1. Italian university admission
Decided by the university under the national ministerial framework (DM 1005 for English-taught; DM 941 open semester for Italian-taught). Your call (bando) for that intake is the binding document.
2026/27 official framework
Medicine in Italy for Indian Students
How Indian students can study Medicine and Surgery in Italy in 2026/27 — the national IMAT route for English-taught programmes, university seats, the Italian open-semester route, and Indian NEET/NMC requirements.
Last updated: September 2026
Direct answer
Medicine in Italy: What Indian Students Need to Know
Five separate tracks. Do not conflate them — each has its own decision-maker and its own official sources.
2. English-taught Medicine admission
Uses the 2026/27 national IMAT route where applicable: single test on 29 September 2026, national ranking, per-university EU/non-EU seat contingents listed below.
3. Italian-taught Medicine admission
Uses the 2026/27 open-semester system: free enrolment in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, then national examinations feeding a national merit ranking. No single entrance test.
4. Indian NEET/NMC requirements
Governed solely by Indian authorities (NMC FMGL Regulations 2021): NEET-UG qualification before foreign admission, PCB core subjects, and programme conditions. Verify with the NMC.
5. Medical registration in India
Admission to an Italian university does NOT by itself guarantee eligibility for medical registration or practice in India. Meeting NEET/NMC requirements does not guarantee admission to a particular Italian university either. Verify both tracks separately.
At a glance
Medicine in Italy 2026/27 at a Glance
Key facts for 2026/27. Detail and sources follow in each section below.
English Medicine test: IMAT
National test for English-taught Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary (DM 1005 of 6 August 2026), identical content at all locations.
IMAT date: 29 September 2026
Set by the MUR announcement of 7 July 2026 as integrated by the errata corrige of 29 July 2026; confirmed in university bandi.
Registration: 26 August – 9 September 2026
On Universitaly, closing 15:00 GMT+2 without exceptions, per university bandi citing the decree annex.
English requirement: B2 where required
Programmes such as Parma require B2-level English certification per the applicable call; missing it means exclusion from later stages.
Test: 60 questions / 100 minutes
Multiple-choice format reported in university bandi; scoring +1.5 correct, −0.4 incorrect, 0 unanswered (max 90).
Italian-taught route: open semester
2026/27 open-semester system (DM 941): Biology, Chemistry and Physics with national examinations and merit ranking. See our Italy Open Semester 2026/27 guide.
English track
English-Taught Medicine in Italy
English-taught Medicine and Surgery uses the 2026/27 national IMAT route where applicable. Exact requirements remain subject to the official decree and each university's call.
Admission runs through one national test with national ranking, not through separate university-designed exams. Universities publish their own calls implementing the ministerial framework, including seat contingents, language rules and deadlines.
Applicants compete in separate contingents: EU citizens and equivalent categories (including qualifying non-EU residents in Italy) in one pool, and non-EU residents abroad in another. The seat table below shows both contingents per university.
No minimum score or ranking outcome is stated here: thresholds emerge from each year's ranking and scrolling, so treat any historical cutoff as background only — never as a guarantee.
For general admission mechanics that also apply to medics, see our Italy university admission guide and English-taught courses in Italy guide.
2026/27 seats
2026/27 English Medicine Universities and Seats
Seat allocations are for 2026/27 and come from the MUR admission framework and official university notices. Annual seat numbers can change.
