Top 10 Italy Scholarships for Indian Students 2024: Full Guide

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Being the 4th most visited country in the world, Italy is known for its culture, picturesque locations, and top-notch educational institutions. 

Over 32,000 international students are present in Italian educational institutions, where Indian students contribute a major fraction. However, there is a common misconception that studying in Italy means bearing a vast expenditure. 

In reality, several Italian educational institutions are renowned for their cost-efficiency. In addition, Italy is a desirable location for students looking for financial aid for their higher education. 

There are more than 800 scholarships provided by several top Italian universities for international students. In addition, you can get scholarships from external bodies such as NGOs and other private organisations. 

Finding the right scholarship for your study abroad plan can be tricky. Here is a comprehensive list of the Top 10 Italy Scholarships for Indian students, with a complete application guide. 

Types of Italian Scholarships for Indian Students

An interesting fact about Italy is that the Italian government, along with its universities provide more scholarships than its private bodies. 

In addition to monthly allowances, most scholarships cover your tuition fees, accommodation expenses, health insurance, and even travel allowances in some cases. However, the coverage can be either partial or full. 

It is important to understand your options before you begin. Let us look at the various types of Italian scholarships available for Indian students. You can filter them according to your preferences.

Government Scholarships

The Government scholarships are funded by the government of a country. In Italy, government scholarships are either directly funded or promoted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI). 

The primary objective of government scholarships is to assist academically bright students who require financial assistance for their higher education. These scholarships are also a way to promote the country’s cultural and educational sectors globally. 

International students who are awarded with the Italian government scholarships are exempted from tuition or enrollment fees. In addition, you can also get a monthly stipend and health and medical insurance. 

The payment will be transferred after every three, six, or nine months, depending on your degree.  

Some of the most popular Italian Government Scholarships for Indian students are:

• Italian Government Scholarship: Under this scheme, candidates receive a grant of €900 (INR 80,000) as a monthly allowance. The amount will be credited to your Italian bank account quarterly.

• The ENI Scholarship: The scholarship is provided by the international integrated energy company ENI along with St Antony’s College, Oxford. The scholarship is provided for a fully funded one-year Masters programme. 

University Scholarships 

Several top Italian universities offer scholarships for Indian students and other international students as well.

The university scholarships aim to assist students who need financial assistance for higher education. 

Some of the top Italian university scholarships and their respective universities are mentioned below:

University	Scholarship	Benefits
Bocconi University	Bocconi International Awards Undergraduate	50% tuition fee reduction
	Bocconi Graduate Merit Awards	full tuition fee waiver, worth €14,000 (INR 12-13 Lakhs) per year.
University of Padova	Padua International Excellence Scholarship	Fee waiver and  €8,000 for each year (7 Lakhs)
	Departmental scholarships	Varies for each department
	Fee Waivers	Partial or total fee waivers for 100 students
	Galilean School of Higher Education Scholarships	Grant up to €2,500 (INR 2Lakhs) per academic year with travel, food and accommodation benefits.
University of Turin	UniTo for Students at Risk Scholarships	€9,600 (INR 8-9 Lakhs)
	Two-year scholarships to international students	€20,000 (INR 18 Lakhs)
Politecnico di Milano (Polytechnic University of Milan)	Politecnico di Milano Merit-based Scholarships: PLATINUM Scholarship	€10.000 (INR 9 Lakhs) gross per year + full tuition fees waiver
	Politecnico di Milano Merit-based Scholarships: GOLD Scholarship	€5.000 (INR 4.5 Lakhs) per year + full tuition fee waiver
	Politecnico di Milano Merit-based Scholarships: SILVER Scholarship	Full tuition fee waiver
University of Trento	UniTrento scholarships	€7,200 (INR 6.5 Lakhs) €8,500 (INR 7.7 Lakhs) for female students enrolled in STEM degrees

Private Scholarships

Private scholarships are funded by private organisations, social groups or individuals. The eligibility criteria vary across the schemes. 

