It is a popular idea that Italy is one of the best destinations to consider if you want to study in Europe without spending too much money.
This is because the country offers free education in most universities.
Due to the extensive options available for both local and international students, free education is just one of the many other things you’d want to consider.
Ultimately, you’d want a university that offers free education and also offer the right program in your preferred language.
We have done the research for you and reviewed the top Seven universities currently operating in Italy where you can access higher education without worrying about tuition fees.
Our top pick on the best free universities in Italy
If you have chosen Italy as your destination to study in Europe, or you are an Italian citizen looking to further your education but experiencing financial constraints, we strongly recommend you consider any of the below-listed universities, as they offer free education with fair acceptance rate:
- University of Brescia
- University of Sassari
- University of Messina
- Marche Polytechnic University
- University of Milano-Bicocca
- Polytechnic University of Milan
- University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli
Keep in mind that these universities will have their tuition fees quoted on the website but they offer scholarships, grants, and waiver programs that allow enrollees to get in without paying tuition throughout their program.
We’ve explained in detail:
University of Brescia
The University of Brescia is a popular choice for students coming to Italy to study with low financial capacity.
The public research university is located in Brescia and has four main areas which are: Economics, Engineering, Law, and Medicine.
Apart from being one of the most prestigious universities in Italy, the school is known for its teaching and research quality despite being a public institution.
International students in the Bachelor’s program at this university pay as low as 0 Euros to 1,100 euros depending on the program and specific fees while domestic students pay from 77 euros to 1,100 euros.
Despite the existence of this tuition, students can still study here for free since they offer scholarships and financial aid programs.
University of Sassari
The University of Sassari is another excellent option if you want to study in Italy for free. Being a public university, the institution allows students to study without worrying about tuition for specific program
However, they quote their tuition to be between 0 Euros and 1,620 euros for both domestic and international Bachelor’s tuition depending on the specific program.
It is one of Italy’s oldest public universities, as it has been operating since 1562. With ten different departments, the University of Sassari offers Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.
The university particularly stands out for its valuable connections to various industries in the country.
In other words, studying at this university exposes you to internship opportunities.
University of Messina
If you are in undergraduate studies, this university is the most affordable option in this list because here, students in undergraduate programs are required to pay as low as 0 Euros for tuition.
The University of Messina (UniME) is a public state university that has been operating since 1548. The school has more than 100 Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, as well as 13 Ph.D. programs in 12 fields of study.
The university also boasts iconic alumni and scholars
The school is located in Messina, Italy.
Marche Polytechnic University
- Marche Polytechnic University admission requirements page
- Marche Polytechnic University’s free education details page
The bachelor’s tuition at Marche Polytechnic University ranges from as low as 0 Euros to 1,700 euros for both international and domestic students, depending on the program.
It is among the most affordable universities in Italy where you can even get free education through scholarships and special tuition waivers.
Located in Ancona, the public university has been operating since 1969 and is prominent for its bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in agriculture, engineering, economics, and medicine.
It is hard to find a list of top universities in Italy without seeing the Marche Polytechnic University. This says a lot about their outstanding academic reputation.
After interviewing many students, we discovered that this school is a popular choice for studying Clinical Medicine, Engineering, Ecology, Oncology, and Plant and Animal Science because most students among the interviewees were in these majors.
University of Milano-Bicocca
- University of Milano-Bicocca admission requirements page
- University of Milano-Bicocca free education details page
Another great university you can consider for free higher education in Italy is the University of Milano-Bicocca.
International students here pay between 0 to 2,500 euros as tuition while domestic students pay from as low as 0 to as high as 4,100 euros. It all depends on the program but there’s a fair chance of studying without paying any tuition fees.
If you want to study in Italy’s crowded city, Milan, this is a solid option. The school boasts of its cutting-edge complex with research laboratories and large study areas.
Polytechnic University of Milan
- Polytechnic University of Milan admission requirements page
- Polytechnic University of Milan free education details page
The Polytechnic University of Milan gets a lot of admission applications each academic year. According to the school’s website, more than 40,000 students have enrolled in this school annually. So you can expect the acceptance rate to be quite low.
However, if you manage to get in, you can enjoy free education.
Initially, the university started as a college and offered only courses in civil and industrial engineering.
Today, with 12 departments, the Polytechnic University of Milan is internationally-known for its comprehensive training.
It is an excellent choice for applicants with careers in science and research education.
Both domestic and international students at this university pay from as low as 0 Euros to as high as 3,700 euros for tuition.
University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli
- University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli admission requirements page
- The University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli’s free education details page
With 16 different departments, the University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli welcomes 30,000 students and more annually.
The university is one of the best when it comes to free education opportunities in Italy.
One thing that makes them stand apart is the strong international connection that allows the student to broaden their perspectives in their chosen course.
It is a solid pick if you want a university that focuses on quality research and scientific discoveries.
At the University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, international and domestic students pay from 0 Euros to as high as 2,688 euros.
The caveat for studying free in Italy
I must mention here that if you are looking for a free university to study in Italy, the best recommendation will depend on what you mean by “free”
For example, if you are particularly looking for an Italian university with free admission, then most universities offer such.
Some faculty (especially medicine) is restricted, with specific admission rules and a limited number of students, based on a ranking.
On the other hand, if you are searching for completely free education, you may not find as many options because every faculty requires you to pay a registration fee, varying from one university to another.
Despite these minor fees, these universities are affordable because it’s nothing compared to what you would pay in the USA.
Also keep in mind that for the vast majority of the universities in Italy, you’re on your own when it comes to finding accommodation in the town, tutoring, planning your courses, and any effective help in general.
However, there are usually school canteens m, dorms, or entire tenements, dedicated to students with low income.
Finally
As we finish, let me reiterate here that the universities reviewed in this article are considered the best when it comes to free education for domestic and international students. However, they may have quoted tuition fees on their website usually for registration, housing, and living costs.
But you can still enroll without worrying about any fee at all, by focusing on the variety of available scholarships and financial aid.
Many of these scholarship opportunities are fully funded by the government, private institutions, and organizations available for undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral degrees.
While they are mostly offered to international students, these scholarships are awarded based on merit and financial need.
Overall, after an in-depth comparative analysis of various determinants, we consider Marche Polytechnic University as the best affordable university in Italy, especially for students pursuing Bachelor’s degrees in Agricultural Science, Economics and Commerce, and Electronics Engineering.
But the school also offers Building Engineering, Economic and Financial Sciences, and Computer and Automation Engineering at the Master’s level.
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