| University | City | Course | Total | EU/equivalent | Non-EU abroad |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Bologna | Bologna | Medicine and Surgery (English) | 160 | 140 | 20 |
| University of Milan | Milan | International Medical School (English) | 75 | 60 | 15 |
| University of Pavia | Pavia | Medicine and Surgery – Harvey (English) | 143 | 103 | 40 |
| University of Padua | Venice | Medicine and Surgery (English) | 100 | 75 | 25 |
| University of PaduaListed as in fase di accreditamento in the ministerial table. | Padua | Medicine and Surgery – MedTech (English) | 85 | 70 | 15 |
| University of Turin | Orbassano | Medicine and Surgery (English) | 105 | 73 | 32 |
| Sapienza University of Rome | Rome | Medicine and Surgery 'F' (English) | 65 | 52 | 13 |
| University of Rome Tor Vergata | Rome | Medicine and Surgery (English) | 85 | 65 | 20 |
| University of Rome Tor VergataTirana campus is in Albania, not Italy. | Tirana | Medicine and Surgery (English) | 320 | 0 | 320 |
| University of Naples Federico II | Naples | Medicine and Surgery (English) | 80 | 35 | 45 |
| University of Bari | Bari | Medicine and Surgery (English) | 100 | 89 | 11 |
| University of Cagliari | Cagliari | Medicine and Surgery (English) | 98 | 80 | 18 |
| University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli | Naples | Medicine and Surgery (English) | 120 | 70 | 50 |
| University of Catania | Catania | Medicine and Surgery (English) | 80 | 40 | 40 |
| University of Messina | Messina | Medicine and Surgery (English) | 116 | 55 | 61 |
| University of Milano-BicoccaBergamo sede under Milano-Bicocca. | Bergamo | Medicine and Surgery (English) | 60 | 40 | 20 |
| University of ParmaPiacenza sede under Parma; university bando confirms 80 + 50. | Parma/Piacenza | Medicine and Surgery (English) | 130 | 80 | 50 |
| Marche Polytechnic University | Ancona | Medicine and Surgery (English) | 80 | 30 | 50 |
| UniCamillus – Saint Camillus InternationalPrivate institution; decree lists EU/equivalent and non-EU categories separately. | Rome | Medicine and Surgery (English) | 650 | 425 | 225 |
| Vita-Salute San RaffaelePrivate institution; decree lists EU/equivalent and non-EU categories separately. | Milan | Medicine and Surgery (English) | 150 | 86 | 64 |
| Campus Bio-MedicoPrivate institution; decree lists EU/equivalent and non-EU categories separately. | Rome | Medicine and Surgery (English) | 120 | 84 | 36 |
| Campus Bio-MedicoPrivate institution; separate MedTech programme row in the decree table. | Rome | Medicine and Surgery – MedTech (English) | 80 | 68 | 12 |
Seat allocations are for 2026/27 and come from the MUR admission framework (DM 1005 Tabella B posti) and official university notices. Annual seat numbers can change. Sources: MUR DM 1005 (06/08/2026) · MUR admission dates 07/07/2026 · University of Padua Medicine admissions · University of Parma admission test page.
Comparing universities? See all institutions on our universities in Italy listing and programmes on courses in Italy. For a concrete English-taught example, see Medicine and Surgery at the University of Milan and the related Dental Medicine at the University of Milan. See also the University of Milan for its programmes, fees and admission.
The test
IMAT 2026/27
The national admission test for English-taught Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary programmes.
Full name
International Medical Admission Test (IMAT) — the national test for English-taught single-cycle Medicine and Surgery, Dentistry and Veterinary programmes.
Date
29 September 2026, per the MUR announcement of 7 July 2026 as integrated by the errata corrige of 29 July 2026 and confirmed in university bandi.
Registration window
On Universitaly from 26 August to 9 September 2026 (15:00 GMT+2), without exceptions, per university bandi citing the decree annex.
Format and scoring
60 multiple-choice questions in 100 minutes; +1.5 per correct answer, −0.4 per wrong answer, 0 for unanswered (maximum 90), as reported in university bandi.
B2 English requirement where the call requires it
Programmes such as Parma require B2-level English certification under the applicable call, with exclusion from later stages for non-compliance. Check your university's call for its exact language rule.
Official references: Universitaly IMAT page · Universitaly portal.
Indian eligibility
Medicine in Italy for Indian Students: NEET and NMC
Italian admission and Indian medical-regulatory eligibility are two separate tracks. Read this section carefully.
1. Separate tracks
Italian university admission (IMAT/call) and Indian medical-regulatory eligibility (NEET/NMC) are decided by different authorities under different rules. Progress on one track implies nothing about the other.
2. NEET-UG before going abroad
Under the NMC Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations 2021, a person must have successfully qualified NEET (UG) for admission to a foreign medical institution. These regulations apply to students joining foreign programmes on or after their Gazette commencement (18 November 2021), covering 2026/27 applicants.
