Every document, every deadline, every step — explained clearly for Non-EU students applying to Medicine in Italy.
Each step is explained in full below
The process differs significantly. This guide focuses on Non-EU students.
| Requirement | 🇪🇺 EU Students | 🌍 Non-EU Students |
|---|---|---|
| Apply to multiple universities | ✓ Rank multiple in order |
✗ Only 1 university per year |
| Pre-enrolment on Universitaly | ✗ Not required |
✓ Mandatory, deadline June/July |
| Pre-registration (some unis) | ✗ Not required |
✓ Check your specific uni |
| Sit the IMAT exam | ✓ Required for all |
✓ Required for all |
| Student visa | ✗ Not required |
✓ Required after admission |
| DOV / CIMEA | ✗ Not required |
✓ Required for final enrolment |
Follow each step in order. Missing a deadline can mean waiting an entire year.
As a Non-EU student, you can only apply to one university per year. This is the most important decision you will make in this process. Think carefully — you will be living in this city for the next six years.
Universities are often grouped by their historical cutoff trends. These tiers are based solely on cutoff history, not academics. The quality of medical education is consistent across all Italian public universities.
Some universities require an additional pre-registration step on their own website, separate from the Universitaly portal. In 2025 this was required for Messina, Marche, and Pavia. Requirements can change year to year — always verify on your university's official website.
For Messina, a minimum of 70% in your schooling is required to be eligible for pre-registration.
This is a mandatory step for all Non-EU students. It acts as a connection between you, the intended course you want to enter, and the embassy or consulate you will apply to for your visa. This step is done on universitaly.it.
Deadlines differ by university and are usually in June or July. Some universities remain open until the day of the exam — but do not rely on this. Check your specific university's deadline as early as possible.
Documents required for both pre-enrolment and pre-registration:
Regional scholarships (handled by the regional scholarship agency of your university's region) can fully cover your living expenses in Italy. Deadlines and requirements vary by region, so check early. Documents differ from country to country — the main documents required are usually a family composition and income certificate and a property certificate.
IMAT slot booking is done on universitaly.it. Your pre-enrolled university should be your first choice while booking your slot. The booking fee is €120. This is separate from pre-enrolment — both are required as a Non-EU student.
Results are released in stages after the exam. If you rank within the available seats for your chosen university, you will receive an offer of admission.
| When | What is released |
|---|---|
| ~1 week after IMAT | Anonymous results by OMR serial number |
| ~2 weeks after IMAT | Your personal score on Universitaly |
| ~3 weeks after IMAT | Full rankings — EU on Universitaly, Non-EU on university websites |
Italian universities require official confirmation that your 12 years of education is comparable with 12 years of Italian schooling. This is done via one of two routes:
Once you have your admission letter, apply for an Italian student visa at your local Italian Embassy or Consulate. Requirements vary slightly by country but the core documents are consistent.
Documentation is one of the most stressful parts of the process. Udit's team has guided students through every step — from pre-enrolment to visa — so you can focus entirely on what actually matters: your IMAT preparation.