In general, they are provided based on your academic background, financial status, and other personal achievements. 

Some of the private Italy scholarships for Indian students are:

• The Edison Scholarship: The Edison Scholarship is provided by Edison’s global energy advisory company. The scheme provides $12,500 (INR 11 Lakhs) per year for students in STEM courses.

• The Enel Scholarship: The Enel is an Italian multinational company. The organisation provides various scholarships for international students, which include both academic achievement scholarships and merit scholarships. 

• The Intesa Sanpaolo Scholarship: Intesa Sanpaolo is an Italian banking group providing numerous scholarships for international students. This includes the Intesa Sanpaolo Scholarship for Law. The scholarship provides €38,500 (INR 35 Lakhs) for one year to students in MSc in Law and Finance at the University of Oxford. 

Region-based Scholarships

The region-based scholarships are awarded to students from a specific region or area. These scholarships are funded by regional governments, universities, or private organisations.

Some of the region-based Italy Scholarships offered to Indian students are: 

• The Lombardy Region Scholarship: Financed by the Ministry of University and Research (MUR) and Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), the scholarship provides aid both in terms of money and as free access to refectory services. 

• The Campania Scholarship: Funded under the Campania ESF Regional Operational Programme, the scheme awards € 21,378.98 (INR 19 Lakhs) for one year. The applicants must possess either a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in engineering. 

Subject/Field-based Scholarships

Field-based scholarships are awarded to students studying in a specific field or discipline. These can be offered by universities, professional organisations, or private bodies. 

The award can be for Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD scholarships in the recommended field. 

Some field-based Italy scholarships for Indian students are: 

• The Leonardo da Vinci Scholarship for Art and Design: The scholarship is financed by the DEL RIO Council for Arts at the Firehouse Gallery. It provides $500 (INR 41,000) for each student. 

• The Marconi Scholarship for Communication and Journalism: It is offered by the MIU City University Miami. The scholarship awards 10% and 50% of tuition fees for both graduate and undergraduate students of the department. 

• Italian Association of Chemical Engineering (AIDIC) Scholarships: The scholarship is provided by the Italian Association of Chemical Engineering (AIDIC). It applies to students of Cagliari University who are enrolled in a Master’s Degree in Chemical and Biotechnological Process Engineering.

You can choose your preferred scholarships based on their entry requirements, the amount granted, and other allowances allocated. 

10 Most Popular Scholarships in Italy for Indian Students

From a very long list of Italian scholarships provided for Indian students, we have filtered a list of the top 10 scholarships that you can apply for while planning to study in Italy. 

1. Bocconi Merit and International Awards

The Bocconi scholarships are among the sought-after scholarships in Italy. Bocconi International Awards for Undergraduates and the Bocconi Graduate Merit Awards are financial aids provided by the University of Bocconi in Italy. 

The scholarships are funded by the university and its private donors, including Alumni, individuals and foundations.

Scholarship	Benefits	Eligibility
Bocconi International Awards Undergraduate	50% tuition reduction	– International students – For first-year undergraduate applicants  – Based on academic achievements
Bocconi Graduate Merit Awards	Full tuition and fees waiver, worth approximately €14,000 (INR 12,48,198) every year	– Available for all first-year graduate applicants – Awarded based on academic excellence

Restrictions:

• The Bocconi International Awards Undergraduate is available only for international students applying for the early winter or early spring sessions. 

Additional Points:

• You do not need to make a separate application for the scholarship. International students applying for the undergraduate program at the university are automatically considered for the scholarship. So, there is no separate application deadline for the scholarship. 
• If selected, you will be notified along with the admission results. 
• Once selected, you will have to complete the online scholarship acceptance procedure within the enrollment deadline given in your acceptance letter. 
• Your scholarship is provided for the particular program you applied for. Changing your program does not guarantee a transfer of the scholarship either. 
• The scholarships will be renewed automatically, provided that the student completes their enrollment requirements and merit requirements every year. 

