Study Medicine in Italy in English 🇮🇹

Compare Italian medical universities, English-taught Medicine and Dentistry programs, IMAT preparation, private admission tests, fees and student life.

Italy teaches Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine in English. Public universities admit through one national test, the IMAT; private universities run their own. Compare programmes, seats and cutoffs on the map below, then read on for requirements, costs and the application steps. Course structure and clinical years are in the Medicine degree guide.

Universities and admission tests

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34 programmes2,662 EU seats1,440 non-EU seats

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EU seats include non-EU citizens living in Italy; non-EU seats are for non-EU citizens living abroad. Seats: MUR 2026/27 (D.M. 1005); Pharmacy from the universities' calls. Cutoffs (2025, the latest published): last score admitted in the first national ranking for EU applicants and in each university's first local ranking for non-EU applicants. Ranking: QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026: Medicine; UniCamillus and Neuromed are not ranked.

Photo credits

Palazzo Poggi, University of Bologna by Vlach Pavel. CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped and resized for the university cover and card.
Palazzo dell’Università, Cagliari by Giova81. CC BY-SA 3.0. Cropped and resized for the university cover and card.
Sant’Andrea delle Dame, Naples by TatsuoTabei. Public domain. Cropped and resized for the university cover and card.
Palazzo dell’Università, Catania by kuhnmi. CC BY 2.0. Cropped and resized for the university cover and card.
University of Naples Federico II main building by Giuseppe Guida. CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped and resized for the university cover and card.
Palazzo Bo, historic seat of the University of Padua by Didier Descouens. CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped and resized for the university cover and card.
Palazzo dell’Università, Parma by Parma1983. CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped and resized for the university cover and card.
Politecnica delle Marche rectorate, Ancona by Beta16. CC BY-SA 3.0 it. Cropped and resized for the university cover and card.
University of Rome Tor Vergata rectorate by Didimo69. CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped and resized for the university cover and card.
Palazzo dell’Università, Turin by Derbrauni. CC BY 4.0. Cropped and resized for the university cover and card.
University of Florence rectorate, Piazza San Marco by Francesco Bini (Sailko). CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped and resized for the university cover and card.
Santa Maria Oliveto, in the municipality of Pozzilli. This is a town view, not a photograph of the university campus. by P Pasquale 86. CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped and resized for the university cover and card.

Italy overview

Quick Facts

Location

Italy

Core cities

Milan, Rome, Pavia, Bari, Messina, Siena and more

English programs

Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary and selected Pharmacy programs

Public IMAT

60 questions, 100 minutes

Current decree

MUR 2026/27, D.M. 1005

Tuition model

Public fees vary; private universities publish separate tuition

Living costs

Often EUR 800-1,500/month depending on city and housing

Why Italy?

Many English-taught Medicine programmes in the north, centre and south.
Public universities charge fees based on family income, often far below private tuition.
Private alternatives with their own tests, calls and timelines.
English-taught Dentistry at Sapienza (Rome) and Siena.
English Pharmacy in Rimini (Bologna) and Rome (Tor Vergata), outside the IMAT.
Student cities of every size, from Milan and Rome to Pavia, Siena, Bari and Messina.

The catch: admission is competitive. You need a strong exam plan, a realistic list of university preferences and early document planning.

Entry Requirements

School diploma that gives university access in the country that issued it; the university assesses it.
Non-EU applicants who need a visa also pre-enrol on Universitaly.
Public programmes: the IMAT. 60 questions in 100 minutes: Biology 23, Chemistry 15, Physics and Maths 13, Logical reasoning and problems 5, Reading and general knowledge 4 (MUR decree 2026/27).
Private universities (Humanitas, Cattolica, San Raffaele, Campus Bio-Medico, UniCamillus) set their own test, seat categories, deadlines and fees.

