Study in Italy: Admissions, CEnT-S, Visa and Scholarships
Studying at an Italian university isn't simply a matter of sitting CEnT-S or receiving a university acceptance. For a Non-EU applicant, the process means coordinating programme selection, university-specific admission requirements, CEnT-S where it applies, the academic application itself, Universitaly pre-enrollment, qualification recognition, scholarship preparation, the student visa, and final enrollment — all on overlapping timelines.
This guide lays out the overall roadmap connecting all of these stages. The more bureaucratic parts — scholarships, the visa, and the application calendar — are covered in separate, dedicated guides.
Last updated: 13 August 2026
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In short
What do you need to do to study in Italy?
A student who wants to study in Italy should first identify the admission requirements of their target programme; meet CEnT-S and English-proficiency requirements where applicable; submit their academic application through the university's own system; and, if they are a Non-EU visa applicant, plan Universitaly pre-enrollment, scholarships and the visa process together. Admission requirements and dates can vary by university and programme.
Understanding the University System in Italy
There is no single, centralised "university application system" in Italy. Italian universities have academic autonomy: each university, and often each programme within it, sets its own admission criteria, evaluation method and application calendar.
Alongside this, central administrative processes such as Universitaly serve a different function — they don't replace a university's academic admission decision; they connect the candidate to their official record with the state and to the visa process.
On top of this, international student status — Non-EU status in particular — adds another layer. These three layers, a programme's academic requirements, the central administrative process, and international student status, need to be understood together for the application process to make sense.
It shouldn't be assumed that every university, every programme, or every English-taught degree applies identical requirements.
An Italian University Application Runs on Two Separate Tracks
For programmes admitted through CEnT-S, the application process runs along two interdependent but functionally different tracks.
Track 1 — The University's Academic Application
The candidate applies through the university's own admission system. Depending on the programme, this can involve academic documents, the diploma and transcript, proof of language proficiency, a CEnT-S result where relevant, and programme-specific evaluation. This is the university's own admission process.
Track 2 — Universitaly Pre-Enrollment
For Non-EU candidates who need a study visa, Universitaly pre-enrollment connects the chosen university and programme to the official administrative/visa process. It isn't the same thing as applying to the university.
They aren't alternatives to each other — they're different stages of the same process. The technical details of Universitaly itself are covered in a dedicated guide.
Core Admission Requirements to Study in Italy
- 01
Length of Prior Education
Italian universities generally expect at least 12 uninterrupted years of schooling, from primary education through high-school graduation. Turkey's standard school structure is broadly aligned with this; candidates from other education systems may be treated differently depending on the university.
- 02
High School Diploma and Transcript
Your diploma and academic records are the core application documents. Some universities and programmes may also factor in academic performance, but this varies by institution and programme — there is no single, universal GPA threshold to quote here.
- 03
Qualification Recognition — DOV / CIMEA
To show that a foreign diploma is equivalent within the Italian system, two main document types are used: DOV (Dichiarazione di Valore), issued by Italian consulates, and comparability/verification documentation from CIMEA, Italy's official qualification-recognition body. Which one is requested depends on the university; both serve the same underlying purpose of demonstrating the qualification's academic value.
- 04
English-Language Proficiency
CEnT-S is conducted entirely in English, but it isn't itself an English-proficiency certificate. Programmes may require separate proof of English proficiency alongside it. Which certificate and level are required differs by institution and programme, so this should always be checked against the target programme's official admission call.
- 05
Entrance Exam / CEnT-S
Relevant programmes may use CEnT-S as part of admission and evaluation. It isn't accurate to say every English-taught bachelor's programme in Italy requires CEnT-S — this depends on the programme's field and the university's own admission policy.
For what CEnT-S is and where it's used, see the What is CEnT-S? page.
The Role of CEnT-S in an Italian University Application
CEnT-S is relevant particularly to programmes such as engineering, mathematics/sciences, data and computing fields, economics/management at some institutions, and, where applicable, pharmacy or biological-science-related programmes. It wouldn't be accurate, however, to say every English-taught degree in Italy uses CEnT-S — that depends on the programme's field and the university's own admission policy.
The most important principle to understand is that the same CEnT-S exam can be evaluated differently by different universities and programmes. One university may consider the total score, another may emphasise specific sections, another may set programme-specific thresholds, and another may use the result differently within its ranking or admission process.
This page summarises CEnT-S's role in admissions; for the full exam format, see What is CEnT-S?, and for current exam windows, see CEnT-S exam dates.
Why Does the EU vs Non-EU Distinction Matter?
For a student applying from Turkey without EU citizenship or equivalent status, the relevant category is generally Non-EU applicant requiring a study visa.
EU and Non-EU applicants can encounter:
- Separate admission/ranking pools
- Different quotas
- Different administrative requirements
- Different timelines
- Visa/pre-enrollment obligations
How Does the Process Move from University Application to Universitaly?
The order below reflects a general application flow — it is not a legally fixed universal sequence for every institution.
- 01
Research programmes
Shortlist target degrees and universities based on academic content and language of instruction.
- 02
Review the Call for Applications
Check the university's own admission requirements and deadlines.
- 03
Prepare academic documents
Start gathering your diploma, transcript and recognition documents (DOV or CIMEA).
- 04
Obtain your CEnT-S result if required
If the programme uses CEnT-S, build your exam and preparation plan around its calendar.
- 05
Submit the academic application
Complete your programme-specific application through the university's own portal.
