Fully English-taught programmes
Degrees delivered entirely in English from lectures to examinations — the category this guide focuses on, and the one the Universitaly language filter is built to find.
2026/27 English-taught programmes
English-Taught Courses in Italy for Indian Students
Italy offers degree programmes taught in English — but availability depends on the university, the programme and the academic year. This guide shows how to find them on official listings and verify each admission call before you apply.
Last updated: September 2026
Offerings change every year — verify the current listing
Programme examples below come from official 2026/27 listings and are labelled as such. English-taught availability changes annually, so the current course listing and admission call — not this page — are final. No university ranking and no guaranteed admission or visa is implied anywhere here.
The concept
What Are English-Taught Courses in Italy?
Three related but different things hide behind the same label.
English curricula within programmes
Some degrees offer specified English-language curricula or tracks alongside Italian ones. Enrolment, requirements and places can differ per curriculum — check which one you are applying to.
Individual English modules
Single courses or modules taught in English inside an otherwise Italian degree. These do not make the degree English-taught — read the programme-level language, not the module list.
Official workflow
How to Find English-Taught Courses in Italy
Eight steps on official sources — third-party lists are for orientation only.
- 1Open the official Universitaly course finder.
- 2Select the relevant degree type — Bachelor/first-level, Master/second-level or single-cycle.
- 3Set the course language filter to English.
- 4Narrow by subject, field or university as needed.
- 5Open the course details for shortlisted options.
- 6Visit the university's official programme and admission page for each option.
- 7Read the current admission call for your intake year.
- 8Check the language requirements and deadlines in that call before applying.
Start at the Universitaly course finder and cross-check foreign-student procedures on Universitaly and Study in Italy.
Undergraduate
English-Taught Bachelor's Degrees in Italy
Available but selective by institution — examples from one verified official listing.
Verified examples: University of Padua's official listing
- Animal Care
- Psychological Science
- Information Engineering
- Economics, Governance and Decision-Making
- Earth and Climate Dynamics
These are examples from Padua's official current listing of English-taught degree programmes — not a complete Italy-wide list, and not every university offers English-taught Bachelor's. See the official Padua listing.
Postgraduate
English-Taught Master's Degrees in Italy
The widest English-taught choice — still programme-dependent.
Verified examples: Padua English-language provision
- Applied Economics
- Management for Sustainable Firms
- Accounting, Finance and Business Consulting — specified English curricula
Politecnico di Milano is another example of an institution publishing English-language requirements for Master's (Laurea Magistrale) admission — without implying every programme follows the same requirement. See the official Politecnico language requirements.
Long degrees
English-Taught Single-Cycle Programmes
A smaller set — mention only what official listings confirm.
Padua's official English-taught listing confirms single-cycle provision including Medicine and Surgery and the Medicine and Surgery — MedTech programme. As with every category here, confirm the current listing and call before planning around it.
Proof of English
English Language Requirements for Italy
There is no single Italy-wide English test requirement. The university or course admission call controls the exact requirement — the table shows what varies.
| Requirement | What can vary |
|---|---|
| Accepted certifications | Each call lists exactly which certificates it accepts — IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge or others appear only where the call names them. |
| Minimum score | Thresholds are set per programme and call. Padua's 2026/27 English-curricula table, for example, assigns minimum scores per course — never assume another programme matches. |
| B1 vs B2 level | Padua's 2026/27 guidance states the required entry level can be B1 or B2 depending on the programme and call. Neither level is universal across Italy. |
| Accepted alternatives | Some institutions accept specified alternatives under their own rules — Padua, for instance, recognises a prior degree taught entirely in English (partial study abroad does not count) and native-speaker status. Alternatives always depend on the call. |
| Deadline for proof | Each admission notice sets its own manner and deadline for submitting certificates or provisional result statements. |
| Previous English-taught degree | May be accepted in some institutions under strict conditions — Padua requires the documentation to explicitly show the language of instruction. Check your call. |
The worked example is Padua's 2026/27 guidance, where English-taught programmes require B1 or B2 depending on the programme and call — see the official 2026/27 English-proficiency page.
