Planning to study in Italy for the 2027–28 academic year? Start by finding a course that matches your qualifications, then prepare your documents and follow its application instructions carefully. You can begin now. The University of Padua has announced a first application round from 15 September to 15 November 2026 for most of its 2027–28 degree programmes. Other universities and courses have their own schedules. Check the exact programme before applying. This guide explains the main steps for international applicants, particularly Pakistani students seeking a bachelor's or master's degree. 1. Choose the right degree and check your eligibility Italy uses different names for different qualifications: Your target Italian qualification General academic starting point Bachelor's degree Laurea A suitable secondary-school qualification, normally following at least 12 years of schooling Master's degree Laurea Magistrale A suitable bachelor's degree or comparable foreign qualification Integrated degree Laurea Magistrale a ciclo unico A suitable school-leaving qualification; programme-specific selection applies A standard academic master's degree, Laurea Magistrale, differs from a Master universitario, which is a separate postgraduate qualification. Check the qualification awarded before choosing a course. For Pakistani applicants, the university must assess your HSSC, A-levels or university degree under its country-specific rules. A master's programme may also require particular subjects or credits from your bachelor's degree. Padua, for example, expressly requires an appropriate bachelor's qualification and specific curricular preparation. 2. Shortlist programmes that fit your background Search through Universitaly and official university course pages. Compare: - The subjects taught and their connection to your previous studies. - The language of instruction. - Academic and language requirements. - Tuition fees, funding opportunities and living costs. - Application dates for non-EU applicants who need a visa. My advice is to create a simple tracker with one row per course. Record its official link, deadline, required documents and application status. This makes it easier to compare your options and respond to requests on time. Read the 2027–28 call for applications for each course. If it is not available yet, monitor the official page; last year's deadline is not confirmation of this year's dates. 3. Prepare your application documents Use this as a preparation checklist, then adjust it to the course's actual requirements: - Valid passport or the identification document requested by the university. - School diploma or university degree certificate. - Academic transcripts. - Academic CV. - Motivation letter, where required. - Accepted proof of language proficiency. - Recommendation letters, portfolio or other supporting material, where requested. Keep clear PDF scans and make sure your name is consistent across documents. If you are still studying, check whether the programme accepts applications before graduation and when the final qualification must be submitted. A useful motivation letter explains your academic preparation, why you chose that particular course and what you intend to do after graduation. Give concrete examples from your studies, projects or work. The university's document list controls your application; not every item above is required by every course. Sources: MUR guidance and Padua application documents. 4. Check the language requirement carefully For an English-taught course, read the accepted language certificates, minimum scores, validity rules and submission deadline. There is no single IELTS score to use for every Italian university. A Medium of Instruction certificate should be used only where the programme's current rules allow it or grant an applicable exemption. Do not assume that studying previously in English automatically meets the requirement. For Italian-taught programmes, check the required Italian proficiency and any language assessment. Padua publishes separate language requirements and exemptions, so applicants should consult the version applicable to their intake. 5. Submit the university application For most courses, the admission application is submitted through the university's own portal. Create your account, choose the correct intake and course, upload the requested documents, pay an application fee if required, and submit before the deadline. Save the confirmation and monitor both your email and portal. Some programmes require an admission test, interview or additional assessment. Follow the specific call rather than assuming one entrance test applies across Italy. If your offer is conditional, identify exactly what remains outstanding and when you must complete it. 6. Follow the qualification-verification instructions Universities may request translations, authentication or documents explaining the value of your foreign qualification. Depending on the institution, these can include a Declaration of Value, CIMEA comparability or verification documents, or another accepted form of evidence. Bologna's official guidance distinguishes translation, authenticity and qualification value, with different ways to demonstrate them. Check the university's instructions before ordering a paid service. Follow the relevant consular requirements separately when preparing your visa application. 7. Track scholarship applications separately Explore university funding, regional student-support schemes and Italian government opportunities applicable to your nationality and course. Each scheme has its own application process and eligibility conditions. Admission alone does not confirm a scholarship. Regional support may require evidence of household income, assets and family circumstances. For example, ER.GO assesses students with income or assets abroad using documentation from the relevant authorities, with translation and legalisation requirements. Use the correct year's scholarship call to prepare these documents. Source: ER.GO economic requirements. Check government scholarship announcements through Study in Italy. Build your budget around confirmed funding and the costs you will need to cover yourself. 8. Complete Universitaly pre-enrolment if you need a visa International applicants residing abroad who require a study visa must complete the applicable pre-enrolment procedure through Universitaly. Follow your university's instructions on when to submit it. Select the correct institution and course, upload the requested documents and wait for the university to validate the application. The university admission application and Universitaly pre-enrolment serve different purposes. Completing one does not replace the other. 9. Prepare your study visa application early Use the Italian embassy or consulate responsible for your place of residence to check the current visa checklist and appointment process. The published national procedures set 31 October 2027 as the final visa-application deadline for 2027–28 ordinary bachelor's, master's and specified academic diploma courses, including single-cycle degrees. Universities may require an earlier date. This is a visa deadline, not a general university admission deadline. Different timing provisions apply to PhDs, foundation courses and certain other course types. University acceptance and pre-enrolment validation support the visa process but do not guarantee a visa. Source: Universitaly 2026–27 and 2027–28 procedures. 10. Complete the arrival and enrolment steps Arrange accommodation, carry the documents your university requests and complete final enrolment according to its instructions. Non-EU students staying for more than three months must apply for a residence permit within eight working days of arrival. Ask the university's international office for assistance with the local procedure. Source: official information for your stay. A practical preparation plan Now, in late 2026 Shortlist courses, check rounds already announced and prepare documents During each course's application round, Submit the admission application and complete required assessments Alongside your admission preparation, Track funding calls and prepare any financial documentation When instructed by the university Complete Universitaly pre-enrolment and prepare the visa application Before departure, Meet offer conditions, confirm accommodation and organise enrolment documents Frequently asked questions Can I apply without IELTS? Possibly, if your programme accepts another certificate or an applicable exemption. Read its current language rules before relying on a Medium of Instruction certificate. What CGPA do I need? Check the programme's academic requirements and selection criteria. Your degree subject, relevant coursework and other requested evidence also matter; use the course's own assessment rules. Is admission the same as a scholarship? No. Track the admission decision and funding decision separately, and check whether a scholarship needs an additional application. When should I start? Start checking now. Some 2027–28 rounds are already announced, and your selected course may have an early deadline. Start with a course you can explain clearly Choose a programme that fits your academic background and plans. Prepare accurate documents, write a focused motivation letter and keep a record of every deadline. A well-organised application begins with the official course requirements and follows through to funding, pre-enrolment, visa preparation and final enrolment.