Business programs in Italy for international students
- Advantages of studying business in Italy
- Formats and levels of business programs in Italy
- Top universities and schools for studying business in Italy
- How to apply for business programs in Italy
- Tuition fees for business programs in Italy
- Scholarships and grants for business programs in Italy
- Career prospects after business programs in Italy
- Is it worth studying business programs in Italy
- Frequently asked questions
Master - Fashion Buying & Merchandising
The Istituto MarangoniThe fashion buyer is responsible for selecting the merchandise that will be sold in stores throughout the upcoming season.
They anticipate needs, forecast sales, and select the optimal product and brand mix for each season.
Buyers play a crucial and significant part in every thriving…
Master - Fashion Omnichannel & E-Commerce
The Istituto MarangoniAfter the pandemic year, which boosted e-commerce sales and reshaped the customer journey, one goal of this course is to educate future business professionals who can meet the demands of enterprises in the fashion and retail industries, which are increasingly adopting an omnichannel approach.
Case…
Certificate - Fashion Business & Digital Marketing
The Istituto MarangoniThe skillset of a successful company and digital marketing manager includes management, social media, content management, brand narrative, merchandising, and buying.
They formulate and implement the communication and omni-channel strategies that form the backbone of a company's digital marketing…
Certificate - Fashion Business & Buying (Semester)
The Istituto MarangoniThe course will address marketing and communication plans, assortment mix, methods of import / export, pricing strategies, and the profitability of fashion and luxury products, with an emphasis on their analysis at the postgraduate level.
The communication, branding, management, buying,…
Master - Design Management & Strategic Innovation
The Istituto MarangoniThis one-of-a-kind master's program fosters participants' strategic thinking with the end goal of producing professionals with broad skill sets across the design industry.
Each student will work with an experienced creative director and an Italian product or furniture design company on a…
Master - Arts Management
IED Istituto Europeo di DesignMaster's students in arts management at IED Firenze and IED Roma will gain experience working in the world's three most renowned art centers (Florence and Rome first, but also Venice for a week-long workshop).
We will work together to forge a unique identity for you, one that is informed…
Master - Fashion Merchandising and Buying
IED Istituto Europeo di DesignLearn the ins and outs of the fashion industry, observe typical shoppers, and become an expert at making fabric, design, and quantity decisions in order to create successful product lines.
Acquire the business frameworks and analytical tools necessary to grasp the true nature of any fashion…
Master - Fashion Marketing
IED Istituto Europeo di DesignLearn the ins and outs of market interpretation for a leg up on putting your brand's vision into action. An inside look at IED Milano's Master's in Fashion Marketing
Develop your skills in analyzing market data and using that knowledge to build successful fashion business strategies.
Strategic…
Master - Fashion Business
IED Istituto Europeo di DesignFrom the "Made in Italy" to the "Global Market Management"
The mission of the Master of Fashion Business program at IED Firenze is to produce graduates with the kind of marketable expertise that is in such high demand in the fashion business right now.
The breadth and depth of…
Master - Innovation, Strategy and Product
IED Istituto Europeo di DesignIED Milano's Master's in Design program has a formidable task: educating the next generation of visionary designers who can seize the opportunities presented by technological advancements and apply their expertise to the creation of groundbreaking products, services, and processes.
In this…
Advantages of studying business in Italy
Italy is one of Europe's leading economies and a center of international business, design, fashion, automotive industry, and gastronomy. Studying here allows you to combine quality education with immersion in the business environment of EU countries.
Main advantages:
- Prestigious business schools ranked in global ratings;
- Wide selection of English-taught programs for international students;
- Strong university connections with international corporations;
- Internships and practical training;
- Competitive tuition fees compared to other European countries;
- Easy access to EU markets;
- Rich culture, comfortable climate and high level of safety.
Formats and levels of business programs in Italy
International students can choose the following programs:
- Bachelor's degree (Laurea Triennale) - basic business education lasting 3 years.
- Master's degree (Laurea Magistrale) - advanced training, lasts 2 years.
- MBA (Master in Business Administration) - professional management programs for graduates with work experience, from 12 to 24 months.
- First-level Masters (Master di I livello) - one-year specialized programs for bachelor's graduates.
- Second-level Masters (Master di II livello) - for those who already have a master's degree.
- Short-term courses, certifications, summer schools - from 1 month to a year, for professional training and advanced training.
Study programs for international students are available in both Italian and English.
