Applications for the 2027–28 intake at Italian universities are already opening, and some first rounds close before Christmas. The University of Padua opened on 15 September 2026, and its first window closes on 15 November 2026. Politecnico di Milano, Politecnico di Torino, Bologna and Sapienza usually open their first non-EU rounds between October and December.
Looking for where to apply right now? See our updated list of universities open for the Italy September 2027 intake.
If you are a student from Pakistan, India or Bangladesh, the first round matters most. Later rounds are often closed to non-EU applicants living abroad, because the visa process takes months. Apply early, and you have time for Universitaly pre-enrolment, the visa appointment and the DSU scholarship.
This guide lists which universities are open now, which open soon, what each one costs to apply to, and what documents to prepare this month.
Italian university application deadlines 2027–28
Padua is the only major university that has already confirmed its 2027–28 dates. For the others, we show the last cycle’s dates (2026–27) as a guide, because most universities repeat a similar calendar each year. We will replace them as soon as the 2027–28 calls are published.
| University | City | 2027–28 status | First window for non-EU applicants | Later rounds | Application fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Padua | Padua | Open now (confirmed) | 15 Sep – 15 Nov 2026 | Further windows announced later | Check the call |
| Politecnico di Milano | Milan | Expected to open October 2026 | Last cycle: 1 Oct – 1 Dec 2025 (Engineering 1st call; early bird for Architecture and Design) | Engineering 2nd call: 13 Jan – 26 Feb 2026; Architecture & Design until 29 Jan 2026 | €50, non-refundable |
| University of Bologna | Bologna | Expected to open late November 2026 | Last cycle (Engineering & AI Master’s): 27 Nov 2025 – 14 Jan 2026, reserved for non-EU applicants | Rounds until 2 Jul 2026 for non-EU students living abroad (AI closed 9 Apr) | Not stated in the call |
| Politecnico di Torino | Turin | Expected to open December 2026 | Last cycle (Master’s): 19 Dec 2025 – 13 Feb 2026 | 2nd call: 18 Mar – 20 Apr 2026 | €50 |
| Sapienza University of Rome | Rome | Expected to open December 2026 | Last cycle: 22 Dec 2025 – 15 May 2026 (pre-selection on MoveIn) | Single window | €30 per application, no waiver |
| University of Milan | Milan | Expected early 2027 | Last cycle (open-admission Master’s): opened 22 Jan 2026 | Bachelor’s calls from March 2026 | Check the call |
| University of Trento | Trento | Expected early 2027 | Last cycle (Economics Bachelor’s): by 23 Mar 2026; non-EU applicants abroad may join the first session only | None for non-EU applicants abroad | Free to apply; €80 pre-enrolment fee + test fees |
Deadlines differ by programme within the same university. Use this table to plan, then check the call for your exact course.
Looking for more options? Browse our Italian universities page to explore more universities and find full details of the programmes you are interested in.
Country guides: study in Italy from Pakistan · from India · from Bangladesh
Which Italian universities are open for application for 2027? (Updated October 2026)
Open now
- University of Padua. The first window for 2027–28 closes on 15 November 2026. If Padua is on your list, apply this month.
Likely to open in the next 4–10 weeks (based on last year)
- Politecnico di Milano: around 1 October, with an early-bird or first-call deadline around 1 December
- University of Bologna: late November, with a first round reserved for non-EU applicants
- Politecnico di Torino: mid to late December
- Sapienza University of Rome: late December, through the MoveIn pre-selection platform
Usually open in early 2027
- University of Milan (January for Master’s) and University of Trento (deadline around March, single session for non-EU applicants abroad)
Want to know the day a call opens? Message us for deadline alerts and we will tell you when your university publishes its 2027–28 call.
Why the first round matters for Pakistani, Indian and Bangladeshi students
Apply in the first round whenever you can. Three reasons:
- Some rounds are closed to you. Bologna reserves its first round for non-EU applicants and closes most later rounds to non-EU students living abroad. Trento lets non-EU applicants abroad join the first session only.
- The visa takes time. After the admission letter, you still need Universitaly pre-enrolment, a visa appointment, and the visa decision. Appointments in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, New Delhi, Mumbai and Dhaka can take weeks to book.
