What is IMAT

Your gateway to Medicine in Italy — in English

IMAT stands for International Medical Admission Test. It is a once-a-year exam conducted by MIUR, the Italian Ministry of Education and Research, that gives you entry to study Medicine and Surgery, Dentistry, and Veterinary Medicine in English at Italian public universities. University fees in Italy range between €156 and €1,000 per year for non-European students, making it one of the most affordable medical education systems in the world.

Unlike most countries where you first complete a separate undergraduate degree before applying to medicine, Italy offers single-cycle Master's programmes. This means you go directly from school into a six-year combined Bachelor's and Master's degree. The only requirement to apply is 12 years of completed schooling from any country in the world.

Beyond the low fees, many universities offer regional scholarships that can cover tuition entirely. The degree is fully EU-recognised, valid across Europe and accepted in most countries worldwide including USA, Australia and the UK.

Once/year

Exam frequency

Sept 2026

Next exam

6 years

Degree duration

EU degree

Globally recognised

Courses accessible through IMAT

Medicine and Surgery
Dentistry
Veterinary Medicine

All three are Single-Cycle Master's programmes (Bachelors + Masters in one). Duration: 6 years for Medicine and Dentistry, 5 years for Veterinary Medicine. Degrees are fully EU-recognised.

Subject	Questions	Max Score	Weight
Biology	23 Qs	34.5 pts	Highest weighted section
Chemistry	15 Qs	22.5 pts	Second largest section
Physics & Mathematics	13 Qs	19.5 pts	Combined section
Logical Reasoning	5 Qs	7.5 pts	Fewest questions
Reading Skills & General Knowledge	4 Qs	6 pts	English comprehension + GK
Total	60 Qs	90 pts	100 minutes

IMAT 2026 Syllabus

What you need to study

Full topic breakdown per subject — based on official MIUR guidelines.

This syllabus is based on the official MIUR guidelines for IMAT 2025. The IMAT syllabus remains largely consistent across years. The official 2026 syllabus will be released in July/August 2026. Minor changes may occur.

Biochemistry

The chemistry of living things
The biological importance of weak interactions
Organic molecules present in organisms and their functions
The role of enzymes

Cell Biology

Basic concept of the cell and cellular theory
Cell dimensions
Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
Animal and plant cells
Viruses
Cell membrane: structure, function, and transport
Cell organelles and their specific functions

Cell Cycle

Mitosis and Meiosis
Chromosome set and mapping

Reproduction

Life cycle
Sexual and asexual reproduction

Genetics and Inheritance

Mendelian genetics: Mendel's laws and applications
Chromosomal theory of inheritance and inheritance patterns
Structure and replication of DNA, genetic code, protein synthesis
DNA of prokaryotes and eukaryotic chromosome structure
Genes and regulation of gene expression
Human genetics: mono- and multifactorial transmission
Autosomal and X-linked hereditary diseases

Evolution

The genetic basis of evolution
Mutations
Natural and artificial selection
Evolutionary theories
Heredity and environment

Biotechnology

Basic concepts of Biotechnology
Recombinant DNA technology and its applications

Anatomy and Physiology

Animal tissues
Digestive, Respiratory, Circulatory, Excretory Systems
Reproductive System
Neural regulation
Chemical regulation (Hormones)
Immunity

Bioenergetics

ATP — the energy currency of cells
Oxidation-reduction reactions in living things
Photosynthesis
Glycolysis
Aerobic respiration
Fermentation

Matter

Constitution of matter and states of aggregation
Heterogeneous and homogeneous systems
Compounds and elements
Ideal gas laws

Atomic Structure

Elementary particles
Atomic number and mass number
Isotopes
Electronic structure of atoms

Periodic Table

Groups and periods
Transition elements
Atomic radius, ionization potential, electron affinity, metallic character
Relationships between electronic structure and element properties

Chemical Bonding

Ionic, covalent, and metallic bonds
Binding energy
Polarity of compounds and electronegativity
Intermolecular bonds

