Italy is one of Europe's best-value study destinations for Pakistani students: public universities charge low tuition (often €150–€3,000 per year), English-taught programmes are everywhere, and several scholarship schemes are open to Pakistanis. The big catch? Deadlines are scattered across the year, and a few famous schemes — like Invest Your Talent in Italy — do not include Pakistan at all. This guide lays out every real option you actually qualify for, with verified deadlines and an honest note on which ones to skip.
In short: Pakistani students can apply for MAECI Italian Government Scholarships, need-based DSU regional scholarships, and merit scholarships from universities like Padua, Bologna, and Politecnico di Milano. The next MAECI call is expected around January–March 2027; the 2026-27 MAECI deadline was 26 March 2026.
Quick Overview
- Host Country: Italy
- Host Institutions: Italian public and legally recognised private universities (Bologna, Sapienza Rome, Politecnico di Milano, Padua, Pisa, Milan, and more)
- Degree Level: Bachelor's, Master's, PhD, AFAM, research, and Italian language courses
- Program Duration: 3–9 months (MAECI) up to full degree duration (university and DSU schemes)
- Funding Type: Partially to fully funded
- Key Deadline: MAECI annual call — next edition expected January–March 2027 (the 2026-27 deadline was 26 March 2026); DSU regional calls — typically July–September 2026; Padua Excellence — 15 November 2026
Benefits of Studying in Italy on a Scholarship
Depending on which scheme you win, a Pakistani student in Italy can get:
- Tuition fee exemption — MAECI grantees are often exempted from enrolment and tuition fees at public universities (policies vary by university).
- Monthly allowance — the MAECI grant pays a monthly living allowance (the 2026-27 call set it at €900/month).
- Health and accident insurance — MAECI arranges a collective health insurance policy for grantees during the scholarship period.
- DSU full support — regional DSU scholarships can cover tuition, free accommodation, free meals, and an annual stipend based on financial need.
- University merit awards — many universities offer tuition waivers of €7,000–€10,000 or annual grants of around €6,000 for top-performing international applicants.
Scholarships in Italy That Pakistani Students Can Apply For
1. MAECI Italian Government Scholarships (the big one)
The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) offers grants to foreign students from eligible countries — and Pakistan is on the list (around 139 beneficiary countries). Grants cover Bachelor's, Master's (Laurea Magistrale), AFAM arts/music/dance programmes, PhDs, research, and Italian language courses at public or legally recognised Italian institutions. The call is annual; the 2026-27 deadline was 26 March 2026, and the next call (2027-28) is expected around January 2027 on the Study in Italy portal (studyinitaly.esteri.it). Selection is by citizenship, and you apply for one country only.
Typical benefits: tuition/enrolment fee exemption at public universities (university-dependent), a monthly living allowance (€900/month in the 2026-27 call), and health/accident insurance. Grants run 3, 6, or 9 months depending on the course.
2. DSU Regional Scholarships (need-based, open to all)
The DSU (Diritto allo Studio Universitario) scheme is one of Italy's largest financial-aid programmes, and unlike many merit awards it mainly considers your financial situation — so strong grades are not the deciding factor. Depending on the region (LazioDisco, EDISU Piemonte, DSU Toscana, ARDiS Friuli-Venezia Giulia, ESU Veneto, and others), DSU can include a tuition fee waiver, free university accommodation, free meals, and an annual stipend. Pakistani students are fully eligible as international students. Regional calls typically open mid-year (July–September); always read the call for your specific university/region.
3. University Merit Scholarships
- University of Padua Excellence Scholarships — for international students; the 2027-28 deadline reported on official pages is 15 November 2026. Applications run through Padua's online platform with a €30 application fee.
- University of Bologna — international scholarships for Bachelor's and Master's students; Bachelor's applicants pass the SAT, Master's applicants the GRE, and applicants must be under 30.
- Politecnico di Milano merit scholarships — no separate application; you are automatically considered when you apply for admission. Tuition fee waivers worth roughly €7,000–€10,000 per year are awarded to top international applicants.
- University of Milan Excellence Scholarships — up to €6,000/year plus tuition fee waiver for outstanding Master's applicants (the 2027 call deadline was 30 September 2026).
- Bocconi University — need-based and merit-based aid (ISU Bocconi) for Bachelor's and Law applicants, with the first international window running mid-November 2026.
4. One popular scheme to skip
Invest Your Talent in Italy (IYT) sounds perfect — €10,800 for 9 months, tuition exemption, a company internship. The honest truth: the official MAECI call restricts it to 23 listed countries, and Pakistan is not among them. Skip it; focus on MAECI, DSU, and university scholarships instead.
Eligibility Criteria for Pakistani Students
- Nationality and residence — non-Italian citizens not residing in Italy (MAECI); international-student status for university and DSU schemes.
- Academic qualification — Bachelor's degree for Master's programmes; Master's for PhDs. Final-year students may apply for several schemes as long as the degree is completed before enrolment.
- Age limits (MAECI) — check the call text: recent editions set limits around 28 for Master's/AFAM and 30 for PhD programmes.
