Zeta Education
For international & Indian students

Study MBBS in Italy

A six-year, English-taught Medicine & Surgery degree at QS-ranked Italian universities — admission on merit through the IMAT, generous DSU scholarships, and an EU-recognised qualification. Zeta Education manages the entire process for you.

Book a consultationSee our complete package
Duration
6 years (single-cycle MD)
Language
English-taught programs
Entrance
IMAT (merit-based)
Intake
September – October
Degree
Medicine & Surgery, ~360 ECTS
Recognition
EU-wide · FMGE/NExT route for India

Why study medicine in Italy?

World-class training, affordable public education, and a degree that travels.

Taught fully in English

Many public and private universities run the entire six-year Medicine & Surgery programme in English — no Italian required to start.

Affordable public tuition

Public university fees are income-based and often a fraction of private medical education elsewhere — with no capitation or donation.

DSU scholarships

Regional right-to-study (DSU) grants can waive tuition entirely and add an annual stipend plus subsidised housing and meals for eligible students.

Early clinical exposure

Hands-on training inside Italy's national health system from the early years, in modern teaching hospitals.

A globally recognised degree

An EU-recognised medical degree — practise across Europe, or return to India through the FMGE/NExT screening route.

Historic, ranked universities

Study at some of the world's oldest and best QS-ranked universities, from Bologna and Padua to Pavia and Sapienza.

The IMAT entrance exam

Public universities select international students through the International Medical Admissions Test (IMAT) — an English-language, multiple-choice exam covering:

  • Logical reasoning & general knowledge
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics & mathematics

It's usually held once a year (around September) at test centres worldwide, including in India. If you've prepared for NEET, you already know most of the science — the extra focus is on the reasoning section and the English format.

Admissions are being modernised

Italy is reforming how it admits medical students, and the exact test format, dates and requirements can change from one cycle to the next. All figures and steps on this page are indicative. We track the current-year rules and build your plan around what's actually required for your intake.

Get the latest requirements

English-taught medical universities

A selection of universities offering Medicine & Surgery in English. Availability changes yearly — we'll match you to the best current options.

University of Pavia
Pavia
Public (IMAT)
Sapienza University of Rome
Rome
Public (IMAT)
University of Rome Tor Vergata
Rome
Public (IMAT)
University of Milan
Milan
Public (IMAT)
University of Milano-Bicocca
Milan
Public (IMAT)
University of Turin
Turin
Public (IMAT)
University of Bologna
Bologna
Public (IMAT)
University of Padua
Padua
Public (IMAT)
University of Naples Federico II
Naples
Public (IMAT)
University of Bari
Bari
Public (IMAT)
University of Parma
Parma
Public (IMAT)
Marche Polytechnic University
Ancona
Public (IMAT)
Humanitas University
Milan
Private
Vita-Salute San Raffaele University
Milan
Private
UniCamillus
Rome
Private
Catholic University of the Sacred Heart
Rome
Private
Browse the full university directory

Your admission journey

Six clear stages — we handle the paperwork at every step.

Step 1

Profile review & counselling

We assess your Class 12 grades, budget and goals, and shortlist the right universities and intake.

Step 2

Register & prepare for the IMAT

We register you for the IMAT and guide your preparation, focusing on logical reasoning and the English exam format.

Step 3

Sit the IMAT & get ranked

You take the test; scores feed into each university's merit ranking and seat allocation.

Step 4

Pre-enrolment on Universitaly

We handle pre-enrolment and the legalisation of your academic documents (Apostille / declaration of value).

Step 5

DSU scholarship application

We prepare your ISEE / income assessment and submit the regional DSU scholarship application.

Step 6

Student visa (Type D) & arrival

We build your visa file, prep you for the interview, and support you on arrival (post-arrival service optional).

Fees, living costs & scholarships

Public medicine in Italy is remarkably affordable, and DSU scholarships can bring your net cost close to zero. Figures below are indicative and vary by university, city and family income.

Public university tuition (income-based)€0 – €4,000 / year
Private university tuition€10,000 – €20,000+ / year
Living costs (city-dependent)€700 – €1,200 / month
With a DSU scholarshipTuition waived + stipend + subsidised housing/meals

The DSU scholarship

DSU is a regional “right to study” grant based on your family's income and assets. For eligible students it can:

  • Fully waive university tuition
  • Provide an annual cash stipend
  • Subsidise (or provide) accommodation
  • Include subsidised or free meals on campus

Amounts and eligibility differ by region and academic year. We prepare your ISEE assessment and submit the application on time.

After you graduate

An Italian MD opens doors in Europe and back home.

Practise in Italy / EU

Register to practise in Italy or elsewhere in the EU (local language needed for patient care in Italy).

Return to India

Clear the FMGE / NExT screening test and register with a State Medical Council / the NMC.

Specialise

Pursue residency/specialisation in Italy or across Europe after your degree.

Frequently asked questions

Ready to start your MBBS in Italy?

Reserve a consultation and our advisors will assess your profile, explain this year's process, and build your personalised plan — from the IMAT to the day you arrive.

Book a consultation

Prefer email? Reach us at hello@zetaeducation.com.

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