Health Sciences programs in Italy for international students

Total items: 1

You have chosen:

Foundation - Medicine & Clinical Sciences

Join our International Foundation Program and enter the prestigious field of medical academia. This program is designed to help aspiring medical professionals get entry to the world-class medical institutions in Italy.

An intense preparation course for the IMAT Admission Test, taught by…

Foundation Italy Siracusa 1 year 7,500 EUR Campus

Advantages of Studying Health Sciences in Italy

Education in health sciences in Italy offers wide opportunities for international students seeking quality medical or related education at affordable costs with international career prospects. Italian universities provide strong academic traditions, modern clinical facilities, English-taught programs, and government-supported scholarships.

Key advantages:

High-quality education. Italian medical faculties are among Europe's best and meet EU standards.
International programs. Many universities offer English-taught programs in medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy.
Affordable tuition fee. Compared to the US, Canada, and UK, education and living costs in Italy are significantly lower.
Degree recognition. Degrees are recognized in EU countries and can be validated elsewhere.
Internship and practical opportunities. Most programs include clinical practice in modern hospitals and clinics.
Government and university scholarships. Scholarships covering both tuition fee and accommodation are available.
Diverse career paths. Graduates are in demand across Europe and beyond.

Formats and Levels of Health Sciences Programs in Italy

Italy offers a wide range of health sciences programs:

Bachelor's (Laurea Triennale) - 3 years. Examples: "Pharmacy", "Medical Biotechnology".
Master's (Laurea Magistrale) - 2 years. Examples: "Public Health", "Molecular Medicine".
Integrated Medicine and Surgery program - 6 years. Leads to professional medical qualification.
PhD (Dottorato di Ricerca) - 3+ years, focused on research.

Study formats:

On-campus
Hybrid (online lectures, in-person practice)
Clinical internships (mandatory in-person)

Top Universities for Health Sciences in Italy

University	Program	Tuition fee for international students	Ranking and comments
University of Milan	Medicine and Surgery	€3,000 - €4,000 per year	Leading medical education institution, top-200 QS.
University of Bologna	Medicine and Surgery	Approx. €3,200 per year	Europe's oldest university with modern clinical facilities.
University of Pavia	Harvey Medicine and Surgery	Approx. €4,000 per year	IMAT program, top choice for English-taught medicine.
University of Padua	Medicine and Surgery	€2,800 - €4,000 per year	Top-250 QS, strong research focus.
University of Rome "La Sapienza"	Medicine and Surgery (English Track)	Approx. €2,500 per year	One of Europe's largest universities with high global ranking.

How to Apply for Health Sciences Programs in Italy

Application steps:

Choose program and university.
Prepare and submit documents (diploma/degree, transcript, language certificate, motivation letter, CV, recommendations).
Register for IMAT (medicine/dentistry) or TOLC (other programs).
Take exam and await results.
Register on Universitaly portal for pre-enrollment.
Receive invitation and apply for student visa.

Language and academic requirements:

High school diploma (bachelor's) or degree (master's) with transcript.
Language certificate: IELTS 6.0+, TOEFL iBT 80+, Duolingo 95+ for English programs.
CV, photo, passport copy, motivation letter, recommendations.

IMAT (International Medical Admissions Test):

Format: 60 questions (logic, biology, chemistry, math, general culture)
Duration: 100 minutes
Language: English
Registration: via universitaly.it June-July
Exam date: September (in 20+ countries including Russia and India)
Preparation: Cambridge books, online courses, sites like imatonline.com

Some universities may conduct admission interviews in addition to IMAT.

Language of Instruction and Preparation for Health Sciences Programs in Italy

Programs are available in both Italian and English. English medical programs require IMAT. Italian programs require B2 level and internal exam.

Instruction languages:

Italian - main language for most programs.
English - available for international medical and pharmaceutical courses.

