fbpx

Can Pakistani students study in Italy in 2026? Yes. Pakistani students can apply to Italian universities for bachelor’s, master’s, PhD and other eligible higher-education programmes, provided they meet the academic, language, documentation and visa requirements applicable to their chosen programme.

Italy remains an attractive destination for international students because of its established universities, diverse academic programmes, English-taught courses, scholarship opportunities and regional financial-support schemes.

For students planning to study in Italy during the 2026/27 academic year, understanding university admission, Universitaly pre-enrolment, document requirements, financial evidence, visa procedures and deadlines is essential before submitting an application.

For 2026/27, students should rely on the latest information issued by their chosen university, Universitaly, the Italian diplomatic authorities and the applicable visa application centre. Requirements can vary according to the programme and the student’s individual circumstances.

Table of Contents

Why Should Pakistani Students Study in Italy?

Italy is an established European higher-education destination offering bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and other higher-education programmes to international students.

Pakistani students can find programmes across areas such as:

Many Italian universities also offer programmes taught in English, particularly at postgraduate level.

Italy can also be attractive to students looking for scholarship and financial-support opportunities. These can include university scholarships, regional right-to-study benefits, tuition reductions and other forms of financial assistance.

However, funding is not guaranteed. Eligibility depends on the university, region, programme, academic profile and financial circumstances of the student.

Before choosing a university, Pakistani students should consider:

What Can Pakistani Students Study in Italy?

Pakistani students can apply for a wide range of higher-education programmes depending on their previous qualifications and the admission requirements of their chosen institution.

Common options include:

Students interested in technology can explore computer science, artificial intelligence and data science. Other popular fields include engineering, business, finance, economics, architecture, design, social sciences and international relations.

However, programme availability and admission requirements vary between universities.

Before applying, students should check:

There is no single admission requirement that applies to every Italian university.

What Are the Requirements to Study in Italy?

Requirements depend on the university, degree level and programme.

Undergraduate Requirements

For bachelor’s-level study, applicants generally need a recognised secondary or higher-secondary qualification that provides access to higher education in their home country.

Italian higher-education guidance also requires applicants to hold an educational qualification corresponding to the required period of previous education. Universitaly guidance notes that a secondary qualification normally needs to follow at least 12 years of schooling, with specific mechanisms where the previous education period is shorter.

Universities may also request:

Master’s Requirements

For master’s programmes, applicants normally need an appropriate bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification.

Depending on the programme, universities may request:

Students should remember that admission criteria are determined by individual universities and programmes.

Meeting the requirements of one Italian university does not automatically mean that another university will accept the same qualifications.

What Is Universitaly Pre-Enrolment?

Universitaly is the official Italian portal used for international student pre-enrolment.

Students who require an Italian study visa normally need to complete the relevant pre-enrolment process through Universitaly after meeting the requirements of their selected higher-education institution.

For the 2026/27 academic year, the Italian Embassy in Islamabad states that only students whose pre-enrolment applications have been validated by their respective university are eligible to submit a visa application.

The general process involves:

  1. Selecting an eligible university and programme.
  2. Completing the university’s admission process.
  3. Creating and completing the relevant Universitaly pre-enrolment application.
  4. Providing the required information and documents.
  5. Waiting for the university to validate the pre-enrolment.
  6. Proceeding with the visa process once the relevant validation has been completed.

University validation does not guarantee visa approval. The final decision on a study visa belongs to the competent Italian diplomatic or consular authority.

What Is the Process to Study in Italy in 2026?

The general process for Pakistani students can be organised into the following steps:

1. Choose a University and Programme

Select a university and course that matches your academic qualifications, career goals, language ability and budget.

2. Check Admission Requirements

Review the university’s official academic, language, entrance-test and document requirements.

3. Submit the University Application

Apply according to the university’s application procedure and deadline.

4. Receive Admission

If accepted, follow the university’s instructions for completing the next stages.

5. Complete Universitaly Pre-Enrolment

Submit the relevant pre-enrolment information through Universitaly.

6. Obtain University Validation

For students under the Islamabad Embassy jurisdiction, the relevant Universitaly pre-enrolment must be validated by the university before the applicant can proceed with the visa application.

