๐ How No-IELTS Scholarships Work
โ Many Italian universities accept alternative proof of English proficiency โ for example a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate from your school or prior studies taught in English โ instead of IELTS or TOEFL.
โ Some Scholarships are automatically considered upon admission; others require a separate application.
๐ Top Universities & Scholarships (No IELTS)
1. University of Bologna โ Unibo Action Scholarships
- Degree: Bachelorโs (also Masterโs)
- Coverage: Tuition fee waivers + study grants (up to ~โฌ11,000/year)
- English-taught: Many programs available
- IELTS: Not required if you provide alternative language proof (eg: MOI)
๐ Apply/Info: https://www.unibo.it/en/teaching/grants-and-scholarships
2. University of Padua โ Padua International Excellence
- Degree: Bachelorโs & Masterโs
- Coverage: Full tuition waiver + up to ~โฌ8,000/year stipend
- IELTS Exception: Not mandatory with acceptable language evidence
๐ Apply/Info: https://www.unipd.it/en/en/studying-padua/funding-and-fees/scholarships-international-students
3. University of Milan โ Excellence Scholarships
- Degree: Bachelorโs & Masterโs
- Coverage: Large number of full/partial scholarships (many funded positions)
- IELTS: Not required if your prior education was English-medium
๐ Apply/Info: https://www.unimi.it/en/study/enrolment
4. University of Turin (UniTO) Scholarships
- Degree: Bachelorโs (and Masterโs)
- Coverage: Tuition waivers + stipends through EDISU Piemonte / UniTO aid
- IELTS: Not required with alternative English proof
๐ Apply/Info: https://www.unito.it
5. University of Pisa Scholarships
- Degree: Bachelorโs & Masterโs
- Coverage: Merit-based awards & DSU regional aid
- IELTS: Waived if English instruction documented
๐ Apply/Info: https://www.unipi.it
6. University of Florence Scholarships
- Degree: Bachelorโs & more
- Coverage: Tuition aid + financial support options
- IELTS: English proficiency can be proved with alternate documentation
๐ 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
๐ Apply/Info: https://www.unito.it
8. University of Camerino โ UNICAM Scholarships
- Degree: Bachelorโs (and others)
- Coverage: Tuition waivers, stipends, housing support reported
- IELTS: Not mandatory โ acceptance possible if previous studies are in English
๐ Apply/Info: https://www.unicam.it
๐ง 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 โ focus on financial need and academic eligibility
These are applied for through your university or regional DSU portal once you have an acceptance offer.
๐ Typical Steps to Apply (2026โ27)
Step 1 โ Choose university & program
Check English-taught bachelorโs programs available at target universities.
Step 2 โ 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 โ Apply for admission
Use each universityโs official portal:
- Bologna: https://www.unibo.it
- Padua: https://www.unipd.it
- Milan: https://www.unimi.it
- Turin: https://www.unito.it
- Pisa: https://www.unipi.it
- Florence: https://www.unifi.it
- Camerino: https://www.unicam.it
Submit academic and language documents before the admission deadline (often FebโMay 2026).
Step 4 โ 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 โ Await decisions
Scholarship outcomes usually align with admission decisions or are announced shortly after.
๐ฐ Scholarship Benefits (Typical)
| Scholarship | Tuition Waiver | Stipend / Other |
|---|---|---|
| Bologna Unibo | Yes (full/partial) | Study grants (~โฌ11k/year) |
| Padua Excellence | Full | ~โฌ8,000/year |
| Milan Excellence | Full/Partial | Variable |
| DSU regional | Tuition + housing + meals | Monthly allowances possible |
| Pisa merit | Tuition waiver | Depends |
| Camerino | Tuition + stipend | Variable |
๐ Italy Student Visa (Type D) โ 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
โ Valid Passport
โ Letter of acceptance
โ Proof of funds / scholarship letter
โ Accommodation evidence
โ Proof of health insurance
โ Visa application form + fee
Visa Steps
- Book appointment at Italian consulate
- Submit documents & attend interview
- Visa issuance (3โ8+ weeks)
- Enter Italy & apply for residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) within 8 days
Youโll receive many of these details directly from your universityโs international office once invited.
๐ Final Tips
โ
MOI (Medium of Instruction) letters are widely accepted instead of IELTS if your previous education was in English.
โ
Apply early โ many scholarships have MarchโMay 2026 deadlines.
โ
Apply to multiple awards โ combine university + regional (DSU) and possible government support.
โ
Keep organized checklists for documents and portals.
