Intakes in Italy: September and February Admissions
If you dream of studying amidst the masters of art, food, and music, then Italy is the place for you. Whether you're looking for Florence for its charm, Rome for its history, or Venice for its romance, the ‘beautiful country’ has it all.
With traditional architecture and a dreamy coastline, Italy’s universities offer the chance to study with renowned professors, participate in research, and be a part of the vivid Italian culture.
Italian universities offer two admission intakes, in autumn and spring/summer. Keep reading to learn more about these intakes, their importance, timings, and how they will impact your educational experience in this scenic place.
Understanding Intakes in Italy
Italy has primarily two terms for international students to study: the autumn intake, which begins in mid-September or early October and ends by January, and the spring/summer intake, which starts in mid-January or early February and ends in July.
Each semester is 20 weeks long, with 14 weeks dedicated to teaching and six weeks assigned for examinations. The application process for each usually takes 3-6 months and involves exploring courses, meeting eligibility criteria, and preparing for entrance exams.
Intake | Duration | Deadlines | Nature |
September | October - January | November - May | Primary Intake |
February | March - July | May - November | Secondary Intake |
September Intake in Italy
The September intake, also known as the autumn intake, is the primary period of enrolment. Most international students apply during this period, which offers a broader range of courses, particularly for postgraduate students.
Also, note that non-EU students and those who require a scholarship will likely need to apply in an earlier round. The latest deadline for non-EU students is mostly around March or April.
Application Timeline for September Intake
Here is a predictive chart of all the information you need during the autumn intake.
Please note that deadlines vary between institutions, so it's essential to check your chosen university’s website to find out when you should apply. Italian universities usually accept applications in a series of rounds, with each application window lasting 5-6 weeks.
Month | Information |
January - February | Research Italian universities, courses, and application deadlines. Begin organizing the required documents. |
February - March | Attempt English proficiency exams and any other exam as per the course requirement. |
April - May | Review your essays, resume, and other documents and apply. |
June - July | Accept the offer letter and pre-enroll for a student visa through the Universitaly portal. |
August - September | Book flights, arrange accommodation, and finalize financial arrangements. |
Benefits of September Intake
- 1
Broader Program Options
The academic year in Italy begins in September, which is the primary time when universities accept new students. For this reason, admissions are open to a wide range of degree programs.
- 2
Smooth Transition
Starting in September allows students to adjust soothly to university life. The weather is pleasant, orientation programs are well-organized and settling into accomodation is easier compared to the colder months.
- 3
Networking Opportunities
The September intake attracts a larger group of students, providing plenty of opportunities to meet and network with peers from various backgrounds. It may be easier to join a society or find an on-campus job if you start your course at the beginning of the academic year.
Famous Italian Universities for the September Intake
Politecnico di Milan
Sapienza, University of Rome
University of Milan
University of Naples - Federico II
University of Turin
University of Florence
University of Pisa
February Intakes in Italy
The February intake, also known as the spring/summer intake, is the latent period of enrolment. This period is only applicable to international students for certain universities.
Also, note that non-EU students and those who require a scholarship will likely need to apply in an earlier round. The latest deadline for non-EU students is usually around May or June.
Application Timeline for February Intake
Here is a predictive chart of all the information you need during the spring/summer intake.
Please note that deadlines vary between institutions, so it's essential to check your chosen university’s website to find out when you should apply. Italian universities usually accept applications in a series of rounds, with each application window lasting 5-6 weeks.
Month | Information |
June | Research Italian universities, courses, and application deadlines. Begin organizing the required documents. |
September | Attempt English proficiency exams and any other exam as per the course requirement. |
August - September | Review your essays, resume, and other documents and apply. |
October - December | Accept the offer letter and pre-enroll for a student visa through the Universitaly portal. |
January - February | Book flights, arrange accommodation, and finalize financial arrangements. |
Benefits of February Intake
- 1
Less competition
Since the spring intake is less prevalent, there may be less competition for course placements, funding, and accommodation.
