Studying in Italy in English: how far that actually goes

How much of Italian higher education is actually taught in English

Italy runs a genuinely large number of English-taught degree programmes at public and private universities, and the number grows every admissions cycle. The split isn't even: at bachelor's level the English-taught offer is real but concentrated, clustered heavily in engineering, economics and business, and international relations or political science. At master's level the picture opens up considerably — Italy competes directly with the usual English-taught-master's destinations across a much wider range of subjects, from data science and design to the humanities and social sciences.

You'll find English-taught bachelor's and master's programmes at universities across the country, including at institutions this site already covers in detail: the University of Turin, Politecnico di Milano, Sapienza University of Rome, Bocconi University, and the University of Bologna all run genuine English-taught offerings, each with its own subject strengths. That's not a ranking, just five examples among many public and private universities doing the same thing — the actual, current list of programmes lives on Universitaly and on each university's own site, not on a third-party comparison page. If you haven't settled on a subject yet, our guide to choosing a course in Italy is the place to start before you narrow down by language of instruction. You can also browse the universities we cover for a sense of what each one offers.

English-taught doesn't mean an easier or different admission

This is the point people get wrong most often: choosing an English-taught programme does not lower the bar, and it does not exempt you from an entrance exam where one applies. If a course is gated by IMAT or TOLC, that requirement is identical whether the degree is delivered in English or Italian. English-taught programmes can also run on their own intake calendar and offer fewer seats than their Italian-taught equivalents, so treat the language of instruction as one filter among several, not a shortcut past the real admissions process.

Medicine and dentistry: the two IMAT-entry English routes

Two single-cycle degrees are available fully in English through the same national admissions test used for their Italian-taught versions: Medicine and Surgery, and Dentistry. A number of Italy's public universities run English-medium tracks for one or both, alongside their Italian-taught cohorts, and admission works the same way regardless of language — you sit the IMAT, and your score and ranking decide your place. Because the list of participating universities and the seats available can change from one admissions cycle to the next, always confirm directly on Universitaly and the university's own admissions page rather than relying on an older list you found elsewhere.

Proving your English level

Almost every English-taught programme asks for evidence that you can actually study in English, typically an IELTS, TOEFL, or Cambridge English certificate. Requirements vary by university and by programme — you'll see figures anywhere from around IELTS 5.5 up to 6.5 or the equivalent TOEFL iBT score, and some universities set their own threshold rather than following a shared standard, so always check the specific programme page rather than assuming one number applies everywhere. Applicants who completed secondary school, or a previous degree, taught entirely in English sometimes have the certificate waived or replaced with a declaration from their school, but this is decided programme by programme rather than as a blanket rule.

From shortlist to application

Once you've picked a programme, English-taught or not, the process runs through the same channels as any other course: non-EU applicants generally submit their pre-enrolment application through Universitaly, and, if the course requires one, sit the relevant entrance exam on the published date. If you'd rather have someone check your shortlist, your English certificates, and your timeline against the actual admissions calendar before you submit anything, that's what our university applications service is there for.

Living in Italian while studying in English

Studying entirely in English doesn't mean you can skip Italian day to day. Lease agreements, the permesso di soggiorno (residence permit) you'll need to apply for after arrival, your codice fiscale (tax code), doctor's appointments, and just making friends outside your programme all go more smoothly with even basic Italian. You don't need fluency to start a degree taught in English, but picking up the language alongside your coursework, rather than treating it as optional, tends to be the difference between surviving in Italy and actually enjoying it.