Education in Italy
Unlike strict, disciplined Switzerland or buttoned-up Germany, Italy is a country of emotion. Here education is interwoven with the art of living «la dolce vita»: in the morning you cram the Criminal Code, and in the evening you eat the world's best pizza and argue about football. Many come here for inspiration — and they find it. Let's break down what the Apennine Peninsula has to offer a student from Kyrgyzstan.
Pros and cons: the «topspin» of studying in Italy
There are many advantages here, and they're weighty. Unlike England or America, where the bills can run past $50,000, Italian universities are one of the most budget-friendly options in Europe. The pass mark for many specialisations is often low — you simply need to confirm your knowledge of the language. If you're looking for a program in English — that's realistic too. And the level of Italian teaching in architecture, art, design, music and history is not merely high — it's the benchmark, recognised all over the world. Plus a pleasant bonus: students get the same discounts on transport and at museums as Italians do.
The drawbacks can't be discounted either. Italy is the undisputed world champion of bureaucracy. The quest of «Obtaining an Italian residence permit» (permesso di soggiorno) can drag on for 4–12 months (and the application must be submitted within 8 working days of arriving in Italy). The bureaucracy goes hand in hand with the unhurried pace of life, which means obtaining an ordinary certificate can take forever.
Finding affordable accommodation in big cities like Milan or Rome is a real challenge. On top of that, foreign students who have come from Kyrgyzstan often complain about the conservative academic system, where you're expected to memorise lectures word for word in the exams.
Which programs are in demand
The range of options is wide: from camps for schoolchildren to top-level MBAs.
Summer camps and language courses. This is a gentle entry into Italian culture. For example, the University of Turin runs specialised summer schools for foreigners with language courses and lectures on culture. There are also private schools like Global Swiss Academy in Milan for teenagers.
Secondary education (boarding schools). A good option for those who need an international environment. The cost of a year of study at a private boarding school is on average from 35,000 to 40,000 euros (depending on the school and the program).
Bachelor's and Master's degrees. The main focus. The price depends on the prestige of the university and the family's wealth — the ISEE assessment.
Public universities: The cost ranges from roughly 900 to 4,000 euros a year (depending on the university and the program; the minimum amounts may be lower).
Private universities: The prices are noticeably higher — from 6,000 to 20,000 euros a year (at some private universities, for example Luiss Guido Carli, the fee may be 13,000–15,000 euros).
Preparatory courses: Special year-long courses for foreigners cost around 1,300 euros.
MBA. Italian business schools are very highly rated. SDA Bocconi in Milan was named the best business school in Europe by Bloomberg 2025-2026. The cost of the programs reaches from €16,000 to €18,000 a year.
Student life and accommodation
The main pain point is finding accommodation. The situation in 2025 is difficult: more than 42% of renting students spend an exorbitant share of their budget on a flat.
Milan and Rome: A room will cost from 500 to 700 euros.
Turin and Bologna: A little more affordable — from 350 euros.
Trieste: The most humane price: you can find a room for 300–400 euros.
Eating in a student canteen — from 5 to 12 euros for lunch. If you cook for yourself and seek out budget trattorias, you can easily keep your total monthly budget within 700–900 euros.
Transport: discounted travel passes are available for students. Many people communicate animatedly with gestures — a national trait you'll have to learn so as not to end up in an awkward situation. Be careful with the coffee rituals: a cappuccino after lunch isn't drunk here, it's a taboo.
Unique features: why Italy in particular?
Here a unique system of regional scholarships (DSU) and state MAECI grants is at work. This is not a myth but a real chance to fully cover the costs of accommodation and meals, and even to receive a stipend for pocket money.
A huge plus — thousands of hours of UNESCO cultural heritage around you, for free or for a pittance. The third advantage — the prestigious engineering schools (the Polytechnics of Milan and Turin) and the strong natural-science faculties in robotics and pharmaceutics.
What's important for citizens of Kyrgyzstan
The Italian Embassy in Bishkek is actively developing cooperation in the field of education. The official representative offices can always advise you on the list of documents. Don't neglect this!
The main opportunity — the Invest Your Talent in Italy (IYT) scholarship, which provides grants for Master's programs. Applications are submitted online, usually until spring (for example, in 2026 the deadline was 11 May); check the exact dates each year. Plus the state MAECI scholarships from the Italian government.
A separate life hack: if your income is low, be sure to request an ISEE certificate. The assessment of tuition costs depends directly on the family's income level. The lower the ISEE — the less you'll pay for university.
Conclusion
Italy is a country where you can get a quality European education for a moderate price and live amid an atmosphere of historic grandeur and beauty. Here you'll have to come to terms with the bureaucratic chaos, but the generosity of the scholarships, the cheapness of public education and the spirit of freedom more than make up for it.
If you still have questions about choosing a university, the registration procedure on Universitaly or finding an IYT scholarship, get in touch with our specialists. We'll help you plan an admission strategy so that the residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) doesn't become a nightmare for you, and your studies in Italy bring you nothing but benefit and pleasure.