How IMAT Mentor Helps

IMAT Mentor covers the exam: lessons and practice for Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, logical reasoning and reading, plus timed simulations and revision plans. We also explain public versus private admission, university preferences, deadlines and documents. We don't promise admission or replace the official calls.

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Application Process, Universitaly and Student Visa

Shortlist universities and check the current MUR decree and each university's notices.
Register for the IMAT on Universitaly and prepare your documents.
Non-EU applicants living abroad: pre-enrol on Universitaly (create an account, upload the qualifications and documents your university asks for), then apply for the visa.
Sit the test, then follow the ranking and enrolment instructions.

Track the exam timeline and the document and visa timeline separately; they run in parallel.

Costs in Italy

Public universities: no single price. Fees depend on the university, income documents (ISEE or equivalent), citizenship or residence category, regional tax, exemptions and the year. Check the current fee page.
Private universities: tuition is set in each annual call or fee regulation and is usually much higher.
Living costs: about EUR 800–1,500 a month; budget more for housing in Milan and Rome.
Extras: test and application fees, translations, legalisation or apostille, visa and residence paperwork, health insurance, flights, deposits, textbooks, lab materials and local transport.

What About Pharmacy in English?

Pharmacy is not admitted through the IMAT. Bologna teaches a five-year English Pharmacy course in Rimini (100 places in 2026/27) and Tor Vergata one in Rome (80 places); both use the CEnT-S test and their own calls.

Recognition and Licensing

An EU degree is not automatically recognised everywhere. Follow the licensing, internship, language and registration rules of the country where you want to practise; check with CIMEA and that country's regulator.
Learn Italian early. Clinical training means patient contact, and Italian is essential if you want to work in Italy.

Student Life in Italy

Milan and Rome are big cities with many public and private options. Pavia and Siena are compact student towns. Bari, Messina, Cagliari and others offer public universities outside the most expensive cities. Choose on more than fame: compare cutoffs, seat category, living costs, how much Italian you'll need in clinic, travel, your support network and backup options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I study Medicine in Italy in English?

Yes. Italy has English-taught Medicine and Surgery programs at public and private universities. Public programs usually use the national English IMAT admission test, while private universities often use their own calls and tests.

Is IMAT required for every English Medicine course in Italy?

No. IMAT preparation is central for public English-taught Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine admissions. Private universities such as Humanitas, Cattolica, San Raffaele, Campus Bio-Medico and UniCamillus can use separate admissions, so applicants must check the official university call.

What is the IMAT format?

The MUR decree for 2026/27 (D.M. 1005) sets 60 multiple-choice questions in 100 minutes across Reading and General Knowledge, Logical Reasoning and Problems, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics and Maths.

Can I study Dentistry in Italy in English?

Yes. The MUR 2026/27 Table B lists English-taught Dentistry and Dental Prosthodontics seats at Sapienza University of Rome and the University of Siena.

Can I study Pharmacy in Italy in English?

Yes, but Pharmacy is not the same admission process as IMAT. Examples include Bologna's English-taught Pharmacy program in Rimini and Tor Vergata's English-taught Pharmacy program in Rome, both with local pharmacy admission procedures that must be checked separately.

How much does it cost to study Medicine in Italy in English?

Public university fees vary by university, student category and financial documentation rather than one fixed private price. Private Medicine universities usually publish higher fixed or bracketed tuition in their own annual calls.

Do I need Italian before applying?

English-taught programs are designed for international applicants, but Italian becomes important for clinical placements, patient communication, housing, bureaucracy and daily life. It is best to start Italian before or during the first year.

How does IMAT Mentor help with Italy applications?

IMAT Mentor supports the exam-prep side: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, logical reasoning, reading, timed practice and revision planning. It also helps students understand where the IMAT fits in the wider Italy application process, without replacing official university or MUR instructions.

Sources

Guide reviewed: 8 October 2026. Seats are for 2026/27; cutoffs are from 2025 until the 2026 ranking is published.

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