2. TOPOLITO Scholarships

The Topolito Scholarships are provided by the Polytechnic University of Turin (Politecnico di Torino). The scholarships are provided under its program TOPoliTO: attracting international Top students at the Politecnico di Torino. 

The scholarships aim at the inclusion of academically excellent international students in its undergraduate and postgraduate programs. 

Scholarship	Benefits	Eligibility
TOPOLITO Scholarships	INR 7.1 Lakh (€8000) (gross amount) per year	– Applicants for Bachelor and Master of Science programs – Provided based on academic excellence

TOPOLITO Scholarships for Bachelor’s

The details of the TOPOLITO Scholarships for Bachelor’s are mentioned below. 

Eligibility for Undergraduate Applicants:

• Only for international students
• Candidates who completed their secondary high school diploma outside Italy or are studying in their final year. 
• Candidates who passed the Politecnico admission test with a score of at least  70. 
• Applicants who paid first tuition fees at the time of application.   
• Enrolling for the first time in a Bachelor of Science program at the Politecnico di Torino. 
• The scholarship is available only for students who are applying for the following bachelor programs: 

Program	Number of Scholarships Awarded
Engineering	4
Design and Visual Communication	1
Territorial, Urban, Environmental and Landscape Planning	1
Architecture	2

Restrictions for Undergraduate Applicants:

• You are not eligible for the scholarship if you have been a legal resident or are temporarily domiciled in Italy. 
• You cannot apply if you are already enrolled in an Italian or other foreign university. 
• You cannot apply if you are receiving other scholarships.
• You cannot apply if you are an Exchange incoming student

Additional information for Undergraduate Applicants:

• The scholarship is available only for the aforementioned Bachelor of Science programs offered in the Italian language.
• The scholarship will be available for all three years of the bachelor’s program. 

Number of Awards: 8

Application Deadline: August 30th, 2023 (The application timeline for the upcoming academic year can fall around the previous timeline)

TOPOLITO Scholarships for Master’s

The details of the TOPOLITO Scholarships for Bachelor’s are mentioned below. 

Eligibility for Postgraduate Applicants:

• Only for international students
• Applicants who completed their bachelor’s degree outside Italy
• Applicants who are admitted to a Master of Science program at Politecnico di Torino
• Enrolling for the first time in an MS program at the Politecnico di Torino. 
• Applicants who have a valid GRE General test score obtained not before 5 years with the following score:

Section	Minimum Score
Verbal Reasoning	156/170
Quantitative Reasoning	157/170
Analytical Writing	3, 5/6

• The scholarship is only available for students applying for the following programs:

Program	Number of Scholarships Awarded
Engineering	5
Architecture	3

Restrictions for Postgraduate Applicants:

• You are not eligible for the scholarship if you have been a legal resident or are temporarily domiciled in Italy. 
• You cannot apply if you are already enrolled in an Italian or other foreign university. 
• You cannot apply if you are receiving other scholarships.
• You cannot apply if you already hold a foreign second or third-cycle degree
• You cannot apply if you are an Exchange incoming student

Additional information for Postgraduate Applicants:

• The scholarship will be available for all two years of the master’s program. 

Number of Awards: 8

Application Deadline: July 14th,2023 (The application timeline for the upcoming academic year can fall around the previous timeline)

3. Padua International Excellence Scholarship Programs

The Padua International Excellence Scholarship is awarded by the University of Padova. The scholarship is provided to highly talented prospective students wishing to pursue a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree at the university.  

Scholarship	Benefits	Eligibility
Padua International Excellence Scholarship	fee-waiver + INR 7 Lakh (€8,000) scholarship (gross amount) per academic year	Bachelor’s and Master’s Based on academic excellence and other achievements

Eligibility for Bachelor’s Applicants:

• Highly talented international students
• Students applying for a bachelor’s degree completely held in English
• Students with a non-Italian foreign secondary school diploma 
• Students who are not receiving any other scholarships at the moment
• The scholarship is available for the following courses that are completely taught in English:

1. Animal Care
2. Information Engineering
3. Psychological Science
4. Techniques and Methods in Psychological Science
5. Italian Medieval and Renaissance Studies
6. Biology of human and environmental health – in cooperation with the University of Bologna 
7. Earth and Climate Dynamics

Restrictions for Bachelor’s Applicants:

• A student can only apply for up to 3 programs. 