Italian language
Do Indian Students Need Italian?
A balanced answer — neither universally required nor universally unnecessary.
For a genuinely English-taught programme, Italian is not automatically the teaching-language requirement — and a course being taught in English does not by itself create an Italian proof requirement. Requirements depend on the programme.
That said, some programmes or universities add their own language conditions, and Italian remains genuinely useful for daily life, part-time work and integration. Check the call for the requirement; learn the language for everything else.
Eligibility
Admission Requirements for English-Taught Courses
The usual components — no programme needs all of them.
Academic qualification
School leaving results for Bachelor's or a recognised degree for Master's, relevant to the field where required.
Transcripts
Mark sheets and records supporting the qualification.
Programme prerequisites
Required subjects, credit minimums or background knowledge the call specifies.
English-language proof
Where the call requires it, in the exact form, level and deadline it sets.
Entrance tests
Where applicable — some regulated or selective programmes test all applicants.
Portfolio or interview
Design, architecture and similar fields may assess work samples or hold interviews.
University-specific documents
Declarations, translations or formats unique to the institution's process.
Funding
Fees and Scholarships for English-Taught Courses
English-taught status does not create a separate fee system — the same rules apply.
Fees vary by university and programme, income-based reductions may exist, and scholarships or fee waivers may be available where you meet each scheme's own criteria. Detail lives in our cost of studying in Italy guide and Italy scholarships guide.
The chain
English Course → Admission → Universitaly → Visa
Finding the course is step one of six.
- 1Find the English-taught course on official listings.
- 2Check the official admission call, including language proof.
- 3Apply to the university within its window.
- 4Secure the admission outcome the process requires.
- 5Complete Universitaly pre-enrolment where it applies.
- 6Apply for the visa where it applies.
Stage guides: admission · Universitaly · student visa.
Fields
Popular English-Taught Subject Areas
Broad categories to orient a search — not promises of availability at any given university.
Engineering
Computer Science, Data and AI
Economics, Finance and Management
Architecture and Design
Life Sciences
Environmental Sciences
Social Sciences
Medicine-related programmes where officially available
Browse real options in our courses in Italy listing — for instance, Computer Science in Italy, Artificial Intelligence in Italy and Computer Engineering in Italy — and compare institutions via universities in Italy. For data-focused options, explore Data Science in Italy and Data Science programs in Italy.
Trust but verify
How to Verify a Course Is Actually Taught in English
Six confirmations before you treat any listing as fact.
Course page says English
The listing itself names English as the teaching language.
Universitaly language filter
The course appears under the English filter in the official finder.
Official university programme page
The institution's own page confirms the language for your intake.
Current admission call
The call for your year repeats the language — old calls do not count.
Curriculum language
Check whether English covers the full curriculum or only specified tracks.
Language requirements
The call's proof requirements match an English-taught track, not an Italian one.
Avoid these
Common English-Taught Course Mistakes
Relying on old course lists
English-taught offerings change every academic year. A list compiled for a past intake can include withdrawn programmes and miss new ones.
Assuming every class is in English
An English-taught degree does not mean every module, lab or administrative process at the university runs in English. Read the curriculum language carefully.
Assuming IELTS is always mandatory
Only programmes whose call names IELTS require it. Other calls accept different certificates — or alternatives entirely.
Assuming B2 is universal
Required levels differ by programme and call. Padua's own 2026/27 guidance splits B1 and B2 across programmes — treat every other institution the same way.
Checking third-party lists instead of university pages
Aggregators summarise; only the university's programme page and current admission call define language, requirements and deadlines.
Ignoring programme-specific deadlines
English-taught tracks can carry their own rounds and cutoffs inside the university's wider calendar. Track the call, not the intake month.
Ignoring non-EU and visa applicant requirements
Visa-seeking applicants often face earlier rounds and extra steps. Confirm the rules for your applicant category, not the general ones.
