Study in Italy
The 10-Step Roadmap
First Thing First Find a programme
Verify programmes entry requirements
English language skills and Exams
Summary and Leglization
Visa
First Thing First Find a programme
Verify programmes entry requirements
English language skills and Exams
Summary and Leglization
Visa
A complete, simple guide for Ethiopian beginners
If you are in Ethiopia and dreaming of studying in Italy, your very first step is to find the right programme.
Before you think about visas, pre-enrolment, or scholarships, you must know:
This guide walks you slowly, step by step, assuming you have never used Universitaly before and you are completely new to the Italian system.
First, you need to understand who you are as a student. This will save you months of confusion and help you avoid programmes where you don't meet the requirements.
For students who have (or will soon have) Ethiopian Grade 12 / high school diploma.
For students who already have a Bachelor's degree (for example, from an Ethiopian university).
Long programmes that combine Bachelor + Master in one, such as:
Think honestly about what you enjoy and where you see your future. Some common options:
For this guide and your website, we focus on English-taught programmes only.
So your choice is: Programmes taught fully in English.
(If a programme is "mainly Italian" with a few English courses, do not choose it.)
Most international students choose:
Other modes (online, blended) are rare and usually not suitable for student visa purposes.
In Italy, the academic year typically runs from September to the following September.
Applications usually open between November and April (exact dates depend on each university).
By now, you should be able to write a simple, clear sentence like:
"I want a 2-year Master's in Economics, taught fully in English, on-campus in Italy, starting in September."
If you can say this, you're ready for the next part.
You don't need to become an expert, but a basic understanding will help a lot.
In Italy, higher education includes:
The official national portal Universitaly is managed under the Italian Ministry of University and Research and is the main reference point for programmes and pre-enrolment for international students.
You understand:
Now we move to the practical part: searching for actual English-taught programmes.
Universitaly is the official national platform used to:
Tip: Always make sure the website address ends with ".it" and is the official Italian government portal. Avoid unofficial or "copy" websites.
On the course search page ("Cerca corsi" / "What to Study"):
For each programme that appears:
Write down (on paper or Excel/Google Sheet):
At this stage, don't worry yet about documents or visa. Just discover what exists.
You now have a raw list of potential English-taught programmes in Italy that match your basic interests and degree level.
After you've explored what to study, you must understand where you will live and study.
Universitaly has a "Where to Study" section that lists Italian institutions by region and city.
Now compare:
Ask yourself:
Make simple notes like:
"University of Padua – medium-size city, strong in science, many international programmes."
"University of Milan – big city, higher cost of living, strong reputation, many English programmes."
You now understand not only what programmes exist, but also where they are and what life there might look like.
Universitaly gives an overview, but all detailed, binding information is on the university's own website.
For every interesting programme on your list:
Make sure the website:
*.it, sometimes *.edu, *.eu)On the programme page, look for:
Look for sections like "Admission Requirements" or "How to Apply". Common requirements include:
Different universities have different rules:
Carefully read:
Most universities will list documents like:
Write down exactly what each programme asks for so you can prepare later.
You have removed programmes that:
What remains are realistic, suitable options.
Now it's time to move from "many options" to a focused shortlist.
For each final choice, create a small table or list like this:
"Matches my Bachelor in Computer Science, strong focus on machine learning, good international environment."
Having several solid options gives you backup if one doesn't work out.
You now have 2–4 strong target programmes, each:
This shortlist becomes the foundation for every next step.
By the time you finish this page, you should have:
You don't need to read all of them now, but these are the core official sites you will use throughout your journey:
Programmes, institutions, pre-enrolment
Official procedures for foreign students
Course search / cerca corsi
Institutions by region
Post-admission and arrival guide
Conditions for non-EU students
Study in Italy / Scholarships
Visa requirements and documents
Once you have your shortlist of programmes, you'll be ready for the next steps:
Check in detail if you meet all academic requirements
Plan or prove your English language level
Understand fees & scholarships
Pre-enrol on Universitaly
Apply for your study visa at the Italian Embassy in Ethiopia
But everything starts here, with Step 1 – finding the right English-taught programme.
A complete, easy-to-follow guide for Ethiopian students applying to Italy
After completing Step 1 (Find your Programme), you now have a shortlist of English-taught programmes you want to pursue.
Step 2 is absolutely critical.
Before applying, before preparing documents, and before touching the visa process, you must verify whether you actually meet the programme's entry requirements.
This step protects you from investing months into a programme that you cannot enter due to:
This guide explains everything from zero — slowly, clearly, professionally — using the official Universitaly logic.
Before looking at detailed requirements, confirm that your current education matches the degree level of each programme.
This prevents wasting time on degrees you cannot access.
You can apply to:
Such as Medicine, Dentistry, Architecture, Law
You can apply to:
But ONLY if your prior degree is compatible with the field of study.
