Top Scholarships in Italy for International Students

Italy has it all: world-renowned universities, an affordable education system, and a rich culture. According to a recent survey, over 102,354 international students chose Italy for higher education. 

If you dream of exploring Renaissance art in Florence, studying engineering in Milan or philosophy in Bologna, the right scholarship can help you realise this dream.

Overview of scholarships to study in Italy

There are various scholarships in Italy for international students. These scholarships support students financially and promote academic excellence and cultural exchange.

The scholarships are merit-based, need-based, program-specific, country-specific, fully funded, or provide partial coverage of tuition and living expenses.  

Program-specific scholarships can be for specific courses or specialisations, or the type of degree: bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD. 

There are a lot of country-specific scholarships for non-European and Indian students. 

Note: Choosing the right university in Italy goes beyond rankings—you need to know which ones actually offer scholarships for international students, including Indians. GradRight’s university search platform matches you to top Italian universities based on your profile and budget, highlighting programs with scholarships and strong ROI. You get personalised insights that help you shortlist smarter, faster, and more affordably—so you don’t miss out on opportunities just because you didn’t know where to look.

Top scholarships for international students in Italy

Here are some of the best scholarships in Italy 2025:

Invest Your Talent in Italy Scholarship

This scholarship is a great option if you plan to pursue a Master’s in engineering, advanced technologies, architecture or design.

The scholarship covers 100% tuition fee, provides students with a monthly stipend of €900, and offers support services.

Italian Government Scholarships (MAECI)

If you are an international student looking forward to pursuing a Master’s programme, a PhD or studying a language, look into these scholarships. 

These get you access to a tuition waiver and a monthly allowance.

EDISU Piemonte Scholarships

This is a region-specific scholarship for students in the Piedmont area, like Turin.

The scholarships are both merit-based and need-based. 

Bologna University Study Grants

This grant is an option for both Bachelor’s and Master’s students, and allocates  €11,000 per year to help international students.

Scuola Normale Superiore PhD Scholarships

This is one of the most prestigious and competitive scholarships in Italy. It covers tuition, accommodation, and gives the students a monthly stipend.

Politecnico di Milano Merit-Based Scholarships

These offer both a fully funded gold scholarship and a partially funded silver scholarship. 

University of Padua International Excellence Scholarship

This scholarship fully covers tuition and gives students a stipend of  8,000 per year.

University of Pavia Scholarships for Developing Countries

These scholarships are region-specific and accessible to students from specific countries, including India.

Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies PhD Grants

These grants are fully funded and targeted at Phd scholars specialising in engineering, political science, and biosciences.

Ca’ Foscari University of Venice Scholarships

The university offers both merit and need-based scholarships to international students.

Note: Even with scholarships, you’ll likely need extra funds to cover living costs in Italy. That’s where GradRight’s loan search platform helps. It connects you to 15+ Indian and international lenders, so you can compare real loan offers—interest rates, tenures, collateral, and more—in one place. You’ll avoid hidden fees, get transparent terms, and potentially save lakhs in repayment. It’s the easiest way to find a safe, affordable student loan that works for your needs.

Italian government scholarships and how to apply

The MAECI scholarships are among the most sought-after Italian government scholarships. Students can apply if they plan to pursue a Master’s degree, a PhD program or a course in research or language. 

The eligibility depends on the course level. What you definitely need is a Bachelor’s degree, a strong academic record, and sometimes a language certificate for either Italian or English.

You will need to follow these steps:

1. Register on the online portal. 
2. Carefully fill out the application. 
3. Submit your transcripts which you will have to apply for and get from the university you have a bachelor’s from, a motivation letter, and language proof certificate.

The deadlines are usually between March and May each year. Keep a lookout around these months and keep all the transcripts and certificates ready by the beginning of March. 

Fully funded scholarships for studying in Italy

If you are looking for fully-funded scholarships in Italy, consider these:

• Scuola Normale Superiore PhD Scholarships
• MAECI Scholarships
• University of Bologna Study Grants: This is merit-based 
• Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies: Targeted at PhD scholars
• Invest Your Talent in Italy

These scholarships generally cover tuition, give students a monthly stipend, health insurance and sometimes even provide an accommodation. 