Eligibility for Master’s Applicants:

• Highly talented international students
• Students applying for a master’s degree that is completely held in English.
• Students with a non-Italian bachelor’s degree 
• Students who are not receiving any other scholarships 
• The scholarship is available for special courses under the following schools of study that are completely taught in English:

1. School of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine
2. School of Economics and Political Sciences
3. School of Engineering
4. School of Human and Social Sciences and Cultural Heritage
5. School of Medicine
6. School of Psychology
7. School of Science

Restrictions for Master’s Applicants:

• A student can only apply for up to 3 programs
• The scholarships are available only for students who are applying for the first application period, unless in exceptional circumstances. 

General Additional Information:

• The scholarship will be awarded for 3 continuous years of bachelor’s candidates and 2 continuous years for master’s candidates. After this, students will have to bear their tuition expenses. 
• Students who apply for the aforementioned courses and meet the given eligibility requirements are automatically considered for the scholarship. There is no separate application process
• If selected, you will receive the Padua International Excellence scholarship offer
• You will receive the first instalment of the scholarship upon arriving in Padua
• The amount will be delivered in two instalments every year

Number of Awards: 53

4. Regione Veneto Scholarships

The Regione Veneto Scholarships are provided by the University of Padova. The scholarship is funded by the Veneto Region funding. 

Scholarship	Benefits	Eligibility
Regione Veneto Scholarships	Varies	Provided for financial backward students in Bachelor’s, Single-cycle or Master’s degrees and PhD courses.

Amount of Scholarship:

• The scholarship amount varies according to the financial condition of the students and considering other requirements mentioned in the application call. 
• Other benefits include exemption of tuition fees and a subsistence allowance
• Free or discounted student services such as accommodation and meals at university canteens. 

Eligibility: 

• Students who have a low family income (ISEE below € 26,306.25 and ISPE below € 40,031.27)
• Students who are admitted to a bachelor’s master’s have been admitted to single-cycle or master’s degrees and PhD courses
• Students who meet the conditions for obtaining an Italian visa 
• Students who do not receive any other scholarships or grants 
• Students who meet the merit other merit and additional requirements specified in the application call. 

Additional Information: 

• Students who fail to meet at least one of the eligibility requirements will not be considered for the scholarship. 
• Students will receive the scholarship amount in two instalments every year 
• The scholarship will be provided only for one academic year

Number of Awards: Varies

Application Timeline: July to October 2, 2023 (The application timeline for the upcoming academic year can fall around the previous timeline)

5. Italian Government Scholarships for Foreign Students

The Italian Government offers numerous scholarship programs for its international students. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) grants this financial aid. 

The main objective of the Italian Government scholarships is to aid international students who are facing financial difficulties to pursue their higher education. 

It also aims to cultivate international cooperation in cultural, scientific and technological fields, along with promoting the Italian language and culture and supporting Italy’s economic system in the world. 

Scholarship	Benefits	Eligibility
Italian Government Scholarships for Foreign Students	A monthly allowance of INR 80,000 (€900) is provided along with other health and medical allowances.	Master’s, AFAM, PhD and other advanced courses

Eligibility:

• The scholarships are available for international students
• The students should also meet certain academic qualifications and age requirements based on the program they are applying for
• Students need to submit proof of their language proficiency (Italian and English, depending on the medium of your program)
• The scholarship is available for students applying for the following courses:

1. Master’s Degrees
2. Courses of Higher Education in Arts, Music and Dance (AFAM)
3. PhD Programs
4. Research projects under academic supervision
5. Italian language and culture advanced courses

Restrictions:

• The scholarships are available to attend academic courses within the Italian territory only. 

