27 Best Universities for MS in Italy for International Students 2026

Italy is the best option to pursue MS as it offers low tuition fees (€0 to €8K) and various popular scholarships covering even that cost.

Here are the main reasons students choose Italy for an MS:

• Low Tuition at Public Universities: Most public universities in Italy charge very affordable fees, making Italy one of the lowest-cost MS destinations in Europe.
• Generous Government Scholarships: Regional scholarships, also called Diritto allo Studio Universitario, cover tuition, accommodation, and living expenses.
• Strong Engineering and Design Education: Italy is well known for Mechanical, Automotive, Robotics, Architecture, and Industrial Design programs linked to European industries.

Italy has around 43 universities listed in the QS World Rankings, and Politecnico di Milano is the only Italian university that consistently ranks in the global top 100.

Below is a list of the top universities for MS in Italy:

Let’s take a closer look at what each of these universities offers for MS students in Italy.

Politecnico di Milano

Politecnico di Milano has around 48,000-49,000 students, with nearly 8,000-8,300 international students making up about 23% of the total strength. About 97% of its Master’s graduates find jobs within one year, with 33% securing jobs even before graduation, making it one of the top 10 universities in Italy.

• Popular MS Programs: Engineering, Architecture, Design, Technology, Applied Sciences
• Average Tuition Fee: €0-€8,000 per year (₹0-₹8.5 lakh)
• Application Deadline: Fall, January 29, 2026
• Useful Link: https://www.polimi.it/

Sapienza University of Rome

Sapienza University of Rome has over 120,000 students, making it the largest university in Europe, with around 9,000 international students. It has 11 faculties, more than 4,000 academic staff, and offers over 370 degree programs in science, engineering, humanities, and social sciences.

• Popular MS Programs: Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Data Science, Economics, Architecture
• Average Tuition Fee: €1,700-€8,500 per year (₹1.8-₹9.0 lakh)
• Application Deadline: April 29, 2026
• Useful Link: https://www.uniroma1.it/

University of Bologna

The University of Bologna was established around 1088 and is known as the oldest university in the world. It has about 97,000 students, including nearly 9,800 international students, and around 36,000 postgraduate learners.

• Popular MS Programs: Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Economics, International Relations, Life Sciences
• Average Tuition Fee: €0-€45,900 per year (₹0-₹48.6 lakh)
• Application Deadline: Fall, February 8, 2026
• Useful Link: https://www.unibo.it/

University of Padova

The University of Padova has around 70,000 students, including nearly 20,000 postgraduate students, and about 7,000 international students. It has 32 departments across 8 schools and is part of the Coimbra Group, which includes historic European universities like Oxford and Cambridge.

• Popular MS Programs: Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Physics, Life Sciences, Economics
• Average Tuition Fee: €5,100-€7,650 per year (₹5.4L-₹8.1L)
• Application Deadline: Fall, February 2, 2026
• Useful Link: https://www.unipd.it/

Politecnico di Torino

Politecnico di Torino has around 38,800-39,000 students, with over 20% international students coming from more than 120 countries. It was founded in 1859 as Italy’s first engineering school. It is one of the top universities for MS in Italy because about 97% of graduates are employed within a year and 98% within 3 years.

• Popular MS Programs: Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Architecture
• Average Tuition Fee: €1,700-€7,650 per year (₹1.8L-₹8.1L)
• Application Deadline: March 27, 2026
• Useful Link:https://www.polito.it/

University of Milan

The University of Milan has around 60,000 students, making it the largest university in the Lombardy region. It has nearly 2,000-2,500 professors and researchers across 9 academic schools and is the only Italian member of the League of European Research Universities (LERU).

• Popular MS Programs: Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Data Science, Environmental Science, Economics
• Average Tuition Fee: €0-€44,200 per year (₹0-₹46.8L)
• Application Deadline: Fall, January 16, 2026
• Useful Link:https://www.unimi.it/

University of Pisa

The University of Pisa has around 49,000 students. Nearly half the city’s population is made up of students, giving it one of the highest student-to-resident ratios in Italy. It has 20 departments, over 150 academic buildings in the city, and is supported by more than 3,000 administrative staff.

• Popular MS Programs: Computer Science, Physics, Engineering, Mathematics, Data Science
• Average Tuition Fee: €1,700-€5,100 per year (₹1.8L-₹5.4L)
• Application Deadline: Term 1, December 31, 2025
• Useful Link: https://www.unipi.it/

University of Rome Tor Vergata

The University of Rome Tor Vergata was established in 1982 and has a large campus located in the southeast of Rome. It has around 34,000-44,000 students and more than 1,500 professors. The university has an acceptance rate of about 50%, making it moderately selective.

