How Much Does It Cost to Study in Italy From Pakistan? (2026)
Table of contents
- How much is university tuition in Italy?
- What is ISEE and how does it lower your fees?
- How much are living costs in Italy?
- Which Italian cities are cheapest for students?
- What is a realistic total budget per year?
- What scholarships can cut the cost?
- How much money must I show for the student visa?
- Can I work part-time to cover costs?
- What hidden costs should I plan for?
- How can I lower my costs in Italy?
- A realistic budget example
- Frequently asked questions
How much is university tuition in Italy?
Italy runs a large public university system where tuition is set by each institution and, importantly, adjusted to family income. Public universities are far cheaper than private ones, and they are where most international students enrol.
At a public university, annual tuition commonly falls between EUR 500 and EUR 4,000. Students from lower-income families often pay the minimum, and some qualify for a full fee exemption. Private universities and specialised schools charge much more, often EUR 6,000 to EUR 20,000 or higher per year, so read the fee page of any programme carefully before you apply. If you want an overview of programmes and the application route, our study in Italy page is a good starting point.
Public vs private: a quick comparison
| Type | Typical annual tuition | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Public university (income-based) | EUR 500 to 4,000 | Most international students on a budget |
| Private university | EUR 6,000 to 20,000+ | Specific programmes, design, business schools |
| Public with DSU exemption | Close to zero tuition | Students who qualify on income grounds |
What is ISEE and how does it lower your fees?
Italy uses a document called the ISEE, which is an assessment of your family’s economic situation. International students can obtain a version known as ISEE Parificato through an authorised centre. Once the university has your ISEE, it places you in a fee band. A lower family income puts you in a lower band, which can bring tuition down to the minimum or exempt you entirely.
This is why two students at the same Italian university can pay very different fees. Preparing your ISEE properly, with correct family income and asset figures, is one of the most practical ways for a Pakistani student to reduce the cost of studying in Italy. Start this early because it takes time to gather and translate the required family documents.
How much are living costs in Italy?
Living costs are the bigger part of your budget, especially in the north. As a rough monthly guide for a single student, expect the following.
- Accommodation: EUR 300 to 650 for a shared flat or student housing, more in Milan and central Rome.
- Food and groceries: EUR 200 to 300 if you cook at home.
- Transport: EUR 20 to 40 for a student travel pass.
- Utilities and internet: EUR 40 to 90, often split in shared housing.
- Phone, books, and personal: EUR 50 to 120.
Put together, most students spend EUR 700 to EUR 1,100 a month. In a smaller southern city you can live at the lower end, while Milan pushes you toward the top and beyond. Annually that is roughly EUR 8,400 to EUR 13,200 for living alone.
Which Italian cities are cheapest for students?
Location changes your budget more than almost anything else. Northern cities offer strong universities but higher rents, while central and southern cities are easier on the wallet.
| City | Cost level | Rough monthly living cost |
|---|---|---|
| Milan | High | EUR 1,000 to 1,400 |
| Rome | Medium to high | EUR 850 to 1,200 |
| Bologna, Turin, Florence | Medium | EUR 750 to 1,050 |
| Padua, Pisa, Perugia | Lower medium | EUR 650 to 900 |
| Southern cities (Naples, Bari, Catania) | Lower | EUR 550 to 850 |
If keeping costs down is your priority, a public university in a mid-size or southern city gives you a strong degree at a much lower total. Italy also compares well against its neighbours, and if you are weighing it up, our post on whether Italy or France is cheaper for Pakistani students puts the two side by side.
What is a realistic total budget per year?
Bringing tuition and living together, here is a realistic first-year picture for a Pakistani student at a public university. Actual figures depend on your city and your ISEE band.
| Cost item | Budget student | Mid-range student |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (public, income-based) | EUR 0 to 1,000 | EUR 1,500 to 3,500 |
| Accommodation (yearly) | EUR 3,600 to 4,800 | EUR 5,400 to 7,200 |
| Food and living | EUR 3,000 to 3,600 | EUR 3,600 to 4,800 |
| Health insurance | EUR 150 to 250 | EUR 150 to 250 |
| Transport and extras | EUR 400 to 700 | EUR 700 to 1,000 |
| Approx. yearly total | EUR 7,150 to 10,350 | EUR 11,350 to 16,750 |
A student who wins a DSU scholarship can push the net cost well below the budget column, because the scholarship often covers housing and meals and adds a stipend. That is the single biggest lever on your total.
Want a personal Italy budget and university shortlist?
Border and Bridges has helped Pakistani students plan European study since 2016. Book a free consultation and we will map your costs, scholarships, and options.
What scholarships can cut the cost?
Italy offers unusually generous support for international students, mostly through regional bodies rather than one national scheme. The main ones to know are these.
- DSU regional scholarships: Each region runs a right-to-study body (for example EDISU Piemonte in Turin, LazioDiSco in Rome, ER-GO in Emilia-Romagna, ADiSU and similar elsewhere). These are income-based and can cover tuition exemption, free or subsidised accommodation, free meals, and a cash grant.
- University merit scholarships: Individual universities offer their own awards, often as tuition waivers or fixed grants for strong applicants.
- Italian Government scholarships: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs runs awards for international students on eligible programmes.
The DSU scholarships are the ones that most change a Pakistani student’s budget because they attack housing and food, the largest costs. Apply for the DSU of your region at the same time as your enrolment, since deadlines are strict. Italy is also worth comparing with genuinely tuition-free destinations, and our roundup of which European countries offer tuition-free study for Pakistani students helps you see where Italy fits.
How much money must I show for the student visa?
