Undergraduate Scholarships in Italy 2026–2027 Without IELTS

January 19, 2026

📌 How No-IELTS Scholarships Work

✔ Many Italian universities accept alternative proof of English proficiency — for example a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate from your school or prior studies taught in English — instead of IELTS or TOEFL.
✔ Some Scholarships are automatically considered upon admission; others require a separate application.

🎓 Top Universities & Scholarships (No IELTS)

1. University of Bologna – Unibo Action Scholarships

Degree: Bachelor’s (also Master’s)
Coverage: Tuition fee waivers + study grants (up to ~€11,000/year)
English-taught: Many programs available
IELTS: Not required if you provide alternative language proof (eg: MOI)
🔗 Apply/Info: https://www.unibo.it/en/teaching/grants-and-scholarships

2. University of Padua – Padua International Excellence

Degree: Bachelor’s & Master’s
Coverage: Full tuition waiver + up to ~€8,000/year stipend
IELTS Exception: Not mandatory with acceptable language evidence
🔗 Apply/Info: https://www.unipd.it/en/en/studying-padua/funding-and-fees/scholarships-international-students

3. University of Milan – Excellence Scholarships

Degree: Bachelor’s & Master’s
Coverage: Large number of full/partial scholarships (many funded positions)
IELTS: Not required if your prior education was English-medium
🔗 Apply/Info: https://www.unimi.it/en/study/enrolment

4. University of Turin (UniTO) Scholarships

Degree: Bachelor’s (and Master’s)
Coverage: Tuition waivers + stipends through EDISU Piemonte / UniTO aid
IELTS: Not required with alternative English proof
🔗 Apply/Info: https://www.unito.it

5. University of Pisa Scholarships

Degree: Bachelor’s & Master’s
Coverage: Merit-based awards & DSU regional aid
IELTS: Waived if English instruction documented
🔗 Apply/Info: https://www.unipi.it

6. University of Florence Scholarships

Degree: Bachelor’s & more
Coverage: Tuition aid + financial support options
IELTS: English proficiency can be proved with alternate documentation
🔗 Apply/Info: https://www.unifi.it

7. University of Turin Scholarships

Degree: Undergraduate & beyond
Coverage: Various merit/need-based awards
IELTS: No mandatory IELTS; accept other English proof
🔗 Apply/Info: https://www.unito.it

8. University of Camerino – UNICAM Scholarships

Degree: Bachelor’s (and others)
Coverage: Tuition waivers, stipends, housing support reported
IELTS: Not mandatory — acceptance possible if previous studies are in English
🔗 Apply/Info: https://www.unicam.it

🧠 DSU Regional Scholarships (No IELTS)

In addition to university awards, DSU regional scholarships (e.g., DSU Toscana, EDISU Piemonte) support undergraduates with:

Tuition waivers
Housing + meal support
Monthly allowances
IELTS NOT required — focus on financial need and academic eligibility

These are applied for through your university or regional DSU portal once you have an acceptance offer.

📆 Typical Steps to Apply (2026–27)

Step 1 — Choose university & program

Check English-taught bachelor’s programs available at target universities.

Step 2 — Prepare documents

Common documents include:

High school diploma
Academic transcripts
CV/resume
Motivation letter/essay
Language proof (MOI or previous English-taught program certificate)
Passport copy

No IELTS is required if you submit acceptable alternative evidence of English proficiency.

Step 3 — Apply for admission

Use each university’s official portal:

Submit academic and language documents before the admission deadline (often Feb–May 2026).

Step 4 — Apply for scholarships

After admission:

Padua & Bologna: scholarship options considered during/after admission
DSU: apply via regional portal
UniTO / Milan / Pisa: check university scholarship application pages

Step 5 — Await decisions

Scholarship outcomes usually align with admission decisions or are announced shortly after.

💰 Scholarship Benefits (Typical)

Scholarship	Tuition Waiver	Stipend / Other
Bologna Unibo	Yes (full/partial)	Study grants (~€11k/year)
Padua Excellence	Full	~€8,000/year
Milan Excellence	Full/Partial	Variable
DSU regional	Tuition + housing + meals	Monthly allowances possible
Pisa merit	Tuition waiver	Depends
Camerino	Tuition + stipend	Variable

🛂 Italy Student Visa (Type D) — Quick Guide

Once you have:

Admission letter from an Italian university
Scholarship offer (if applicable)

Then apply for a Student Visa (Type D) at your Italian Embassy/Consulate:

Required Documents

✔ Valid Passport
✔ Letter of acceptance
✔ Proof of funds / scholarship letter
✔ Accommodation evidence
✔ Proof of health insurance
✔ Visa application form + fee

Visa Steps

Book appointment at Italian consulate
Submit documents & attend interview
Visa issuance (3–8+ weeks)
Enter Italy & apply for residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) within 8 days

You’ll receive many of these details directly from your university’s international office once invited.