- 2
Time to plan
For mature students, taking a course for a calendar year can be the ideal choice, as they can take exactly one year off from work.
- 3
Flexibility
The spring/summer intake in February offers flexibility to students who missed the September deadline.
- 4
Effective learning
As classes are smaller during the summer semesters, it provides a better teacher-to-student ratio. This means more personalized attention and a better chance of learning more effectively.
Famous Italian Universities for the September Intake
Politecnio di Milano
Alma Mater Studorium - University of Bologna
University of Milan
University of Florence
University of Milano-Biocca
How to Choose the Suitable Italian Intake
Choose the Right Program: Focus on intakes that offer the programs you are interested in. Consider the available specializations and the faculty's expertise.
Check Academic Calendars: Look at the academic calendars of different schools to see when you can start and how it fits your schedule.
Strategic Timing: Pick a start time that aligns with your academic goals and career plans.
Financial Planning: Plan your finances by estimating tuition and living costs and exploring scholarships available for your chosen intake.
Flexibility: Be flexible in your intake selection, considering other options in case of unexpected situations or limited program availability.
Availability of Programs in Italy
Italian universities offer two kinds of programs: restricted access courses and unrestricted access courses. Restricted access courses have a limited number of places and require a compulsory admission test in addition to the pre-enrolment test. Unrestricted access courses do not limit the number of students enrolled.
Please go through your chosen university’s website to see the number of courses conducted in English.
When planning to study in Italy, it's important to consider the availability of programs across different intake periods.
Autumn Intake: This is the most significant intake period, offering many undergraduate and postgraduate programs in various fields. Popular areas available during this intake include international relations, business, engineering, fashion and design, architecture, health sciences, computer science, and tourism and hospitality management.
Spring/Summer Intake: This is a smaller intake period limited to specific universities. It offers many undergraduate and postgraduate programs in various fields. Popular areas available during this intake include humanities, health sciences, computer science and IT, single courses, specialization programs, and some research opportunities.
Intake | % of programs available | Nature |
September | 80% | Biggest Intake |
February | 30% | Limited Intake |
Conclusion
We hope this blog post has provided a one-stop solution for all your doubts regarding intakes in Italy and their opportunities. Do you want to study in Italy but are stuck on how to start the application process? Let us take care of your complete application. We make sure that every part of your application is consistent, coherent, and perfectly crafted, as the committee would expect in the case of their ideal candidate.
Even if your profile is impressive, a different perspective can make you look better than most applicants. We believe this perspective exists for every applicant, including you. Let's find that perspective for your case and craft an exceptional application specific to your profile.
Frequently Asked Questions!
The winter semester begins between September and October, while the spring/summer semester begins in February.
Just like other international universities, Italy requires an IELTS score but they do often accept alternative English proficiency tests.
Yes. After five years of uninterrupted residency in Italy, you are eligible for a PR. This is refered to as an EU Long Term Residence Permit.
Yes, you can. While enrolled in classes you are permitted to work for upto 20 hours a week. During holidays you can work for upto 40 hours a week.
Italian univerisites are considerably cheaper as compared to other European universities. The tuition fees are regulated by the government and it ranges from 1000 to 3000 Euros.
The processing of your visa application will take between one and three weeks. Accordingly, you should aim to schedule your visa interview around six weeks in advance. The visa application process but begin at least two months before your departure date.
If you hold a master's degree or a PhD, you are eligible to reside in Italy for 12 months after your studies. During this period, you can get a full-time job that will sponsor your visa after the 12-month period ends.
Milan is one of Italy's most broadly English-speaking cities due to its international nature. Regardless, learning basic phrases and greetings in Italian will go a long way.
Italian universities offer a wide range of courses. It's most popular fields are science and technology (particularly physics), architecture, hospitality and tourism.
Pre-enrolment is simply the series of steps ensuring a student’s acceptance into Italian universities. Students are required to gather essential documents and submit them through the Universitaly portal. Once this process is complete, you will receive a student visa.