7. Prepare Your Visa Documents

Prepare the latest documents required by the Italian Embassy and BLS-Intiana for your specific study-visa category.

8. Follow the Appointment Procedure

For the 2026/27 academic year, BLS-Intiana is directly allocating study-visa appointments to applicants whose Universitaly pre-enrolment applications have already been validated by their universities. Applicants are contacted using the email address provided during Universitaly registration, and appointments are assigned according to the validation date.

9. Submit the Visa Application

Submit the completed application and required supporting documents through the applicable BLS-Intiana centre.

10. Wait for the Visa Decision

The competent Italian authorities assess the application and make the final decision.

11. Travel and Complete Enrolment

After receiving the visa, students can make their travel arrangements and complete the university’s enrolment and residence formalities.

What Documents Are Required for an Italy Student Visa?

The exact document checklist depends on the study level and visa category. Students should always use the latest official checklist applicable to their application.

The current Italian Embassy Islamabad guidance for study visas includes requirements relating to documents such as:

The Embassy’s current guidance states that documents issued by Pakistani authorities must be apostilled, while documents must be in English or accompanied by the required Italian translation.

The applicable study-visa documentation also refers to apostilled and translated educational documents and, depending on the category, CIMEA documentation.

Students should not rely on an old checklist, social-media post or another student’s previous visa file. Requirements can change according to the academic year, programme and visa category.

Financial Documents

Financial documentation is particularly important.

The current Islamabad Embassy study-visa guidance specifies €10,179.85 per year as the minimum subsistence amount. It also explains that the financial assessment is broader than simply checking the balance on the day of application. One-off or ad-hoc deposits are not considered sufficient evidence on their own.

Depending on the applicant’s circumstances, evidence may involve the student’s own resources, parents’ resources or eligible relatives, together with supporting documents showing the source and availability of funds.

Students should therefore maintain a consistent, genuine and traceable financial profile.

What Is the Italy Student Visa Deadline for 2026?

For the 2026/27 academic year, the Italian Embassy in Islamabad has stated that the deadline for submitting student visa applications for the relevant ordinary university degree courses is:

30 November 2026

The Embassy strongly advises students to prepare their documentation and complete the preliminary procedures well before the deadline.

Students should also remember that individual universities can have earlier admission, enrolment or pre-enrolment deadlines.

Therefore, Pakistani students should check:

Waiting until November to begin the entire process can create unnecessary pressure.

How Do Pakistani Students Book an Italy Student Visa Appointment?

This is one of the most important September 2026 updates.

For study visas, students must first complete their pre-enrolment through Universitaly. Once the relevant pre-enrolment has been validated by the university, BLS-Intiana contacts eligible students regarding their study-visa appointment.

The Embassy has specifically warned applicants against purchasing appointments from intermediaries.

The Embassy states that neither the Embassy nor BLS-Intiana has an official WhatsApp or mobile number for contacting applicants about study-visa appointments, and they do not request deposits, commissions or other payments in exchange for appointments.

Important September 2026 Change for Pakistani Applicants

The Italian Embassy in Islamabad announced on 4 September 2026 that the Multan and Faisalabad Italy Visa Application Centres permanently ceased operations from 6 September 2026.

Following this change:

Students should therefore not rely on older articles that still list Multan and Faisalabad as active visa-application centres.

The current BLS arrangement for the Islamabad Embassy jurisdiction provides appointment access through Islamabad and Lahore following the September 2026 closure.

Applicants should always verify their applicable consular jurisdiction before travelling to a visa centre.

Should You Pay Someone for an Italy Visa Appointment?

No.

The Italian Embassy has warned applicants about intermediaries who illegally offer visa appointments in exchange for money.

Students should never purchase or attempt to purchase an Italian study-visa appointment.

If someone claims to have a special appointment quota, guaranteed appointment or guaranteed visa, applicants should treat the offer with extreme caution and use only official channels.

How Much Does It Cost to Study in Italy?

The total cost of studying in Italy depends on the university, programme, city, accommodation and personal lifestyle.

Students should budget for:

Public universities can offer comparatively affordable tuition structures, while private institutions may have substantially higher fees.