📌 Final Tips

✅ MOI (Medium of Instruction) letters are widely accepted instead of IELTS if your previous education was in English.
✅ Apply early — many scholarships have March–May 2026 deadlines.
✅ Apply to multiple awards — combine university + regional (DSU) and possible government support.
✅ Keep organized checklists for documents and portals.

📍 Useful University Scholarship Pages

University	Scholarship Info
University of Bologna	https://www.unibo.it/en/teaching/grants-and-scholarships
University of Padua	https://www.unipd.it/en/en/studying-padua/funding-and-fees/scholarships-international-students
University of Milan	https://www.unimi.it/en/study/enrolment
University of Turin	https://www.unito.it
University of Pisa	https://www.unipi.it
University of Florence	https://www.unifi.it
University of Camerino	https://www.unicam.it

🇮🇹 Italy Scholarships 2026–2027 — Official Deadlines & Apply Links

🎓 University-Level Scholarships (Deadlines & Links)

🔹 University of Padua – Padua International Excellence Scholarship

Levels: Bachelor’s & Master’s
Coverage: Tuition waiver + stipend (~€8,000/year)
Expected Deadline (2026): Feb–May 2026 (typical cycle)
Apply (when open):
👉 https://www.unipd.it/en/studying-padua/funding-and-fees/scholarships-international-students

📌 Note: Exact 2026 call likely to appear here when published.

**🔹 University of Bologna – Unibo Action / International Talents (Estimated)**

Levels: Bachelor’s & Master’s
Expected Call Window: Jan–May 2026
Apply:
👉 https://www.unibo.it/en/teaching/grants-and-scholarships

📌 Bologna’s scholarship portal will update with the 2026–27 notice and PDFs once live.

🔹 Bocconi University – International Scholarships

Levels: Bachelor’s & Master’s
Application Tied to Admissions: Nov 2025 – May 2026 (approx.)
Apply:
👉 https://www.unibocconi.eu/wps/wcm/connect/Bocconi/SitoPubblico_EN/Navigation+Tree/Programmes/Scholarships/

📌 Bocconi usually does not require a separate scholarship form — applications are considered with admissions.

🔹 University of Milan – Excellence Scholarships

Levels: Bachelor’s & Master’s
Apply By: 31 May 2026 (for 2026–27 cycle)
Apply:
👉 https://www.unimi.it/en/study/enrolment

🔹 Regional Scholarships – DSU / EDISU / ER.GO / DSU Toscana

These aren’t university “merit” awards but regional student support covering tuition + housing + meals (often with allowances). For 2026–27:

Scholarship	Eligibility	Expected Window	Portal
DSU Toscana (Tuscany)	All levels	Mid-Jul – Early-Sep 2026	Via regional DSU sites / university support
ER.GO (Emilia-Romagna)	All levels	Jul – Sep 2026	Through ER.GO portal
EDISU Piemonte	All levels	Late Jul – Early Sep 2026	University of Turin & DSU portal

These are verifiable estimated windows (official 2026–27 calls not yet published for all regions).

📅 Government & Italy-Wide Scholarships (Expected)

🇮🇹 MAECI – Italian Government Scholarship

Levels: Master’s, PhD, research, culture/language
Expected Publication: Mar–Apr 2026
Typical Application Window: Apr – May 2026
Apply (official portal):
👉 https://studyinitaly.esteri.it/
👉 https://www.esteri.it/en/opportunita/borse-di-studio/per-cittadini-stranieri/borsestudio_stranieri/

These are published each year on the Study in Italy portal once the call opens.

🗺️ Where to Track Official Deadlines / Calls (Live)

Use these central pages for the most current 2026–27 scholarship notices:

📌 How Deadlines Typically Work (2026–27)

📆 Nov 2025 – Jan 2026

University admissions open for 2026 intake (e.g., Bocconi, Milan, Bologna)

📆 Jan – Mar 2026

Merit scholarships (e.g., Bologna, Padua, Politecnico) expected online

📆 Apr – May 2026

MAECI government scholarships call + application window

📆 Jul – Sep 2026

Regional DSU / DSU Toscana / ER.GO / EDISU calls for 2026–27 academic year

⚠️ Exact dates are confirmed only when official calls are published (often Jan–Mar 2026 for top universities).

📌 Pro Tips for Tracking 2026–27 Deadlines

✔ Bookmark Scholarship Portals: Use the links above and check weekly from Jan 2026.
✔ Set Alerts: Set Google alerts for “University of Bologna scholarship 2026 deadline” etc.
✔ Monitor DSU Regional Sites: These often open later in summer (Jul–Sep 2026).
✔ Start Applications Early: Many university scholarships require admission first before scholarship application.

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