Top Universities in Italy and How to Apply

Top Italian universities like Politecnico di Milano, Bocconi, Bologna and Sapienza, what each is known for, and how to apply via Universitaly, IMAT and TOLC.

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Italy has one of the oldest university traditions in the world, including the University of Bologna, founded in 1088. Today it offers a wide spread of strong institutions, from large public universities to focused technical and research schools, many with English-taught programmes. This guide covers the best-known universities and what each is famous for, then walks through the application process: Universitaly pre-enrolment, the IMAT for English-taught medicine, TOLC entry tests, and the Dichiarazione di Valore and CIMEA statements that get your foreign qualification recognised.

For the full journey into Italy, start with the Study in Italy pillar guide.

Leading universities and what they are known for

Italian universities specialise in different ways. Here are some of the most prominent and the fields they are most associated with.

Politecnico di Milano is Italy's leading technical university for engineering, architecture, and design, and it offers many English-taught master's programmes. Università Bocconi is a private institution with a strong international reputation in economics, management, and finance, with its own merit scholarships covered in the Scholarships in Italy guide. The University of Bologna is the oldest in continuous operation and a large, research-intensive general university. Sapienza University of Rome is one of Europe's largest universities and teaches across nearly every discipline.

The University of Padua is a historic research university strong in the sciences and medicine, while Politecnico di Torino is a major technical university with deep ties to engineering and the automotive industry. The University of Pisa, alongside the highly selective Scuola Normale Superiore, is known for mathematics, physics, and elite research training. The University of Milan (Statale) rounds out Milan's offering with strengths in humanities, medicine, and the sciences.

University rankings change yearly and measure different things. Choose a programme by its content, language of instruction, entry requirements, and the city's cost of living rather than by ranking alone.

How to apply: the steps

The application process for non-EU international students has a national backbone (Universitaly) plus programme-specific tests and document recognition. Here is the order it happens in.

Step 1: Pre-enrol on Universitaly

Almost every non-EU applicant must complete a pre-enrolment application on the national portal universitaly.it. You create an account, choose your programme and university, and upload your documents. The university then validates your application, and that validated pre-enrolment is what your consulate checks before issuing a study visa. This step is mandatory and time-sensitive, so do it as soon as your programme's window opens.

Universitaly pre-enrolment deadlines vary by university and usually fall in spring or summer for an autumn start. Missing the window can mean waiting a full year, so confirm the exact date on your programme's page and on universitaly.it early.

Step 2: Sit the required entry test

Many programmes require a national entry test. The two you are most likely to meet are:

• IMAT — the International Medical Admissions Test, used for English-taught medicine and surgery degrees at Italian public universities. It is a competitive multiple-choice test, usually held once a year, and seats are allocated by ranking. Check the current registration window and structure on the official admissions information at studyinitaly.esteri.it.
• TOLC — Test OnLine CISIA, used by many universities as an entry or self-assessment test for bachelor's degrees in fields like engineering, economics, and sciences. Different subjects have their own versions (such as TOLC-I for engineering or TOLC-E for economics), and some can be taken from home. Confirm which TOLC your programme needs and when to sit it on the university's admissions page.

Not every programme uses these. Master's programmes often assess your prior degree and transcripts directly instead, sometimes with an interview or portfolio.

Step 3: Get your qualification recognised

Italy needs to confirm that your foreign diploma is valid and comparable to an Italian one. There are two main instruments:

• Dichiarazione di Valore (DoV) — a "declaration of value" issued by the Italian embassy or consulate in the country where you earned your qualification. It describes your diploma and confirms its level and the access it gives you.
• CIMEA statements — CIMEA is the Italian information centre on academic recognition. It issues a Statement of Comparability and a Statement of Verification of your qualification, which many universities now accept as an alternative to, or alongside, the Dichiarazione di Valore. Details and applications are on cimea.it.

Check with your specific university which document it requires, because acceptance of CIMEA statements versus the Dichiarazione di Valore varies by institution.

Step 4: Meet the language requirement

For English-taught programmes you will usually need an English test such as IELTS or TOEFL at the level the programme specifies. For Italian-taught programmes you typically need to prove Italian proficiency, often at B2 level, sometimes through a CILS or CELI certificate or a university-run test. Confirm the accepted certificates and minimum scores on the programme page.

Step 5: Apply for the visa

Once you are pre-enrolled and accepted, you apply for the study visa. That process, including proof of funds and what happens after you arrive, is covered in the Student visa for Italy guide.

Practical tips for a strong application

Italian universities and the recognition process both reward organised, well-presented documents. Have your transcripts, diploma, and translations ready early, and prepare a clear CV and motivation letter where the programme asks for them. Because you will reuse your CV for scholarships, internships, and later for jobs in Italy, it helps to keep it in a clean, standard format from the start. Prezumi's resume templates and free Europass CV converter can help you present a tidy CV that Italian institutions and employers expect.

FAQ

Do I have to use Universitaly to apply?

For non-EU students applying for a study visa, yes. Pre-enrolment on universitaly.it is the mandatory national step, and the validated application is what the consulate checks. Some EU students and certain exchange routes follow different procedures, so confirm your case with the university.

What is the IMAT and who needs it?

The IMAT is the entry test for English-taught medicine and surgery degrees at Italian public universities. It is competitive, usually held once a year, and seats are allocated by ranking. If you are applying for English-medium medicine, you almost certainly need it; check the current details at studyinitaly.esteri.it.

Do I need a Dichiarazione di Valore or a CIMEA statement?

It depends on the university. The Dichiarazione di Valore is issued by the Italian consulate in your country, while CIMEA issues comparability and verification statements that many universities now accept. Ask your specific university which it requires before paying for either, and see cimea.it.

Can I apply in English without speaking Italian?

Yes, for English-taught programmes, which are common at the larger and technical universities. You will need to meet the English requirement, usually IELTS or TOEFL. Italian-taught programmes require proof of Italian, often at B2.

How competitive is admission?

It varies widely. Selective routes like English-taught medicine (via IMAT) and elite schools like Scuola Normale are very competitive, while many master's programmes admit on the strength of your prior degree. Apply to more than one programme and read each one's specific requirements.

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