Inorganic Chemistry

Nomenclature and properties of oxides, hydroxides, acids, salts

Reactions and Stoichiometry

Atomic and molecular mass
Avogadro's number and the mole concept
Stoichiometric calculations and balancing reactions
Types of chemical reactions

Solutions

Solvent properties of water
Solubility
Concentration: Molarity, Molality, Mole Fraction, Normality
Equilibria in aqueous solution

Oxidation, Acids and Bases

Oxidation number, oxidants and reducers
Balancing redox reactions
Concept of acid and base, pH
Hydrolysis and buffer solutions
Elements of chemical kinetics and catalysis

Organic Chemistry

Bonds between carbon atoms and structural formulas
Isomerism
Aliphatic, alicyclic, and aromatic hydrocarbons
Functional groups: alcohols, ethers, amines, aldehydes, ketones
Carboxylic acids, esters, amides — nomenclature and properties

Physical Quantities and Measurement

Fundamental and derived quantities, unit systems
Scientific notation and unit conversions
Scalar and vector quantities, vector operations

Kinematics

Motion description, velocity and angular velocity
Acceleration and centripetal acceleration
Rectilinear and accelerated motion
Uniform circular motion
Harmonic motion

Dynamics

Newton's three laws of motion
Weight force, elastic force, friction forces
Impulse, momentum and conservation of momentum
Torque and angular momentum

Work and Energy

Kinetic and potential energy
Conservative forces
Conservation of mechanical energy
Power

Fluid Mechanics

Density and compressibility of fluids
Pascal's, Stevino's, and Archimedes' principles
Continuity equation and flow rate
Bernoulli equation for ideal fluids
Viscous forces in real fluids

Thermodynamics

Temperature, heat, and calorimetry
Heat capacity and specific heat
Changes of state and latent heats
Ideal gas laws
First and second law of thermodynamics

Electricity and Electromagnetism

Electric charges, Coulomb's law
Electric field, potential, capacitors
Resistivity, resistance, Ohm's law
Kirchhoff's laws, Joule Effect
Magnetic fields and electromagnetic induction

Numerical Sets and Algebra

Natural, integer, rational, and real numbers
Operations, properties, proportions, and percentages
Powers, radicals, combinatorics
Polynomials, factorisation, algebraic fractions
First and second degree equations and inequalities
Systems of equations

Logarithms

Logarithms (base 10 and base e)
Properties of logarithms

Functions

Domain, codomain, sign, continuity, maxima and minima
Algebraic, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions
Composite and inverse functions
Trigonometric equations and inequalities

Geometry

Polygons, circumference, circle, areas and volumes
Angles in degrees and radians
Sine, cosine, tangent and trigonometric formulas
Cartesian plane: lines, circles, parabolas, hyperbolas, ellipses
Pythagorean theorem and Euclid's theorems

Probability and Statistics

Frequency distributions and graphical representations
Random experiments and events
Probability and frequency

What is tested

Ability to logically complete an argument consistent with stated premises
Problems stated in symbolic or verbal form
Abstract problems requiring different forms of logical reasoning

Types of questions

Deductive reasoning
Inductive reasoning
Pattern recognition
Verbal logic puzzles
Symbolic logic sequences

Reading Skills

Understanding abstract, uncommon, or specialised vocabulary in context
Identifying textual cohesion and coherence
Extracting and inferring specific information from a text
Short scientific non-fiction, classic and contemporary fiction, or current affairs texts

General Knowledge

Orientation in historical and cultural space and time
Knowledge of major national and international institutions
Phenomena relating to legal, economic, and citizenship fields
General culture including supranational context
Topics of contemporary public debate

Non-EU Timeline

Step-by-step: IMAT 2026 for Non-EU Students

The Non-EU process involves more steps than EU students. Start early — some deadlines arrive before you expect them.

Choose Your University

By end of May

You can only apply to one university per year, so choose carefully. Consider seat count, cutoff history, city, living costs, and connectivity. Universities with more seats in southern cities tend to have lower cutoffs — but cutoffs are never guaranteed and can shift year to year.

