Which Italian Scholarship is for you?

By Jenny Egnér Lin

Are you interested in studying in Italy? For students committed to pursuing a degree at an Italian institution, the Italian government provides grants to highly qualified students. In this article, we will guide you through the scholarship values, the requirements, and key dates in the application processes. Please note that the applications for year 2019 have ended, and information about the next call for applications will be published at Study in Italy.

Photograph of Manarola, Italy, by Jack Ward.

What is the purpose of the grants?

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) offers grants in favor of foreign citizens not residing in Italy in order to foster international cultural, scientific and technological cooperation. Furthermore, the grants aim to promote Italian language and culture, and to support Italy’s economic and cultural role in the world.

Which programmes are eligible for grants?

Master’s Degrees

Grants for Master’s Degree courses are awarded for a period of study of six or nine months. Note that admission to the first year of a Master’s Degree course in Italy requires the completion of a Bachelor’s degree in the applicants’ country of origin, and admission to the second year is granted to applicants upon evidence to be on track with their first year studies.

Some degrees require admission tests, in addition to the required application documents. Make sure you are informed of the application processes to your chosen university.

Courses of Higher Education in Arts, Music, and Dance (AFAM)

Grants for Courses of Higher Education in Arts, Music, and Dance (AFAM) are awarded for a period of study of six or nine months. To be admitted to an Italian AFAM Institute, applicants need to meet the entry requirements and academic qualifications established by the relevant institute.

PhD Programmes

Grants for a PhD program are awarded for a period of study of six or nine months. To be admitted to a PhD in Italy, applicants need to meet the entry requirements and academic qualifications established by their university of choice. They are also required to provide a letter of acceptance on behalf of the university.

Research under academic supervision

Grants for research under academic supervision are awarded for a period of study of six or nine months. This type of grant can be awarded to research projects carried out at the Italian Research Institutions, i.e Italian Research Council (CNR), Italian National Institute of Health (ISS), Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Italian National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF), and The Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), under the academic supervision of public Universities or Museums and Archives.

Applicants must submit a research project and the letter of admission on behalf of the host university. They are also required to provide the name and contact details of their supervisors.

Italian Language and Culture Courses

Grants for Italian language and culture courses are awarded exclusively for a period of three months to students currently attending an Italian course at a University or at an Italian Cultural Institute.

Applicants must provide a certificate of their proficiency in Italian language. The minimum level required is A2 within the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Photograph of the Trevi Fountain by Kat Kye.

What do the grants cover?

Monthly allowance

Grantees will receive a 900 Euros monthly allowance on a quarterly basis, which will be paid on their Italian bank account. The first installment of the grant can be received only after the completion of University enrollment and the submission of all the documents requested according to the necessary administrative procedures.

The MAECI will begin the payment procedures at the end of each quarter. Individual payments will therefore commence after that period. The last installment of the grant will be paid only upon verification of satisfactory academic progress.

Enrollment and tuition fees

Grantees may be exempted from the payment of enrollment and tuition fees depending on the policy of each university.

Health and medical insurance

Grantees will be covered by a health and medical/accident insurance contracted by MAECI for the entire duration of the grant. Insurance coverage will not apply to events derived from pre-existing medical conditions.

Are you eligible for grants?

Academic qualifications

Applications must only be submitted by foreign students not residing in Italy and by Italian citizens living abroad (IRE) holding an appropriate academic qualification required to enroll to the Italian university.

Admission tests

Note that admission to some Master’s Degree courses or AFAM Institutes requires an admission test. Please refer to the relevant university/AFAM Institute to check whether an admission test is required.

Age requirements

Applicants for Master’s Degree/Higher Education in Arts, Music, and Dance (AFAM) Programmes/ Italian Language and Culture Courses should not be over 28 years old by the deadline of the call, with the sole exception of renewals.

Applicants for PhD Programmes should not be over 30 years old by the deadline of the call, with the sole exception of renewals. Applicants for research under academic supervision should not be over 40 years old by the deadline of the call.

Language proficiency for Italian-taught courses

In order to enroll in an Italian-taught course, applicants must provide a certificate of their proficiency in Italian language. The minimum level required is B2 within the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Candidates who were enrolled in Italian course at the university may submit a language certification issued by a language teacher of the university department.

Language proficiency for English-taught courses

In this case applicants must provide a language certificate of their proficiency in English Language. The minimum level required is B2 within the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Self-certification may be valid for candidates from countries where English is an official language and who are applying for courses held entirely in English.

Language proficiency for Italian language and culture courses

For Italian language and culture courses, applicants must provide a certificate of their proficiency in Italian language. The minimum level required is A2 within the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Candidates who were enrolled in Italian course at the university may submit a language certification issued by a language teacher of the university department.

What are the requirements for renewals?

Applicants who have previously received a MAECI grant in the Academic Year may apply through ordinary procedures to continue or complete a multi-year degree course. Renewals are granted only to applicants who prove satisfactory academic progress.

Applicants are eligible to attend a Single Cycle Degree Program (Corso di Laurea a Ciclo Unico) for the academic year, only if they have received a MAECI grant for the same course in the Academic Year previous academic year. Renewals are granted only to applicants who prove satisfactory academic progress.

Photograph of Verona by Z S.

What is the duration of the grants?

Grants are awarded for a period of study of six or nine months. For renewals, grants may be awarded for a period of study of one full year.

How do you apply for the grants?

Applicants must complete and submit the online application form available upon registration at Study in Italy.

The registration form can be accessed through Study in Italy - Registration.

How is the selection process conducted?

Selection

Applications will be evaluated by a Committee set up by the Italian Diplomatic Mission accredited in the applicant’s country of origin.

Awarding

Grants will be awarded on the basis of a comparative assessment of applications according to the entry requirements and other criteria related to applicant’s CV.

Ranking

The relevant Diplomatic Mission will publish the list of grantees as well as a list of the best excluded.

Interested in learning more?

Read more about the grants on the official website for Study in Italy. Read more about the grants and requirements at Study in Italy - Grants.

Disclaimer: While we strive to keep the information up to date and correct, information may change at any time without notice. For accurate and updated information, please refer to the official website of the organisation granting the scholarship.

About the author: Jenny Egnér Lin is a Swedish university graduate with a MSc in Strategic Market Creation from Copenhagen Business School, and a BSc in Business and Economics from Stockholm School of Economics. With firsthand experience from studying in Europe, she is sharing prime insights about life as a European university student.