Scholarships for Master’s and PhD programs in Italy

Italy Scholarships for Master’s Degree:

• Invest Your Talent in Italy
• University of Bologna Unibo Action 2 Grant
• University of Padua International Scholarships
• Luiss University Financial Aid and Merit Scholarships

PhD Scholarships in Italy:

• Scuola Normale Superiore PhD Programs
• Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies
• University of Milan and University of Trento PhD fellowships

Most PhD programs in Italy are tuition-free and offer students monthly stipends ranging from €1,000 to €1,400.

Scholarships for Indian students in Italy

Do not miss out on these scholarships if you are an Indian student planning to study in Italy:

• MAECI Scholarships
• Invest Your Talent in Italy
• University-specific grants like the Bologna University Study Grants

Italy is a great choice for you because you get to truly benefit from the scholarship. The living costs are very affordable, and you get by easily on the monthly stipend. Italy offers a wide variety of courses taught in the English language. 

Also, you become a part of a very strong alumni network and get to be a part of great cultural exchange programs. 

How to apply for scholarships in Italy

Here is a step-by-step guide that you need to follow: 

Step 1- Choose Your Program and University

You can use platforms like Universitaly, GradRight’s university search platform or individual university portals.

Step 2- Check Eligibility and Deadlines

Make sure to visit the scholarship section on each university and government website. Do not get the eligibility criteria and deadlines mixed if you are applying for multiple scholarships. Take notes to remember clearly and set reminders on your phone. 

Step 3- Prepare Application Documents

You need to get in touch with the universities you have studied under and get your academic transcripts, update your CV,  write an impressive statement of purpose, get reference letters and language certificates.

Step 4- Apply Online

Most scholarships are submitted via university portals or centralised systems. Once you have all the documents and know that you meet the eligibility criteria, you are ready to apply. 

Step 5- Follow Up

Keep your email notifications on and be on the lookout for interview calls or additional documentation requests.

Scholarships in Italy without IELTS

There is good news for students worried about IELTS: many Italian universities accept alternative English proficiency proofs. Especially if your previous degree was taught in the English language and you can provide proof of medium of instruction, or you pass the university’s internal language test. 

Some universities that give students this option are the University of Bologna, Sapienza University of Rome and the University of Milan. 

Top universities in Italy offering scholarships

Here are some of the top universities in Italy offering scholarships to international students:

Best places to study in Italy for international students

Location matters when studying abroad. Here is a list of Italy’s top student cities:

Conclusion

Studying in Italy can be a lot more than an academic journey. It can be a personal adventure and a chance to experience rich Italian culture. THe country is an international student’s dream with fully-funded scholarships, world-class universities, and an affordable yet enriching student life. The country has its doors open for dedicated international students. 

You can explore the ruins of Rome or Milan’s tech hubs. There’s a place and a scholarship for every dreamer. If you start preparing early and thoroughly research your options, you can achieve your goal of studying in Italy. 

FAQs

1. What are the best scholarships available to study in Italy?

Some scholarships you must research further are Invest Your Talent in Italy, MAECI Scholarships, University of Bologna Grants, and Scuola Normale Superiore PhD Scholarships. 

 2. How can I apply for a fully funded scholarship in Italy?

 Check the eligibility on the university or government website. Make sure that all your documents are ready in advance like academic transcripts, language certificates, and SOP. You can then apply online by filling out the application. 

3. Are there scholarships available for Indian students in Italy?

Yes, almost all scholarships are open to Indian students, including country-specific ones like Invest Your Talent in Italy and the government scholarships (MAECI).

4. Can I get a scholarship to study in Italy without IELTS?

Yes, many universities accept an alternative proof of English language proficiency. You can provide proof of the medium of instruction if your previous degree was taught in English. Some universities also have an internal language test that you can pass. 

5. Which universities in Italy offer scholarships for international students?

Some of the universities that offer scholarships for international students are the University of Bologna, Politecnico di Milano, Scuola Normale Superiore, University of Padua, and Ca’ Foscari University of Venice.