Timeline to apply to university in Italy: deadlines for international students

Unlike other European countries such as Germany, Italy doesn’t have a fully centralized application system for university admissions. This can cause a bit of confusion, especially for international students trying to understand timelines and deadlines for applying to university. In this article, we give you a general roadmap to help you organize your time and understand the most important steps you need to take to apply for a university course in Italy.

General timeline to apply to Italian universities in Italy (for September intake)

Even though each university may set slightly different dates, the general timeline for Italian university admission follows the same pattern every academic year.

There are generally two intakes:

• the first – and most common one – in September;
• the second one in February.

The second intake is only available for selected programs and not all the universities in Italy guarantee it. Still, if your university offers this opportunity and you missed the autumn intake, this could allow you to start your studies sooner, without losing an entire academic year.

Generally speaking, due to the additional requirements such as the student visa, international students should begin preparing much earlier than domestic and EU applicants.

Step 1: research and preparation (from late autumn to early spring)

This is when your university journey starts.

You’ll spend this period:

• exploring programs and universities;
• checking if your course is taught in English or Italian;
• understanding and preparing for the entry requirements (GPA, specific tests, language proficiency certificates);
• preparing your academic documents and certifications.

If you’re searching for how to apply to a university in Italy, this is the moment to get in contact with the universities of your choice, understand requirements, and gather all the information you need to make thoughtful decisions.

Step 2: pre-enroll on the Universitaly portal (March – April)

Most non-EU students must submit a pre-enrollment application via the Universitaly portal to start the official admission and visa process.

Documents you’ll need:

• final high school diploma or previous university degree;
• academic transcripts of previous studies;
• motivation and/or recommendation letter;
• any extra docs requested by the university.

Each higher education institution in Italy has autonomy in evaluating foreign qualifications; therefore can request additional supporting documents depending on the course and the student’s background.

Early Application Rounds

Some universities have an early application round for certain competitive programs, often with different admission criteria. These applications usually take place between November and December.

What is the official Italian university application deadline?

This is one of the most common questions, and the answer is: there is no single universal deadline.
Deadlines vary by:

• university;
• type of program;
• whether there is an admission test.

However, as a general guideline:

• most applications open in late winter;
• many deadlines fall between spring and early summer.

If you want to be safe, apply as early as possible. Early applications also make your visa process easier.

Step 3: meet the language requirements and pass the admission test (March – May)

Before being able to apply for the student visa, you will actually need to demonstrate your language ability:

• Italian B2 (typically) for Italian-taught programs;
• English proficiency for English-taught programs.

Some institutions require a test, others accept international certificates such as CILS or CELI for Italian language and IELTS/TOEFL for English.

Additionally, if your course requires it, you will need to pass anadmission test. This could be an IMAT (mandatory for Medicine in English), a TOLC test, or a university-specific exam.

Are there open-admission universities in Italy?

Yes, some Italian universities and programs are not limited by strict quotas. These are often referred to as open-access courses. However, even open admission doesn’t mean automatic acceptance: you must still meet academic and language requirements.

Step 4: apply for a scholarship (March – May)

This is another important step where timing matters because you definitely don’t want to miss the deadline for your scholarship.

To apply for financial aid in Italy you have many options and different types of scholarships available. For regional scholarships, for example, make sure to check the official website of the Regional Study Authority (Ente Regionale per il Diritto allo Studio) so you don’t miss the final application dates.

Step 5: receive your admission letter and apply for a student visa (May – July)

Once the university sends you your letter of eligibility for enrolment, you can:

• complete the pre-enrollment procedures via Universitaly;
• apply for the Italian National Student Visa (Type D) at the Italian Embassy or Consulate in their home country.

This visa allows you to enter Italy legally and complete your enrollment in person with the university. Without it, you can’t begin studying, even if the university accepted you.

The general requirements for the student visa are:

• the university admission letter;
• proof of sufficient funds;
• proof of accommodation;
• health insurance (must comply with immigration regulations and be approved by the Embassy or Consulate).

Step 6: arrive in Italy and get your residence permit (September)

Granted your student visa, you can finally book your flight and travel to Italy to start your new adventure. 

You only have one more bureaucratic step that awaits: apply for a residence permit for study purposes after arrival. After the application you’ll receive an official receipt confirming your legal stay while the permit is being processed.

Quick recap of how to apply to university in Italy

If we simplify the entire journey, it looks like this:

• December – February → research universities and programs;
• March – May → apply to the chosen university, gather the documents you need and meet language and admission requirements;
• May – July → request an Italian student visa and complete the pre-enrollment procedures;
• September → arrive in Italy, apply for a residence permit and start your academic life.

To avoid delays or mistakes, we also recommend that you check the specific application deadlines on the official university websites and the Italian Embassy/Consulate in your country. Welcome Association Italy can assist you through the entire process, making sure you have all the documents you need to start your educational journey in Italy.