Studying abroad is a rewarding adventure for many students. Italy ranks among the most attractive destinations for international students because of its high-quality education, historical sites, cultural heritage, and scenic landscapes.
In this article, we look at the best scholarships in Italy, along with stories of scholarship recipients.
Top Scholarships in Italy for International Students
| Scholarship Name | Scholarship Type | Eligible Degrees | Scholarship Value |
|---|
| Italian Government Scholarships for Foreign Students | Government Scholarship | Master’s, AFAM, Ph.D., research projects, Italian language and culture courses, and eligible renewals | €10,800 for most 9-month scholarships; €3,600 for 3-month Italian language and culture courses; tuition exemptions depend on the institution |
| Invest Your Talent in Italy Scholarships | Government Scholarship | Master’s and eligible postgraduate courses | €10,800 for nine months, tuition fee exemption, Italian language training, and an in-company internship |
| Ca’ Foscari Merit-Based Scholarships | Ca’ Foscari University of Venice | Bachelor’s, Master’s | €10,000 per year for three years for Bachelor’s students or two years for Master’s students |
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Scholarships | European Union Scholarship | Master’s | Full participation costs plus €1,400 per month for up to 24 months, with support toward living, travel, and visa expenses |
| Padua International Excellence Scholarship | University of Padua | Bachelor’s, Master’s | Tuition fee waiver plus an €8,000 scholarship per academic year |
| Talents 4 UniTo | University of Turin | Master’s | €20,000 gross over two years (€10,000 per academic year), plus exemption from most university tuition fees |
| Ph.D. Scholarships | Scuola Normale Superiore | Ph.D. | Scholarship, accommodation support, free meals, registration-fee exemption, and research funding |
| LMINT Scholarships | University of Brescia | Master’s | €5,250 per year |
| UNIPI Merit Scholarship | University of Pisa | Bachelor’s, Master’s | €6,500 gross plus full fee exemption in the first year, then €8,000 gross plus 50% fee exemption in eligible later years |
| Merit Scholarships at University of Verona | University of Verona | Master’s | 15 scholarships and 48 reduced student contributions for eligible international Master’s students in the 2026/2027 initiative |
1. Italian Government Scholarships for Foreign Students
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Value: €10,800 for most 9-month scholarships; €3,600 for 3-month Italian language and culture courses; tuition exemptions depend on the institution
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s, AFAM, Ph.D., research projects, Italian language and culture courses, and eligible renewals
The Italian Government Scholarships for Foreign Students are funded by Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) to promote international cooperation and Italian higher education. They allow eligible international students and Italians living abroad to undertake approved study, training, or research programs at institutions in Italy.
For the 2026/2027 call, most Master’s, AFAM, Ph.D., research, and eligible renewal awards provide €10,800 over nine months, while Italian language and culture courses receive €3,600 for three months. Applicants must satisfy the academic, age, and language requirements for their chosen program and submit their application through the Study in Italy system; tuition exemptions depend on the host institution.
2. Invest Your Talent in Italy Scholarships
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Value: €10,800 for nine months, tuition fee exemption, Italian language training, and an in-company internship
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s and eligible postgraduate courses
Invest Your Talent in Italy is an Italian government scholarship program promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in collaboration with the Italian Trade Agency and Uni-Italia. It supports students from eligible countries who enroll in selected English-taught postgraduate programs in fields such as engineering, advanced technologies, architecture, design, economics, and management in Italy.
For 2026/2027, scholarship recipients receive €10,800 over nine months and a tuition fee exemption, although certain university charges, taxes, and insurance costs may still apply. Applicants must be citizens and residents of an eligible country, meet the academic, age, and language requirements, and submit the required documents and motivation video; recipients also complete an internship with an Italian company as part of the program.
One scholar’s journey: Sandra Elsa Sanjai obtained the Invest Your Talent in Italy Scholarship after being admitted to the University of Padova for an MSc in Physics of Data. She prepared carefully for the interview and developed a motivation letter that connected her projects, leadership activities, internships, and interest in data science into a clear narrative. Her advice is to understand your own experiences well enough to explain what you have accomplished, what motivates you, and why you are a strong match for the program. View More Invest Your Talent in Italy recipients →
Here is what Invest Your Talent in Italy Recipients Say:
“Be clear on what you’ve done, what you love, and why you’re a good fit. Practice articulating it confidently, especially under pressure.”
Sandra Elsa Sanjai
3. Ca’ Foscari Merit-Based Scholarships
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Value: €10,000 per year for three years for Bachelor’s students or two years for Master’s students
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s, Master’s
The Ca’ Foscari Merit-Based Scholarships, also known as the Ca’ Foscari Honours Scholarships, are offered by Ca’ Foscari University of Venice to attract academically outstanding international students. For the 2027/2028 academic year, the university is offering eight scholarships for new Bachelor’s students and 20 scholarships for new Master’s students, providing substantial financial support for international students pursuing their degrees in Venice.
