About Italy

Study in Italy has played an important role in European higher education: it is one of the four countries that first engaged to create the so-called "European Area of Higher Education" (Sorbonne Declaration, May 1998), thus starting that type of higher education reform which, known as "Bologna Process"

Bologna Process

" (Bologna Declaration, June 1999) is being implemented all over Europe. Today, Italy ranks among the 8 most industrialized countries in the world. Alongside some big companies, both state-owned and private, it has developed a sound network of small and medium-sized undertakings, promoted a few scientific parks, and is incentivizing basic and applied research in a great variety of fields (Biology, ICT, Medicine, Physics, etc.).

Highlights

Italy has many oldest continually operating universities in the world. University of Bologna is believed to establish in1088.
Italy has 15 universities ranked among world top 500 in the latest rankings by QS 2015.
At present, the university sector is made up of 89 university institutions, which are classified in:

• 58 State universities.
• 17 non-State universities (legally recognized by the State).
• 2 Universities for foreigners.
• 6 Higher schools specialized in postgraduate university studies.
• 6 Telemetric universities.

Some of the top universities in Italy also feature in the World Ranking lists.

• Sapienza University of Rome
• SDA Bocconi
• Università degli Studi di Milano
• University of Bologna
• University of Milano-Bicocca

Business, Mathematics, Sciences, Design and Fashion, constitute some of the most popular courses in Italy.

List of Universities in the Italy

• Istituto Marangoni
• Polimoda Fashion School
• Scuola Politecnica Design (SPD)

Academic Calendar  
The academic year in Italy is made up of two semesters. The first semester starts in September/October and ends in January/February. The second semester starts in February and ends in July. The actual start and finish dates will vary in the different universities but each semester lasts around 20 weeks and is made up of a teaching period lasting around 14 weeks and an exam period lasting around 6 weeks. 
Teaching and learning 
Most teaching still takes place in large lecture halls but this will depend very much on the single course of study. Students are also expected to carry out a considerable amount of self-study outside the classroom in order to prepare for exams. 
Assessment 
Exams are held after the teaching period and are mainly oral exams although some courses will have written tests taking place during the semester or before the oral exam. Each exam will have a number of dates offered during the exam period and students can choose which date they wish to take the exam. They are also entitled to turn down a mark and take the exam again if they are not satisfied with the result. Rules apply as to how often a student can take an exam within an examination period. 

Grading systems 
Examinations are graded according to a scale ranging from 0 to 30, with 18 as a pass mark. A “cum laude” may be added to the highest grade (30; 30 e lode) as a mention of special distinction. All examination results are used to calculate the overall degree mark on a scale of 0 – 110. The final result is based on exam results plus the presentation of a project or dissertation in front of a Board of Examiners. The pass mark is 66 and students who obtain full marks of 110 may also be awarded ‘summa cum laude’ (110 e lode).