Top universities and schools for studying business in Italy
| University name | Program name | Tuition fees for international students | Ranking and comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bocconi University | International Economics and Management (BSc) | €13,000 - €17,000 per year | Ranked among Europe's top 10 business schools (QS, Financial Times), strong focus on finance and economics. |
| LUISS Business School | Master in Management | €14,000 - €18,000 per course | Leader in international management, strong connections with Italian companies. |
| POLIMI Graduate School of Management | International MBA | €37,000 for the entire course | Ranked in FT Global MBA, strong emphasis on innovation and digital economy. |
| Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore | MSc in Business Management | €8,500 per year | One of Europe's largest private universities, good positions in international rankings. |
| Università di Bologna (UNIBO) | Business and Economics (BSc) | €2,200 - €3,500 per year | Europe's oldest university, consistently high positions in QS and THE rankings. |
How to apply for business programs in Italy
Admission to business education programs in Italy includes several mandatory steps:
1. Program selection and application
The candidate selects the program of interest and submits an application through the university's official website or special platforms.
2. Document submission
Standard package:
- High school diploma or previous degree certificate;
- Academic transcript with grades;
- Language proficiency certificate:
- For English programs - IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo, sometimes TOLC;
- For Italian programs - proof of B1-B2 CEFR level;
- Motivation letter;
- CV;
- Recommendation letters (1-2);
- Copy of passport with sufficient validity.
3. Pre-enrollment on Universitaly platform
Mandatory step for international students wishing to study in Italy:
- Registration on universitaly.it;
- Filling out the form;
- Uploading documents;
- Waiting for university confirmation;
- After receiving confirmation - preparing visa documents.
Important: Without pre-enrollment you cannot get a student visa for Italy.
4. Entrance exams and interview
Some universities require entrance exams:
- For bachelor's - logic, math, English tests;
- For master's and MBA - GMAT or GRE may be required;
- Mandatory interview (online or in-person) to assess motivation and academic level.
5. Student visa application
After receiving the invitation and successful pre-enrollment, you need to submit documents for a category D student visa.
Tuition fees for business programs in Italy
Approximate study costs:
- Bachelor's - €2,000 - €20,000 per year;
- Master's - €3,000 - €25,000 per year;
- MBA - €15,000 - €45,000 per course;
- Short-term courses - from €3,000.
Additional expenses:
- Accommodation: €400 - €900/month;
- Food: €250 - €350/month;
- Transport: about €40/month;
- Insurance: €120 - €200/year;
- Study materials and living expenses - additional €200/month.
Scholarships and grants for business programs in Italy
Italy offers various scholarships for international students:
Government and university scholarships:
- Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs scholarships (for students from certain countries including CIS);
- Financial aid programs from regional authorities (DSU, EDISU);
- University scholarships including Bocconi, POLIMI, LUISS.
Private grants:
- Academic merit scholarships;
- Achievement, leadership, volunteer scholarships;
- Grants for students with limited financial means;
- Research and assistant positions at universities.
Application deadlines:
- Usually 6-12 months before the academic year starts;
- Some programs have additional summer competitions.
Career prospects after business programs in Italy
After graduation, graduates are in demand in the following fields:
- International business and trade;
- Finance and banking;
- Consulting and strategic management;
- Marketing and brand management;
- Logistics and operations management;
- Technology and innovation business.
Major employers:
- UniCredit Bank;
- Ferrari;
- Barilla;
- Pirelli;
- Luxottica;
- Gucci;
- Deloitte;
- EY;
- PwC.
Students can stay in Italy with a residence permit for job search (from 6 months to 1 year).
Is it worth studying business programs in Italy
Italy offers a balanced combination of education quality, affordable costs and career opportunities. Business programs meet European standards, and diplomas are recognized in the EU and beyond.
Italy's advantages compared to other countries:
- Lower tuition fees than in the UK or US;
- Rich cultural environment;
- Opportunity to learn Italian - a plus for employment;
- Access to European markets and participation in international projects.
Frequently asked questions
1. Can I study business in Italy in English?
Yes, most leading universities and business schools offer programs entirely in English.
2. Is pre-enrollment through Universitaly mandatory?
Yes, without registration on universitaly.it you cannot obtain a student visa.
3. How much are tuition fees for business programs in Italy?
Prices range from €2,000 to €45,000 per year depending on the level and university.
4. What exams are needed for admission to Italian business schools?
You will need language certificates (IELTS, TOEFL), sometimes GMAT or GRE, as well as an entrance interview.
5. Which Italian universities are considered best for business?
Leading universities include Bocconi, POLIMI Graduate School of Management, LUISS, Università di Bologna.
6. What scholarships are available for international students in Italy?
Government, regional and university grants, including financial aid and academic scholarships.
7. Are there dual degree business programs in Italy?
Yes, several Italian universities offer joint programs with partner universities in Europe and the US.
8. Can I stay after business studies to work in Italy?
Yes, graduates have the right to stay for job search for up to one year.
9. Which business fields are most in demand in Italy?
Finance, marketing, international management, logistics, consulting.
10. Is it difficult for international students to get into business schools in Italy?
Competition is high, especially in top schools, but with motivation and good preparation chances are good.