Without IELTS
Can Indian Students Study in Italy Without IELTS?
What ΓÇ£study in Italy without IELTSΓÇ¥ really means for Indian students ΓÇö documented routes, not blanket exemptions.
There is no universal Italy-wide rule that lets Indian students skip IELTS. Each university and programme sets its own English-language proof: some documented routes accept a qualifying English-medium degree instead of a test, while others require a recognized certificate regardless of previous study. An MOI letter is not automatically accepted everywhere, and university admission rules are separate from student-visa documentation.
When Can an English-Medium Degree Replace IELTS?
The strongest documented example is Politecnico di Milano. For its relevant Master's foreign-qualification route, a Bachelor's degree taught in English for at least 3 years can qualify for exemption from English certification — but a certified university document is required, and it must confirm that at least 75% of the courses were taught in English. IELTS ≥6 is otherwise one accepted certification route for that Master's admission context. Polimi admissions-office documents list.
Bologna and Turin also have programme-dependent English-medium routes where their official sources explicitly support them ΓÇö Bologna's DHDK Master's page lists a Bachelor's or Master's with English as medium of instruction as one way to meet B2, and Turin states some programmes accept a university certificate attesting bachelor studies in English. These are documented examples, not an Italy-wide rule. Bologna DHDK English requirement ┬╖ Turin language-requirements FAQ.
MOI vs IELTS: What Indian Students Should Check
MOI means proof from the previous institution that the relevant education was delivered in English ΓÇö but acceptance depends on the specific university and programme. Check whether your call requires a particular certificate, a certified institutional document, a percentage of coursework in English, transcript evidence, or another form of proof. A simple generic MOI letter is not sufficient everywhere.
Sapienza's documented waiver list is a good cautionary example: it covers specific qualifications and MOI-country nationalities (UK, US, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand) ΓÇö India is not on its listed MOI-country nationality waiver, so Indian applicants should not assume that waiver applies to them. Sapienza 2026 English language requirements (PDF).
Bachelor's vs Master's: Requirements Can Differ
Polimi shows why level matters: its English-taught Bachelor's routes include a qualification-in-English route, while its relevant Master's foreign-qualification route centres on certified English testing unless the documented 3-year/75% English-medium exemption applies. Treat this as one university's example ΓÇö always check the call for your exact level and programme. Polimi Bachelor's language requirements.
University-Specific Examples
How the IELTS requirement and English-medium options compare across documented routes. There is no verified list of “Italy universities without IELTS” ΓÇö check each call.
| University | Route | English test requirement | English-medium/MOI option | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Politecnico di Milano | Master's foreign-qualification route | Listed certificates including IELTS ≥6 | Exempt with Bachelor's taught in English ≥3 years plus certified document confirming ≥75% courses in English | Admissions-office documents |
| Sapienza University of Rome | English-taught programmes (B2 baseline) | Listed certificates named per programme call | Waivers only for listed cases; India is not on the MOI-country nationality waiver | 2026 requirements (PDF) |
| University of Bologna ΓÇö DHDK Master's example | Programme example, not a university-wide rule | B2 via listed certificates per programme table | Bachelor's or Master's with English as medium of instruction listed as one route | DHDK English requirement |
| University of Turin | Programme-dependent ΓÇö check Apply@UniTo | Listed certificates including IELTS where the programme requires them | Some programmes accept a university certificate of bachelor studies in English; Duolingo never accepted | Language-requirements FAQ |
| University of Milan | Per-course B1/B2 with certificate-or-test model | Accepted certificates or SLAM placement/entry tests | Certificate-or-test model; no official MOI exemption identified in the reviewed sources | Language-proficiency pages |
Warning
Do not assume that an MOI letter is accepted by every Italian university or programme. Always check the current admission call or language-requirements page for your exact programme.
