Why Intend to Pursue Scholarships in Italy

Italy offers some of the most considerate funding opportunities in Europe for students across the globe. Gratitude to public university policies and government programs, a number of students can enrol with tuition waivers, living cost stipends, free accommodation, and meals, particularly through DSU regional grants and national scholarship schemes.

1. DSU Scholarships — Right to University Study

DSU (Diritto allo Studio Universitario) is Italy’s regional financial aid system. Each region (e.g., Tuscany, Piedmont, Lazio, Emilia-Romagna) enables a DSU scholarship that helps students with financial constraints to opt for higher education.

What DSU Coverup

1. All tuition fees are waived as part of a fully funded scholarship.
2. Cash stipend annually (varies but can be up to approximately €7,000+).
3. Free or subsidized accommodation and meals.
4. Sustentation for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD students.

Example: Students in Pisa, Florence, Siena, Turin, Bologna, and other cities oftentimes are entitled to regionally superintended DSU benefits at public universities.

Eligibility Criteria or Pre-requisites

1. One must enroll in a degree program in the desired field and check the availability of options at an Italian university.
2. Your family income and assets must fall below the stated requirement in the policy — it is calculated through the ISEE Parificato certificate (income barometer for non-EU students).

Timeline (Generally Falls in the Below-Mentioned Months Each Year – Estimate)

1. DSU Toscana — July to September
2. EDISU Piemonte — July to September
3. ER.GO (Emilia-Romagna) — July to September
4. Disco Lazio (Rome) — Normally in summer

Note: Each region publishes its own call (“bando”), and deadlines may vary. Keep an eye on the official portal before applying.

Key Tips for DSU

1. Begin accumulating required financial documents as early as possible (English translated and legalized).
2. Apply as soon as the regional portal opens — late applications tend to be declined.
3. Research the requirements for your specific region carefully, as DSU rules vary slightly across Italy.

2. Government Scholarships by Italy (MAECI & National Programs)

These fully funded scholarships are awarded nationally by Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) and other Italian regional agencies or government bodies for university student support. Their key objective is to assist students across the globe who intend to enrol in Master’s, PhD, Research Doctoral programs, and sometimes Italian language or cultural studies.

Key Government Scholarship Schemes

1. MAECI – Italian Government Scholarships
   
   1. Fully funded or partial tuition waiver
   2. Monthly stipend ranging from (~€900–€1,000)
   3. Health insurance covered
   4. Intended for Master’s / PhD / language courses

Generally opens Apr–May 2026. IELTS is exempted if you have an English proficiency letter or equivalent (universities sometimes accept it). Application can be completed through the official government scholarship website.

Opportunity to Showcase Your Skillsets & Talent in Italy (IYT)

Students intending to enrol for a Master’s can apply for a hybrid government-industry scholarship in the following fields:

1. Engineering
2. Architecture
3. Economics
4. Design
5. Applied Sciences

Major Advantages

1. Fully funded tuition coverage
2. Internship opportunities
3. Monthly stipend (~€900 per semester)

Generally opens in these months every year: January – February.

3. Additional Government-Related & EU Programs

1. Joint Master Degrees Erasmus+/Erasmus Mundus (EMJMD)
   1. Full tuition reimbursement
   2. A monthly stipend
   3. Traveling expenses
   4. Health coverage

Applications are generally accepted from January to March each year.

4. Merit-Based and Need-Based Specific University Scholarships

Scholarships are offered by many public universities — especially extensive ones like University of Bologna, University of Padua, Politecnico di Milano, Bocconi University, and University of Milan:

1. Scholarship awarded exclusively on a merit basis: Waivers of tuition fee plus possibly yearly stipends
2. Combined Aid: Some combine merit with need criteria
3. Deadlines and application procedures may vary — generally fixed to the university admission cycle

How to Apply — Step by Step

1. Step 1 — Select Your Course & University
   Decide the education stream to pursue (Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD) and which university aligns with your goals.
2. Step 2 — Apply for Admission
   Use official sites to submit the application (for many public universities, this is Universitaly.it).
3. Step 3 — Prepare Your Financial & Academic Documents
   
   1. A passport that is currently valid at the time of applying and throughout the process
   2. Attested consolidated transcripts
   3. English/Italian proficiency competency certificates (depending on the program)
   4. Income documents for DSU (English translated + legalized)
   5. Updated resume, SOP, letters of recommendation for government scholarships
4. Step 4 — Submit Scholarship Applications
   
   1. DSU through regional websites
   2. MAECI & IYT through government sites
   3. Scholarships offered by universities through their own scholarship page on sites
5. Step 5 — Follow Up
   Keep an eye on deadlines closely — failing to meet deadlines may disqualify you for the entire year.

Important Notes & Tips

1. DSU scholarships are primarily need-based, not purely merit-based — however, students from around the globe can still apply.
2. Check the official DSU (“bando”) websites for the exact dates when applications start being accepted.
3. Government scholarship notifications are generally in spring (Apr–May) — plan accordingly.
4. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you can apply for multiple scholarships simultaneously.
5. Some scholarships exempt IELTS if suitable alternative or equivalent options are acceptable.

Conclusion

In 2026, Italy offers a thriving and diversified scholarship environment that blends regional or provincial DSU grants, funding by the government, awards from universities, and EU-wide programs. Regardless of whether you intend to pursue a Bachelor’s program, a Master’s degree, or even doctoral research programs, there is likely a way to waive tuition and daily expenses — and even be entitled to a stipend to support daily life!