Picture this: You’ve spent years studying in cities that never sleep - Delhi, Jakarta, Beijing, or Istanbul - surrounded by ambition, competition, and dreams that stretch beyond borders. Now, imagine taking that same drive to Milan, Italy’s beating heart of culture, innovation, and style.
Welcome to the University of Milan (Università degli Studi di Milano) - or as locals fondly call it, La Statale. Here, centuries-old architecture meets world-class education, and your lectures might be just a few steps away from fashion studios, global businesses, and art galleries that define modern Europe.
For ambitious students from India, China, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, and across Asia, UniMi offers more than a degree - it’s a bridge between East and West. It’s where academic excellence meets cultural discovery, and where your education connects you to a truly international network.
But getting there takes preparation and precision - the Italian university system works differently than what you might be used to back home. That’s where this guide comes in. 🚀
We’ll walk you through:
- How international enrolment works
- Application deadlines and key platforms like Universitaly
- Entry requirements for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Single-Cycle programs
- Language tests, documentation, and visa steps
- Scholarships, living costs, and tips to thrive in Milan
By the end of this blog, you’ll have a clear roadmap to transform your dream of studying in Italy into a life-changing reality. ✨
To know more read our comprehensive guide on applying to universities in Italy
Why Choose the University of Milan?
Before diving into paperwork and procedures, let’s answer the biggest question: Why UniMi?
- Global Reputation: Ranked among the top 200 universities worldwide, UniMi is internationally recognized.
- Diverse Programmes: Offers over 140 degree programmes, including English-taught Master’s degrees (very popular among international students).
- Affordable Tuition: Public universities in Italy are far more affordable compared to US, UK, or Australia. Tuition fees at UniMi are income-based, meaning many international students pay as low as €1,000 – €3,500 per year.
- Scholarships & Aid: Regional scholarships (DSU) and UniMi grants cover tuition + living costs.
- Location Advantage: Milan = fashion, business, finance, innovation hub + amazing lifestyle.
- Multicultural Student Life: Over 60,000 students including a vibrant international community.
For Asian students, Milan offers not just a degree but a life-changing journey where East meets West.
International Enrolment: Who Needs What?
Italian university admission is regulated by the Ministry of Universities and Research (MUR). The rules differ for:
- EU students (and equivalent, e.g., Switzerland, Norway, Iceland) → Apply directly, no visa required.
- Non-EU students residing in Italy → Apply directly to the university, no quota system.
- Non-EU students residing abroad (most Asian applicants fall here) → Must pre-enrol via Universitaly + secure a student visa.
👉 Important note: Universitaly pre-enrolment ≠ final admission. It’s just the first gate. You’ll still need to pass admission tests, language checks, and upload official documents later.
Applying for a Bachelor’s or Single-Cycle Master’s Degree
If you’re aiming for Undergraduate (Laurea) or Single-Cycle (Laurea Magistrale a Ciclo Unico, like Medicine or Law), here’s your roadmap:
Step 1: Check the Admission Test
- Some programmes (e.g., Medicine, Law, Science) require entrance exams such as TOLC (CISIA tests).
- Other programmes require a skills assessment (not elimination, but mandatory).
Step 2: Pre-Enrolment via Universitaly
- Deadline: 31 July 2025
- Choose only one university + one course.
- Upload documents (high school diploma, transcripts, translations, DoV/CIMEA, passport).
📌 Note: If you miss the 31 July 2025 pre-enrolment deadline, you cannot apply for the 2025/26 academic year at the University of Milan. The next round of applications will open between February – July 2026 for the 2026/27 intake. Students are advised to use the extra time to prepare required documents (DoV/CIMEA, translations, language certificates) well in advance.
Step 3: Italian Language Proficiency (if taught in Italian)
- Non-EU applicants must pass Italiano L2 Test unless exempt.
- Exemptions include:
- Holding a B2 Italian certificate (CLIQ system)
- Diploma from Italian schools abroad
- Specific frontier schools / Argentine-Italian certificates
- Test Dates for 2025/26:
- 27 June
- 23 July
- 19 September
- 10 October
Failing = no enrolment possible that year.
📌You’ll need to wait for the next cycle’s test dates, which will again be announced around spring 2026.
Step 4: Submit Documents Online
- High school diploma + legalized translation
- DoV or CIMEA Statement of Comparability & Verification
- Academic suitability certificate (if required by your country system)
- Passport, residence permit (later), Italian tax code (codice fiscale)
Step 5: Enrolment Confirmation
If admitted → pay fees, apply for residence permit, and officially enrol.
Applying for a Master’s Degree (Laurea Magistrale)
For Asian graduates applying to 2-year Master’s programmes, the process is slightly different.
