About Italy
The Italian Republic or the Republic of Italy is a country that contains a peninsula bordered by the Alps and many islands surrounding it. Italy is located in Southern Europe. Italy is separated from France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia by the Alps in the north while the rest of her territory lies surrounded by the Adriatic Sea to the northeast, the Ionian Sea to the southeast, the Tyrrhenian Sea to the southwest, and the Ligurian Sea to the northwest.
​
Italy is the home of famous painters such as Da Vinci and Michelangelo; and famous scientists such as Galileo Galilei. Since the birth of the nation which was around the time the Roman Empire existed, Italian art, architecture, and culture have evolved and had an influence around the world. Italy is also at the heart of the Catholic Church, which is governed from Vatican City, a city-state surrounded by Rome. Italy has one of the richest cultures of the planet and has united different customs and traditions of its 20 individual regions. Italy is the home of more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other nation in the world.
Family is at the heart and center of Italian society. Young people often live at home until they are in their 30s, even if they have a job or university degrees, and when parents retire, they often go to live with their children. Italians are very welcoming. It is very easy to make local friends quickly and they will teach you that eating out and enjoying high-quality healthy foods are important for every Italian. The experience of being in a new place comes with the exciting perks of discovery of new foods. In Italy, you can broaden your palate and experience authentic Italian cuisine. One can shop at the local markets, learn about local delicacies, and have a gelato once in a while. There is also the chance of learning of Italian food customs and etiquette.
​
Italy is an affordable destination for international students as average living expenses can range from 700 to 1,000 EUR/month for upkeep, housing, transportation and fun. Of course, this value is not fixed as it is highly dependent on the individual involved and on the city in which one lives and studies. The most expensive cities for international students in Italy are Rome, Milan and Bologna, while the more affordable cities fare those such as Pisa, Padua and Turin.
​
Why Study In Italy?
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
High Ranked Universities Globally
According to the Times Higher Education list of the best universities globally for 2020, 27 Italian universities are in the top 500 worldwide.
​
Affordable Tuition Fees
International students do not have access to tuition-free higher education but tuition fees do tend to be affordable. Public Universities (average of 1,000 EUR/year) are generally more affordable than private Universities (6,000 – 20,000 EUR/year).
​
Wide Range Of Programs To Choose From
There are many programs to choose from such as communications, fashion, creative writing, visual art, design, language, medicine, architecture, humanities and social sciences courses and many others
High-Quality Education
Italy has a high-quality education system and is the location of the oldest university in the world, the University of Bologna. The country has been a center for higher education for hundreds of years.
A Schengen Country
Italy is a part of Schengen area and allows passport holders of member states to travel and stay for up to 90 days in countries within the area. A student visa grants access to 25 other remaining Schengen Countries making it easy for you to travel to any of these
easily.
​
Availability of Scholarships
Scholarships are available both through the government and individual universities. Some are fully funded while others are partially funded. Some of these include:
✓ Italian government scholarship for international students.
✓ Bocconi Merit and International Awards.
✓ Invest your Talent in Italy.
✓ EDISU Piemonte Scholarships.
✓ Bologna University Study Grants.
✓ Politecnico di Torino International Scholarships.
✓ Scuola Normale Superiore PhD Scholarships.
Program Availability in English
A wide range of Italian degrees are taught in English. Cities like Florence, Rome, and Siena are recognized and known for their extensive English language programs
​
Permanent Residency
If you are a citizen of a country outside of the EU and have lived continuously in Italy for five years, you may be granted long-term resident status in Italy. Having this status means that you have certain rights which an EU citizen has and that you are more likely to be able to work or start your own business in another EU country.
​
Available African Stores
African stores are present in Italy. This makes it very easy and comfortable for Africans who have been away from home for a long time and are still trying to adjust to Italian foods to still be able to enjoy what they were eating before they moved over to Italy.
Some Italian Universities Charges Tuition Based On Your Parent’s Income
Some state universities in Italy charge tuition fee based on what your parents earn. An example is the University of Rome Tor Vergata. Based on one's income, tuition is charged from a low minimum around 150 Euros to a maximum of around 5,000 Euros per year.
Ability to Work and Study
International students can work in Italy provided that they work as employees only. Students can work up to 1,040 hours per year.