3. PCB core subjects
The regulation requires Physics, Chemistry and Biology / Biotechnology as core or main subjects in the last two years of schooling (including practical tests), as applicable.
4. Programme conditions (54 + 12)
Registration in India requires, subject to the applicable regulation: a foreign medical course of minimum 54 months plus a minimum 12-month internship in the same foreign institution, with no part of training in India or a third country.
5. English medium
The foreign medical degree must have English as the medium of instruction — a condition English-taught Italian Medicine programmes satisfy where the programme confirms it.
6. Registrability abroad
The graduate must be registered (or registrable) with the competent professional body of the awarding country. No claim is made here about any specific university's status — verify with the competent authorities.
7. FMGE until NExT
After the foreign degree, registration in India requires clearing the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) until the National Exit Test (NExT) becomes operational, with the future pathway thereafter as notified by the Commission.
Meeting NEET/NMC requirements does not guarantee admission to a particular Italian university, and admission to an Italian medical programme does not by itself guarantee eligibility for medical registration in India.
Sources: NMC FMGL Regulations 2021 (Gazette). No “NMC-approved” or “NMC-recognised” university is claimed anywhere on this page.
Two systems
English Medicine vs Italian Medicine
The two routes are different systems with different rules. They are not interchangeable.
| Aspect | English-taught route | Italian-taught route |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanism | National IMAT admission test | 2026/27 open-semester system (DM 941) |
| Language | English-taught programme; B2 proof where the call requires it | Italian-taught programme |
| 2026/27 key date | Test on 29 September 2026 | First semester from September 2026; national examinations in December 2026 and January 2027 sessions |
| Selection basis | National ranking from the single test | National merit ranking from Biology, Chemistry (+ biochemistry) and Physics examinations |
| Framework | National admission framework (DM 1005) | National open-semester framework (DM 941) |
Roadmap
Admission Process for Indian Students
Ten concise stages from route choice to arrival.
- 1Choose the English (IMAT) or Italian (open-semester) route.
- 2Check the university and programme call for that intake.
- 3Check NEET/NMC eligibility with the applicable Indian authorities.
- 4Prepare qualification and programme documents (certificates, transcripts, passport, language proof where required).
- 5Register through the applicable Italian admission system before its deadline.
- 6Take the required test or complete the required process.
- 7Receive the admission result and follow enrolment instructions.
- 8Complete Universitaly pre-enrolment where applicable.
- 9Apply for the student visa with supporting documents.
- 10Complete enrolment and arrival requirements in Italy.
Universitaly and visa steps explained in our Universitaly guide, student visa guide and visa document checklists.
Funding
Medicine Tuition Fees and Scholarships
No medicine-specific national fee is stated here. Fees and aid follow the same university and regional rules as other programmes.
Tuition fees vary by university and programme. Public university fees can depend on institutional rules and income-based (ISEE) assessment where applicable — confirm the exact fee in your programme's call.
Regional DSU support and other scholarships depend on regional and university rules; medicine-specific eligibility must be checked against the current call. Nothing can be promised in advance.
See our cost of studying in Italy guide and Italy scholarships guide.
Paperwork
Indian Student Documents Checklist
Only documents supported by the existing verified admission and visa framework. There is no single universal checklist.
University admission
Secondary qualification recognised as suitable, transcripts, passport, B2 English proof where the call requires it, and any programme-specific items in the call.
Indian medical eligibility
NEET-UG qualification evidence and schooling records as the NMC framework requires — verified with the applicable Indian authorities, not the university.
Universitaly
Admission proof plus the validated pre-enrolment summary, per the university's Universitaly instructions.
Student visa
Admission and pre-enrolment proof, financial evidence, accommodation, insurance and other items the competent mission specifies.
FAQ
Medicine in Italy: Frequently Asked Questions
Can Indian students study Medicine in Italy?
Yes. Indian students are admitted to English-taught Medicine and Surgery programmes in Italy every year through the national IMAT route, subject to each year's ministerial framework and the individual university's call. Separately, Indian medical-regulatory (NEET/NMC) eligibility must be verified with the applicable Indian authorities.
