Italy beckons Indian students with world-class universities, low tuition, and generous scholarships covering tuition waivers, stipends, and living costs. Programs like MAECI and DSU make studying in historic cities like Bologna and Padua affordable, targeting Master’s and PhD in arts, engineering, sciences, and business. These opportunities prioritize merit and need, welcoming over 10,000 internationals annually.
Top Scholarships in Italy for Indian Students
1. Italian Government MAECI Scholarship
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs offers this scholarship, open to students from all countries, including Indians, for Master’s, PhD, and research programs.
- Covers full tuition exemption at participating universities.
- Provides a total stipend of €9,000 (approx. ₹8 lakh) paid in three installments.
- Includes health and accident insurance coverage.
Eligibility:
- Non-residency in Italy.
- Age under 28 (Master’s) or 30 (PhD).
- Bachelor’s degree with 60-70% GPA or equivalent.
- IELTS/TOEFL for English programs.
Fields covered include arts, engineering, sciences, economics, and law.
2. DSU Regional Scholarships
Regional governments offer this need-based scholarship, open to international students, including Indians, for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD courses.
- Covers full tuition exemption and free accommodation/meals.
- Provides a cash grant €2,000-€7,000 (approx. ₹1.7-6 lakh) based on family income.
- Includes additional support like books and transport subsidies.
Eligibility:
- Enrollment in an Italian university.
- Family income (ISEE) under €25,000.
- Minimum 50-60% academic record.
- Legalized income documents from the home country.
Fields covered span all university programs, including STEM, humanities, and medicine.
Read More: Top 5 Affordable Universities in Italy for International Students
3. Invest Your Talent in Italy (IYT)
The government-industry partnership offers this scholarship, open to non-EU students, including Indians, for select Master’s programs.
- Covers tuition waivers up to €10,000.
- Provides a monthly stipend of €900 (approx. ₹75,000) for 10 months, totaling €9,000.
- Includes 3-month paid internship at top companies.
Eligibility:
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
- Age under 30.
- English proficiency (IELTS 6.0+).
- No minimum GPA required, but a strong CV is preferred.
Fields covered include engineering, management, design, economics, and applied sciences.
4. University of Padua International Excellence Scholarship
Padua University offers this merit scholarship, open to international students, including Indians, for Bachelor’s and Master’s programs.
- Covers full tuition waiver for 2-3 years.
- Provides an annual grant of €8,000 (approx. ₹6.7 lakh).
- Includes access to university facilities and support services.
Eligibility:
- Top 10% academic performance in prior degree.
- Admission to an English-taught program.
- No separate application—auto-assessed.
- IELTS/TOEFL required for most courses.
Fields covered include sciences, engineering, humanities, and social sciences.
5. University of Bologna Study Grants
Europe’s oldest university offers this scholarship, open to non-EU students, including Indians, for international Master’s programs.
- Covers full tuition exemption or €4,500 grant (approx. ₹3.8 lakh).
- Provides additional need-based waivers via Action 2.
- Includes study support and cultural integration programs.
Eligibility:
- Bachelor’s with 65%+ GPA or SAT/GRE scores.
- Admission application by program deadline.
- English proficiency for international tracks.
- Demonstrated merit through transcripts.
Fields covered include economics, law, engineering, agriculture, and pharmacy.
Application Tips for Indian Students
Strengthen profiles with IELTS/TOEFL (6.5+), legalized income proofs (€6,000+ bank balance for visas), SOPs highlighting Italy ties, and 2 LORs. Deadlines cluster spring-summer; track esteri.it and university sites. Combine DSU with university awards for full coverage—living costs average €900/month in Milan/Rome.
Read More: Germany vs Italy: Which is the Better Study Abroad Destination 2026
Conclusion
These Italy-based scholarships, MAECI, DSU, and IYT, remove financial barriers for Indian students while blending Renaissance heritage with modern innovation. To maximize coverage, prioritize government-funded options, align your field of study with your career goals, and apply early. These programs fund degrees and open EU networks and post-study visas, seize Italy’s golden opportunities.