Each scholarship is worth €10,000 per year, with Bachelor’s recipients eligible for funding for three years and Master’s recipients for two years. Applicants must have a CGPA equivalent to at least 85% and submit a separate scholarship application, with the selection process also considering materials such as a motivational video and academic reference letters; scholarship recipients remain responsible for their university tuition fees.
One scholar’s journey: Dhisa, an Indonesian economics graduate with a 3.62 GPA and professional experience as an auditor, was offered the Ca’ Foscari Honours Scholarship for Master’s programs in Global Development & Entrepreneurship and International Management. Her experience highlights the importance of targeting programs that align closely with your academic and professional background, preparing applications well ahead of deadlines, and concentrating your effort on scholarship opportunities that genuinely fit your goals. View More Ca’ Foscari Merit-Based Scholarship recipients →
Here is what Ca’ Foscari Merit-Based Scholarship Recipients Say:
“This scholarship is to study a Master’s in Global Development & Entrepreneurship and International Management Programmes and covers 10,000 euros per year.”
Dhisa
4. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Scholarships
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Value: Full participation costs plus €1,400 per month for up to 24 months, with the scholarship contributing toward living, travel, and visa expenses
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s
The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Scholarships are funded by the European Union through Erasmus+ and support high-achieving students from around the world in internationally integrated master’s programs delivered by university consortia. Each program involves institutions in several countries, and some include study periods at French universities, making the scholarship especially relevant to international students seeking a funded master’s experience in France as part of a wider European study pathway.
Full scholarships are available to the best-ranked applicants and currently provide €1,400 per month for the duration of the master’s, up to 24 months, while also covering participation costs and contributing toward travel and visa expenses. Applicants must normally hold a bachelor’s degree or be completing their final bachelor’s year and graduate before the master’s begins; students apply directly to their chosen Erasmus Mundus program, with program-specific requirements and deadlines set by each consortium.
One scholar’s journey: Agustín Andrés Stickar earned the GeoPlaNet Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Scholarship to study Planetary Geosciences across Portugal, Italy, and France. He strengthened his application by connecting his longstanding interest in the space sector with his geophysics background, emphasizing both his academic achievements and personal commitment, and clearly explaining why planetary geosciences matched his goals. View More Erasmus Mundus Scholarship recipients →
Here is what Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Scholars Say:
“My advice to prospective applicants is that you don’t necessarily need to have a strictly defined research goal, but it is highly beneficial to have one or a few topics that you are particularly interested in.”
Agustín Andrés Stickar
5. Padua International Excellence Scholarship
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Value: Tuition fee waiver plus an €8,000 scholarship per academic year
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s and Master’s
The Padua International Excellence Scholarship is offered by the University of Padua to highly talented international students enrolling in selected degree programs taught entirely in English. It provides an opportunity for students with strong academic records to pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Italy with substantial financial support.
Recipients receive a tuition fee waiver and an €8,000 scholarship per academic year, generally for up to three years for bachelor’s and single-cycle programs and two years for master’s programs. Eligible applicants must hold a non-Italian qualification that grants admission to their chosen program, meet its admission requirements, and not hold Italian citizenship; there is normally no separate scholarship application, as eligible students who apply to an English-taught degree program within the applicable admission round are automatically considered.
One scholar’s journey: Mona Sader, a Biology and Biotechnology graduate from Palestine, received the Padua International Excellence Scholarship as one of four international scholarship opportunities she secured. She says these opportunities were primarily based on academic performance, CV, and overall application strength, with her own profile combining a strong academic record with research and professional experience. Mona ultimately chose the DAAD Scholarship instead and is pursuing an MSc in Physical Cell Biology and Cell Interaction at Goethe University Frankfurt. View more Padua International Excellence Scholarship recipients →
Here is what Padua International Excellence Scholarship Scholars Say:
“These scholarships were open to international applicants and were mainly based on factors such as academic performance, CV, and overall application strength.”
Mona Sader
6. Talents 4 UniTo
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Value: €20,000 gross over two years (€10,000 per academic year), plus exemption from most university tuition fees
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s
Talents 4 UniTo is a merit-based scholarship funded by the University of Turin for talented international students entering selected English-taught master’s programs. For the 2026–2027 academic year, the university offers 40 two-year scholarships, with two awards allocated to each eligible program.
Each scholarship provides €20,000 gross over two academic years, paid as €10,000 per year, and recipients are exempt from university tuition fees except for the first enrollment installment each year. Applicants must be non-Italian citizens residing outside Italy, hold or obtain an eligible qualification from outside the Italian education system, meet the admission requirements of their chosen master’s program, and demonstrate at least B2-level English proficiency.
