Italy offers temporary protection and emergency residence permits to refugees from Ukraine. Since the Russian invasion began, around 72,000 Ukrainians have arrived in the Mediterranean country.
Italy is home to over 70 higher education institutions, which provide more than 1,000 English-taught study programmes for international students.
Below, you’ll find some of the initiatives and support programmes for displaced Ukrainian students:
Credential evaluation
- Italian universities have the right to recognise diplomas and certificates issued in other countries.
- The Information Centre on Academic Mobility and Equivalence (CIMEA) offers more details about the recognition of academic, non-academic, and professional qualifications. CIMEA is the official Italian centre within ENIC-NARIC.
- Learn more about the higher education system in Italy.
Scholarships and financial aid
The Ministry of University and Research has allocated a 500,000 EUR fund to allow Ukrainian students, professors, and researchers to continue their activities at Italian universities and research institutions. The fund can be used, for example, to provide scholarships or accommodation.
The University of Padua offers financial aid to Ukrainian students in the form of:
- 50 scholarships, each worth 3,100 EUR, for students enrolling in single course units
- 75 scholarships, each worth 6,200 EUR, for students enrolling in full degrees in 2022-2023
- The University of Padua also exempts all students with a refugee or protection status from paying tuition fees. Those who are interested should contact the university’s Student Service Office.
The University of Bologna has come up with the following initiatives:
- Exemption from paying tuition fees for students enrolling in single learning activities
- 12 Er.Go scholarships and 10 additional scholarships, each worth 2,500 EUR, for the Er.Go winners
- Free Italian language courses
Politecnico di Torino offers 2 fully-funded PhD positions to international students holding a refugee or protection status. Check out the application requirements and other details about the POLITO for REFUGEES project.
Remember to also check out regular scholarships from Italian universities.
Did you know that we award two scholarships? The application deadline is on 31 May.
Study programmes and opportunities
Ukrainian students can find affordable study programmes in Italy, with tuition fees under 1,000 EUR per academic year. Most programmes are at Master’s and PhD levels, but several Bachelors are available as well.
At some universities, you can enrol in free individual courses (not full degrees) or Italian language classes.
Other support resources
- The Italia Hello website (link in Italian) has additional resources on entering Italy, applying for temporary protection, receiving medical care, etc.
- On Italy’s UNHCR page, you can learn more about temporary accommodation, reception centres for refugees, social solidarity income, etc.
- The Ministry of Education (link in Italian) has a page dedicated to the emergency in Ukraine. You’ll find official documents, helpful resources, and the latest news.
* We recommend using the automatic Google Translate function for pages with information in Italian.
** Please note we give our best to constantly update the information posted here, but we may not be able to track all specific changes that may occur.