- 06
Follow up on admission / pre-assessment
Wait for the university's approval or conditional offer letter.
- 07
Complete Universitaly pre-enrollment
For Non-EU visa applicants, carry out the official pre-enrollment step once admitted.
- 08
Move on to visa and final enrollment
After Universitaly approval, proceed to the visa application and final university registration.
Why Should Scholarships, the Visa and Financial Planning Be Considered Together With the Application?
This section is an overview only — each topic's detailed process will be covered in its own dedicated guide.
Scholarships
Regional right-to-study support works through an economic indicator called ISEE Parificato, backed by income and asset documentation. Eligible students can receive tuition support and related benefits.
Student Visa
Non-EU students who need a study visa must coordinate university/Universitaly approval, their finances, accommodation, insurance, and the required documentation together.
Application Calendar
The university application, CEnT-S, Universitaly, scholarship applications and the visa don't necessarily open or close at the same time. Students should plan them as one connected calendar.
Detailed Guides to This Process
Scholarships in Italy
DSU, ISEE Parificato, scholarships and tuition support.
Universitaly Pre-Enrollment Guide
From university acceptance to formal pre-enrollment.
Italy University Application Timeline
Timing across CEnT-S, university, Universitaly, scholarships and the visa.
Italy Student Visa & Residence Guide
Visa preparation, arriving in Italy and the residence process.
Does the Process End Once You Arrive in Italy?
No.
Getting the student visa and entering Italy isn't the end of the process. Steps that remain after arrival include final university enrollment, a residence permit (Permesso di Soggiorno) application for applicable Non-EU students, local administrative steps, completing the scholarship/ISEE process where relevant, and choosing health insurance coverage.
As a general rule, the residence-permit application needs to be submitted to local authorities within a set window after entering Italy. The full details of this process are covered in a dedicated visa and residence guide.
The Italy University Application Roadmap
These stages overlap in practice. Students shouldn't wait for one stage to fully finish before starting to prepare documents for the next one — in fact, starting many of these preparations early is what keeps the overall process on schedule.
This roadmap doesn't include fixed dates; scheduling detail is covered in a dedicated application-timeline guide.
Where Should a Student Applying From Turkey Start?
- 01
Decide which programme you want.
Narrow your shortlist by academic interest and career goals.
- 02
Check whether that programme uses CEnT-S.
This determines whether your preparation plan needs to include CEnT-S.
- 03
List the programme's academic and language requirements.
Confirm qualification-recognition and English-proficiency requirements from the official call.
- 04
If CEnT-S is required, build your exam and study plan.
Plan realistically around the exam's macro-period calendar.
- 05
Track the university's own application / pre-assessment calendar.
Remember each university sets its own deadlines.
- 06
Plan your Non-EU status and Universitaly/visa obligations.
These processes run on their own timeline, separate from the university application.
- 07
Don't leave scholarship and financial documents until the last moment.
Documents such as ISEE Parificato take time to prepare.
This is a general preparation framework, not legal or official advice.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to study at a university in Italy?
At least 12 years of prior schooling, a high school diploma and transcript, a qualification-recognition document (DOV or CIMEA), English proficiency as required by the programme, and a CEnT-S result where applicable. Exact requirements vary by university and programme.
How can an international student apply to an Italian university?
You first identify your target programme and its admission requirements, prepare the required academic and language documents, apply through the university's own portal, and — if you're a Non-EU visa applicant — then plan Universitaly pre-enrollment, scholarships and the visa process together.
Is CEnT-S required to study in Italy?
It depends on the programme. CEnT-S is part of admission/evaluation for some programmes, but it isn't a universal requirement for every English-taught bachelor's programme in Italy.
Do I need 12 years of education to study in Italy?
As a general rule, yes — at least 12 uninterrupted years of schooling through high-school graduation.
What are DOV and CIMEA?
DOV (Dichiarazione di Valore) is a diploma-evaluation document issued by Italian consulates. CIMEA is Italy's official qualification-recognition body and provides comparable recognition/verification documents. Which one is requested depends on the university.
Does CEnT-S count as proof of English proficiency?
No. CEnT-S is conducted in English, but it isn't itself an English-proficiency certificate. Programmes may separately require independent proof of English proficiency.
What is Universitaly?
Universitaly is the central administrative platform where Non-EU visa applicants formally register their chosen university and programme with the state, after which this information is shared with the consulate.
Is a university application the same as Universitaly pre-enrollment?
No. The university application is the institution's own academic admission process; Universitaly pre-enrollment is a separate administrative step that follows admission and serves a different function.
What does Non-EU applicant mean?
A Non-EU applicant is an international candidate who isn't an EU citizen and is generally subject to a study visa. Students applying from Turkey without EU citizenship or equivalent status are generally considered Non-EU applicants, though individual circumstances can vary and should be confirmed with the relevant official authorities.
Can international students get scholarships in Italy?
Yes, through regional right-to-study support, which can include tuition exemptions. The detailed process is covered in a dedicated scholarships guide.
When should I start preparing for the Italian student visa?
Early enough to coordinate with the university and Universitaly timelines and meet the relevant deadlines. Rather than a fixed date, it's best to start preparation as soon as your university admission is confirmed.
Related Guides
For the CEnT-S exam itself and the overall guide structure, see our CEnT-S Guide page.
Written by: CEnT-S Academy Editorial Team
Last updated: August 13, 2026