Italian Scholarships

In Italy, all international students are entitled to the same financial assistance services as Italian students based on same requisites of financial means and/or merit. There are government scholarships at the national and regional level to which international students can apply for. Moreover, some Italian Universities offer
Italian scholarships for international students
Italian Government Scholarships for Foreign Students
Italian Government Scholarships for Foreign Students
The Italian Government awards scholarships for studying in Italy both to foreign citizens and Italian citizens resident abroad (IRE).  Scholarships can be awarded only for study/ research projects at institutions within the Italian public education and research system. The scholarships are available for University degree courses (Undergraduate and Postgraduate), Advanced vocational training, art and music courses, Masters Degree courses (Levels I or II), Ph.D. Courses, Specialisation Schools, Research under academic supervision, Courses on Italian language and culture or courses for teachers of Italian as second language.
The “Invest your Talent in Italy” programme, supported by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and by the Italian Ministry for Economic Development, offers students from India, Turkey, Brazil, Colombia and South Africa the opportunity to develop their skills and specialise through a range of Master’s and postgraduate degree courses in ICT, Management and Design at prestigious Italian universities. The best students will be offered scholarships, sponsored by partners and main corporate sponsors.
Bologna University Study Grants for International Students
The University of Bologna offers study grants to deserving international students who wish to register for First Cycle (Bachelors), Second Cycle (Masters) or Single Cycle Degree Programmes at the University of Bologna.  Each study grant is awarded for one academic year and amounts to a total of €11,059, gross of all charges for the beneficiary’s account.
University of Pavia International Scholarships for Developing Country Students
The University of Pavia (UNIPV), in order to promote international cooperation with the Developing Countries, offers scholarships for selected Masters Studies at the University of Pavia or at the Institute for Advanced Study of Pavia (IUSS).  The scholarships are targeted to students coming from a developing country classified as low-income economy or as a lower-middle-income economy by the World Bank.  Each scholarship is worth about €7.000.
Bocconi University Scholarships for International Students 
Bocconi University offers scholarships to international students enrolling in any eligible Bachelor’s Program or Master of Science Program at Bocconi. The scholarships are awarded based on their family’s economic condition.  The scholarship includes full tuition waiver worth up to €11,500 per year for Bachelor’s Program and up to €12,000 per year for Master’s of Science Program.
Politecnico de Milano Merit-Based Scholarships for International Students
Every year, Politecnico di Milano offers a number of merit based scholarships to the most talented international candidates admitted to a Master of Science programme starting during the 1st semester of the academic year. Students obtaining a scholarship will have to pay only an administrative fee of about €200.  Scholarships of €5.000 to €10.000 per year could be awarded on top of tuition fee waiver depending on previous academic qualifications.
Università Cattolica Scholarships for English Taught Masters Program
Scholarships are being offered to international students pursuing eligible English-taught Masters Programmes offered at Universita Cattolica. All scholarships are assigned on a merit basis and will be mostly given to students who apply by the priority deadline.  The scholarships range from €1,750-€7,500 in value.
University of Padova Scholarships for All Degree Courses
The University of Padova can handle regional funds to finance low-income students, both Italian and foreign, who have a good academic record and pursuing a degree at the University.  The scholarship consists partly of money and partly of services, such as accommodation and meals at the University canteens.

How to Apply for Italy Student Visa

A foreign student who wants to study in Italy will have to avail the Italy student visa. If a student opts for a course or program that does not extend beyond 90 days, he or she will require a Schengen visa or short stay visa. However, if the student opts for a course or program that lasts for more than 90 days, he or she will have to obtain long-term student visa or national visa (NV).
Italy student visa in an entry visa and a student will need to obtain a “permit to stay” after arriving in Italy.
Eligibility criteria for Italy student visa
To be eligible for Italy student visa you must fulfil the following conditions:

• You must provide the official letter of acceptance issued by an Italian university confirming your admission to the course
• You must have a valid passport with at least two blank visa pages
• Your passport must have a validity that exceeds the duration of the visa you are applying for by at least 3 months
• Your passport must have been issued within the previous 10 years
• You must have a copy of your completed and signed visa application form
• You must provide proof of your financial ability so as to support yourself financially during your entire period of study in Italy.
• You must provide a copy of your flight itinerary. This is required to confirm the details of your return tickets to your home country as one-way tickets are unacceptable
• You must provide a recent statement of your financial situation from your bank, duly signed by a bank official.
• You must provide proof of having obtained valid health and medical insurance that covers the entire duration of your stay in Italy.
• You must not have a criminal record
• You must not have been refused entry into Italy previously
• You intend to leave Italy at the end of your authorized stay

Steps to follow to apply for Italy student visa
You will have to apply at the Italian Embassy or Consulate for the student visa. After you receive the letter of acceptance or letter of admission for your intended course of study, you can check your eligibility for obtaining an Italian student visa and then go ahead with the below mentioned procedure.
Step 1: Get the student visa application form
Step 2: Fill up the student visa application form
Step 3: Gather the required documents for student visa application
Step 4: Provide photograph for your student visa application
Step 5: Schedule an appointment
Step 6: Submit your student application form
Step 7: Track your student application form
Step 8: Collect your student visa

Required fees for Italy student visa

Application fees for Italy student visa – EUR 116 (INR 7,832.41)
Note:

• Your application fee will not be refunded if your application for student visa is refused or rejected for any reason.
• The conversion into Indian currency is based on current conversion rates, which may change.
• The visa application fee is subject to change at any time.

Dos and Don'ts for Italy student visa
You must remember the following dos and don'ts while applying for Italy student visa.
Dos

• Apply for a student visa soon after you receive the official letter of acceptance from your hosting Italian university
• Fill up your application form carefully with all accurate details
• Bring original copies and photocopies of all supporting documents when you come to submit your visa application form at the Italian Embassy or Consulate

Don'ts

• Do not present false documents for your student visa
• Do not hide or misrepresent facts in your application