Can international students get scholarships in Italy?

Best Answer: International students can receive a variety of scholarships in Italy.

The Italian government, public and private universities, and regional authorities offer these scholarships. Italy encourages foreign students to study there and offers many scholarship programs specifically for non-EU students. These scholarships may cover all tuition fees, part of the tuition, monthly living allowances, accommodation support, and sometimes health insurance. These opportunities are available for all levels of study — bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD — and many programs are taught in English.

Italy’s scholarship system is easy to access because eligibility is based on academic performance, financial need, or both.

Many universities automatically consider international students for scholarships when they apply. Because of this, students from countries like Bangladesh, India, Nigeria, and others can study in Italy at a much lower cost, or even for free.

Who can get scholarships in Italy (international students)?

Foreign citizens, both from the EU and non-EU countries, are usually the target of most scholarship programs.
For many scholarships, you must be admitted to a recognized Italian higher education institution, either public or officially recognized.
There are often age limits depending on the type of degree — for example, for government-funded scholarships (for master’s, PhD, or research), there may be specific age restrictions.
You usually need to meet academic and/or merit criteria, such as having a good academic record, and sometimes language requirements — English or Italian, depending on the program.

Types of Scholarships & Funding Options for International Students

Here are the main types:

Government-level Scholarships (state / national programs)
The main one is provided by the government, through the foreign ministry and higher education authorities.
These include grants for master’s, PhD, research training, cultural/art courses, language courses, etc.
Benefits often include a waiver of tuition fees, sometimes a monthly stipend for living costs, health and accident insurance, and occasionally other support.
The duration depends on the course — from a few months for short courses or research, to the full length of a degree for master’s or PhD programs.

Example: The most recent call (2025-2026) for state-sponsored scholarships was advertised through the official “Study in Italy” portal.

Can international students get scholarships in Italy?

University- / Institution-specific Scholarships & Grants

Many universities in Italy offer their own scholarships for international students, based on merit or need.

Some examples are:

University of Padua — its “Padua International Excellence Scholarship” offers a full tuition waiver and an annual living allowance for selected outstanding international students.
Politecnico di Milano — offers merit-based scholarships for master’s or other eligible programs, which can include full or partial tuition waivers and sometimes additional allowances.
Bocconi University provides “Merit and International Awards” to international students in undergraduate or graduate programs; these can cover part or all of the tuition, sometimes with extra grants or stipends.
Many other institutions may also offer fee waivers, partial or full scholarships, especially for students with strong academic records.
Some of these scholarships are automatically considered when you apply to the university, while others require separate applications.

Regional / Special-Purpose Scholarships

Some regions and scholarship funds in Italy offer support, such as tuition waivers, accommodation, and stipends, for international students studying in certain regions or institutions.
Sometimes there are special scholarships for students from developing countries or those with financial need.

What you typically need to apply to / eligibility criteria?

Depending on the scholarship or program, common requirements include:

Admission to or application for an eligible course (bachelor’s, master’s, PhD, research, language courses) at an accredited Italian institution.
Good academic record/merit (transcripts, sometimes references).
Language proficiency: for English-taught courses, proof of English (e.g., IELTS/TOEFL); for Italian-taught courses or language courses, Italian language proficiency may be required.
For government-funded scholarships: sometimes age limits are set depending on the level (e.g., master’s, PhD, research) and nationality requirements (foreign/non-resident).
A set of documents such as transcripts, CV, motivation letter, language certificates, sometimes recommendation letters.
Some scholarships are automatically considered when you apply to a university, while others require separate application through a “scholarship program,” such as the official national-level portal or a regional scheme.

What this means for students from Bangladesh / other non-EU countries?

Yes — as an international student from Bangladesh (or any other non-EU country), you are generally eligible to apply for many of these scholarships, as long as you meet the academic, language, and admission requirements.

In fact, the national/state scholarship program and many universities specifically aim to attract global talent and international students.
So, with good grades, a well-prepared application, and meeting language requirements, you have a real chance — especially if you aim for a reputable university and a strong scholarship program.

How to Maximize Your Chances & Steps to Apply?

Research early — check the universities you’re interested in and see if they offer scholarships for international students (merit-based, need-based, national-level grants).
Make sure you meet the requirements — good transcripts, language tests (IELTS/TOEFL if needed), motivation letter, etc.
Apply for admission and scholarship at the same time — often, scholarship evaluation takes place during or after admission.
Look into national programs — for example, the main government-level scholarships for foreign students, via the official “Study in Italy” portal.
Check deadlines carefully — scholarship calls often have strict deadlines.
Prepare your supporting documents well — transcripts, CV, language proof, motivation letters, references — these are important, especially for competitive merit-based awards.
Explore different types — full scholarships (tuition + stipend), tuition waivers, partial grants, regional aid, etc.

Can international students get scholarships in Italy?