6. Politecnico de Milano Merit-Based Scholarships for International Students

The Politecnico de Milano Merit-Based Scholarships for International Students are awarded by the Polytechnic University of Milan (Politecnico di Milano). 

Scholarship	Benefits
Platinum Scholarships	INR 9-9.1 Lakhs (€10,000) with a tuition waiver
Gold Scholarships	INR 4.5 Lakhs (€5,000) per year with a tuition waiver
Silver Scholarships	Tuition waiver only

Eligibility: 

• Admission is purely based on academic excellence
• The scholarship is awarded to students who enrol in a Master of Science program 

Restrictions: 

• The scholarship applies only to the first and second semesters

Additional Information:

• Students who receive the scholarship will have to pay only a non-refundable administrative fee of about INR 1800 (€200).
• There is no separate application process for the scholarship. All students who applied for an MS program in the university will be considered for the scholarship, provided they submit the language proficiency certificate within the given deadline.  
• The scholarship will be awarded based on academic excellence and the motivation letter submitted by the applicant. 

Number of Awards: Varies

Application Timeline: 

September intake (first semester). Scholarships are provided and announced by the end of March, or mid-June and mid-July

February intake (second semester). Scholarships are allocated and announced by mid-December

7. The University of Cattolica International Scholarships

The University of Cattolica International Scholarships are sponsored by the University of Cattolica. The university is one of the most prominent private colleges in Europe with more than 41,000 graduates and 12 colleges. 

Scholarship	Benefits	Eligibility
UCSC International Scholarship	annual tuition fee reduction of up to 35% of the total cost	International students in degree programs

Eligibility:

•  International students applying for degree programs
• Students who receive other scholarships cannot apply

Additional Information:

• The scholarship bears up to 35% of annual tuition fees. The actual fee of €8,500 per year will be reduced to € 5,600 for students who receive the UCSC scholarship. 
• If selected, the candidate will receive an email with their admission offer letter
• The scholarship will be automatically renewed for the normal duration of the degree program.
• If students take more than the usual period for the completion of the degree, they will have to bear the remaining expenses on their own.

8. EDISU Piemonte Scholarships

EDISU Piemonte Scholarships are provided for non-EU international students at one of the universities of Piedmont, including the Politecnico of Turin, the University of Torino and the University of Eastern Piedmont. 

Scholarship	Benefits	Eligibility
EDISU Piemonte Scholarships	Housing Facilities and Allowance (Amount Varies)	Bachelor’s degrees, Master’s degrees, Single Cycle Master’s degrees or PhD

Eligibility:

• The scholarship is available for Indian students and other international students
• It is available for candidates in full-time Bachelor’s degrees, Master’s degrees, Single Cycle Master’s degrees or PhD degrees at one of the Universities of Piedmont, where universities including the Politecnico of Turin, the University of Torino and the University of Eastern Piedmont.
• Students have to fulfil the requirements of the merit mentioned by the university
• Students will have to meet the cost considerations of the university.
• Partial-time candidates can access if they are participating in a bachelor’s degree.

Number of Awards: Varies

Application Timeline: 

For Bachelor’s degree, single cycle master’s degree, master’s degree: from 20 July to 05 September 2023 at noon

PhD and Postgraduate Schools: from 24 October to 28 November 2023 at noon

(The application timeline for the upcoming academic year can fall around the previous timeline)

9. Lombardy region scholarships

The Lombardy region scholarships are provided by the Lombardy government, the Ministry of University and Research and the European Union. 

Scholarship	Benefits
Lombardy region scholarships	Allowance and free access to refectory services

Eligibility:

• Applicants should not be receiving any other scholarships for the same year of their program. 
• The candidate should be enrolled in a full-time program
• Should not be a repeating student on a program level they already attended. 
• Students should have obtained degrees outside of Italy

Restrictions:

• Students who are enrolled in first-level master programs, medical schools of specialisation and doctoral students and receive a scholarship or research grant cannot apply

Additional Information:

• The scholarship is paid on the university’s personal badge or the Carta La Statale. This is to deliver university services for the student. So, the badge should be activated

10. University of Bologna Study Grants for International Students

Provided by the University of Bologna in Italy, the grant applies to Indian students and other international students. 