Eligible students are automatically considered for the scholarship when they submit an admission application for up to two qualifying programs through the University of Turin’s application system, so no separate scholarship application is required.
7. Ph.D. Scholarships (Scuola Normale Superiore)
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: Scholarship, accommodation support, free meals, registration-fee exemption, and research funding
- Eligible Degree/s: Ph.D.
Scuola Normale Superiore is one of Italy’s most prestigious institutions. Its Ph.D. programs are open to both Italian and international applicants, and admission is based on academic evaluation and interviews. Applicants generally need to hold a relevant master’s degree or an equivalent qualification by the required deadline.
All admitted doctoral students receive a scholarship that supports their doctoral studies. The official Ph.D. admissions information states that admitted students receive a scholarship, accommodation support, free meals, exemption from registration fees, a refunded regional tax, and additional research funding.
8. LMINT Scholarships (University of Brescia)
The LMINT Scholarships at the University of Brescia are offered to international students enrolling in eligible master’s degree programs taught in English. Selected recipients receive €5,250 per year, providing financial support during their studies in Italy. The scholarship is awarded to qualified applicants based on the university’s selection criteria and is designed to encourage talented international students to pursue graduate studies at the University of Brescia.
9. UNIPI Merit Scholarship (University of Pisa)
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: €6,500 gross plus full fee exemption in the first year, then €8,000 gross plus 50% fee exemption in eligible later years
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s, Master’s
The UNIPI Merit Scholarship at the University of Pisa supports eligible international students applying for bachelor’s and master’s programs. According to the most recently published information included in this article, the award provided €6,500 gross plus a full fee exemption in the first year, followed by €8,000 gross plus a 50% fee exemption in eligible later years. Applicants should check the current University of Pisa scholarship page before applying, as scholarship allocations and renewal conditions may change by academic year.
One scholar’s journey: Benjamin submitted an academic CV, transcripts, certificates, and proof of English proficiency for the UNIPI Merit Scholarship, then prepared for an oral interview covering Neuroscience and general biology using topics recommended by the department. Nearly 100 candidates were interviewed for one scholarship place; Benjamin says that reviewing those recommended topics helped because many appeared in the interview, and he was admitted before subsequently receiving the scholarship. He began an MSc in Neuroscience at the University of Pisa under the award, later moved to the University of Chester on a Commonwealth Shared Scholarship, and went on to receive several fully funded PhD offers. View More UNIPI Merit Scholarship recipients →
Here is what UNIPI Merit Scholarship Scholars Say:
“Another notable scholarship that I received is the Pisa University Scholarship – Fee Waiver for MSc Computer Science (AI)”
Kamran Khan Arabzai
10. Merit Scholarships at University of Verona
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: 15 scholarships and 48 reduced student contributions for eligible international Master’s students in the 2026/2027 initiative
The Merit Scholarships at the University of Verona support eligible international students applying for international Master’s degree programs. For the 2026/2027 academic year, the university announced 15 scholarships and 48 reduced student contributions for international students who meet the stated eligibility requirements. These awards are intended to help cover part of students’ living expenses or reduce student contributions, rather than automatically covering bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. programs across the university.
One scholar’s journey: Thi Thuan An Nguyen (Kaley) took a targeted approach to scholarship applications, focusing on opportunities aligned with her goals rather than applying indiscriminately. With a bachelor’s degree in International Business Economics, she secured a full-ride Merit Scholarship at the University of Verona as one of its Top 3 Excellent Winners. She ultimately chose the Swedish Institute Scholarship for Global Professionals, which took her to Stockholm University for a Master’s in Marketing, showing how she weighed multiple fully funded opportunities against her academic and career goals. View more University of Verona Merit Scholarship recipients →
Here is what Merit Scholars Say:
“Each scholarship required a tailored strategy.”
Thi Thuan An Nguyen (Kaley)
FAQs: Applying for Scholarships in Italy
Can International Students Get a Full Scholarship in Italy?
Yes. International students can receive full scholarships or major funding packages in Italy through government, university, and European scholarship programs. However, coverage varies by scholarship. For example, Italian Government Scholarships provide a grant amount and may include tuition-fee exemptions depending on the university, while some university scholarships provide full tuition-fee waivers and additional allowances. Applicants should check each official call to confirm tuition coverage, living allowance, taxes, and renewal rules.
How Can International Students Study for Free in Italy?
International students can reduce or fully cover study costs in Italy by applying for government scholarships, university merit scholarships, regional financial aid, tuition-fee waivers, and European scholarships such as Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters. Students who do not receive a full scholarship can still combine partial scholarships, fee reductions, and approved part-time work where permitted. Since eligibility, work rules, and award coverage vary, applicants should review the official scholarship call and university fee page before planning their budget.
We hope this article on Italy scholarships for international students was helpful. If you are interested, explore Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees for International Students!