Is NEET required for Indian students to study Medicine in Italy?
For the Indian side, yes: under the NMC Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations 2021, a person must have successfully qualified NEET (UG) for admission to a foreign medical institution. This is separate from Italian university admission — verify the current rule with the National Medical Commission before applying.
What is IMAT?
IMAT (International Medical Admission Test) is the national admission test for English-taught single-cycle Medicine and Surgery, Dentistry and Veterinary programmes in Italy for 2026/27, governed by MUR Decree No. 1005 of 6 August 2026. It is prepared centrally and is identical in content across test locations.
When is IMAT 2026?
The 2026/27 IMAT for English-taught Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary programmes is set for 29 September 2026, following the MUR announcement of 7 July 2026 as integrated by the errata corrige of 29 July 2026. Registration ran on Universitaly from 26 August to 9 September 2026 (15:00 GMT+2). Always confirm dates in the current official call.
How many Medicine seats are available in Italy in 2026/27?
For English-taught Medicine and Surgery (LM-41), the 2026/27 ministerial framework allocates 2,430 EU/equivalent and 1,362 non-EU-abroad places across universities (3,792 total), plus separate Dentistry and Veterinary allocations. Per-university figures are listed in the seat table on this page; annual numbers can change.
Which Italian universities offer Medicine in English?
For 2026/27, English-taught Medicine and Surgery places are allocated to universities including Bologna, Milan (Statale), Milan-Bicocca (Bergamo), Pavia, Padua (Venice and MedTech), Turin (Orbassano), Sapienza Rome, Tor Vergata Rome, Naples Federico II, Bari, Cagliari, Campania Vanvitelli, Catania, Messina, Parma/Piacenza and Ancona, plus private institutions. Check each university's current call for its exact programme.
Is Medicine in Italy taught in English?
Yes, where the programme confirms it: several universities offer Medicine and Surgery entirely in English via the IMAT route, while most Medicine places remain Italian-taught via the open-semester route. Always confirm the language of instruction for your exact programme and intake.
What is the difference between IMAT and the open-semester route?
IMAT is the single national admission test for English-taught Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary programmes. The open semester applies to Italian-taught Medicine and Dentistry: students enrol freely in a first semester of Biology, Chemistry and Physics, then sit national examinations that feed a national merit ranking for second-semester admission. The two systems are not interchangeable.
Does Italian medical admission guarantee Indian medical registration?
No. Admission to an Italian medical programme does not by itself guarantee eligibility for medical registration in India. Meeting NEET/NMC requirements does not guarantee admission to a particular Italian university either. The two tracks — Italian admission and Indian regulatory eligibility — must each be verified separately.
Can I study Medicine in Italy after 12th?
Yes, where the programme's call allows it: English-taught Medicine and Surgery is a single-cycle degree entered after secondary school (Class 12 or equivalent qualification recognised as suitable), subject to the IMAT route and programme-specific prerequisites. Confirm academic requirements in the current call and NEET/NMC eligibility separately.
Are scholarships available for Medicine students?
General routes — regional DSU need-based support, university merit measures and MAECI government grants in selected years — can apply to Medicine students where the specific call allows it. None can be promised in advance; medicine-specific eligibility must be checked against the current regional or university call.
How does Universitaly fit into the Medicine process?
Universitaly is the MUR portal used across the Medicine journey: IMAT registration runs on Universitaly, and international students who require a visa separately complete pre-enrolment there after admission. The validated pre-enrolment summary then supports the student visa application.
Sources & verification
Seat figures are 2026/27 from the MUR admission framework and official university notices; NMC rules from the official Gazette. Always re-check the current call before applying.
- MUR DM 1005 (06/08/2026) — English Medicine/Dentistry/Veterinary
- MUR admission dates 07/07/2026
- Universitaly IMAT page and foreign-student procedures 2026/27–2027/28
- NMC FMGL Regulations 2021 (Gazette)
- University bandi: Padua, Parma
Related guides: Study in Italy · Admission · Costs · Scholarships · Universitaly · Student visa · Visa checklists · Universities · Courses
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