Study in Italy. 130 best institutions in Italy

Education System in Italy

Italy has a broad education system that includes public, private, international, and boarding institutions. Italian is the main language of instruction, while some programs are conducted in English.

Italian Educational Structure

Education in Italy is compulsory from ages 6 to 16. The system has five stages: kindergarten (scuola dell'infanzia), primary, lower secondary, upper secondary, and university.

International and private schools vary in curriculum, boarding arrangements, student support, and extracurricular activities. Families can compare these features according to the learner's needs.

Italian Boarding Schools

Italian boarding schools may follow curricula similar to those of public institutions while adding residential provision. Families can compare academic options, accommodation, supervision, and activities at each school.

Secondary Education in Italy

Secondary education lasts eight years and has two stages. Lower secondary school lasts three years, usually from ages 11 to 14. Upper secondary school lasts five years, usually from ages 14 to 19. At the end of this stage, students take the esame di maturità. The examination is conducted between June and July and grants access to university. Students usually enter higher education at age 19.

The first stage covers core subjects. At the next level, classical lyceums focus on humanities, linguistic programs involve languages and cultural history, while technical or vocational institutions prepare learners in specific fields.

Italian Language Schools

Language schools can help international students develop Italian skills and study subjects such as art or design. For a study visa for an Italian-language course, applicants must already have at least an intermediate level. The course must be full-time and fixed-term. The Universities for Foreigners in Perugia and Siena, together with Roma Tre, offer CLIQ certification aligned with the Council of Europe's CEFR scale.

Higher Education in Italy

Higher education in Italy includes academic institutions and other postsecondary providers. Programs may be taught in Italian or English. The bachelor's degree is the Laurea. The master's qualification is the Laurea magistrale. The Laurea magistrale a ciclo unico combines both levels in a five-year program.

• Bilingual Education: Students can study in Italian or English, with proficiency in the latter verified through TOEFL or IELTS,
• Specialized Programs: Italian institutions offer courses in fashion, design, and technology,
• Rapid Language Acquisition: Immersion in an Italian-speaking environment accelerates language learning and develops communication skills,
• Scholarship Options: Each year, the Italian government offers scholarships to foreign nationals and Italians living abroad for full-time courses or participation in bilateral or multilateral study and research programs,
• MAECI Grant Call: The application round listed by Study in Italy has closed, and the page does not state current eligibility rules or award details,
• Affordable Tuition: Studying in Italian schools or universities is more cost-effective than in many European countries and the USA.

• Secondary Education: Tuition ranges from 22,000 to 30,000 euros annually, including accommodation and meals,
• Holiday Camps and Children's Schools: Prices range from 700 to 1200 euros per week, all-inclusive except for flights,
• Language Courses for Teenagers and Adults: These courses typically cost between 120 to 200 euros per week.

The options above cover secondary education, holiday camps, and language courses.

Costs vary between Italian study cities, so national averages work best as a starting point for planning.

• Monthly budget: about €894.5 for one person, excluding rent, compared with €3,196.6 for a family of four,
• One-bedroom apartment: €727.79 in a city center and €568.21 outside it,
• Three-bedroom apartment: €1,279.48 in a city center and €942.50 outside it,
• Food: €17.75 for a meal at an inexpensive restaurant and €70 for a three-course dinner for two at a mid-range venue,
• Transport: €1.70 for a one-way local ticket, while gasoline averages €1.79 per liter.

Statistics of English courses in Italy

Students Accommodation Options in Italy