2026/2027 Italian University Updates: Application Deadlines, Scholarships, and Open Days

2026/2027 Italian University Updates: Application Deadlines, Scholarships, and Open Days

Published: July 25, 2026

As the 2026 fall intake season approaches, several of Italy’s world-renowned universities have released crucial announcements for the 2026/2027 academic year. From adjusted application deadlines and new degree programs to updated scholarship policies, these updates are essential for international students planning to pursue a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Italy. Below is a summary of the latest news from the University of Bologna, Sapienza University of Rome, Politecnico di Milano, the University of Padua, and the University of Turin to help you plan your study abroad timeline effectively.

University of Bologna: Extended Master’s Deadlines and New AI Master’s

As the oldest university in the Western world, the University of Bologna (Università di Bologna) has made applicant-friendly adjustments for international students.

• Extended Deadlines: The international student application window for most English-taught Master’s programs has been uniformly extended to August 31, 2026, providing additional time for visa documentation.

• New Program Launch: The 2026/2027 academic year will introduce the Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, fully taught in English, focusing on machine learning and big data ethics. The program plans to admit 50 international students in its first year.

• Scholarship Notice: The second round of the Unibo Action 1&2 scholarships for outstanding international students will open in early September, offering tuition fee waivers and an €11,000 living allowance. The university recommends completing the online application in August to be eligible for scholarship evaluation.

Sapienza University of Rome: Architecture Admission Test Registration Opens, 100 Major Scholarships Available

Sapienza University of Rome (Sapienza Università di Roma) has released a clear timeline for its competitive restricted-access programs.

• Architecture Admission Test: Registration for the 2026/2027 Architecture undergraduate and single-cycle master’s admission test will open on July 28, 2026, and close on August 20. Non-EU students must also complete their pre-enrollment on the Italian Ministry of Education’s UNIVERSITALY platform.

• General Pre-Enrollment Reminder: All international students planning to enroll in non-restricted programs must finalize their online pre-enrollment by September 30, 2026; late applications will not be accepted for study visa issuance.

• Scholarship Update: Sapienza has announced 100 “Sapienza Excellence Scholarships” for the new academic year, specifically targeting academically outstanding non-EU Master’s students. These scholarships cover full tuition and provide an additional living allowance of €8,000 per year. Winners will be selected automatically based on their admission application materials; no separate scholarship application is required.

Politecnico di Milano: First-Round Master’s Applications Approaching, New English-Taught Bachelor’s Unveiled

Politecnico di Milano, a flagship for engineering and design in Italy, has launched its new admission cycle.

• Master’s Application Calendar: The first round of applications for 2026/2027 Master of Science programs in Design, Architecture, and Engineering will open on September 8, 2026, and close on November 10. The university strongly advises non-EU students to apply in this first round to maximize admission and visa chances.

• New English-Taught Bachelor’s: Politecnico has announced a brand-new English-taught Bachelor’s program, “Digital and Interaction Design,” which will welcome its first cohort in 2026/2027. The course blends product design, computer science, and human-computer interaction to train cross-disciplinary digital product designers.

• Virtual Open Day: To help international students learn more, a Global Virtual Open Day is scheduled for September 15, 2026, where faculty and admissions officers will answer questions in real time. Registration is now available on the university website.

University of Padua: Food Safety Program Earns New Certification, Excellence Scholarship Deadline in October

The University of Padua (Università degli Studi di Padova) continues to strengthen its edge in agricultural and food sciences.

• Program Certification: Its English-taught Master’s program “Food Safety and Innovation” has recently been officially certified by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) curriculum framework, giving graduates a competitive advantage for entering EU food safety agencies.

• Excellence Scholarships: The highly sought-after Padua International Excellence Scholarship for 2026/2027 has an application deadline of October 2, 2026. The scholarship offers up to €12,000 in living cost support and a full tuition fee waiver, but it can only be submitted after receiving an official admission offer.

• Free Language Support: The university will continue offering free Italian language courses (A1 to B2 levels) to all enrolled international students, aiming to help them integrate more smoothly into local life and internships.

University of Turin: Updated Tuition Waiver Policy and Housing Guarantee Plan Announced

The University of Turin (Università degli Studi di Torino) has made practical adjustments to economic support and logistics for international students.

• New Tuition Waiver Rules: In 2026/2027, non-EU international students will be automatically assessed for a progressive tuition fee reduction based on an equivalent family economic situation assessment (ISEE equivalent). Eligible low-income students can receive a full tuition waiver, paying only the annual regional tax of €156.

• Law Master’s Application Update: The popular all-English program “Global Law and Transnational Legal Studies” LL.M. has updated its admission requirements. In addition to a B2 English certificate, applicants must now submit a legal case analysis of no more than 500 words. The first round of evaluations will take place in mid-September.

• Housing Notice: In collaboration with the EDISU regional welfare agency, the University of Turin has announced a 2026/2027 Housing Guarantee Plan. Non-resident international freshmen who complete their enrollment and submit a housing application by August 31 will be guaranteed a place in a university residence, with monthly rent capped at €250.

Diploma from Politecnico di Milano

Conclusion
From application deadlines to new programs and generous financial support, the 2026/2027 academic year brings substantial positive policies for international students at Italian universities. Applicants are advised to check the official channels of their target institutions immediately, carefully verify each deadline, and start the pre-enrollment and document preparation process as early as possible. On the high-value pathway of studying in Italy, accurately grasping the timeline is the very first step toward success.