Quick Answer to Study in Italy for Indian Students
Indian students study in Italy by getting admission at an Italian university, completing pre-enrolment on the Universitaly portal, then applying for a national D study visa. Students from Gujarat apply under the Italian consulate in Mumbai through VFS in Mumbai or Cochin, and attend a video interview. For 2026-27 you must show at least €10,179.85 a year in funds and €30,000 health cover, then apply for a residence permit within 8 working days of arriving. Public university fees are income-linked.
Italy has become one of the most practical European destinations for Indian students: public universities charge income-linked fees, many master's programmes are taught in English, and degrees are recognised across the EU. This guide covers what Indian students need for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 intakes: how to apply, the visa rules, the funds you must show, typical university fees and what you can do while you study. Figures were checked against official Italian embassy, consulate and university pages at the time of writing. Rules and amounts change every year, so always confirm them on the official pages before you apply.
Finding the right overseas education consultants in Ahmedabad can make the process much easier, from shortlisting courses to preparing the visa file.
Study in Italy at a Glance (2026-27)
| Item | What applies at the time of writing |
|---|---|
| Application route | Admission from the university, then pre-enrolment on the Universitaly portal, validated by the university |
| Visa type | National (D) visa for study, for courses longer than 90 days |
| Where Gujarat students apply | Consulate General of Italy in Mumbai, through VFS centres in Mumbai (Mahalaxmi) or Cochin |
| Interview | Mandatory video interview after you submit the visa application |
| Minimum funds | €10,179.85 per year for 2026-27 |
| Health insurance | Minimum cover of €30,000 for urgent medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation |
| Processing time | The Mumbai consulate says long-stay visas can take up to 90 days from receipt |
| Last date for 2026-27 study visas | 30 November 2026 |
| After arrival | Apply for a residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) within 8 working days |
| Part-time work | Up to 20 hours a week, with an annual limit of 1,040 hours |
How Indian Students Apply to Study in Italy: Step by Step
- Shortlist courses and check deadlines: Each university sets its own admission rules, fees and deadlines, and internal deadlines are often earlier than the national ones. Check the course language: programmes taught in Italian usually ask for B2 level Italian.
- Apply to the university: Apply on the university's own website within its admission window and wait for the admission outcome.
- Complete pre-enrolment on Universitaly: Once admitted, submit the pre-enrolment application on the Universitaly portal. Only applications validated by the university can move to the visa stage.
- Prepare your visa file: Typical documents include the validated pre-enrolment summary, passport, proof of funds of at least €10,179.85 a year, health insurance of at least €30,000, proof of accommodation for at least the first days of your stay, and a flight booking. If your university asks for a Declaration of Value, arrange it early.
- Apply for the national D visa: Students living in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Daman and Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli fall under the Italian consulate in Mumbai and submit at the VFS centre in Mumbai or Cochin. Expect a mandatory video interview.
- Arrive and apply for the residence permit: Within 8 working days of entering Italy, apply for the permesso di soggiorno for study, and keep the receipt with your passport.
For the 2026-27 year, Italian missions say study visas can be issued until 30 November 2026. For the 2027-28 intake, the ministry publishes new procedures each year, so watch the Universitaly portal and your university's calendar, and start admissions early. If you are unsure which embassy covers your state, our guide on which embassy handles a Europe student visa from Gujarat explains it.
Top Universities in Italy for Indian Students
Italy is home to some of Europe's best known universities. Many have international offices that help foreign students with enrolment, housing and the residence permit. Popular choices include:
- University of Bologna: Widely described as the oldest university in the Western world, it offers programmes across arts, sciences, engineering and economics.
- Sapienza University of Rome: One of the largest universities in Europe, with a broad range of programmes and strong research facilities.
- Politecnico di Milano: Known for engineering, architecture and design, a common choice for students interested in technical fields.
- University of Padua: A historic university with modern programmes in science, medicine and the humanities.
- University of Milan: Well known for business, economics and medicine.