Tier 1 — Major Cities

Milan (Statale, Bicocca), Rome (Sapienza, Tor Vergata), Bologna

Tier 2 — Academic + North

Pavia, Parma, Padova, Turin

Tier 3 — Lower Cutoffs

Catania, Messina, Marche/Ancona, Cagliari, Bari, Campania LV, Federico II (Naples)

These tiers are solely based on cutoff history, not academics. The quality of medical education is more or less the same across all Italian public universities. Think about timetables, weather, connectivity, living expenses, and the vibe of the city — you will be living there for 6 years.

Pre-Registration / Pre-Enrolment

June – July 2026

Pre-enrolment on the Universitaly website is mandatory for all Non-EU students. Deadlines vary by university — typically June or July. Some universities remain open until the day of the exam.

Mandatory pre-registration (separate from Universitaly) was required for Messina, Marche, and Pavia in 2025. For Messina, a minimum of 70% in your schooling is required to be eligible.

Documents needed for both pre-enrolment and pre-registration:

Valid Passport
High school certificate proving 12 years of schooling
MOI (Medium of Instruction certificate) or IELTS — not compulsory for pre-enrolment but useful. Compulsory for Final Enrolment.

Apply for Regional Scholarship

June – August (region dependent)

Regional scholarships can cover tuition fees partially or entirely depending on your income and region. Applications are handled by the regional agency (DSU) of your chosen university's region. Deadlines and requirements vary — check your specific region early.

Documents needed: Family composition and income certificate
Property certificate

Book Your IMAT Slot

Usually first week of September

IMAT slot booking is done on universitaly.it. Your pre-enrolled university should be your first choice university while booking your slot. The booking fee is €120. This is separate from pre-enrolment — both are required as a Non-EU student.

Do not confuse pre-enrolment with slot booking. They are two different steps on the same platform.

Sit the IMAT Exam

17 September 2026

The exam takes place on the same day across all exam centres. 60 questions, 100 minutes. Results and rankings are published within a few weeks.

DOV / CIMEA — Education Verification

After results

DOV (Dichiarazione di Valore) or CIMEA is an official statement by Italian authorities confirming that your 12 years of education is comparable with 12 years of Italian schooling. This is required for enrolment.

DOV — obtained through the Italian Embassy in your country. Free of charge.
CIMEA — online alternative, costs approximately €300 (33,000 INR)

Student Visa Application

After enrolment confirmation

Once you receive your enrolment confirmation, you apply for an Italian student visa at your local Italian Embassy or Consulate. Key documents include:

Cover letter explaining your purpose of study
Sponsorship letter — justifying your source of income and funds
Financial proof (for Indian students) — approximately €7,000/year × 6 years = €42,000 in demonstrated income and funds
Bank statement (last 6 months) — must show healthy, consistent transactions

The bank statement should reflect steady transactions, not a lump sum deposited right before the application. Consulates look at transaction history, not just the balance.

Registration

How to register for IMAT

IMAT registration involves two separate steps on the same platform — both are required.

Create your Universitaly account

Go to universitaly.it and create an account with your personal details and a valid email address.

Complete Pre-Enrolment

Submit your pre-enrolment application for your chosen university. Upload your passport and school certificate. This step is mandatory for Non-EU students and has its own deadline — typically June/July.

Book your IMAT slot

Between 2–12 September 2026, return to Universitaly to book your exam slot. Pay the €120 registration fee. Your exam location will be at your pre-enrolled university.

Confirm your booking

You will receive a confirmation email with your exam details, date, time, and location. Save this — you will need it on exam day along with a valid photo ID.

Important things to know

Pre-enrolment and slot booking are two different steps. Pre-enrolment opens earlier and has an earlier deadline.
You can only register for one university per year. Choose carefully — you cannot switch after registering.
The €120 slot booking fee is non-refundable. Only pay once you are fully committed to sitting the exam.
Some universities have mandatory pre-registration separate from Universitaly (Messina, Marche, Pavia). Check your university's specific requirements.
Deadlines change every year. Always verify current dates on the official MIUR and Universitaly websites.

Everything about IMAT