Italy issues a national type D student visa, which is a Schengen long-stay visa. To grant it, the consulate wants proof that you can support yourself. The financial requirement is set each year and typically sits around EUR 6,000 or more for the year, shown through bank statements, a sponsor, or a scholarship award. You also need proof of accommodation and valid health insurance.
The exact figure and document list can change, so confirm the current requirement before you apply. Our detailed guide on how much bank statement is needed for an Italy student visa from Pakistan walks through what a strong funding file looks like. Processing times matter too, and you can read what to expect in our post on how long a Schengen student visa takes from Pakistan.
Can I work part-time to cover costs?
Yes. International students in Italy are generally allowed to work up to 20 hours a week during term, which adds up to a part-time income that can help with living costs. Common student jobs include hospitality, retail, tutoring, and campus roles. Wages vary, but part-time work can realistically cover a share of your groceries and small expenses rather than your full budget.
Do not plan to fund tuition and rent entirely from part-time work. Treat any earnings as a helpful top-up, and make sure your visa funding is solid on its own. Learning some Italian widens the range of jobs open to you and helps in daily life.
What hidden costs should I plan for?
Beyond the headline numbers, budget for the one-off and easy-to-forget items that catch students out.
- Residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) application, which has its own fees after you arrive.
- Document translation, legalisation, and the value of declaration process for your certificates.
- ISEE Parificato preparation fees.
- Flights from Pakistan and initial setup costs like bedding and kitchen basics.
- A deposit for your accommodation, often one or two months of rent upfront.
Key takeaways
Italy is affordable by Western European standards. Public tuition is income-based at roughly EUR 500 to 4,000, living costs run EUR 700 to 1,100 a month, and a first-year budget usually sits between EUR 9,000 and EUR 16,000 before scholarships. The DSU regional scholarships are the biggest cost-saver, sometimes covering tuition, housing, and meals. Prepare your ISEE properly, choose a cheaper city if budget matters, and keep your visa funding separate from any part-time earnings.
How can I lower my costs in Italy?
A few decisions make a large difference to your total spend over a degree.
- Choose a public university and apply for its regional DSU scholarship on time.
- Prepare an accurate ISEE Parificato to land in a lower fee band.
- Pick a mid-size or southern city instead of Milan or central Rome.
- Share accommodation rather than renting alone.
- Use the student mensa (canteen) and cook at home.
- Buy a student transport pass and second-hand books.
Italy does not always require IELTS either, which can save you the test fee if your university accepts other proof of English. See our guide on whether you need IELTS for a Schengen student visa from Pakistan for the details.
A realistic budget example
Take Hamza, who enrols in a master’s at a public university in Turin. His ISEE places him in a low fee band, so his tuition is about EUR 900 for the year. He wins an EDISU regional scholarship that gives him subsidised student housing and access to free canteen meals, plus a modest grant. He shares a flat for the months when housing is not covered, spends around EUR 250 a month on food and personal items, and buys a student transport pass.
After the scholarship, his real out-of-pocket cost for the year lands near EUR 6,500, well below what the same student would spend in the UK or the US. He also works part-time at a cafe for around 15 hours a week, which covers his phone, outings, and a flight home in summer. Hamza’s case shows how the combination of income-based tuition and a regional scholarship makes Italy genuinely affordable when you plan ahead.
Frequently asked questions
Is Italy cheaper than the UK for Pakistani students?
Generally yes. Italian public tuition is income-based and often a fraction of UK fees, and living costs outside the biggest cities are lower. Scholarships can reduce the gap further.
Can I study in Italy for free?
Close to free is possible at public universities if your ISEE places you in the lowest band and you win a DSU regional scholarship that covers housing and meals. You still pay some living costs.
How much are living costs in Milan for a student?
Milan is the most expensive city, with typical monthly living costs of EUR 1,000 to 1,400, driven mainly by rent. Smaller cities cost much less.
What is ISEE and do I need it?
ISEE is Italy’s family economic assessment. As an international student you get an ISEE Parificato. It decides your tuition band, so preparing it correctly can lower your fees significantly.
How much bank balance is needed for an Italy student visa?
The requirement is set yearly and typically around EUR 6,000 or more for the year, shown via bank statements, a sponsor, or a scholarship. Confirm the current figure before applying.
Can I work while studying in Italy?
Yes, usually up to 20 hours a week during term. Part-time work helps with living costs but should not be your plan for funding tuition and rent.
Do I need to know Italian to study there?
Many master’s programmes are taught in English, so you can study without Italian. Learning the language still helps for daily life and part-time jobs.
Are there scholarships for Pakistani students in Italy?
Yes. The main ones are regional DSU scholarships, university merit awards, and Italian Government scholarships. DSU awards often cover tuition, housing, and meals.
Do Italian universities require IELTS?
Not always. Some accept other English proof or a medium-of-instruction letter. Check each programme, as skipping IELTS can save you the test fee.
How much does health insurance cost in Italy?
Student health cover typically costs around EUR 150 to 250 per year, either through the national health service registration or a private policy accepted for the visa.
Which Italian cities are best for a low budget?
Southern cities such as Naples, Bari, and Catania, and mid-size northern and central cities like Padua, Pisa, and Perugia, offer lower rents than Milan and Rome.
Can Border and Bridges help me apply to Italy?
Yes. We help with university selection, ISEE and scholarship applications, document preparation, and the student visa. Book a free consultation to begin.
Plan your Italy study budget with a verified team
Border and Bridges is an education and immigration consultancy in Johar Town, Lahore, verified by SECP, FBR, ICEF, and the British Council, and trusted by students across Pakistan since 2016. If you want help choosing an affordable Italian university, applying for DSU scholarships, and preparing your visa file, reach us through our contact page and explore more options on our destinations hub.
