If you are a Bangladeshi student looking for an affordable European degree without giving up on world-class universities, Italy deserves a serious look. Public university tuition starts from just €900 per year, regional scholarships can cover the entire cost including living expenses, and English-taught Master's programmes are growing rapidly. Here is exactly how to apply, what it costs, and what to expect from the visa process at the Italian Embassy in Dhaka.
1. Why Italy Is a Top Destination for Bangladeshi Students
Italy is one of the most affordable EU destinations and home to some of the oldest universities in the world — the University of Bologna, founded in 1088, is considered the oldest in continuous operation. For Bangladeshi students, the appeal comes down to five things:
- Low public university tuition — typically €900 to €4,000 per year, far below the UK or Australia
- Strong DSU regional scholarships that can fully cover tuition, accommodation, and meals for low-income international students
- Growing list of English-taught programmes, especially at Master's level in business, engineering, design and architecture
- Schengen access — your Italian student permit lets you travel across 26 European countries
- 12-month post-study job-seeker permit after graduation, with a clear pathway to EU work permits
Italy is also one of the few EU countries where Bangladeshi students can apply directly without needing an intermediate certificate like Germany's APS — making the process simpler from day one.
2. Tuition Fees & Real Cost of Studying in Italy
Public universities charge tuition based on family income (the ISEE Parificato calculation for international students). Most Bangladeshi students fall into the lowest fee bracket:
- Bachelor's degrees: €900 – €2,500 per year at most public universities
- Master's degrees: €1,500 – €4,000 per year
- PhD programmes: typically free (and most come with a monthly stipend of €1,200+)
Private universities (Bocconi, Luiss, Cattolica) charge significantly more — usually €12,000 to €18,000 per year — but offer generous merit scholarships that can bring this down to public-university levels.
Living costs: Budget approximately €700 to €1,000 per month depending on the city. Milan and Rome are the most expensive; Bologna, Padua, Turin, and southern cities like Naples are cheaper. Total annual living cost ranges from BDT 9 to 13 lakh in most cases.
3. Top Universities & English-Taught Programmes
Italy has several globally ranked universities that accept Bangladeshi students with strong English-taught options:
- Politecnico di Milano — Italy's top engineering and design university, with full English-taught Master's programmes in Engineering, Architecture, and Design
- Bocconi University (Milan) — top business school with English-taught Bachelor's and Master's in Economics, Finance and Management
- University of Bologna — over 60 English-taught degree programmes; one of Europe's most respected research universities
- Sapienza University of Rome — large public university with English-taught Master's in Engineering, Computer Science and Health Sciences
- Politecnico di Torino — strong reputation for engineering, automotive and architecture programmes
- University of Padua — historic university with growing English Master's offerings in Sciences and Engineering
Typical entry requirements: IELTS 6.0–6.5 overall (some programmes accept 5.5 with conditions), HSC GPA 4.0+ for Bachelor's, second-class Bachelor's for Master's. Each university sets its own minimum.
We have direct application channels with these Italian institutions, which means faster admission decisions and dedicated support for Bangladeshi applicants:
- Polimi Graduate School of Management (Milan) — the business school of Politecnico di Milano, offering MBA, MSc and specialised Master's programmes taught entirely in English. Strong placement record in Europe.
- European School of Economics — Florence Campus — English-taught Bachelor's and Master's in Business, Finance, Marketing and International Relations, with internship placements across Italy and Europe.
More partnerships are added each intake — contact us to check the latest options.
4. Scholarships for Bangladeshi Students
Three main scholarship streams are available:
1. DSU Regional Scholarships (Diritto allo Studio Universitario) — every Italian region runs its own scholarship for low-income students, including international applicants. Awards typically include:
- Full tuition fee exemption
- Free university accommodation (or a housing grant of around €2,500/year)
- Free meals at the university canteen
- An annual cash grant ranging from €2,000 to €6,000 depending on income
You apply to the regional DSU agency (e.g., DSU Toscana, ER.GO Emilia-Romagna, EDISU Piemonte) after you receive university admission. Application typically opens in July–September.