On the university's official website, confirm:
You eliminate programmes where your level of education does not qualify you to apply.
Every Italian programme expects certain prerequisites. According to Universitaly, these fall into four main categories, and you must verify all of them.
Examples:
Often demonstrated through:
These may include:
You must prove you can study in the programme's language:
You know exactly which categories you must review for each programme — no surprises later.
Now you move from "general categories" to programme-specific rules.
This should always be done using official university websites — never summaries or blogs.
You now have the full, official list of requirements for each programme — not assumptions or second-hand information.
This is one of the most important steps.
You must now compare your background with what each programme expects.
This allows you to classify each programme as:
Ask:
Does my high-school/Bachelor degree match the programme's required level and field?
Examples:
Review your transcript to confirm:
Identify:
Compare:
You can now label each programme realistically:
This clarity saves you time and prevents failed applications.
Italian universities must officially recognize foreign qualifications to compare them with Italian ones.
This is very important for Ethiopian students.
They issue:
Some universities require these documents.
Issued by the Italian Embassy in Ethiopia.
It explains how your Ethiopian diploma compares to Italian standards.
Some require:
Find out whether recognition documents are needed:
You now know which recognition processes you must follow and can plan the timeline accordingly.
If anything remains unclear, contact the university directly.
This is normal and encouraged — especially for international applicants.
Write to:
Include:
They may help you during application, selection, or even visa.
You eliminate all uncertainty and get written confirmation directly from the responsible authority.
To stay organised, build a simple comparison table.
A clean, visual map of where you stand and which programmes to focus on.
By completing Step 2, you now have:
Now you can move confidently to Step 3, knowing exactly:
A complete guide for Ethiopian students applying to Italy
After verifying programme requirements in Step 2, you must now address one of the most critical admission criteria: English language proficiency.
For English-taught programmes in Italy, universities require proof that you can understand lectures, participate in discussions, complete assignments, and succeed academically — all in English.
This step ensures your English skills will never block your admission. You'll learn:
Each programme you shortlisted in Step 1 has its own specific English requirement, so you must check them individually.
You should now have a clear note for each programme, e.g.:
MSc Data Science – B2 required – IELTS 6.0 minimum
Italy generally accepts the same trusted international tests used worldwide.
| Test | Typical B2 Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 5.5 – 6.0 | Most widely accepted |
| TOEFL iBT | 70 – 80 | Accepted across Italy |
| Cambridge English | B2 First / C1 Advanced | Often accepted with specific grade levels |
| PTE Academic | B2 equivalent | Increasingly recognised |
| Other tests | TOEIC or others | Only if specifically stated |
Some universities publish exact scores for each of these tests. Make sure the score you aim for meets all programmes on your shortlist.
Create a small note under each programme:
"Accepted tests: IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge — Minimum score: IELTS 6.0"
You know which test you can take that will be accepted universally across your preferred programmes.
Many Italian universities allow students to skip English exams if they can prove their education was fully in English.
You may not need an English test if:
Important: Not all universities accept educational background as proof. Some require tests without exception. Always verify.
You clearly know if you must take an English exam, or if you can skip it using your academic background.
Now that you know the required level, determine where you currently stand.
You now understand your current English position relative to your target programmes.
If you must take a test, planning is essential. Test dates, deadlines, and visa schedules all matter.
Work backwards:
Always aim slightly above the minimum.
Example:
If a programme requires IELTS 6.0, target 6.5 for safety.
Choose a preparation method:
You have a complete plan:
To keep everything organised, create a simple table summarising English requirements for your shortlisted programmes.
| Programme | Required English Level | Accepted Tests & Minimum Scores | Exemption Allowed? | Your Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSc Data Science – Univ A | B2 | IELTS ≥ 6.0; TOEFL ≥ 78 | Yes, if degree in English | Needs test |
| MSc Economics – Univ B | B2 | IELTS ≥ 5.5 | No | Meets requirement |
This table helps you quickly understand:
By completing Step 3, you ensure your English proficiency will never block your admission.
You now have:
With your English profile fully understood and planned, you are now ready for Step 4 — Legalization and Visa requirements.
A complete guide for Ethiopian students on pre-enrolment and document legalization
Once an Italian university accepts you (sometimes "conditionally accepted"), that does NOT mean you can just take your passport and fly.
For non-EU students living outside Italy (like an Ethiopian student in Ethiopia), there are three big steps after acceptance:
We'll focus here on:
The Universitaly pre-enrolment summary is a PDF document generated by the Universitaly portal after you complete your pre-enrolment and the university validates it.
It is basically an official summary of your pre-enrolment request that:
Universities and official guides clearly say that, once validated, you must download and print this summary and present it to the Italian Embassy/Consulate in your country.
Think of it like this:
The summary = an official bridge between your university acceptance and the Embassy.
It tells the Embassy: "This person has been pre-enrolled in this Italian university and wants a study visa."
