Italian Public Universities 2027: Top Universities and English-Taught Courses for Indian Students

Italian public universities are popular with Indian students for their rankings and their low, income-based tuition. A brochure with a long list of course names can make it look as though every course is open to every student. This guide separates what we could verify from what you must check yourself, and it is written for the 2027/28 intake.

Top Italian Public Universities in QS World University Rankings 2027

QS published its 2027 world ranking in June 2026. The positions below were checked against the universities' own announcements or news reports of the ranking. Rankings measure research and reputation across a whole university, so use them to shortlist, not to choose a course.

• Politecnico di Milano: 87th, the highest in Italy (confirmed on the university's own news page, 18 June 2026).
• Sapienza University of Rome: 111th, its best result so far (university announcement).
• University of Bologna: 123rd.
• University of Padua: 204th.
• Politecnico di Torino: 206th (university announcement).
• University of Milan: 270th, as reported.
• University of Pisa: 341st, as reported.
• University of Rome Tor Vergata: 342nd, as reported.
• University of Naples Federico II: 401st, as reported.
• University of Florence: 409th, as reported.

47 Italian universities appear in the QS 2027 ranking. We have not listed employability scores, because the figures in circulation come from different rankings and we could not confirm a single reliable set.

Which Courses Are Taught in English?

Italy offers more than 600 fully English-taught degrees, but roughly three-quarters of them are at master's level, according to one guide we checked. If you are finishing Class 12, the realistic options are fewer. English-taught Medicine and Surgery is available at about a dozen public universities through the IMAT entrance test, and there is a smaller set of bachelor's programmes in subjects such as economics, computer science, artificial intelligence, international relations and engineering. At Politecnico di Milano, for example, most bachelor's programmes are taught in Italian, while its engineering master's degrees are largely in English.

Examples of English-Taught Programmes We Verified

These are real programmes confirmed from university or study-portal pages. They are examples, not a full list, and almost all are master's degrees. Check the 2027/28 course page for your own choice.

• Design for the Fashion System: master's, taught in English, Politecnico di Milano.
• Italian Food and Wine: two-year master's, taught in English, University of Padua.
• Food and Beverage Innovation and Management: 24-month master's, taught in English, Marche Polytechnic University (Ancona).
• Archaeology and Cultures of the Ancient World: master's, University of Bologna (taught in English and Italian).
• Psychology of Wellbeing and Social Inclusivity: master's, entirely in English, University of Bologna.
• The Ancient Mediterranean World: History, Archaeology and Art: master's, entirely in English, University of Pavia.
• Fashion, Art and Food Management: taught in English, University of Naples Parthenope.

For bachelor's level, university English-programme lists for 2026/27 show options such as Artificial Intelligence and Economics at the University of Milan, and Information Engineering and Psychological Science at the University of Padua. The 2027/28 lists have not been published yet.

Subject Areas to Explore

• Management, economics and finance.
• Computer science, AI, data science and robotics.
• Engineering, including mechanical, electrical, civil, aerospace and information engineering (many at master's level).
• Architecture and design, including fashion and interior design.
• Agriculture and food science, including food safety and wine.
• Tourism and hospitality management.
• History, archaeology, political science, international relations and law.
• Biotechnology, psychology, science and technology.

A subject area appearing on a list does not mean every university teaches it in English at your level. Use Universitaly and each university's English-programmes page to confirm.

Key Dates and Rules for 2027/28

• Study visa deadline: the Ministry of University and Research circular for 2026/27 and 2027/28 sets 31 October 2027 as the last date for visa applications for 2027/28. Each university may set an earlier date for each course.
• Pre-enrolment: international applicants pre-enrol through Universitaly. From 2026/27, universities can validate only the places reserved for international students plus 20%, so applying early matters.
• Qualification: Italy asks for a final secondary qualification obtained after at least 12 years of schooling. Indian Class 12 is 12 years. Read our guides if you hold a diploma after Class 10.
• Language: English-taught programmes usually ask for an English certificate, and Italian-taught programmes ask for Italian. Each programme sets its own level.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Assuming every course in a brochure is a bachelor's degree taught in English.
• Choosing a university on its world ranking and not on the course.
• Waiting for exact dates from a blog. Check Universitaly and the university.
• Paying an agent for guaranteed admission. No one can guarantee a seat at an Italian public university.

IMA (International Multilingual Academy) in Faridabad counsels students on Italy and other destinations. We can help you shortlist universities and courses that match your qualification, prepare your documents, and handle the application and the steps after it, including the student visa. Admission and visa decisions belong to the universities and the Italian authorities, and IMA does not guarantee them.