Italian public universities do not charge one fixed fee for foreigners. Tuition depends on your family’s income, or on your country of citizenship. On top of that, every region runs a means-tested scholarship (DSU) that can cover tuition, housing and meals.
Tuition: two ways to be charged
Option 1
Flat rate by citizenship
You submit no income papers. The university places you in a bracket based on your country of citizenship. Example: the University of Pavia’s 2026/27 flat rate runs from €390 to €4,550 a year. Indian citizens are in the lowest bracket, €390 a year.
Option 2
Income-based (ISEE parificato)
You submit your family’s income and assets from India, translated and legalised, and get an ISEE parificato certificate in Italy. Your fee is then calculated on your real income. You need this route to apply for the DSU scholarship.
Every university sets its own fee rules, deadlines and instalments. Check the fee notice (avviso sulla contribuzione) of your chosen university for the current year.
DSU regional scholarships
DSU (Diritto allo Studio Universitario) is Italy’s right-to-study grant. It is open to non-EU students at public universities whose family income and assets are below the yearly limit. Students who win it usually get:
- A cash grant paid during the year. In 2026/27 the national minimum full grant for students living away from home was reported at about €7,171 a year. Some regions pay more.
- Exemption from university tuition.
- Subsidised or free canteen meals, and priority for a bed in student housing.
| Region | Agency | Covers (examples) |
|---|---|---|
| Emilia-Romagna | ER.GO | Bologna, Parma |
| Lazio | DiSCo | Rome Sapienza, Rome Tor Vergata |
| Piedmont | EDISU Piemonte | Turin |
| Lombardy | Each university (e.g. EDiSU Pavia) | Pavia, Milan, Milano-Bicocca |
| Veneto | Each university (with ESU in Padua) | Padua |
What you must know about DSU
- Prepare income documents in India early. You need family income and assets papers, translated into Italian and legalised by the Italian consulate. This takes weeks.
- Get the ISEE parificato at a CAF (tax help centre) in Italy, using those documents.
- Apply by the regional deadline. Most regions open in July and close in early to mid September, often before you know your IMAT result.
- Keep your credits up. From the second year, you must pass a minimum number of credits (CFU) each year to keep the grant.
A DSU grant is decided by the regional agency, not by the university and not by us. It does not count as proof of funds for your visa until it is formally awarded. Nobody can promise you a scholarship in advance.
Proof of funds for the visa
For the study visa you must show that you have enough money for each year, from legal and traceable sources, plus suitable housing in Italy. The minimum amount is set every year in the Universitaly procedures for international students. Use that year’s figure, not an old one.
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