Before applying, check whether your course is taught in English or Italian, its admission requirements, and the scholarships the university and its region offer.
Best Courses to Study in Italy
Italian universities attract students from around the world. Fields that Indian students often choose include:
- Fashion and design: Fashion design, textile design and luxury brand management.
- Engineering and technology: Civil, mechanical, electrical and computer engineering, combining theory with practical work.
- Business and economics: Business administration, international business and economics.
- Medical and health sciences: Medicine, dentistry and pharmacy, usually through competitive admission tests.
- Architecture and arts: Italy's cultural history makes it a strong choice for architecture and fine arts.
- Humanities and social sciences: International relations, history and cultural studies.
Many master's programmes are taught fully in English. Bachelor's options in English are fewer, so check the curriculum and teaching language before you apply.
Cost of Studying and Living in Italy
At public universities, tuition is usually linked to family income and assets, so two students on the same course can pay different amounts. As an example, Politecnico di Milano lists a maximum annual contribution of €3,943.04 for 2026-27 for a standard study plan, and some international students without an eligible scholarship are charged the maximum. Private universities set their own, usually higher, fees. Always check the fee page of your chosen university.
For living costs, the most reliable benchmark is the minimum the Italian authorities expect you to have: €10,179.85 a year for 2026-27, at the time of writing. Italian missions describe this as a minimum, not proof on its own of your financial situation, so the visa officer may also look at regular family income and stable savings. Rent varies widely between cities such as Milan and Rome and smaller university towns, so budget above the minimum and keep money aside for the residence permit, books, insurance and emergencies.
Scholarships and Financial Aid for Indian Students in Italy
Funding in Italy comes from three main sources. Many regions run right-to-study (DSU) scholarships assessed on family income and merit, which can include a grant, a fee waiver and sometimes accommodation. Universities offer their own merit awards and fee reductions for international students. Some government and private programmes also fund specific courses. Read our guides on fully funded scholarships in Italy and scholarships to international students. Apply early, because scholarship deadlines often fall before admission or visa deadlines, and income documents from India may need translation and legalisation.
Working While You Study in Italy
Non-EU students with a residence permit for study can work part time. Italian rules allow up to 20 hours a week, which can be averaged over the year, up to 1,040 hours in total. Treat part-time income as a help with day-to-day costs, not as a way to cover tuition or the funds you must show for the visa.
Benefits of Studying in Italy
Degrees from Italian universities are recognised across Europe and beyond. Compared with many Western European destinations, public university fees are modest, and many master's programmes are in English. Living in Italy also gives you access to the wider European job market, internships and a rich cultural life. For students who plan carefully, Italy offers strong academics at a reasonable cost.
Tips for Indian Students Moving to Italy
- Learn basic Italian: Even on an English-taught course, everyday Italian helps with housing, offices and part-time work.
- Start the visa early: Long-stay visas can take up to 90 days, so book your VFS appointment as soon as pre-enrolment is validated.
- Find accommodation in advance: University and regional residences fill quickly, so apply for housing when you apply for admission.
- Keep your insurance valid: You need health cover for the visa and again for the residence permit.
- Plan your finances: Budget above the official minimum and keep an emergency fund.
- Join student groups: Indian and international student associations help you settle in faster.
Get Help With Your Italy Application
Italy rewards students who get the order right: admission, Universitaly pre-enrolment, funds, then the visa. Global Colliance has almost 20 years of experience guiding students, with offices in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Rajkot and Delhi. Our Europe student visa consultant in Gujarat team can review your course list and visa file. If you are looking for the best foreign education consultant in Rajkot or elsewhere in Gujarat, book a free counselling session or call 75740 33366.
Official Sources Checked
Before you fix a budget, see the full cost of studying in Italy for Indian students, including visa funds and an illustrative first-year example.
For a closer look at the portal step, read our guide to Universitaly pre-enrolment, which covers the documents, validation and what happens next.