- Language — for English-taught courses, proof of English proficiency is required (IELTS is not mandatory for MAECI; a Medium of Instruction certificate from your Pakistani university is often accepted). For Italian-taught courses, B2 Italian is typically needed.
- Admission — MAECI and most university scholarships require you to secure admission (or at least a valid pre-enrolment) at an Italian university first.
How to Apply — The Practical Steps
1. Choose your universities and English-taught programmes (check Universitaly and individual university pages for 2027-28 admission windows, many opening between January and May 2027). 2. Apply for admission to your chosen programmes and obtain an admission letter or pre-enrolment. 3. Pre-enrol on Universitaly (universitaly.it) — this is mandatory for the student visa and is the route the Embassy of Italy in Islamabad uses. 4. Apply for the MAECI scholarship on the Study in Italy portal (studyinitaly.esteri.it) when the 2027-28 call opens (expected January 2027). 5. Apply for your university's DSU or merit scholarship in parallel — regional DSU calls usually open July–September. 6. Prepare visa documents: passport, admission letter, CIMEA statement or Declaration of Value (DoV) for your Pakistani degree, financial proof, accommodation evidence, and health insurance with at least €30,000 coverage. 7. Apply for the Type D national study visa through BLS in Pakistan — for recent cycles, the Embassy has allocated appointments to students whose pre-enrolment is already validated, notifying them by email. 8. After arrival: apply for your *permesso di soggiorno* (residence permit) within eight working days through a post office kit, then complete university matriculation.
Required Documents (typical)
- Valid passport
- Bachelor's/Master's degree certificate and transcripts (with English translation where needed)
- English proficiency proof (IELTS/TOEFL or Medium of Instruction certificate)
- Curriculum vitae
- Motivation letter / statement of purpose
- Recommendation letters (for university merit scholarships)
- CIMEA statement or Declaration of Value (DoV) for the visa stage
- Financial proof, accommodation evidence, and health insurance (visa stage)
Italy Scholarships for Pakistani Students — Deadline Summary
There is no single deadline. The MAECI call is annual — the 2026-27 deadline was 26 March 2026, so the 2027-28 call is expected around January–March 2027. DSU regional calls typically open July–September 2026 for the 2026-27 academic year. University merit scholarships each have their own dates: Padua Excellence around 15 November 2026, Milan Excellence around 30 September 2026, and Politecnico di Milano follows its admission calls. Miss a window and you generally wait a full year — so start your paperwork at least six months ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the MAECI scholarship open to Pakistani students?
Yes. Pakistan is among the beneficiary countries for MAECI Italian Government Scholarships — around 139 countries are eligible, and selection is based on citizenship. You compete only against applicants from Pakistan.
Is the MAECI scholarship really fully funded?
It is generous but not a blank cheque. You get a tuition/enrolment fee exemption at public universities (university-dependent), a monthly living allowance (€900/month in the 2026-27 call), and health insurance. Regional fees, flights, and personal expenses come out of your own pocket.
Can I apply for IYT (Invest Your Talent in Italy) as a Pakistani?
No — at least not in the 2026-27 call. IYT is restricted to citizens of 23 listed countries, and Pakistan is not on the list. Stick with MAECI, DSU, and university merit scholarships.
Do I need IELTS for Italy scholarships?
Not always. MAECI accepts a Medium of Instruction certificate from your Pakistani university for English-taught courses. University merit scholarships may set their own English requirements, so check each call.
What is the DSU scholarship and can Pakistanis get it?
DSU is a need-based regional financial-aid scheme covering tuition waivers, free accommodation, free meals, and a stipend. It is open to all international students, including Pakistanis, and eligibility depends mainly on your family's financial situation.
When should I start my Italy 2027 application?
Now. DSU calls open mid-2026, Padua and Milan merit deadlines fall between September and November 2026, and the MAECI 2027-28 call is expected around January 2027. Degree attestation and DoV/CIMEA paperwork alone can take weeks.
Do Italian universities accept Pakistani degrees?
Yes — Italian universities routinely admit Pakistani Bachelor's holders into Master's programmes. You will need your degree attested and a CIMEA comparability statement or Declaration of Value for the visa and enrolment stages.
Can I work part-time in Italy as a Pakistani student?
Yes, international students may work up to 20 hours per week on a student residence permit. It helps with expenses but will not cover a full degree — plan your finances around your scholarship, not a job.
How much does it cost to apply?
Admission applications are mostly free or cheap (Padua charges a €30 application fee; some others €30–€50). MAECI and DSU applications are free. The main costs are the study visa fee (around €50), document attestation, translations, and health insurance.
Can I apply for a scholarship after arriving in Italy?
In most cases, no. MAECI and university merit scholarships must be applied for from Pakistan before you travel. DSU calls are an exception — you apply after securing admission and arriving, but the deadlines are strict.
Final Words
Italy rewards students who start early and read the fine print. Your realistic targets as a Pakistani student are the MAECI government grant, your region's DSU scholarship, and the merit awards at Padua, Bologna, Politecnico di Milano, and Milan. Skip IYT, get your HEC attestation and pre-enrolment done early, and apply in every window you qualify for.