Deadlines
- Visa applicants: Apply by 30 April 2025
- Calls for Master’s degrees open between February – July each year
📌 Note :
If you are a non-EU student requiring a visa, the deadline for Master’s applications was 30 April 2025. After this date, you cannot apply for the 2025/26 intake. The next cycle will open between February – July 2026 for admission in the 2026/27 academic year. Plan ahead by preparing your documents, translations, and English/Italian language certificates early.
Steps
Choose Programme (check if taught in English or Italian).
Universitaly Pre-Enrolment (same process as above).
Upload Documents:
- Bachelor’s degree + transcripts
- High school diploma (for validation)
- DoV or CIMEA Statements
- Passport, Italian fiscal code, proof of application fee payment
Language Requirements:
- Italian-taught → Italian test (unless exempt)
- English-taught → IELTS/TOEFL or equivalent
Final Enrolment → Submit originals, pay fees, apply for residence permit.
Key Platforms & Documents You’ll Encounter
Here’s a simplified breakdown (Asian students often find this part confusing):
- Universitaly → Central portal for pre-enrolment + visa application link.
- DoV (Dichiarazione di Valore) → Issued by Italian embassy; validates your degree.
- CIMEA Statements → Comparability + Verification; digital version of DoV.
- ARDI Database → For automatic recognition of certain qualifications.
- Codice Fiscale → Italian tax code (essential for enrolment, scholarships, banking).
Conversion of Grades
Italy uses a 100/100 scale (school) and 110/110 (university).
If your grades are numerical, you’ll need to convert them.
Where:
- V = your grade
- Vmin/Vmax = min & max of your home system
- Imin/Imax = 60/100 or 66/110 → 100/100 or 110/110
If qualitative (A, B, C), case-by-case conversion applies.
Residence Permit & Visa Process
After Universitaly approval:
- Apply for D-Type Student Visa at Italian Embassy in your country.
- After arrival → apply for Residence Permit (Permesso di Soggiorno) within 8 days.
Required:
- Passport + Visa
- Proof of accommodation
- Proof of funds (~€6,000/year minimum)
- Health insurance
Scholarships & Funding
UniMi offers:
- DSU Regional Scholarships → cover tuition + accommodation + meals.
- Excellence Scholarships → €6,000–10,000/year.
- Fee Reductions → Based on ISEE or family income (documents must be translated).
For Asian students, these scholarships often reduce living costs significantly.
Life in Milan as an Asian Student
- Cost of Living: €800–1,200/month (cheaper with DSU scholarships).
- Accommodation: UniMi dorms, private flats, or student co-living.
- Part-time Jobs: Allowed up to 20 hours/week on a student permit.
- Cultural Scene: Milan = fashion, art, design fairs, music, food.
- Student Communities: Indian, Chinese, Indonesian, and Pakistani student associations active on campus.
Pro-Tips for Success
- Start early: Begin by December/January for September intake.
- Prepare language tests: IELTS/TOEFL (for English) or Italiano L2.
- DoV/CIMEA delays: Embassy processes can take months-apply ASAP.
- Keep copies of all translations/legalizations.
- Check programme quotas: For Medicine, Law, and popular courses, competition is fierce.
Career Opportunities and Alumni Network (Asian Students)
The University of Milan offers one of Italy’s most respected alumni and professional networks, providing Asian students with pathways to international opportunities:
- Industry Connections: Strong collaborations with leading global companies, research institutes, and organizations across Europe and Asia.
- Alumni Impact: Graduates hold leadership positions in academia, healthcare, law, public administration, and multinational firms.
- Career Support: Dedicated career services provide personalized guidance, internships, job fairs, and mentorship programs specifically for international students.
💡 For Asian students: Studying at the University of Milan is not just about earning a degree—it’s about building a career with global reach. By leveraging Inforens’ mentorship and networking initiatives, you can connect directly with alumni and professionals active across Europe and Asia, giving you the tools to shape a career that spans continents.
Conclusion
The University of Milan (La Statale) isn’t just an academic destination - it’s your stepping stone into Europe’s heart of innovation, culture, and opportunity. For ambitious Asian students, it represents more than lectures and exams - it’s a journey toward independence, discovery, and global belonging.
Sure, the process can seem daunting at first - Universitaly forms, CIMEA or DoV verification, visa paperwork, and language tests - but each step brings you closer to a new chapter that blends Italian excellence with your Asian determination.
Start early, stay focused, and trust the process. Because at UniMi, success isn’t about luck - it’s about preparation, persistence, and purpose.
So, are you ready to make Milan your next big move? ✨
In bocca al lupo! (Good luck!)
👉 Have questions? Drop them in the comments—we’d love to help you with personalized guidance through your application journey.
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