Italy’s public universities teach Medicine and Surgery in English for a few thousand euros a year or less. Entry is through one exam, the IMAT. Here are the latest dates, every university’s seats for non-EU students, the scoring and fees, and a month-by-month plan for 2027.
Updated October 2026. The IMAT 2027 decree isn’t out yet (expected summer 2027). Figures below are from the official 2026/27 round (DM 1005/2026), the best guide to plan with. We’ll update this page when 2027 dates are published.
Still needed?
Is the IMAT still required after Italy’s Medicine reform?
Yes, for English-taught Medicine. Italy’s 2025 reform (Legislative Decree 71/2025) replaced the entrance test with an open “filter semester”, but only for Italian-taught courses. English-taught Medicine at state universities still admits through a single national test, the IMAT, as confirmed by the 2026 decree. Private universities (Humanitas, UniCamillus, Cattolica, San Raffaele, Campus Bio-Medico) run their own tests and charge much higher fees.
Seats
IMAT seats for non-EU students, by university
Non-EU students living abroad compete only for the seats of the one university where they pre-enrolled. So the seat count, and how popular each university is, matters more than for EU students. Seats below are for 2026/27 state universities.
* Course being accredited in 2026. Tor Vergata also ran a joint degree in Tirana (Albania) with 320 non-EU seats, not listed here because it is taught outside Italy. Indian students should check NMC rules before choosing it. Source: DM 1005/2026, Table B, as summarised by StudyU and ProSyllabus.
The test
IMAT format and scoring
| Section | Questions |
|---|---|
| Biology | 23 |
| Chemistry | 15 |
| Physics & Mathematics | 13 |
| Logical reasoning | 5 |
| Reading skills & general knowledge | 4 |
| Total | 60 questions · 100 minutes · in English |
Each question has 5 options. +1.5 for a correct answer, −0.4 for a wrong one, 0 if left blank. Maximum 90. Guessing randomly loses points on average, so skip questions you can’t narrow down.
IMAT score calculator
Enter how many you got right and wrong in a mock test.
Timeline
IMAT 2027: month-by-month plan for non-EU students
Prepare and choose your university plan
Start Biology and Chemistry first (38 of 60 questions). Compare non-EU seats and city costs and pick one university. Prepare your 12-year school certificates and English proof.
Universitaly pre-enrolment for that university expected
Mandatory before you can register for the IMAT. Each university can approve only its non-EU quota plus 20%, so late applicants can be blocked. Apply as soon as the university opens.
Ministerial decree with dates and seats expected
In 2026 it was DM 1005 of 6 August.
IMAT registration on Universitaly expected
In 2026 it ran 26 August – 9 September, with a strict deadline.
IMAT test day expected
2026: 29 September, 13:30 Italian time (16:30 in Pakistan, 17:00 in India).
Results, rankings and enrolment 2026 pattern
In 2026: scores on 8 October, rankings on 26 October, first ranking round on 3 November. If you’re admitted, enrol and apply for the visa straight away.
Eligibility
Who can apply
- 12 years of schooling: FSc Pre-Medical, Indian Class 12 (PCB) or A-levels. Systems with 11 years need an extra year.
- Recognition: universities may ask for a CIMEA statement or a Declaration of Value, so start early.
- English: often B2 at pre-enrolment. The test itself is in English, and IELTS/TOEFL scores are used to break ties.
- Funds for the visa: €10,179.85 a year (2026/27), or a DSU scholarship, plus housing in Italy.
Costs
What Medicine in English costs
Pavia, per year
Three brackets for 2026/27 (€390, €1,520, €4,550), or ISEE-based fees on request.
University of Milan, per year
€146 first instalment plus €3,204–€4,101 second instalment, by country group.
With the DSU scholarship
Income-based regional scholarship: tuition waiver plus at least €7,171 a year if you live away from home. See our DSU guide.
Private universities
E.g. San Raffaele €20,690 in year one (2026/27). Separate tests and deadlines.
Strategy
How non-EU students improve their chances
🎯 Pick the university smartly
More non-EU seats doesn’t always mean easier: popular universities attract more applicants. Weigh seats, city cost and past admitted scores.
⏱ Pre-enrol early
The quota-plus-20% cap means a late pre-enrolment can be refused, leaving you unable to sit the test for that university.
🧬 Biology + Chemistry first
38 of 60 questions. Mastering them gives the biggest score gain.
🚫 Don’t guess blindly
With −0.4 for wrong answers, only answer when you can rule out at least two options.
Practising at home
Recognition in Pakistan and India
An Italian Medicine and Surgery degree (6 years) is recognised across the EU. To practise in your home country later, check the rules first: Pakistani graduates follow PM&DC’s licensing pathway for foreign medical graduates, and Indian students should read the NMC Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations 2021, especially before choosing a joint degree taught outside Italy.
FAQ
IMAT 2027: frequently asked questions
Is IMAT still required for English Medicine in Italy in 2027?
Yes, as far as current rules go. The 2025 reform (Legislative Decree 71/2025) replaced the entrance test with a “filter semester” only for Italian-taught Medicine. English-taught Medicine at state universities still admits through the IMAT, confirmed again by the 2026 decree (DM 1005/2026). The 2027 decree is expected in summer 2027.
When is IMAT 2027?
Not announced yet. IMAT 2026 was held on 29 September 2026, with registration from 26 August to 9 September 2026 on Universitaly. Expect a similar late-September date in 2027, confirmed by the ministerial decree in summer 2027.
How many IMAT seats are there for non-EU students?
For 2026/27, state universities offered 845 non-EU seats in English Medicine, of which 525 are taught in Italy (320 are on Tor Vergata’s joint course in Tirana, Albania). Messina (61), Ancona, Naples Vanvitelli and Parma (50 each) had the most.
Can Pakistani and Indian students take IMAT in their own country?
In 2026 IMAT was held abroad too, including Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad in Pakistan and New Delhi and Chennai in India. No centre was listed in Bangladesh. Centres are confirmed each year.
What IMAT score do non-EU students need?
Non-EU students living abroad need a score above zero to be ranked, but they compete only for the seats of the one university where they pre-enrolled. In practice the admitted score depends on how many applicants choose that university.
What does Medicine in English cost at Italian public universities?
Tuition is set by each university, often by income or country group. For 2026/27, Pavia listed €390, €1,520 or €4,550 a year depending on the bracket, and the University of Milan about €3,350–€4,250. The DSU scholarship can waive tuition and pay a yearly grant.
Do I need IELTS for IMAT?
Not to sit the test, which is itself in English. Universities may ask for B2 English at pre-enrolment, and an English certificate can be used to break ties in the ranking.
Is an Italian medical degree recognised in Pakistan and India?
Italian medical degrees are EU-recognised, but practising at home has its own rules: Pakistani graduates go through PM&DC’s licensing route for foreign graduates, and Indian students must check the NMC’s Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations 2021 before choosing a course, especially the Tirana joint degree.
Want help choosing your IMAT university?
We check your FSc/Class 12 documents, pick the best university for your profile, and handle your Universitaly pre-enrolment, IMAT registration, DSU scholarship and visa.
Related guides
Sources, checked 27 October 2026: MUR DM 1005/2026 as reported by Meditaliano, Skuola.net, Futura, StudyU; test centres from Locomotive. Always confirm on Universitaly and each university’s call.
