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 Brand Management
IED Istituto Europeo di DesignCombine your enthusiasm for trendy labels with your knowledge of marketing's inner workings and levers. Examine how the fashion business and modern art are connected and the effects of visual culture.
Create the theoretical groundwork necessary to create and communicate compelling brand…
Diploma - Fashion Marketing
IED Istituto Europeo di DesignAt IED Milano's Fashion Marketing Undergraduate Programme, you'll get your first taste of marketing as a form of artistic expression.
Over the course of three years, you'll study how to create and oversee a comprehensive approach to public relations and information dissemination.
You…
Certificate - Fashion Marketing and Communication
IED Istituto Europeo di DesignYou will find out how to launch, promote, and support the businesses you're affiliated with by learning the communication strategy and developing a written, visual, and digital narrative.
Communication and marketing are crucial to the fashion industry because they facilitate the dissemination…
Master - Fashion Management
Domus Academy MilanoThe Master's in Fashion Management program is interdisciplinary, covering both the creative and business sides of the fashion industry.
You will gain an understanding of how to manage a fashion collection from its inception through its production and distribution, as well as how to adapt…
Master - Fashion Styling & Visual Merchandising
Domus Academy MilanoLookbooks, ad campaigns, editorials, websites, social media, and multi-sensorial retail concepts are all within the purview of the visual fashion brand communicator, a new professional profile born from the Master of Fashion Styling & Visual Merchandising programme's fusion of the visual merchandiser…
Undergraduate Certificate Program - Fashion Management
Domus Academy MilanoStudying fashion will teach you the ins and outs of buying, selling, marketing, making, and reselling.
You will have the chance to take a wide range of theoretical classes taught by professionals in the field, as well as practical workshops where you can work side-by-side with students from…
Undergraduate Certificate Program - Fashion Styling & Visual Merchandising
Domus Academy MilanoYou will gain insight into the process of creating visual communication plans for clothing lines.
You'll be able to choose from a wide variety of theoretical classes taught by experts in the field, as well as hands-on workshops where you can collaborate on projects with students from all…
Master - Luxury Brand Management
Domus Academy MilanoYou will learn how to assist luxury brands in creating compelling values, persuasive messaging, and unforgettable customer experiences as part of the Master's in Luxury Brand Management programme.
Planning new products for a luxury collection, writing fashion editorials, or designing compelling…
Undergraduate Certificate Program - Business Design
Domus Academy MilanoYou will learn about modern approaches to branding, project management, and business expansion.
You will have the chance to take a wide range of theoretical classes taught by professionals in the field, as well as practical workshops where you can work side-by-side with students from all…
Undergraduate Certificate Program - Luxury Brand Management
Domus Academy MilanoLearn the ins and outs of developing luxury brand value, messaging, and customer experiences.
You will have the chance to take a wide range of theoretical classes taught by professionals in the field, as well as practical workshops where you can work side-by-side with students from all over…
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.