Study in Italy from Pakistan
A practical, step-by-step guide for Pakistani students who want an English-taught bachelor’s or master’s degree at an Italian public university, with low fees and the chance of a DSU scholarship. We are founded by Pakistani students who did it themselves, with an office in Multan. Planning a master’s? See our MS in Italy for Pakistani students guide.
Why Pakistani students choose Italy
Low fees at public universities
Tuition depends on family income, and DSU scholarship winners pay no tuition at all.
Degrees taught in English
Hundreds of bachelor’s and master’s programmes in engineering, business, data science, medicine and more. Browse all courses.
A European degree
Recognised across the EU, with the option to stay and look for work after graduating.
How to study in Italy from Pakistan
Choose your course and university
Shortlist English-taught programmes and check entry requirements and deadlines in our course finder.
Apply to the university
Most universities run online applications for non-EU students between November and May. Some programmes ask for SAT, GRE or an interview.
Prepare and legalise your documents
Academic documents, English test, and CIMEA or DOV if required. See the checklist below.
Complete Universitaly pre-enrolment
After admission, submit pre-enrolment on the Universitaly portal. Your university approves it and the consulate uses it for your visa.
Apply for the DSU scholarship
Regional calls open in June–July and close between July and September. See our scholarship guide for every agency and date.
Apply for your student visa
Pakistani students apply for a national (D) study visa through the visa application centre authorised by the Embassy of Italy in Islamabad or the Consulate General in Karachi, depending on where you live. Since November 2024 the Embassy accepts documents apostilled by MOFA Pakistan instead of embassy legalisation.
Arrive, enrol and apply for your permit of stay
Within 8 days of arriving, apply for your permesso di soggiorno, complete enrolment and register your rental contract.
Documents Pakistani students need
For admission and visa
- Intermediate (HSSC/FSc/ICS/A-levels) and, for master’s, your bachelor’s degree and transcripts.
- IBCC attestation for HSSC certificates and HEC attestation for university degrees, then MOFA apostille.
- English test (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE or Duolingo). Some universities accept an English-medium (MOI) letter, so check each programme.
- CIMEA statement or Declaration of Value (DOV) if your university asks for it.
- Passport valid for the whole study period, CV and motivation letter.
For the DSU scholarship
- Family Registration Certificate (FRC) from NADRA.
- Income for every adult: salary certificate or FBR tax return for the year the call asks for.
- Property with area in square metres, or a no-property affidavit.
- Bank balances on 31 December of the reference year.
- All apostilled by MOFA and translated into Italian.
Start early. Attesting, apostilling and translating documents usually takes 4 to 8 weeks. Our Multan office helps students across Punjab and the rest of Pakistan, in person or online.
How much does it cost to study in Italy from Pakistan?
Italian public universities charge Pakistani students much less than the UK, Canada or Australia. These are the 2026/27 yearly fees for Pakistani students at popular universities, with each city’s monthly living cost.
| University | Yearly tuition (Pakistani students) | Living cost / month |
|---|---|---|
| Sapienza, Rome | €300 | €800–900+ |
| University of Pavia | €390 | €550–750 |
| University of Turin | €656 | €700–1,030 |
| University of Pisa | about €736 | €800–1,100 |
| Politecnico di Torino | €922 | €700–1,030 |
| University of Bologna (master’s) | about €1,357 | €570–670 |
| University of Padua | about €3,198 | €530–1,000 |
| Politecnico di Milano | up to €4,149 | €570–1,160 |
Full breakdown with one-time costs and example budgets: cost of studying in Italy 2027. Rates: €1 = PKR 308.88 (Oct 2026).
Requirements for Pakistani students at a glance
Bachelor’s (BS)
12 years of education: HSSC/FSc/ICS or A-levels. Some courses also need an entrance test such as TOLC or SAT.
Master’s (MS)
16 years of education: a 4-year BS, or a 2-year BA/BSc plus a 2-year MA/MSc. A 2-year BA/BSc alone is usually not accepted.
English
Usually IELTS 5.5–6.5 or similar. Some universities accept a medium of instruction (MOI) letter instead of IELTS.
Grades and gap
There is no national minimum CGPA; each course sets its own. Study gaps are usually fine if you explain them in your CV and motivation letter.
Attestation
IBCC for HSSC, HEC for degrees, then MOFA. Some universities also ask for a CIMEA statement or a Declaration of Value.
Visa funds
€10,179.85 for 2026/27 in your bank account, or a scholarship such as DSU. See the Italy study visa from Pakistan guide.
2027 timeline for Pakistani students
- October 2026 – March 2027Apply to universities in the first rounds. Many close early, so check which Italian universities are open for application now. Several charge no application fee.
- As soon as you are admittedComplete Universitaly pre-enrolment and start collecting ISEE parificato documents for DSU.
- June – August 2027Apply for the student visa at BLS International (Islamabad or Lahore) for the Embassy, or through the Consulate General in Karachi if you live in its area.
- July – September 2027Apply for the DSU scholarship in your university’s region. Deadlines differ by region.
- September – October 2027Travel to Italy, enrol and apply for your residence permit within 8 days of arrival.
Want to study Medicine in English? Read our IMAT 2027 guide: seats for non-EU students, test centres in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad, and fees.
Want a Data Science or AI master’s? See Data Science & AI master’s in Italy that accept an MOI letter, with 2027 deadlines.
Want to earn while you study? Read our guide to part-time jobs in Italy for international students: the 20-hour rule, real pay and where to find work.
Plan your next step
Questions from Pakistani students
Can Pakistani students study in Italy for free?
Public universities charge fees based on family income, and students who win a regional DSU scholarship are exempt from tuition and receive a yearly grant (at least €7,171 for students living away from home in 2026/27). Many Pakistani students qualify because the scholarship is based on family income, not grades.
Is IELTS required to study in Italy from Pakistan?
Most English-taught programmes ask for IELTS, TOEFL, PTE or Duolingo. Some accept an English-medium instruction letter from your university. Requirements differ by programme, so check each one before applying.
Which documents need IBCC, HEC and MOFA attestation?
Intermediate certificates are attested by IBCC, university degrees by HEC, and then documents for Italy are apostilled by MOFA. Family documents for the DSU scholarship (FRC, income, property) are apostilled by MOFA and translated into Italian.
Can Pakistani students apply for Invest Your Talent in Italy?
Pakistan was not on the list of eligible countries for 2026/27. The list changes every year, so check the new call. Regional DSU and university merit scholarships are open to Pakistani students.
Can I work while studying in Italy?
International students with a study permit can usually work part-time, up to 20 hours a week, alongside their studies.
How much does it cost to study in Italy from Pakistan?
Tuition at most public universities is about €300–3,000 a year for Pakistani students (for example €300 at Sapienza and €656 at Turin), and living costs are €600–1,100 a month. A realistic first-year budget is €9,000–17,000, about PKR 28–53 lakh. The DSU scholarship can waive tuition and pay a yearly grant.
How much bank balance is required for an Italy student visa from Pakistan?
For 2026/27 you must show €848.32 a month, or €10,179.85 a year (about PKR 31.4 lakh), in your bank account or through a scholarship such as DSU. Cash, bank guarantees and surety bonds are not accepted.
Can I do MS in Italy after a 2-year BA/BSc?
Usually not. Italian universities generally want 16 years of education for a master’s, so you need a 4-year BS, or a 2-year BA/BSc followed by a 2-year MA/MSc.
Planning to study in Italy from Pakistan?
Book a free profile review with the EuroPath team.