Even if you already have an acceptance email or pre-admission letter, you still must complete pre-enrolment on Universitaly.
Inside your account:
You'll be asked to:
Usually, you must upload:
Follow carefully what the university's guide or Universitaly instructions say.
Once all fields & documents are uploaded, most Universitaly guides explain:
The university will review your pre-enrolment.
Once validated, you will:
Many universities explicitly say you must print this summary and bring it to the Embassy / Consulate for your visa appointment.
You now have:
Now you have your university acceptance and Universitaly summary. The next major question is:
"How does Italy officially recognise my Ethiopian school or university qualifications?"
For this, Italian institutions (universities + Embassy) use recognition tools:
For an Ethiopian student, the Embassy of Italy in Addis Ababa plays a central role.
The Declaration of Value (Dichiarazione di Valore – DoV) is:
It does not automatically make your degree "equivalent", but it is necessary for:
For Ethiopia, the Embassy clearly states that the DoV is issued for foreign qualifications (high school or degree) and requires your documents to be legalized and translated into Italian first.
From the Embassy of Italy in Addis Ababa, for the academic year 2025/26:
You must bring originals of:
You must bring originals of:
👉 Both the degree certificate and the transcript must be:
The Embassy also notes that, for 2025/26, appointments for DoV and legalisation are handled via VFS Global, not directly via the normal embassy booking system.
Let's put this into a clear timeline for an Ethiopian student.
You must:
The Embassy explicitly says your certificates must be legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia before they can issue the DoV.
Tip: Start this early. MoFA processing can take time, especially close to university deadlines.
Once legalised by MoFA, your documents must be translated into Italian.
You will now have:
For 2025/26, the Embassy instructs students to:
At VFS / Embassy you submit:
The Embassy uses this package to:
After processing, you will receive your DoV (often one DoV per qualification):
You will later use these:
Now, what about CIMEA?
CIMEA is Italy's official ENIC-NARIC centre for the recognition of foreign qualifications.
They issue two key documents:
Explains how your foreign qualification compares to the Italian system (level, type, access rights).
Confirms the authenticity of your qualification.
Some universities accept:
CIMEA statements instead of Embassy legalisation & DoV; for example, University of Brescia explicitly states that CIMEA Verification can replace legalisation and CIMEA Comparability can replace the DoV.
Important
🔑 Always follow exactly what your university asks for:
Here is a simplified roadmap for an Ethiopian student who already has acceptance:
With your documents legalized and your Universitaly summary in hand, you are now fully prepared to apply for your Italian study visa and begin your journey to study in Italy! 🇮🇹
A Complete, Clear, and Practical Guide for Ethiopian Students
Applying for a study visa is the final major step in your journey to studying in Italy.
By the time you reach this stage, you should already have:
The study visa is your official authorization to enter Italy and begin your academic programme. It is issued by the Embassy of Italy in Addis Ababa, typically through the VFS Global visa application center, and it must be requested before traveling to Italy.
This essay walks you through the process step-by-step, explaining not just what to do, but why each document matters — so you feel confident, prepared, and in control of your application.
Italy grants a National Study Visa (Type D) to non-EU students who intend to stay in Italy for more than 90 days for academic purposes — Bachelor's, Master's, PhD, or other higher education programmes.
Before booking any appointment, be sure you have a complete and accurate file. Italian study visas are strict, and missing even one document can lead to delays or rejection.
Below is a detailed list of what Ethiopian students typically need.
This is the official confirmation that:
This document connects the Embassy directly to your university and is mandatory.
Your acceptance or pre-admission letter should:
This letter is the core proof of your academic purpose.
Italy must verify that your Ethiopian qualifications are authentic. Therefore:
The Italian government requires proof that you can support yourself during your studies. Typically:
Financial documents must often be:
You must fill out the Italian National Visa Application Form (Type D).
It must be:
Some embassies request:
Most Italian Embassies in Africa — including Addis Ababa — process study visas through VFS Global, not directly at the Embassy counter.
Important:
On the day of your appointment:
Arriving at least 30–45 minutes early is recommended.
Missing documents cause delays or rescheduling.
Fingerprinting is required for the visa.
The Type D visa has a fixed fee payable at VFS in local currency.
They may ask:
Be clear, honest, and confident.
After submission, your file is sent to the Embassy of Italy in Addis Ababa for evaluation.
Processing time varies from:
15 days to 45 days, depending on season and volume.
Once approved:
You are now officially ready to travel to Italy.
Your journey continues with:
Your study visa is only the first chapter of your new life in Italy.
Applying for a study visa at the Embassy of Italy in Addis Ababa is a structured but manageable process — as long as you prepare your documents properly and follow each step carefully.
With patience, accuracy, and confidence, your Italian study visa becomes not a challenge, but a gateway to one of the most rewarding educational experiences in the world. Buona fortuna! 🇮🇹✨