Italy is still a very popular place for international students who want to study and work in Europe. Italy is known for its world-class schools, rich cultural heritage, art, and food. Every year, thousands of students come to Italy to get a good higher education and valuable experience around the world. Studying and working in Italy in 2026 is a great way to get a good education and advance your career. The tuition is low, the research facilities are up to date, and there are more job opportunities for graduates.
Reasons to Study and Work in Italy
Italy has one of the oldest and most respected systems of higher education in the world. Italy is one of the founding members of the European Union. This gives people access to one of the largest job markets in the world. International students get degrees that are recognised all over the world and the chance to work part-time while they study. Studying in Italy also means living in a place where art, design, and innovation are important, and the standard of living is high. Italian universities stress creativity, research, and working with businesses, which gives students real-world experience that makes them more employable around the world.
College and University Education in Italy
Diversity and Academic Excellence
Italy has more than 90 universities, some of which are the oldest and most respected in the world. It has public and private universities, as well as schools that focus on arts, fashion, and design. Here are some of the best universities:
- The University of Bologna is the oldest university in the world and a leader in research.
- The Sapienza University of Rome is well-known for its work in medicine, engineering, and the social sciences.
- Politecnico di Milano: The best school for architecture, engineering, and technology.
- Bocconi University is one of the best business and economics schools in Europe.
- The University of Padua is known for its medical and biomedical research.
These colleges and universities offer classes in both Italian and English. This makes it easy for international students to study while they learn the local language.
Structure of Programmes and Study
Italy follows the Bologna Process and gives out degrees at three levels: A bachelor’s degree (Laurea Triennale) takes three years, a master’s degree (Laurea Magistrale) takes two years, and a PhD (Dottorato di Ricerca) takes three to five years. Internships (tirocini) are a part of many programmes, which lets students get work experience while they are still in school. The most international students come to study in fields like business, engineering, architecture, fashion, and design.
Costs of Living and School
Fees for School
Compared to other Western European countries, it is very cheap to study in Italy. The cost of tuition at public universities varies based on family income and ranges from €900 to €4,000 per year. Depending on the programme, private colleges and universities charge between €6,000 and €20,000 a year. The government and universities offer scholarships and tuition waivers to both EU and non-EU students.
How Much It Costs to Live
The cost of living in Italy changes from city to city. Rome and Milan are more expensive cities, but Bologna, Florence, and Turin are cheaper. Monthly costs of living are about:
- Rent: €350–€700
- Food: €200 to €300
- Cost of transportation: €30–€50
- Other costs: €100–€150
Students can save money by living in dorms or shared apartments on campus. The ERSU or DSU student services in many areas also offer subsidised meals.
Italy Scholarships for International Students
To bring in talented people from other countries, the Italian government and universities offer a number of scholarships. Some important programmes are:
- Put Your Skills to Work in Italy Programme: For students from certain countries who are studying for their Master’s degrees in English-taught programmes.
- MAECI Scholarships: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs gives these out for both graduate and postgraduate studies.
- Regional Scholarships: These are given out by regional governments like Lazio, Emilia-Romagna, and Lombardy based on merit and need.
- Scholarships for Specific Universities: Schools like Bocconi, Politecnico di Milano, and the University of Bologna offer merit-based tuition waivers and help with housing costs.
These scholarships make it much easier to pay for school and living expenses.
Studying and Working in Italy
Students’ Legal Rights to Work
International students who have a valid student residence permit (Permesso di Soggiorno per Studio) can work part-time while they are studying. Some important rules are:
- Students can work for up to 20 hours a week, which is 1,040 hours a year.
- Depending on the job and the area, the average pay is between €8 and €12 an hour.
- Students don’t need a separate work permit, but they do need to stay full-time students.
Jobs That Students Often Do
Some common part-time jobs for international students are:
- Hotels, restaurants, and cafés in the hospitality and tourism industry.
- Teaching a language or tutoring.
- Customer service and retail.
- Jobs at universities as administrative or research assistants.
These jobs pay well and help you improve your language and communication skills.
Internships and Professional Training
Internships (tirocini) are a big part of many Italian degree programmes. Depending on how long they last and the company’s policy, they can be paid or not. Internships in fields like design, engineering, finance, and marketing often lead to full-time jobs. Ferrari, Armani, ENI, Fiat, and Pirelli are just a few of the big companies that often hire interns from other countries.
Jobs After Studying in Italy
Stay for a Short Time to Look for Work
Non-EU graduates can change their student residence permit into a job-seeking permit (Permesso di Soggiorno per Attesa Occupazione) after they finish their studies. This permit is good for 6 to 12 months. This lets them stay in Italy while they look for work or start a business.
Moving to a Work Permit
A graduate can apply for a Work Visa (Permesso di Soggiorno per Lavoro Subordinato) once they find a job in their field of study. The Decreto Flussi programme in Italy also gives out work visas to foreign workers every year.
Living in the Long Term
International graduates can apply for Permanent Residency (Carta di Soggiorno) after living in Italy legally and working steadily for five years. This gives them rights similar to those of EU citizens.
Job Sectors in Italy That Are in High Demand
Italy’s changing economy creates jobs in important fields, especially for graduates who are good with technology and languages. Some of the most in-demand sectors right now are:
- Engineering and Manufacturing
- IT and AI
- Finance and Business
- Tourism and Hospitality
- Fashion and Design
- Environmental Science and Renewable Energy
Being able to speak Italian well makes you more likely to get a job in most fields.
Language Requirements
There are a lot of programmes in English, but learning Italian makes life and work much easier. Most universities require students to have at least a B2 level of Italian proficiency according to the CEFR if they want to take classes in Italian. Università per Stranieri di Perugia and Dante Alighieri Society are two of many schools and organisations that offer cheap Italian language courses.
How to Apply to Study and Work in Italy
- Pick a university and a programme. You can look at your options on Study in Italy or the Universitaly portal.
- To apply for admission, send in your school records, language certificates, and a letter of motivation.
- Get a Student Visa: After being accepted, go to the Italian Embassy or Consulate in your home country and apply for a long-stay visa (Visa Type D).
- Arrive and Register: You have 8 days to apply for your Permesso di Soggiorno after you get there.
- Find a job or internship by using university job boards, local employment offices, or websites like LinkedIn Italy, EURES, and Indeed.it.
The Advantages of Studying and Working in Italy
- Education that is recognised around the world: degrees from Italy are accepted all over the world.
- Low-Cost Tuition: The government pays for good education.
- Cultural experience: art, food, buildings, and history are all around.
- Career Growth: After you graduate, you can work in the EU job market.
- Innovation and Creativity: A lot of focus on research, design, and starting your own business.
Problems That International Students Face
- To do well at work, you need to know Italian.
- Administrative processes can be slow and full of red tape.
- Finding a cheap place to live in big cities can be hard.
Students can get through these problems with the help of good planning, early applications, and university support services.
The Future of Work and Education in Italy
Italy’s schools are quickly catching up with trends in the global digital and green economy. The Piano Nazionale di Ripresa e Resilienza (PNRR) is one of many government programmes that put a lot of money into innovation, technology, and sustainability. This makes sure that skilled graduates have more job opportunities. Italy is a great place for international students to find work because there is a growing need for professionals in renewable energy, AI, and sustainable design.