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Complete University Guide

Every university offering
Medicine in English in Italy

A city-by-city breakdown of every Italian public university that accepts IMAT — with fees, available seats, courses, and honest notes on each one.

How to use this guide: As a Non-EU student you can only apply to one university per year. These tiers are based solely on historical cutoff trends — not academics. The quality of medical education is consistent across all Italian public universities. Pick the city you would genuinely enjoy living in for six years. Cutoffs are unpredictable and can shift year to year. Seat counts shown are from IMAT 2025 — they may change for 2026.
Tier 1 — Higher Cutoffs
Major cities, historically competitive
Tier 2 — Mid Cutoffs
Academic strongholds, northern Italy
Tier 3 — Lower Cutoffs
More seats, typically southern cities
Milan
Lombardy, Northern Italy
City at a glance
Climate
Cold winters, humid summers
Living costs
€900 – €1,400/month
Universities
2 public + 2 private
Vibe
Cosmopolitan, fast-paced
Italy's financial and fashion capital. Excellent transport links, world-class infrastructure, and a genuinely international student community. The most expensive city on this list — but also the most connected.
University of Milan (Statale)
Tier 1
15
Seats 2025
€156–900
Fees/year
High
Cutoff trend
Medicine & Surgery
One of Italy's most prestigious and competitive public medical schools. Located centrally in Milan with strong research facilities and a large international student body.
unimi.it →
University of Milan-Bicocca
Tier 1
18
Seats 2025
€156–900
Fees/year
High
Cutoff trend
Medicine & Surgery
A newer, modern campus university in northern Milan. Well-organised programme with a strong focus on scientific research. Fewer seats makes it highly competitive.
unimib.it →
Rome
Lazio, Central Italy
City at a glance
Climate
Mild winters, hot summers
Living costs
€800 – €1,300/month
Universities
2 public
Vibe
Historic, vibrant, cultural
The Eternal City needs no introduction. Studying medicine in Rome means living surrounded by history while attending two of Italy's most established universities. Warmer climate and slightly lower costs than Milan.
Sapienza University of Rome
Tier 1
13
Seats 2025
€156–1,000
Fees/year
High
Cutoff trend
Medicine & Surgery Dentistry
One of the oldest universities in the world and among the largest in Europe. Offers both Medicine and Dentistry in English. Highly competitive but an iconic institution.
uniroma1.it →
University of Rome Tor Vergata
Tier 1
20
Seats 2025
€156–1,000
Fees/year
High
Cutoff trend
Medicine & Surgery
A modern research university on the outskirts of Rome. Known for strong ties with hospitals and research institutes. More campus-style environment compared to Sapienza.
uniroma2.it →
Bologna
Emilia-Romagna, Northern Italy
City at a glance
Climate
Cold winters, warm summers
Living costs
€700 – €1,100/month
Universities
1 public
Vibe
Student city, lively, compact
Home to the world's oldest university. Bologna is a compact, walkable student city with excellent food, a lively atmosphere, and a strong academic tradition. Central location makes travel across Italy easy.
University of Bologna (Alma Mater)
Tier 1
20
Seats 2025
€156–900
Fees/year
High
Cutoff trend
Medicine & Surgery
The world's oldest university (founded 1088). Studying medicine here carries real prestige. Bologna itself is regularly voted the best city in Italy for quality of life — great food, great people, great size.
unibo.it →
Pavia
Lombardy, Northern Italy
City at a glance
Climate
Cold winters, warm summers
Living costs
€600 – €900/month
Universities
1 public
Vibe
Quiet, academic, close to Milan
A small historic university town 35 minutes from Milan by train. Lower living costs with easy access to Milan. Requires mandatory pre-registration on the university portal. Very high academic reputation.
University of Pavia
Tier 2
35 +5*
Seats 2025
€156–700
Fees/year
Medium-High
Cutoff trend
Medicine & Surgery
One of Italy's oldest and most respected universities. Requires mandatory pre-registration on the Pavia portal — check the deadline carefully. Affiliated with the renowned Policlinico San Matteo hospital. *5 additional seats are reserved under the Marco Polo programme for Chinese students.
unipv.it →
Turin
Piedmont, Northwestern Italy
City at a glance
Climate
Cold winters, warm summers
Living costs
€600 – €1,000/month
Universities
1 public
Vibe
Elegant, underrated, affordable
Italy's former capital and home of Fiat. Turin is elegant, underrated, and more affordable than Milan. Excellent food scene, strong cultural life, and surrounded by the Alps. A great city that many students underestimate.
University of Turin
Tier 2
32
Seats 2025
€156–700
Fees/year
Medium
Cutoff trend
Medicine & Surgery
A large, well-regarded university in one of Italy's most underrated cities. Lower cost of living than Milan or Rome with strong clinical training at multiple affiliated hospitals.
unito.it →
Padova
Veneto, Northeastern Italy
City at a glance
Climate
Cold winters, warm summers
Living costs
€650 – €950/month
Universities
1 public
Vibe
Historic, walkable, near Venice
A beautiful historic university city just 30 minutes from Venice. Padova has one of Italy's oldest medical schools and a very high quality of life. The city is compact, walkable, and has a strong student community.
University of Padova
Tier 2
25
Seats 2025
€156–700
Fees/year
Medium
Cutoff trend
Medicine & Surgery
Founded in 1222, Padova is one of Europe's oldest universities. Galileo taught here. The medical school has centuries of tradition and a strong international reputation. Venice is 30 minutes away by train.
unipd.it →
Parma
Emilia-Romagna, Northern Italy
City at a glance
Climate