• Popular MS Programs: Economics, Engineering, Computer Science, Management, Life Sciences
• Average Tuition Fee: €150-€3,500 per year (₹16K-₹3.7L)
• Application Deadline: May 29, 2026
• Useful Link:https://web.uniroma2.it/

University of Naples Federico II

The University of Naples Federico II was founded in 1224 by Emperor Frederick II and is known as Europe’s first publicly funded university. It has over 90,000 students, making it one of the largest and best universities for MS in Italy, and around 2,611 academic staff members. The university offers more than 155 graduate-level degree programs.

• Popular MS Programs: Engineering, Computer Science, Economics, Physics, Life Sciences
• Average Tuition Fee: €156-€3,500 per year (₹16K-₹3.7L)
• Application Deadline: May 31, 2025
• Useful Link:https://www.unina.it/

University of Florence

The University of Florence has around 51,000 students, with nearly 25% coming from outside the region. It is supported by over 1,800 professors and researchers, along with about 1,600 technical staff. The university is organised into 10 schools and 21 departments and offers 148 degree programs, out of which 17 are taught in English.

• Popular MS Programs: Engineering, Computer Science, Architecture, Economics, Life Sciences
• Average Tuition Fee: €1,200-€3,000 per year (₹1.27L-₹3.17L)
• Application Deadline: February 6, 2026
• Useful Link: https://www.unifi.it/

Italy offers many job opportunities for MS students in Design, Engineering, and Business-related fields.

Below are the top 10 MS specialisations in Italy along with their career scope:

MS programs at leading Italian universities usually last 1-2 years and follow the European credit system by including research, project work, and more.

Below is an overview of the courses taught in the best universities for MS in Italy:

Italian universities mainly check your academic background and English/Italian language proficiency.

Eligibility Criteria

Italian universities ensure applicants meet all country-specific rules:

• Educational Background: A recognised bachelor’s degree in a related field is required.
• Work Experience: Some management or business programs prefer 1-3 years of professional experience.
• Declaration of Value (Dichiarazione di Valore): Italian consulates might require this to validate foreign degrees for admission.

Entrance Exams

Certain programs ask for standardised test scores to confirm academic preparation:

• GRE: 300-325
• GMAT: 550-700

English/Italian Language Requirements

You must show the ability to study in the language of instruction:

• IELTS: 6.5-7.0 overall
• TOEFL iBT: 90-100
• CILS/CELI (Italian): Programs require Italian language certification, B2 level or higher.

Documents Required

The top universities for MS in Italy require a few important documents, such as:

• Transcripts & Degrees: Submit all mark sheets and certificates from previous education.
• SOP (Statement of Purpose): Clearly explain why you chose this course and university.
• LOR (Letter of Recommendation): Obtain letters from teachers or employers describing your skills.
• Resume: Provide details of your education, internships, projects, and work experience.
• Passport & Proof of Funds: Show a valid passport and financial documents to cover living costs.

Tuition fees at top universities for MS in Italy are affordable, like Politecnico di Milano, which has fees as low as €0 per year (₹0 L) for certain programs. The University of Bologna can go up to €54,000 per year (₹57 L).

Here is detailed information on tuition fees in Italy:

Indian students often apply for the Italian Government Scholarship and the Erasmus+ Joint Master Scholarship. 

Here is an overview of the top scholarships in Italy for MS:

You can select from the top universities for MS in Italy by considering factors like low tuition fees and integration with Italian research centres.

Here are key points to check before selecting an Italian university for MS:

• Italian University Research Networks: Universities like Politecnico di Milano or Sapienza Rome have strong links with research labs and industrial partners.
• ECTS Credit System and Thesis Requirements: Check if the program’s 1-2 year duration and thesis work align with your academic background.
• Recognition of Non-EU Degrees: Some universities may ask for validation of foreign bachelor’s degrees through NARIC Italy for eligibility.
• Post-Study Stay for Job Search: Certain regions offer local work permits for international graduates to search for employment in Italy for 12 months.

Selecting a university in Italy may seem easy due to low tuition fees, but course structure and eligibility rules vary a lot. Many students struggle to understand credit systems, thesis requirements, and post-study stay options. Careful comparison and early preparation can help students make better choices.

With Yocket Premium, students get support in choosing the right universities and programs based on their profile. The platform also helps with documentation, scholarships, and visa planning. This way, students can move forward with clarity instead of confusion.