Studying in Italy: public universities, DSU scholarships and cost of living

Close to Tunisia, affordable and generous with scholarships: Italy has become one of Tunisian students' favourite destinations. Its public universities are among the oldest in Europe, the English-taught offer keeps growing, and the regional DSU scholarships can cover a large part of housing and fees. Here is everything you need to know to study in Italy.

Why study in Italy?

• Recognised public universities: Politecnico di Milano, Politecnico di Torino, Bologna, Padua, Rome La Sapienza, Pisa, Milan, Florence, Naples…

• Moderate fees, calculated according to family income.

• Regional scholarships among the most generous in Europe.

• English-taught programmes, particularly in engineering, architecture, economics and medicine.

• Proximity to Tunisia: short and frequent flights.

• The right to work part-time during your studies.

Italian degrees

• Laurea triennale: 3-year bachelor's degree.

• Laurea magistrale: 2-year master's degree.

• Laurea magistrale a ciclo unico: long single-cycle programme of 5 to 6 years (medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, architecture, law).

• Dottorato: doctorate.

Language of instruction

• Italian-taught programmes: a B2 level is often required (CILS, CELI, PLIDA or the university's own test). Some universities accept B1 with language courses.

• English-taught programmes: IELTS, TOEFL or equivalent, with a score set by the programme.

Even for an English-taught programme, learning Italian makes daily life and the housing search much easier.

Admission in brief

1. Application to the university (file, sometimes an admission test such as the IMAT for medicine or the TOLC for some fields).

2. Pre-enrolment on Universitaly and validation by the university.

3. Equivalence documents (Declaration of Value or CIMEA statement).

4. Study visa.

The whole procedure is detailed in our guide Universitaly: pre-enrolment in Italy.

How much does a public university cost?

Italian public universities calculate the student contribution according to the family's income and assets. For international students, this is done through an ISEE parificato (an economic situation indicator calculated from translated and legalised Tunisian documents).

• With a low ISEE, fees can be limited to a few hundred euros per year, or even less.

• Without an income file, the university generally applies the maximum rate, which can reach a few thousand euros.

Some universities also apply a fixed rate for students from certain countries. Check programme by programme.

The regional DSU scholarship

The DSU (Diritto allo Studio Universitario) is a scholarship system managed by regional agencies. It is aimed at students from modest-income families, Italian and foreign alike. Depending on the region and your situation, the scholarship may include:

• a cash amount paid in several instalments;

• free or reduced-price accommodation in a university residence;

• meals at the university canteen;

• exemption from university fees.

How to obtain it?

1. Prepare the family's income and asset documents in Tunisia (income certificates, property certificates, family composition), translated and legalised.

2. Submit the scholarship application to the regional agency, often in summer, before or just after arrival.

3. Have the ISEE parificato calculated by an approved body in Italy.

4. To renew the scholarship in the following years, pass a minimum number of credits.

Amounts and criteria vary by region and year. Preparing the file from the spring is key.

Cost of living

Allow on average €700 to €1,100 per month depending on the city:

• Milan and Rome: the most expensive, especially for housing;

• Turin, Bologna, Florence, Padua: mid-range;

• cities in the South and small university towns: more affordable.

Main expenses: rent (room in a flat-share or residence), food, transport (student passes), phone, insurance.

Housing

Finding housing is often the main challenge, especially in Milan and Bologna. Options: university residences (through the DSU scholarship or paying), rooms in flat-shares, private residences. Start looking as soon as you obtain your visa, and beware of listings that ask for payment before any viewing or contract.

Working during your studies

The residence permit for study purposes allows part-time work within an annual limit of hours. It is a useful supplement, but it must not replace the proof of funds required for the visa.

Typical timeline for a September-October intake

1. November – February: choice of universities, first applications for English-taught programmes (often several rounds).

2. February – May: university responses, possible admission tests.

3. Spring: preparation of the family income file (for the ISEE and the DSU scholarship), translations and legalisations.

4. Spring – summer: pre-enrolment on Universitaly, validation by the university.

5. Summer: DSU scholarship application, visa, housing.

6. On arrival: residence permit, final enrolment, ISEE parificato.

Choosing your city

• Milan: Politecnico, Bocconi (private), Statale; the most expensive city.

• Turin: Politecnico and university, very good value for money.

• Bologna: the oldest university in Europe, a very student-oriented city.

• Padua, Pavia, Pisa: historic, human-scale university towns.

• Rome: Sapienza and other universities, a large offer.

• Naples, Bari, Palermo, Messina: lower cost of living.

Documents to prepare in Tunisia

• transcripts and bac diploma (or bachelor's degree), translated and legalised;

• Declaration of Value or CIMEA statement depending on the university;

• valid passport;

• language certificate (Italian or English);

• family income and asset documents for the ISEE and the DSU scholarship, translated and legalised;

• proof of funds and accommodation for the visa.

Our support

Worldwide Studies helps you choose the university and programme, manage the Universitaly pre-enrolment, prepare the income file for the ISEE and the DSU scholarship, and find housing. See our page Studying in Italy.

👉 Fees and scholarships vary depending on the university, the region and your income: talk to an advisor for an estimate tailored to your family.