The university provides various grants and scholarships:

• ISA Multicampus Visiting Fellowships
• ISA Doctoral Prize
• Reduction in tuition fees for developing countries

Eligibility:

• Under the reduction program, students from developing countries such as India are eligible for a reduced tuition fee

Additional Information:

• Students do not need to submit any documents to prove their financial status.

Eligibility Criteria for Italy Scholarships

The eligibility criteria for Italy scholarships vary across each scholarship. The eligibility requirements of each scholarship range from academic excellence to even athletic competence. 

We have compiled a set of general requirements you need to consider for Italy scholarships.

Students must note that the acceptance rate varies according to the scholarship programs.

• Proficiency in the English language.
• Candidates need not provide proof of Italian proficiency for courses taught in English.
• Applicants must be foreign citizens.
• The applicants must not exceed 28 years of age by the program’s deadline.
• PhD applicants must not be over 30 years of age by the deadline of the course call.
• The students for research projects must not be over 40 years of age.
• Candidates applying for first-year Master’s degrees must complete a Bachelor’s degree in their country of origin. Upon checking the previous year’s education reports, admission in the second year is given.
• Specifically for Italian language and cultural courses, students need to provide a proficiency certificate.
• PhD applicants must submit an acceptance letter to secure the scholarships on behalf of the particular university.
• Research scholars are also eligible for grants for projects carried out at the Italian Research Institutes under the supervision of public museums and archives.

Every institute has a different set of entry rules. To secure the scholarships, students must fulfil those entry rules. You can visit the official website of your preferred scholarship for more details. 

Application Process of Italy Scholarships for International Students

The application procedure for scholarships varies according to their entry requirements and scholarship types. General guidelines for application are given below for your reference. 

Application for Government or Externally funded Scholarships:

• Log in to the official website of a scholarship that one wants to apply for
• Fill out the form carefully
• Prepare a well-crafted CV 
• Keep the score sheets ready in soft copies for uploading
• An appealing letter of recommendation (LoR) from the previous institute
• Admission proof from the university in Italy
• Some programs might need a letter of purpose within 1000 words

Application for University-funded Scholarships: 

Most university scholarships do not instruct a separate application for their scholarships. Students applying for the specific program and meeting the eligibility criteria will automatically be considered for the scholarships. 

However, all scholarships are not available for all admission intakes. You can visit the university page for specific information. 

What do the Italy Scholarships cover?

Along with ample financial aid, the Italian scholarship provides multiple benefits for its Indian students. Some of them are given below:

• Allowance: Candidates will receive monthly allowances that cover their living expenses in Italy. Most scholarships deliver the amount in two or more instalments in a year. 

• Waiving off tuition fees: Depending on different universities’ policies, the students get exempted from paying their enrollment and tuition fees. However, the extent of the fee waiver can vary depending on the scholarship you are receiving. 

• Health and Medical Insurance: Most scholarship holders will receive health and medical/accident insurance for the entire duration of the grant. However, this does not apply to pre-existing health issues. 

In addition to the general allowances, individual scholarships might provide other extra benefits as well. 

Conclusion

Scholarships are the fundamental solution for your financial requirements in planning to study abroad. And for students who aspire to study abroad with financial assistance, Italy is the very right choice. 

Apart from financial aid, scholarships provide you with other benefits too. Scholarships are a great financial support for international students who move abroad with the dream of foreign degrees. 

The Italian scholarships provide an opportunity for Indian students to experience the multicultural environment of the country.  They foster opportunities for more academic and professional networking. Scholarships also promote the academic success of deserving students. 

Frequently Asked Questions