Studying in Italy can be an excellent opportunity for international students, but they need to research and understand the costs of studying there. One of the key considerations for international students is the cost of tuition at the universities they are considering.
Students need to find universities that are both high-quality and affordable. This means looking for schools with competitive tuition rates within the student's budget. Some universities in Italy, especially public universities, have no tuition fees for international students, while others may charge a small fee. On the other hand, private universities in Italy generally have higher tuition fees than public universities.
To help international students find affordable universities in Italy, it's beneficial to research and compares tuition rates across different universities and programs. Here is the list of the 7 cheapest universities in Italy for international students in 2023.
University of Padua
The University of Padua is a highly reputable institution of higher education in Northern Italy. It is the second oldest university in the world, having been established in 1222. Despite its age, it is considered one of Italy's most affordable universities. The university has consistently been ranked as the number one university in Italy for over 50 years; according to QS World University Rankings 2022, it is ranked at 242. It currently has over 61,000 students enrolled and offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate programs.
The university is mainly known for its strong astrophysics, cosmology, data science and veterinary medicine programs. The MSc Astrophysics & Cosmology program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the universe, including its origin, structure and evolution. The MSc Data Science program provides students with the knowledge and skills to work with large data sets, analyse and interpret data and develop data-driven solutions. The Bachelors in Veterinary Medicine program, on the other hand, provides students with a solid foundation in the field of veterinary medicine, including animal anatomy and physiology, and equips them with the skills needed to diagnose and treat a wide range of animal diseases.
The University of Padua is also home to many international students, with 2654 students coming from different countries. The average tuition fee at the university is 2500 EUR per year.
University of Milan
The University of Milan, also known as the Università degli Studi di Milano, is a public research university in Milan, Italy. The university is notable for being the first university in Italy to be located on a sizeable 500,000-square-meter campus. The campus is home to more than 45,000 students, including an international population of 6%.
The university is organised into 10 different schools, each with its unique curricula, such as Humanities, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Law, Agriculture, and many more. These departments offer a total of 134 undergraduate and graduate programs. According to QS World University Rankings 2022, the University of Milan is ranked 316th.
The university also has strong economics, finance and international relations programs. The MSc Economics program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the principles of economics, including micro- and macro-economics, econometrics, and economic history. The MSc Finance program, on the other hand, focuses on financial markets, financial institutions, and financial management. The MSc International Relations program provides students with a solid foundation in international relations, including studying global politics, diplomacy, and security.
Polytechnic University of Turin
The Polytechnic University of Turin, also known as Politecnico di Torino, is a public research university in Turin, Italy. The university is considered one of the most affordable universities in Italy, and it has a student population of over 29,000, with 15% of those being international students.
The university is known for its reputation in its 11 departments: Architecture and Engineering. It has 18 English-taught programs available to international students, making it one of the most popular universities in the area for international students. The university offers 28 undergraduate degrees, 32 Master’s programs, and 24 PhD specialisations, ranked by QS World University Rankings 2022 at 334.
The university is also known for its robust architectural design, electrical engineering, and chemical engineering programs. The MS Architectural Design program provides students with the knowledge and skills to design and plan buildings and structures. The MS Electrical Engineering program focuses on designing and developing electrical systems, including power and control systems. The MS Chemical Engineering program provides students with a solid foundation in chemical engineering, including planning and operating chemical processes and producing chemical products.
University of Florence
A public research institution in Florence, Italy, the University of Florence is also known as the Università degli Studi di Firenze. The university is regarded as the least expensive for international students in Italy. Under its 12 main faculties, the university provides more than 130 degrees in agriculture, law, and many others. More than 53,000 students participating in various degree programs are housed within these faculties. The University of Florence is placed 451st in the QS World University Rankings 2022.
The university is renowned for its adequate finance and risk management programs, economics and development, and architectural design. Students receive the information and abilities necessary to design and plan buildings and structures through the MS Architectural Design program. The MSc Economics & Development program focuses on economic theory and the growth of nations, regions, and industries. Students who complete the MSc Finance & Risk Management program will have a firm foundation in finance and risk management, including how to analyse, manage, and use financial markets and institutions and manage financial risks.
University of Siena
Università degli Studi di Siena, usually referred to as the University of Siena, is a public research university in Siena, Italy. Its distinction as one of Italy's oldest and the country's first publicly sponsored institution of higher learning is noteworthy. More than 22,000 students can enrol at the university, which has 15 academic departments that provide classes in everything from experimental sciences to law and political science.
According to QS World University Rankings 2022, the University of Siena is ranked between 601-650. The university also has strong finance, economics, and business administration programs. The MSc Finance program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of finance principles, including financial markets, financial institutions, and financial management. The MSc Economics program is focused on the principles of economics, including micro- and macro-economics, econometrics, and economic history. The BBA program provides students with a solid foundation in business administration, including management, marketing, and finance.
Free University of Bozen-Bolzano
The Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, also known as the Libera Università di Bolzano, is a private-public research university located in Bolzano, Northern Italy. It is one of the country's newest additions to the higher education system, founded in 1997. The university is focused on providing a practical, multilingual, and applied experience for its students. Degrees are offered in English, German, or even Italian, and with so much practical training, a high proportion of teaching occurs as workshops.
The university is known for its strong computer science, innovation, and entrepreneurship programs. The MSc Computer Science program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and applications of computer science, including programming, algorithms, and computer systems. The MSc Innovation & Entrepreneurship program focuses on the principles and practices of innovation and entrepreneurship, including business planning, market research, and product development.
Ca’Foscari University of Venice
The Ca'Foscari University of Venice, also known as Università Ca' Foscari Venezia, is a public research university located in Venice, Italy. The university was established in 1868 and has since expanded to become an international institution with more than 25,000 students. The university consists of 8 academic departments and offers over 700 international exchange programs due to its partnership with over 1500 foreign universities, which draws in an impressive number of international students to the university. The university offers the option to learn courses in both English and Italian.
The Ca'Foscari University of Venice is ranked 800-1000 in the QS World University Rankings for 2022. The university has an excellent reputation for its entrepreneurship and business administration programs. Students who complete the BA in Business Administration degree will have a firm foundation in management, marketing, and finance. The MS Entrepreneurship program focuses on entrepreneurship's guiding concepts and methods, such as product development, market research, and business planning.
