineering, Medicine, Physics |
University of Florence Situated in the cultural capital of Tuscany, this university is known for programs in arts, architecture, economics, and humanities. It blends historic legacy with academic innovation.
QS Ranking | 404 |
Tuition Fees | €2,000 – €2,500/year |
Scholarships | DSU Toscana, MAECI |
Eligibility | Bachelor’s degree, IELTS 6.5+ |
Courses | Architecture, Arts, History |
Italy public universities for international students have been the center of attraction every time. Public Italian universities have been found to offer the top courses to help students meet their job expectations. Some of the significant courses being offered by top Universities In Italy are:
The top universities collaborate with the top Italian companies to ensure job placement for their students. They create and maintain strong relations with leading professionals and also help their candidates with internships. The public universities in Italy for Indian students always emphasize connecting their students with employers to increase the possibilities of their job placements.
Securing admission to a top public university in Italy might not be an easy task. Therefore, YES Italy supports and guides its candidates in all possible ways. The Italian education consultant at YES Italy focus on assessing their students’ concerns and resolving them by offering the appropriate guidance. YES Italy starts working with the following steps:
Get admission to Italy’s top public universities with step-by-step support from YES Italy. Start your process now!
If you’re looking to study affordably, yet gain a prestigious degree in a historic and vibrant environment, Italy’s public universities are ideal. With globally respected programs, low tuition, scholarship opportunities, and a multicultural academic atmosphere, they offer excellent value for international students seeking a world-class education.
Do you have questions? Check out these frequently asked questions from visitors and applicants. See if we address your concerns, or feel free to contact us directly.
While you don’t need Italian language proficiency for English-taught programs in Italy, the basic knowledge of the language can help you with your day-to-day life, like grocery shopping, group studies, and more.
While you don’t need Italian language proficiency for English-taught programs in Italy, the basic knowledge of the language can help you with your day-to-day life, like grocery shopping, group studies, and more.
To apply to a public university in Italy, you need to choose the program, prepare academic transcripts, SOPs, language proofs, and a few more documents. Apply via university portal or through Uni-Italia portal. Once you receive the offer letter, follow up with the visa process. You can always reach out to our consultants at YESItaly for the best visa advice.
Public universities in Italy are the most affordable for international students. Some of the cheap universities in Italy include:
University of Pisa
University of Florence
University of Siena
University of Calabria
The tuition fee in Italy ranges from €1,000 to €4,000/year, if we talk about public universities. On the other hand, the monthly living costs typically range between €500 and 1,000 depending on the city you live in.
Yes, students are allowed to work up to 20 hours during the academic session, and 40 hours during the holidays.
After graduation, you can stay up to 12 months on a job-seeker permit. PR usually requires living and working in Italy for 5 years, stable income, and integration.
As the days pass by, Italy is increasingly becoming the go-to dream destination for students aspiring to pursue their higher education abroad.
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