Cold winters, warm summers
Living costs
€600 – €900/month
Universities
1 public
Vibe
Elegant, foodie, relaxed
Famous for Parmigiano-Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma, this elegant northern city is one of Italy's great underrated destinations. Compact, well-connected, with a high quality of life and significantly lower costs than Milan or Bologna.
University of Parma
Tier 2
45
Seats 2025
€156–700
Fees/year
Medium
Cutoff trend
Medicine & Surgery
A solid and well-organised university in one of northern Italy's most pleasant cities. Decent seat count with mid-range cutoffs historically. Lower cost of living than Bologna or Milan, good transport links, and a genuinely enjoyable city to live in.
unipr.it →
Naples
Campania, Southern Italy
City at a glance
Climate
Mild winters, hot summers
Living costs
€500 – €800/month
Universities
2 public
Vibe
Chaotic, warm, unforgettable
The most chaotic, vibrant, and deeply human city in Italy. Home to the best pizza in the world, a stunning coastline, and one of Italy's lowest costs of living. Two public universities offer medicine in English here.
Federico II University of Naples
Tier 3
45
Seats 2025
€156–700
Fees/year
Lower
Cutoff trend
Medicine & Surgery
One of the oldest universities in the world (founded 1224). Seat count for 2026 has been reduced to approximately 25 — verify on Universitaly before applying. Strong clinical training in a major city hospital network.
unina.it →
Università della Campania L. Vanvitelli
Tier 3
50
Seats 2025
€156–700
Fees/year
Lower
Cutoff trend
Medicine & Surgery
Based in Caserta (30 min from Naples). A newer university with modern facilities. Lower cutoffs historically make this a good strategic choice for students targeting the Naples region.
unicampania.it →
Catania
Sicily, Southern Italy
City at a glance
Climate
Mild winters, very hot summers
Living costs
€400 – €650/month
Universities
1 public
Vibe
Relaxed, sunny, affordable
Sicily's second city, at the foot of Mount Etna. The lowest cost of living on this list, warm weather year-round, and a laid-back Sicilian lifestyle. Udit's own university — he ranked 1st here in IMAT 2024.
University of Catania
Tier 3
60
Seats 2025
€156–600
Fees/year
Lower
Cutoff trend
Medicine & Surgery
Udit's university — he achieved Rank 1 for Catania in IMAT 2024. One of the most affordable options in Italy with consistently lower cutoffs. Life in Sicily is a genuinely unique experience. Highly recommended if you're strategic about your choice.
unict.it →
Messina
Sicily, Southern Italy
City at a glance
Climate
Mild winters, very hot summers
Living costs
€350 – €600/month
Universities
1 public
Vibe
Small, quiet, coastal
A smaller Sicilian city right at the tip of the island, overlooking the strait towards mainland Italy. Very affordable, very quiet. Requires mandatory pre-registration and a minimum 70% in schooling. More seats than most.
University of Messina
Tier 3
56
Seats 2025
€156–600
Fees/year
Lower
Cutoff trend
Medicine & Surgery
More seats than most universities with consistently lower cutoffs. Requires mandatory pre-registration on the university portal AND a minimum 70% in your schooling to be eligible. The cheapest cost of living on the list.
unime.it →
Bari
Puglia, Southern Italy
City at a glance
Climate
Mild winters, hot summers
Living costs
€450 – €700/month
Universities
1 public
Vibe
Sunny, coastal, authentic
Puglia's regional capital on the Adriatic coast. Warm weather, affordable living, great seafood, and a genuinely southern Italian lifestyle. Less touristy than Sicily but just as authentic.
University of Bari Aldo Moro
Tier 3
11
Seats 2025
€156–600
Fees/year
Lower
Cutoff trend
Medicine & Surgery
A large southern Italian university with a good reputation and lower living costs. Bari is well connected and has a growing international student community. Historically lower cutoffs make it a solid strategic choice.
uniba.it →
Ancona
Marche, Central Italy
City at a glance
Climate
Mild all year, coastal breeze
Living costs
€450 – €700/month
Universities
1 public
Vibe
Coastal, relaxed, underrated
A coastal city on the Adriatic, often overlooked but genuinely pleasant. Ancona is compact, affordable, and has easy access to both the beach and the mountains. Requires mandatory pre-registration.
Università Politecnica delle Marche (Ancona)
Tier 3
60
Seats 2025
€156–600
Fees/year
Lower
Cutoff trend
Medicine & Surgery
One of the higher seat count universities with consistently lower cutoffs. Requires mandatory pre-registration on the Marche university portal — check their specific deadline early.
univpm.it →
Cagliari
Sardinia, Southern Italy
City at a glance
Climate
Mild winters, hot dry summers
Living costs
€400 – €650/month
Universities
1 public
Vibe
Laid-back, island life, scenic
The capital of Sardinia — an island with some of the clearest water in the Mediterranean. Cagliari is warm, affordable, and genuinely beautiful. It is more isolated than mainland cities but that is also part of its appeal. A unique place to spend six years.
University of Cagliari
Tier 3
20
Seats 2025
€156–600
Fees/year
Lower
Cutoff trend
Medicine & Surgery
A solid university in one of Italy's most scenic locations. Historically lower cutoffs and a low cost of living make it a genuinely attractive option. Sardinia is an island so factor in connectivity — flights to the mainland are frequent but it is something to consider.
unica.it →

Important: Seat counts shown are from the 2025 IMAT cycle and may change for 2026. Fee ranges are approximate. Always verify the exact numbers on universitaly.it and the official university website before making your decision. Cutoffs are unpredictable — a university that was lower-cutoff last year may not be next year.

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