Italy: Public university fees and Turandot/Marco Polo programmes
Italy is often overlooked in English-language study abroad discourse, which is a mistake. Its public university system is large (more than 60 public universities), tuition is income-based and generally low (€200–€3,000 per year for most programmes), and the cost of living in many Italian university cities is lower than in Northern Europe. Italy also has specialised programmes — Turandot and Marco Polo — that create structured pathways for Chinese students, a demographic that is significantly under-served in the Nordics and Germany.
The English-taught programme count is lower than in Germany or the Netherlands, and the Italian bureaucracy is genuinely challenging. But for budget-conscious students who are willing to navigate the system, Italy offers value that Northern Europe cannot match.
Public university tuition: the ISEE system
Italian public university tuition is not a flat fee. It is calculated based on the student’s family income and assets, measured through the ISEE (Indicatore della Situazione Economica Equivalente). The ISEE is an official document that aggregates income, property, and financial assets, adjusted for family size.
For Italian and EU students, the ISEE determines the exact tuition amount within a band set by each university. For non-EU students residing abroad, most universities charge a flat rate or use a simplified income assessment. Typical non-EU tuition ranges:
- Bachelor’s programmes: €200–€3,000 per year
- Master’s programmes: €400–€3,500 per year
The lower end of the range applies to humanities and social sciences at less prestigious universities. The upper end applies to STEM programmes at leading universities like Politecnico di Milano, Politecnico di Torino, and the University of Bologna.
Some universities — particularly in the north — have introduced differentiated fees for non-EU students from certain countries. Always check the university’s specific ‘contribuzione studentesca’ page for the current year.
In addition to tuition, students pay a regional tax (tassa regionale per il diritto allo studio) of approximately €140–€160 per year.