Italian PhD places are awarded through annual competitions and most come with a three-year scholarship.
PhD opportunities in Italy
Why do a PhD in Italy?
- Funded places with scholarships via national competitions
- Strong engineering, physics and design research
- Lower living costs in many cities
Universities in Italy
Well-known research universities and institutes for PhD study in Italy include:
- Politecnico di Milano
- Sapienza University of Rome
- University of Bologna
- University of Padua
- Scuola Normale Superiore
Choose a university by your supervisor and research group, not the overall ranking — fit with the group decides most PhD outcomes.
PhD structure
You join a PhD programme (dottorato), take some courses, carry out research with a supervisor and defend a thesis.
Fees and funding
Fees: Scholarship holders usually pay little or no tuition; a regional tax may apply.
Main funded routes: University PhD scholarships, PNRR-related calls where available, regional funding.
Official starting points: Universitaly
See PhD funding by country to compare routes across 46 countries, or estimate your budget with the study cost calculator.
Applying for a PhD in Italy
Universities publish calls (bandi) usually between spring and summer, with exams or interviews. Many accept online interviews for international applicants.
Language: Many programmes accept English; Italian helps for daily life.
Your application checklist
- CV with research experience and any publications
- Research proposal or statement written for the project or supervisor — see our research proposal guide
- Master's (and undergraduate) transcripts and degree certificates; for Pakistanis, HEC-attested copies
- Two or three academic references — see our recommendation letter guide
- English test score or proof of English-medium study, if required
- Interview preparation — see our interview guide
Student visas and work
Visa: Non-EU candidates apply for a study or research visa at the Italian consulate (via Universitaly).
Working during your PhD: Student-permit holders may work up to 20 hours a week.
After your PhD
Graduates can request a 12-month residence permit to look for work.
Open PhD opportunities in Italy
RAREFIND International PhD Programme in Gene & Cell Therapy — 22 Fellowships (Naples & Milan, Italy)
Fondazione Telethon — TIGEM and SR-Tiget
Italy
- Fully funded, Salary
- Open to all nationalities
- Study level: PhD
ICTP Schools, Winter Colleges & Workshops — Trieste
Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP)
Italy
- Travel grant
- Open to: Developing countries
- Open to: Master's, PhD, Postdoc
- 1–3 weeks per event
Italian Government Scholarships (MAECI) — Master’s, PhD & Research
Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI)
Italy
- Stipend
- Open to all nationalities
- Study level: Master's, PhD
- Flexible
This guide gives an overview for international applicants. Rules on fees, funding and visas change — always confirm the details on the university, funder and embassy websites before you apply.
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