Admission to an Italian public university needs two separate approvals. The university decides your seat, based only on your IMAT rank. The Italian consulate decides your visa. Here is the full path for a student applying from India.
Who can apply
- A school-leaving certificate that gives access to university in India, after at least 12 years of schooling, with Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
- Proof of English. Many universities ask for a certificate at B2 level or higher at pre-enrolment. Check your university’s call.
- NEET-UG: Italy does not ask for it. India’s National Medical Commission (NMC) requires it if you want to practise in India later. Qualify NEET before you go.
- There is no upper age limit in the IMAT rules. Age is used only as the very last tie-breaker.
Step by step
- Choose one university. Non-EU applicants living abroad are ranked only for the university they pre-enrol at. Compare places and cut-offs first.
- Pre-enrol on Universitaly. Upload your passport, school marksheets and English certificate. The university checks them and sends your application to the Italian consulate. Universities set their own pre-enrolment windows, usually between spring and the summer.
- Prepare recognition documents. Your university may ask for a Dichiarazione di Valore from the consulate or a CIMEA statement for your Class 12 certificate.
- Register for the IMAT on Universitaly in the official window (late August to early September) and pay the fee.
- Sit the IMAT in September.
- Follow your university’s ranking. If you are in the admitted places, enrol by the deadline. If you are not, watch for the next round as seats free up.
- Apply for the type D study visa with your admission, proof of funds, accommodation and health insurance. For 2026/27 the visa deadline was 30-11-2026. For 2027/28 it is reported as 31-10-2027. Your university may set an earlier date.
- Arrive and apply for the residence permit (permesso di soggiorno for study) within 8 working days.
- Apply for DSU by your region’s deadline, if you are eligible.
Pre-enrolment only sends your papers forward. It is not an admission. A seat comes only from your IMAT rank, and the visa comes only from the consulate.
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