๐ 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 |
๐ฎ๐น Italy Scholarships 2026โ2027 โ Official Deadlines & Apply Links
๐ University-Level Scholarships (Deadlines & Links)
๐น University of Padua โ Padua International Excellence Scholarship
- Levels: Bachelorโs & Masterโs
- Coverage: Tuition waiver + stipend (~โฌ8,000/year)
- Expected Deadline (2026): FebโMay 2026 (typical cycle)
- Apply (when open):
๐ https://www.unipd.it/en/studying-padua/funding-and-fees/scholarships-international-students
๐ Note: Exact 2026 call likely to appear here when published.
๐น University of Bologna โ Unibo Action / International Talents (Estimated)
- Levels: Bachelorโs & Masterโs
- Expected Call Window: JanโMay 2026
- Apply:
๐ https://www.unibo.it/en/teaching/grants-and-scholarships
๐ Bolognaโs scholarship portal will update with the 2026โ27 notice and PDFs once live.
๐น Bocconi University โ International Scholarships
- Levels: Bachelorโs & Masterโs
- Application Tied to Admissions: Nov 2025 โ May 2026 (approx.)
- Apply:
๐ https://www.unibocconi.eu/wps/wcm/connect/Bocconi/SitoPubblico_EN/Navigation+Tree/Programmes/Scholarships/
๐ Bocconi usually does not require a separate scholarship form โ applications are considered with admissions.
๐น University of Milan โ Excellence Scholarships
- Levels: Bachelorโs & Masterโs
- Apply By: 31 May 2026 (for 2026โ27 cycle)
- Apply:
๐ https://www.unimi.it/en/study/enrolment
๐น Regional Scholarships โ DSU / EDISU / ER.GO / DSU Toscana
These arenโt university โmeritโ awards but regional student support covering tuition + housing + meals (often with allowances). For 2026โ27:
| Scholarship | Eligibility | Expected Window | Portal |
|---|---|---|---|
| DSU Toscana (Tuscany) | All levels | Mid-Jul โ Early-Sep 2026 | Via regional DSU sites / university support |
| ER.GO (Emilia-Romagna) | All levels | Jul โ Sep 2026 | Through ER.GO portal |
| EDISU Piemonte | All levels | Late Jul โ Early Sep 2026 | University of Turin & DSU portal |
These are verifiable estimated windows (official 2026โ27 calls not yet published for all regions).
๐ Government & Italy-Wide Scholarships (Expected)
๐ฎ๐น MAECI โ Italian Government Scholarship
- Levels: Masterโs, PhD, research, culture/language
- Expected Publication: MarโApr 2026
- Typical Application Window: Apr โ May 2026
- Apply (official portal):
๐ https://studyinitaly.esteri.it/
๐ 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.
๐บ๏ธ Where to Track Official Deadlines / Calls (Live)
Use these central pages for the most current 2026โ27 scholarship notices:
๐ Universitaly (Central Admissions Portal)
๐ https://www.universitaly.it/
๐ Italian Government Scholarship Portal
๐ https://studyinitaly.esteri.it/
๐ Scholarship info: https://www.esteri.it/en/opportunita/borse-di-studio/per-cittadini-stranieri/borsestudio_stranieri/
๐ University Scholarship Portals
- University of Padua Scholarships: https://www.unipd.it/en/studying-padua/funding-and-fees/scholarships-international-students
- University of Bologna Grants: https://www.unibo.it/en/teaching/grants-and-scholarships
- University of Milan: https://www.unimi.it/en/study/enrolment
- Bocconi Scholarships: https://www.unibocconi.eu โบ scholarships
๐ How Deadlines Typically Work (2026โ27)
๐ Nov 2025 โ Jan 2026
- University admissions open for 2026 intake (e.g., Bocconi, Milan, Bologna)
๐ Jan โ Mar 2026
- Merit scholarships (e.g., Bologna, Padua, Politecnico) expected online
๐ Apr โ May 2026
- MAECI government scholarships call + application window
๐ Jul โ Sep 2026
- Regional DSU / DSU Toscana / ER.GO / EDISU calls for 2026โ27 academic year
โ ๏ธ Exact dates are confirmed only when official calls are published (often JanโMar 2026 for top universities).
๐ Pro Tips for Tracking 2026โ27 Deadlines
โ Bookmark Scholarship Portals: Use the links above and check weekly from Jan 2026.
โ Set Alerts: Set Google alerts for โUniversity of Bologna scholarship 2026 deadlineโ etc.
โ Monitor DSU Regional Sites: These often open later in summer (JulโSep 2026).
โ Start Applications Early: Many university scholarships require admission first before scholarship application.