Living costs can also vary considerably between cities.

Students should therefore calculate the total annual cost, rather than looking only at tuition fees.

Italy Student Visa Fee in September 2026

The Italian Embassy Islamabad’s published tariff for July–September 2026 lists the national study visa (Type D) at:

€50 — PKR 16,250

The PKR amount is based on the applicable consular exchange rate and can change with subsequent quarterly tariffs.

Therefore, students applying after September 2026 should check the Embassy’s latest tariff rather than assuming that the September figure will remain unchanged.

Can Pakistani Students Get Scholarships in Italy?

Yes. Pakistani students may be eligible for different scholarship and financial-support opportunities in Italy.

Potential sources include:

However, scholarship eligibility is not automatic.

Requirements can depend on:

Some regional or need-based support schemes may require detailed financial and family documentation from the student’s home country.

What About the 2026/27 MAECI Scholarship?

The Italian Government’s MAECI scholarship application for the 2026/27 academic year is already closed.

The official call set the application deadline at 26 March 2026. Therefore, students planning their Italy applications in September 2026 should not treat the 2026/27 MAECI call as an upcoming opportunity.

However, university scholarships and regional right-to-study opportunities operate separately and may have different deadlines.

Students should check the scholarship opportunities offered by their chosen university and the relevant regional authority.

Admission to an Italian university does not automatically guarantee a scholarship.

Can Pakistani Students Work While Studying in Italy?

Yes. International students with the appropriate Italian study residence permit can work part-time, subject to Italian immigration and employment rules.

Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that a study residence permit allows students to work for a maximum of:

20 hours per week and 1,040 hours per year.

Students should view part-time employment as supplementary support rather than relying on employment to cover all tuition and living expenses.

Employment opportunities can also depend on:

Learning Italian can therefore be useful for students who want to work and communicate more effectively in Italy.

Students must comply with the conditions of their residence permit and applicable Italian employment regulations.

What Mistakes Should Pakistani Students Avoid?

Pakistani students planning to study in Italy should avoid common mistakes that can delay admission or create problems during the visa process.

Common mistakes include:

Students should ensure that their academic, financial, accommodation and personal information remains consistent throughout their application.

Is Italy a Good Study Destination for Pakistani Students?

Italy can be a strong study-abroad option for Pakistani students who want to pursue higher education in Europe.

The country offers:

However, students should not select Italy simply because it is considered affordable or because scholarships may be available.

The right university and programme should be selected according to the student’s academic background, career goals, financial capacity and long-term plans.

For the 2026/27 academic year, Pakistani students should pay particular attention to:

How Can HR International Help Pakistani Students Study in Italy?

Planning to study in Italy involves several stages, from university selection and admission to Universitaly pre-enrolment and visa preparation.

HR International can assist Pakistani students with:

Professional guidance cannot guarantee admission, a scholarship, a visa appointment or visa approval.

However, careful preparation can help students understand the process, identify documentation requirements and submit a more complete and consistent application.

Start Your Italy Study Journey in 2026

If you are planning to study in Italy in 2026, begin preparing your university application and visa documentation as early as possible.

For the 2026/27 academic year, the official Italian Embassy deadline for student visa applications for the relevant ordinary university degree courses is 30 November 2026.

The latest appointment procedure also means that students should pay close attention to their Universitaly university validation, because applicants whose pre-enrolment has been validated are being contacted regarding study-visa appointments.

Pakistani students should also remember that the Multan and Faisalabad Italy Visa Application Centres permanently closed on 6 September 2026, with appointment bookings and waitlist registrations now available through Islamabad and Lahore.

The 2026/27 MAECI government scholarship deadline has already passed, but university and regional scholarship opportunities may still be available depending on the institution and region.

Financial planning is equally important. The current Italian Embassy Islamabad study-visa guidance specifies €10,179.85 per year as the minimum subsistence amount and states that the financial assessment is not based simply on a one-time bank balance or last-minute deposit.

Start your application early, use current official requirements, and verify important visa information before making financial commitments.

If you are planning to study in Italy, HR International can help you understand the university application, documentation, scholarship, Universitaly and student-visa preparation process.