MOI for University Admission vs Italy Student Visa
The Indian mission checklists treat language separately from admission: for an English-taught course they provide for B2-level English certification or an equivalent Medium of Education (MOI) declaration from the previous Higher Education Institution. So do not tell Indian students the visa universally requires IELTS ΓÇö while remembering the university's own call can still require IELTS or another recognized certificate. Kolkata 2026-27/2027-28 checklist (PDF) ┬╖ New Delhi 2026-27/2027-28 checklist (PDF).
Your sequence
Indian Student Application Flow for English Courses
Nine stages from research to arrival.
- 1Research the field and shortlist English-taught programmes from official listings.
- 2Verify eligibility against each programme's official requirements.
- 3Check the exact English-language requirement in the current call.
- 4Apply to the university within its window.
- 5Secure the admission outcome the process requires.
- 6File scholarship applications where applicable.
- 7Complete Universitaly pre-enrolment where it applies to you.
- 8Apply for the visa and prepare for arrival.
Full journey context in our Study in Italy guide.
FAQ
English-Taught Courses in Italy: FAQs
Can Indian students study in Italy in English?
Yes. Multiple Italian universities offer degree programmes taught in English at Bachelor's, Master's and single-cycle level. Availability depends on the university, programme and academic year — verify each option on its official page and current call.
Are there English-taught Bachelor's degrees in Italy?
Yes, though the choice is narrower than at Master's level and varies by university. The University of Padua's official listing, for example, includes Animal Care, Psychological Science, Information Engineering, Economics, Governance and Decision-Making, and Earth and Climate Dynamics. These are Padua examples, not an Italy-wide list.
Are there English-taught Master's degrees in Italy?
Yes — English-taught Master's options are widespread across fields, but programme availability still varies. Verified Padua examples include Applied Economics, Management for Sustainable Firms, and the specified English curricula of Accounting, Finance and Business Consulting.
How do I find English-taught courses in Italy?
Use the official Universitaly course finder: select the degree type, set the course language to English, filter as needed, then open each course and verify it on the university's official programme page and current admission call.
Does every English-taught course require IELTS?
No. Only courses whose admission call names IELTS require it. Other programmes accept different certificates named in their calls, and some recognise alternatives such as a prior fully English-taught degree under strict conditions.
Is B2 English required for Italy?
There is no single Italy-wide requirement. Required levels differ by programme and call — Padua's 2026/27 guidance, for instance, assigns B1 or B2 depending on the programme. Your call alone sets your level.
Do I need to know Italian to study in English?
For a genuinely English-taught programme, Italian is not automatically a teaching-language requirement — but some programmes or universities add their own language conditions, and Italian remains useful for daily life and integration. Check the call; do not assume either way.
Which Italian universities offer English-taught courses?
Many do, including institutions such as the University of Padua and Politecnico di Milano — but offerings, levels and requirements differ per institution and year. Use the Universitaly language filter and each university's official listing rather than any fixed list.
How much do English-taught courses cost?
Fees follow the same institution and programme rules as any other course — public and private bands, income-based calculation and possible waivers all apply. See our cost of studying in Italy guide for the official indicative ranges and fee verification steps.
Can I get scholarships for English-taught courses?
Yes — regional, university and government support can apply to English-taught programmes where you meet each scheme's own criteria. See our Italy scholarships guide for DSU, MAECI and university awards.
Keep planning
Plan the Rest of Your Italy Journey
Language is settled — now admission, funding and the visa.
Study in Italy guide
Universities, admission, costs and the full journey from India.
ContinueCourses in Italy
Browse programmes, then verify each language of instruction.
ContinueUniversities in Italy
Compare institutions and their official programme pages.
ContinueItaly university admission
Requirements and the academic application stage.
ContinueUniversitaly pre-enrolment
The official portal stage after admission.
ContinueItaly student visa
The consular stage and its timelines.
ContinueItaly scholarships
Funding routes with their own calls and deadlines.
ContinueCost of studying in Italy
Tuition bands, living costs and fee verification.
ContinueFound English-taught options? Verify them with us.
Get personalised guidance on programmes, language proof, applications and the Italy student visa.