Scholarships in Italy for International Students (2026–2027)

Italy, with its rich culture, historic universities, and strong academic reputation, offers a wide range of scholarships for international students. These opportunities are designed to help students at all levels of study — undergraduate, master’s, and PhD — cover tuition fees, living expenses, travel costs, and more.

Whether you aim to study in arts, science, engineering, or business, Italian government programmes, universities, and regional initiatives provide funding to make your study in Italy affordable and rewarding.

 Top Scholarships for 2026–2027

1. Italian Government “Invest Your Talent in Italy” Scholarships

Targeted at international students enrolling in selected master’s programmes, this scholarship covers tuition fees, provides a monthly stipend, and offers support for cultural integration.

2. Italian Government Study Grants

These grants are offered to students from eligible countries and help cover living costs while studying a degree programme at Italian institutions.

3. University of Bologna International Excellence Scholarships

Merit-based scholarships for undergraduate and master’s students. Awardees receive tuition fee waivers and partial living support, recognising outstanding academic achievement.

4. Politecnico di Milano Merit-Based Scholarships

Available for bachelor’s and master’s students, this scholarship provides tuition fee reductions or full tuition coverage for top-performing international applicants.

5. Sapienza University of Rome International Scholarships

Open to undergraduate, master’s, and PhD students, these scholarships provide tuition waivers and monthly stipends to support international study.

6. University of Padua Global Scholarships

Merit-based funding for bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD students. Scholarships cover partial or full tuition and are awarded to academically excellent international candidates.

7. University of Milan Bicocca Scholarships

Designed for high-achieving international students, this scholarship reduces tuition fees for selected undergraduate and master’s programmes.

8. University of Pisa Scholarships for International Students

These merit- and need-based scholarships provide tuition waivers, partial living allowances, and research grants for international students.

9. Regional Scholarships

Offered by Italian regions such as Lombardy, Tuscany, and Emilia-Romagna, these scholarships provide financial support based on merit and financial need, covering tuition and living expenses.

10. Erasmus+ Scholarships in Italy

Funded by the European Union, Erasmus+ scholarships support international exchange students, covering tuition, travel, and living costs for bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD students.

11. Leonardo da Vinci Scholarships

Available for postgraduate research students, these scholarships fund tuition, travel, and accommodation while encouraging international collaboration in research projects.

12. PhD and Research Mobility Scholarships

Provided by universities and research centres, these scholarships support doctoral candidates to conduct research abroad, including travel grants, accommodation support, and research allowances.

 Why Study in Italy?

Studying in Italy offers international students:

• Access to world-class universities in arts, sciences, engineering, and humanities
• Affordable tuition compared to many Western countries
• Rich cultural and historical experiences
• Opportunities to learn Italian and improve global employability
• Exposure to strong research and innovation networks across Europe

Scholarships make it possible for talented students worldwide to pursue their academic dreams in Italy without financial stress.

 Application Tips

• Ensure you have a conditional or unconditional admission offer from your chosen Italian university
• Maintain strong academic records
• Provide language proficiency proof in English or Italian
• Submit motivation letters, recommendation letters, and research proposals where required
• Check deadlines, as most scholarships for 2026–2027 open between late 2025 and early 2026