Why Bangladeshi Students Choose Italy
Italy pairs some of the world's oldest universities with remarkably low public-university tuition, income-based fee reductions (many low-income international students pay near-zero tuition), and strong programs in Engineering, Design, and Architecture.
ইতালিতে বিশ্বের প্রাচীনতম বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ের পাশাপাশি খুবই কম টিউশন ফি, এবং আয়-ভিত্তিক ফি ছাড় রয়েছে।
UNIVERSITALY comes first: Bangladeshi students must complete pre-enrollment on the UNIVERSITALY portal and receive a validated summary from their chosen Italian institution before the National Visa application can proceed.
প্রথমে UNIVERSITALY: ভিসা আবেদনের আগে UNIVERSITALY পোর্টালে প্রাক-এনরোলমেন্ট সম্পন্ন করতে হবে।
Universities & Popular Programs
Politecnico di Milano
Italy's top-ranked technical university, renowned for Engineering, Architecture, and Design.
Sapienza University of Rome
One of Europe's largest universities, strong across Medicine, Law, and Humanities.
University of Bologna
The oldest university in the Western world (founded 1088), highly regarded across nearly all fields.
Politecnico di Torino
Leading choice for Engineering and Architecture with strong industry connections.
Popular Fields
জনপ্রিয় বিষয়সমূহ: Engineering, Architecture & Design, Fashion, Business, Medicine.
Tuition & Living Costs
| Item | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Public university tuition per year (income-based) | €0 - €4,000 |
| Private university tuition per year | €8,000 - €20,000 |
| Living costs per month | €700 - €1,000 |
Italian public universities use an income-based fee system (ISEE) — many international students from lower-income backgrounds pay minimal or no tuition at all once properly certified.
ইতালীয় পাবলিক বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় আয়-ভিত্তিক ফি ব্যবস্থা ব্যবহার করে — কম আয়ের শিক্ষার্থীরা প্রায়ই ন্যূনতম বা বিনামূল্যে টিউশন পান।
Scholarships & Funding
DSU (regional right-to-study) scholarships — Italy's regional student-welfare agencies (ER.GO, EDiSU, DiSCo, etc.) award merit-and-need-based scholarships covering tuition, accommodation, and meals; international students are eligible on the same basis as Italian students once properly enrolled.
University-specific scholarships — Politecnico di Milano, Bologna, and others offer dedicated international scholarships; check each university's international admissions page.
Visa & Work Rights — Full Step-by-Step Guide
Required Documents
- Valid passport.
- Completed and signed National long-stay visa application form.
- Two recent passport-size photographs.
- Pre-enrollment summary downloaded from the UNIVERSITALY portal.
- Official letter of acceptance from the Italian institution.
- Proof of sufficient financial means (minimum of €467.65 per month for the academic year).
- Proof of accommodation in Italy for the entire duration of the course.
- Travel insurance for the first 8 days with minimum coverage of €30,000.
- Original and photocopy of all academic documents, attested by relevant authorities.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Complete pre-enrollment on the UNIVERSITALY portal and secure validation from your chosen Italian institution.
- Download the pre-enrollment summary once your institution validates it.
- Arrange proof of funds (€467.65/month minimum) and proof of accommodation in Italy.
- Complete the National Visa (Type D) application form, available from the VFS Global website, ensuring all details match your UNIVERSITALY application.
- Book an appointment with VFS Global in Dhaka to submit your application package.
- Attend your appointment, providing biometrics; VFS forwards your application to the Embassy of Italy.
- Pay the visa fee (€50) plus VFS service charges.
- Collect your passport with the visa once approved, and plan arrival ahead of the September intake.
Fees Summary
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Long-stay student visa (National Type D) | €50 + VFS service charge |
Embassy & Application Centre
Embassy of Italy in Dhaka
Plot 2/3, Road 74/79, Gulshan 2, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
VFS Global - Italy Visa Application Centre
AJ Heights (Ground Floor), Cha-72/1/D, Progoti Sarani, North Badda, Dhaka-1212, Bangladesh
Application Tips
- Complete UNIVERSITALY pre-enrollment as early as possible — university validation can take several weeks during peak season.
- Have your academic documents translated into Italian and legalized/apostilled well before your VFS appointment.
- Once you arrive, apply for your Permesso di Soggiorno (residence permit) within 8 days — this is mandatory and time-sensitive.
Work Rights
International students in Italy may work part-time up to 20 hours per week (1,040 hours per year) once they hold their Permesso di Soggiorno for study purposes.
ইতালিতে স্টুডেন্ট রেসিডেন্স পারমিটধারীরা সপ্তাহে ২০ ঘণ্টা পর্যন্ত (বছরে ১,০৪০ ঘণ্টা) কাজ করতে পারেন।
Language Requirements
| Program | IELTS (typical) | PTE Academic (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| English-taught Bachelor's/Master's | 6.0 - 6.5 | 50 - 58 |
| Italian-medium programs | CILS/CELI B2 (Italian) | — |
A growing number of Master's programs (especially at Politecnico di Milano/Torino) are taught fully in English, while Italian-medium Bachelor's programs require a recognised Italian proficiency certificate.
Application Timeline (September Intake)
UNIVERSITALY Pre-Enrollment
Register and complete pre-enrollment, awaiting institution validation.
Acceptance & Documents
Receive your official letter of acceptance and prepare financial/accommodation proof.
VFS Dhaka Appointment
Submit your National Visa application at VFS Global Dhaka.
Arrival & Permesso di Soggiorno
Arrive, then apply for your residence permit within 8 days.
FAQ
Is Italy really low-cost? Yes, for public universities — the ISEE income-based system means many international students pay far less than sticker-price tuition once certified.
What is UNIVERSITALY? Italy's mandatory national pre-enrollment portal — every international student must complete it and get institution validation before applying for the visa.
Can I work part-time? Yes, up to 20 hours/week once you hold your Permesso di Soggiorno.