2. Italian Government Scholarship (MAECI) — administered by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this scholarship is open to Bangladeshi nationals for Master's, PhD, and Italian language courses. It covers €900/month stipend plus tuition exemption and health insurance. Application deadline is usually in May/June each year through the official Study in Italy portal.
3. Invest Your Talent in Italy — a specialised programme for Master's degrees in Engineering, Business, Architecture and Design. Provides a €9,000 grant plus internship placement at Italian companies. Open to Bangladeshi applicants annually.
Many private universities (Bocconi, Politecnico, Luiss) also offer their own merit-based scholarships — apply directly when submitting your university application.
5. Italian Student Visa from Bangladesh — Step by Step
Step 1: Get university admission first. Apply via Universitaly.it (the official portal) or directly to the university. You will receive a Letter of Acceptance.
Step 2: Pre-enrolment on the Universitaly portal — your university confirms your application and the system generates a pre-enrolment certificate.
Step 3: Prepare your visa documents:
- Valid passport (with at least 2 blank pages and 6 months validity beyond intended stay)
- Letter of Acceptance from your Italian university
- Pre-enrolment confirmation from Universitaly
- Proof of accommodation in Italy (rental agreement or university hostel letter)
- Proof of financial means — approximately €7,000+ in your bank account (the official threshold updates yearly)
- Health insurance valid in Italy (minimum €30,000 coverage)
- Academic transcripts and certificates with apostille
- Dichiarazione di Valore (DoV) — value declaration for non-EU degrees, issued by the Italian Embassy
- Visa application form, passport photos, return flight booking
Step 4: Book an appointment at the Italian Embassy in Dhaka. Slots fill up quickly during May–August (peak intake season), so book at least 2–3 months in advance.
Step 5: Attend the visa interview. Submit documents, biometrics, and pay the visa fee (around €50). The interview is short — embassy staff want to confirm you are a genuine student with sufficient funds and a clear plan.
Step 6: Receive your visa — typically within 4–6 weeks. After arrival in Italy, you have 8 days to apply for your permesso di soggiorno (residence permit) at the local police station.
6. Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to learn Italian to study in Italy?
Not for most Master's programmes — many top universities now teach entirely in English. You will need IELTS 6.0+ in most cases. Bachelor's programmes are mostly in Italian, so for undergraduate study you typically need a B1/B2 Italian certificate. Learning basic Italian is strongly recommended for daily life and part-time work, even if your degree is in English.
Can I work part-time as a student in Italy?
Yes. International students can work up to 20 hours per week during semesters and full-time during holidays, subject to the conditions of your residence permit. Hourly wages are typically €7–€10 for student-friendly jobs.
What is the Dichiarazione di Valore (DoV) and why do I need it?
The DoV is an official document from the Italian Embassy that declares the value and authenticity of your foreign academic qualifications. It is required as part of the visa and university enrolment process. The Italian Embassy in Dhaka issues this — start the process early as it can take 4–6 weeks.
How much money do I need to show for the visa?
The financial requirement updates yearly. As of 2026, you need to show approximately €7,000–€7,500 per year available — either in your account, your sponsor's account, or as a confirmed scholarship award. Always check the latest figure on the Italian Embassy in Dhaka website before applying.
Can I stay in Italy after I graduate?
Yes. Italy offers a 12-month job-seeker residence permit after graduation. During this period you can live in Italy and search for full-time employment. Once you secure a job offer, you convert this into a work permit. Italy also has a Skilled Worker visa pathway and an EU Blue Card for highly qualified graduates.
When is the application deadline for September 2026 intake?
Most Italian public universities have application windows from January to May for the September intake. Some private universities like Bocconi have rolling admissions earlier. The Italian Government MAECI scholarship deadline is typically May–June. Always check each university's calendar — deadlines vary.