Studying in Italy is a dream for many Indian students who want to pursue higher education in a country with a rich culture, history, and academic excellence. Italy is home to some of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world, as well as many modern and innovative institutions. Italy also offers a variety of scholarships, grants, and financial aid for international students who want to study there for free or at a low cost.

If you are an Indian student who wants to study in Italy for free of cost with 100% scholarships for public universities in Italy with stipends benefits, then you need to know the following information:

How to apply for scholarships in Italy

There are different types of scholarships in Italy that you can apply for, depending on your level of study, field of interest, academic merit, financial need, and nationality. Some of the main sources of scholarships in Italy are:

• The Italian government: The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) offers scholarships for international students who want to study at any level (bachelor’s, master’s, PhD, or postdoctoral) in Italian public universities or research institutes. The scholarships cover tuition fees, living expenses, health insurance, and travel costs. The application process is online through the Study in Italy portal. The deadline for the academic year 2023-24 is May 31, 2023.

• The Italian universities: Many Italian public universities offer scholarships for international students who want to enroll in their programs. The scholarships are usually based on academic merit and/or financial need and cover tuition fees, living expenses, and sometimes travel costs. The application process and the deadline vary depending on the university and the program. You can find the list of Italian public universities and their scholarship opportunities on the Study in Italy portal or on their official websites.

• The regional authorities: Some regions in Italy offer scholarships for international students who want to study in their territory. The scholarships are usually based on financial need and cover tuition fees, living expenses, and sometimes travel costs. The application process and the deadline vary depending on the region and the program. You can find the list of regions and their scholarship opportunities on the Study in Italy portal or on their official websites.

• The private organizations: There are also some private organizations that offer scholarships for international students who want to study in Italy. These include foundations, associations, companies, banks, etc. The scholarships are usually based on academic merit, field of interest, or specific criteria and cover tuition fees, living expenses, and sometimes travel costs. The application process and the deadline vary depending on the organization and the program. You can find some examples of private scholarships on the Study in Italy portal or on their official websites.

How to find free or cheap universities in Italy

Another way to study in Italy for free or at a low cost is to find universities that offer free or cheap tuition fees for international students. In general, public universities in Italy charge lower tuition fees than private universities, and some of them even offer free tuition fees for students who meet certain requirements. However, you should also consider other costs such as living expenses, health insurance, visa fees, etc.

Here are some examples of free or cheap universities in Italy that you can consider:

• Scuola Normale Superiore: This is one of the most prestigious and selective universities in Italy that offers free tuition fees and full scholarships for all its students, regardless of their nationality. It offers programs in humanities, sciences, and social sciences at the undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate levels2.

• University of Bologna: This is one of the oldest and most renowned universities in Europe that offers partial or full tuition fee waivers for international students who demonstrate academic merit and/or financial need. It offers programs in various fields at all levels of study3.

• Bocconi University: This is one of the top business schools in Europe that offers partial or full scholarships for international students who want to study economics, management, finance, law, or social sciences at the bachelor’s or master’s level4.

• Politecnico di Milano: This is one of the leading technical universities in Italy that offers partial or full scholarships for international students who want to study engineering, architecture, design, or urban planning at any level of study5.

• University of Padua: This is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Italy that offers partial or full scholarships for international students who want to study any discipline at any level of study.

How to get stipends benefits in Italy

Stipends are monthly payments that are given to students who receive scholarships or grants from various sources. They are meant to cover living expenses such as accommodation, food, transportation, etc. The amount and duration of stipends vary depending on the source and the program.

Some examples of sources that offer stipends benefits for international students who study in Italy are:

• The Italian government: The MAECI scholarships include a monthly stipend of 900 euros for undergraduate and master’s students, and 1,000 euros for PhD and postdoctoral students1.

• The Italian universities: Some Italian public universities offer stipends for international students who receive their scholarships. The amount and duration of stipends vary depending on the university and the program. For example, the University of Bologna offers a monthly stipend of 11,000 euros for one academic year for master’s students3.

• The regional authorities: Some regions in Italy offer stipends for international students who receive their scholarships. The amount and duration of stipends vary depending on the region and the program. For example, the Lombardy region offers a monthly stipend of 5,500 euros for one academic year for undergraduate and master’s students.

• The private organizations: Some private organizations offer stipends for international students who receive their scholarships. The amount and duration of stipends vary depending on the organization and the program. For example, the Bocconi University offers a monthly stipend of 12,000 euros for one academic year for master’s students4.

Conclusion

Studying in Italy for free or at a low cost with 100% scholarships for public universities in Italy with stipends benefits is possible for Indian students who have a strong academic record, a clear study plan, and a good command of English or Italian. However, it is also a competitive and challenging process that requires careful research, preparation, and application. Therefore, you should start your search for scholarships and universities as early as possible, follow the application guidelines and deadlines, and prepare all the required documents and tests. I hope this information has been helpful to you. If you have any questions or need any assistance, please feel free to contact me again. I am always happy to help you with your study abroad plans.

 by Vishal Singh, Founder & CEO, Career Paathshala