Preparation programs:

Applicants with non-European secondary education (<12 years) or insufficient language level may need foundation programs or university courses:

Foundation year - year-long preparation for Italian-taught studies
Pre-Med - IMAT and academic preparation courses

Examples of English-taught programs

University	Program	Tuition fee	Ranking and comments
Humanitas University	Medicine and Surgery	From €4,000	Private university with Humanitas clinic, modern campus.
University of Pavia	Harvey Medicine	From €4,000	International program with many foreign students.
University of Milan	Medicine and Surgery	From €3,000	Top public university with strong faculty and clinic.
University of Messina	Medicine and Surgery	From €3,000	New program with strong clinical base.
University of Turin	Global Health	From €2,400	English-taught master's focused on global health challenges.

Tuition Fee for Health Sciences Programs in Italy

Tuition fee by university type:

Public universities: €2,500-€4,000 per year
Private universities: up to €20,000 per year (e.g. San Raffaele, Cattolica)

Additional expenses:

Accommodation: €350-€1,000/month
Food: €150-€300/month
Insurance: from €120/year
Books and materials: €200-€400/year
Transportation: €30-€50

Scholarships and Grants for Health Sciences Programs in Italy

Main support options

Government scholarships:
- MAECI Scholarship - Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs scholarship (up to €9,000/year) for international students
Regional scholarships:
- DSU Toscana, EDISU Piemonte, ERSU Sicilia etc. - based on family income (ISEE), covers tuition and living
University grants:
- Awarded automatically based on academic achievements, social activity
Financial aid:
- For low-income students
Research/teaching assistant positions:
- Available for master's and PhD students

General criteria

Academic performance
Family income (ISEE)
Citizenship (open to international students)

Application timeline

Preparation: April-May
Application: June-August
Results: September

Career Prospects After Health Sciences Programs in Italy

In-demand fields:

General practitioner, surgeon, dentist
Pharmacist, biomedical engineer
Public health specialist
Medical and biotech researcher

Example employers:

Public and private clinics in Italy/EU
Pharmaceutical companies: Chiesi, Menarini, Angelini
International organizations: WHO, MSF, ECDC
Research institutes and health startups

Is Health Sciences Education in Italy Worth It?

Italy offers international students world-recognized medical education at affordable costs. The variety of programs, real clinical practice, and extensive support make it an excellent choice compared to other EU countries, US or UK. Students get full value - from theory to clinical practice without overpaying for brand names.

Comparative advantages:

Lower tuition fee and living costs
EU-recognized diploma
Strong medical and scientific foundation
Wide career and academic opportunities

Post-graduation options in Italy:

Permesso di soggiorno per attesa occupazione - residence permit for job search (up to 12 months post-graduation)
Employment opportunities in clinics, pharmacies, labs, research centers, NGOs
PhD and residency (Specializzazione) programs for further education
Eligibility for EU Blue Card - residence permit for highly skilled professionals

Thus, health sciences education in Italy represents both an educational investment and real opportunity to launch a professional career and stay in the EU legally.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to apply for health sciences programs in Italy?
Choose university/program, register on Universitaly, take required exams, submit documents, complete pre-enrollment.
Which medical programs are available for international students in Italy?
Medicine and Surgery, Dentistry, Pharmacy programs including English-taught options.
Can I study medicine/dentistry in English in Italy?
Yes, over 15 medical faculties offer English programs in Milan, Pavia, Bologna and other cities.
Is IMAT required for medical programs in Italy?
Yes, mandatory for English-taught medicine/dentistry programs; administered in September covering biology, chemistry, logic etc.
What language level is required for health sciences programs in Italy?
IELTS 6.0+/TOEFL iBT 80+/Duolingo 95+ for English; minimum B2 for Italian programs.
What is the tuition fee for health sciences programs in Italy?
Average €1,200-€4,000/year depending on university and region.
Which Italian universities are best for medicine/health sciences?
Top universities: Milan, Bologna, Padua, Sapienza (Rome), Pavia - ranked in QS/THE with modern clinical facilities.
What scholarships are available for international health sciences students in Italy?
MAECI government scholarships, regional grants (EDISU, DSU), need-based financial aid.
Can I stay and work in Italy after health sciences programs?
Yes, graduates can get 12-month job search permit, enter residency/PhD programs, or apply for EU Blue Card.
When is IMAT held for Italian medical programs?
Annually in September, with registration opening summer on Universitaly.

Degree

Disciplines

Country

City

Format