- DSU scholarships need early paperwork. The ISEE parificato needs translated and legalised family income and property documents. An early admission gives you months to prepare them.
How many universities should you apply to? Most students apply to 4–6. Combine one or two competitive choices (for example Politecnico di Milano) with two or three universities where your profile fits well. With fees of €30–€50 per application, budget roughly €150–€300 in total.
Next step after admission: follow our Universitaly Pre-Enrolment 2027–28 guide and our DSU Regional Scholarship 2027–28 guide. Regional DSU calls have their own deadlines, some as early as July: see DSU scholarship by region.
Documents to prepare before the 2027–28 deadlines
Most Italian universities ask for scanned copies at the application stage. Start collecting these now:
- Passport (valid for the full study period)
- Academic transcripts and degree certificate (or the latest semester results if you are still studying)
- Intermediate/HSC/12th certificate, for Bachelor’s applicants
- English proficiency proof (IELTS, TOEFL, or a Medium of Instruction letter where the university accepts it)
- CV in Europass or a clean one-page format
- Motivation letter tailored to each programme
- Course descriptions or syllabus, for Master’s applicants (many evaluations check your credits subject by subject)
- Recommendation letters, if the programme asks for them
- Entrance test scores where required (for example TOLC or CEnT-S for some Bachelor’s programmes)
After admission you will also need a Declaration of Value or CIMEA statement for your degree, and the ISEE parificato documents if you apply for DSU. See how to prepare early for scholarships in Italy.
6 common mistakes with Italian university deadlines
- Confusing Italian time with your local time. Deadlines are in Italian time (CET/CEST). Pakistan is 3–4 hours ahead, India 3.5–4.5, Bangladesh 4–5. Some, like Politecnico di Torino, close at 2:00 p.m., not midnight.
- Forgetting to pay the fee. At Politecnico di Milano, the call closing date is also the last day to pay the €50 fee. Unpaid applications are not assessed.
- Waiting for later rounds. Later rounds are often closed to non-EU students living abroad.
- Using one motivation letter for every university. Admissions committees notice. Name the programme, its courses and why they fit your background.
- Ignoring programme-level dates. One university can run different calls for Engineering, Architecture and Economics.
- Waiting for admission before starting visa and DSU paperwork. Translations and legalisation take weeks. Start now.
Planning Medicine or a master’s? Read our IMAT guide to studying Medicine in English and the MS in Italy for Pakistani students guide for course-specific deadlines.
FAQ: Italian university deadlines 2027–28
When do Italian universities open applications for 2027–28?
Most public universities open between September 2026 and January 2027. Padua opened on 15 September 2026. Politecnico di Milano usually opens in October, and Bologna, Torino and Sapienza usually open between late November and December.
Is it too late to apply to Italian universities for September 2027?
No. October 2026 is a good time to start. Most first rounds close between November 2026 and February 2027.
What is the application fee for Italian universities?
Usually €30–€50 per application. Politecnico di Milano and Politecnico di Torino charge €50, and Sapienza charges €30. Some universities, such as Trento for certain programmes, charge nothing to apply.
Can Pakistani, Indian and Bangladeshi students apply in every round?
Not always. Many universities limit non-EU applicants living abroad to the early rounds so there is time for the visa.
Do I need IELTS to apply to Italian universities?
Most English-taught programmes ask for English proof. Some accept a Medium of Instruction letter. Check each programme’s call.
Can I apply before I finish my degree?
Yes. Most universities accept final-year students with their latest transcript, as long as you graduate before enrolment.
Plan your 2027–28 applications now
The 2027–28 cycle has started. Padua closes its first window on 15 November 2026, and the Politecnici, Bologna and Sapienza follow within weeks. Shortlist 4–6 programmes this month, prepare your documents, and apply in the first round.
Explore Italian universities, see our services, read how to plan your study journey in Italy and our checklist before you arrive in Italy.
Not sure which universities fit your profile? Contact EuroPath Consulting for a free profile review. We will shortlist universities with you, check your scholarship chances and track every deadline for you.
