Fully Funded Scholarships in Italy Without IELTS 2026-27 (Complete Guide)

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Italy is a premier destination for international students seeking high-quality education without the burden of tuition fees. The Italian higher education system provides world-class Master’s and PhD programs across 90 public universities. Students can often bypass the IELTS requirement by providing a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate from their previous institution.

International students can access three primary types of financial aid: government-funded merit awards, regional need-based grants, and university-specific excellence scholarships. These Fully Funded Scholarships in Italy Without IELTS programs cover 100% of tuition costs and provide monthly stipends to support living expenses. Most applications for the 2026-27 session open in early 2026, making this the perfect time to prepare your documents.

You can study in Italy for free if you secure a fully funded scholarship and meet the university’s admission criteria. This guide explains the available scholarship types, the application steps, and the top universities that accept students without a standardized English test.

Scholarship Summary

Level of Study: Undergraduate (Bachelor’s), Postgraduate (Master’s), and PhD
Location: Italy (Multiple Cities)
Institution(s): All Italian Public Universities and AFAM Institutions
Program Period: 9 months (Renewable) or full degree duration
Course offered: Engineering, Humanities, Data Science, Arts, and Medicine
Deadline: Varies by scholarship (Main deadlines occur between May and September 2026)

Types of Scholarships in Italy

There are three main categories of scholarships available for the 2026-27 academic year.

1. Italian Government (MAECI) Scholarship

The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAECI) offers this prestigious merit-based award. It targets international students who wish to pursue Master’s or PhD degrees. The scholarship provides €9,000 per year, full tuition waivers, and health insurance. Italian Government Scholarship.

2. Regional Need-Based Scholarships (DSU/EDISU)

Regional agencies provide these grants based on a student’s family income rather than academic grades. Every region in Italy, such as Tuscany or Lombardy, has its own DSU office. These awards offer free accommodation, two free meals per day, and a cash stipend of up to €8,000. Fully Funded Italy Regional Scholarships.

3. Invest Your Talent in Italy (IYT)

This program combines academic study with professional on-the-job training at Italian companies. It is specifically for students in Engineering, Management, and Economics. Recipients receive €1,000 monthly stipends and full tuition exemptions while completing a mandatory internship. Need-Based Scholarships in Italy.

Available Universities and Programs

There are over 60 public universities in Italy offering more than 500 English-taught programs.

Top 10 Universities Accepting MOI

University of Bologna: The oldest university in the Western world.
University of Padua: A top-tier research institution with extensive funding.
Sapienza University of Rome: Known for its diverse English-taught Master’s courses.
University of Milan: Offers excellence grants for international students.
Polytechnic University of Milan (Polimi): Italy’s best technical university.
University of Pisa: Famous for Computer Science and Engineering.
University of Turin: Offers the “Talents 4 UniTo” scholarship program.
University of Florence: Provides robust regional DSU support.
University of Genoa: Often accepts interviews in place of IELTS.
University of Trento: A leader in Environmental and Data Sciences.

Scholarship Coverage

Italian fully funded scholarships provide four key financial benefits: 100% tuition fee waivers, monthly cash stipends (up to €1,000), free university housing, and free canteen meals. These benefits ensure that international students can live and study in Italy with zero personal expenses.

Eligibility Criteria

You must meet four main eligibility criteria to secure a scholarship:

Academic Qualifications: You must hold a valid Bachelor’s degree, if you are applying for a Master’s program.
Age Limits: Applicants must be under 28 for Master’s and under 30 for PhD programs (MAECI specific).
Language Proficiency: You can submit an MOI Certificate instead of IELTS, if your previous degree was taught in English.
Economic Status: You must provide financial documents, if you are applying for the need-based DSU scholarship.

Application Process (In-Depth)

The application process for Italy involves four critical steps that you must follow in order.

Step 1: Secure University Admission

First, apply directly to your chosen university via their official website. You must upload your transcripts, CV, and MOI certificate to receive a “Pre-Admission Letter.”

Step 2: Register on Universitaly

Once you have an admission letter, you must create an account on the Universitaly portal. This is the official government platform for international student pre-enrollment and visa processing.

Step 3: Apply for the Scholarship

For MAECI: Log into the “Study in Italy” portal and submit your application before the May deadline.
For DSU: Visit the specific regional website (e.g., DSU Toscana) and upload your family income documents between July and September.

Step 4: Visa and Legalization

After receiving your scholarship award, visit the nearest Italian Embassy to apply for a Type-D Study Visa. You must also apply for a CIMEA Statement of Comparability to validate your foreign degree in Italy.

Deadline

MAECI Scholarship: Typically May 2026.
Invest Your Talent: Usually February to March 2026.
DSU Regional Grants: Usually July to September 2026.
University-Specific Merit Awards: Varies (often follows the admission cycle).