Imagine studying in a city where innovation meets culture, where every street tells a story, and where your education connects you to opportunities across Europe. Welcome to the University of Milan (Università degli Studi di Milano) — fondly called La Statale.
As one of Europe’s leading public universities, UniMi is renowned for its excellence in Medicine, Law, Science, and Humanities, and for nurturing thinkers, leaders, and innovators from around the world.
For students from Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Ethiopia, Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, and beyond, this isn’t just about earning a degree — it’s about transforming your academic journey into a global experience. Studying in Milan means stepping into a city known for business, fashion, research, and international collaboration — a place where African talent can truly shine on a world stage.
Of course, the path to Milan requires clarity and preparation — the Italian university system has its own structure, timelines, and documentation steps that may differ from what you’re used to. But don’t worry — that’s exactly why this guide exists. 🚀
Here, you’ll learn everything you need to know:
- How international enrolment works
- Application deadlines and the Universitaly process
- Admission requirements for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Single-Cycle programs
- Language tests, document verification (DoV/CIMEA), and visa steps
- Scholarships, residence permits, and life as an African student in Milan
By the end of this guide, you’ll have a clear roadmap to turn your dream of studying in Italy’s cultural and financial capital into 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 much more affordable compared to the US, UK, or Australia. Fees at UniMi are income-based, meaning many international students pay as little as €1,000 – €3,500 per year.
- Scholarships & Aid: Regional scholarships (DSU) and UniMi grants cover tuition + living costs. This is a big relief for African students dealing with exchange rate challenges.
- Location Advantage: Milan = fashion, business, finance, innovation hub + an amazing lifestyle.
- Multicultural Student Life: Over 60,000 students including a vibrant African community.
For African students, Milan offers not just a degree but a life-changing journey where you can build bridges between Africa and Europe.
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) → 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 African 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.
📌 Note: 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, e.g., WAEC/NECO for Nigeria, KCSE for Kenya, etc.)
- 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 African 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 (many African students 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.
Formula:
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 African students, these scholarships often make studying in Milan financially possible despite currency exchange challenges.
Life in Milan as an African 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: Active African student associations (Nigerian, Ghanaian, Ethiopian, Moroccan, etc.) help new arrivals settle in.
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 (African Students)
The University of Milan offers one of Italy’s most influential alumni and professional networks, giving African students access to global opportunities:
- Industry Connections: Collaborations with top international companies, research institutes, and organizations across Europe and Africa.
- Alumni Impact: Graduates hold leadership roles in academia, healthcare, law, public administration, and multinational corporations.
- Career Support: Dedicated career services provide personalized guidance, internships, job fairs, and mentorship programs for international students.
💡 For African students: Studying at the University of Milan is more than earning a degree—it’s an opportunity to connect with a global network. Through Inforens’ exclusive mentorship and networking programs, you can engage with alumni and professionals active across Europe and Africa, helping you shape a career that bridges continents and industries.
Conclusion
The University of Milan (Statale) isn’t just a place to study—it’s a gateway to Europe for ambitious African students. Yes, the paperwork can feel overwhelming: Universitaly pre-enrolment, language tests, CIMEA/DoV, visa documents… but once you clear these steps, you’ll find yourself studying in one of the world’s most dynamic cities.
Start early, stay organized, and remember: success at UniMi = preparation + persistence.
So, are you ready to chase your dream in Milan? ✨
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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