If you want to do a PhD in Italy in English, there are many options, but they are not the same across the country or across subjects. Most offers are found in larger universities and in fields with international research, such as science, engineering, medicine, economics, and some social sciences.
Costs can be low compared with many other countries, but they vary a lot by university and by whether you are funded. The safest way to check is always the programme page and the university's admissions office, because rules can change from one call to the next.
How common are English-taught PhDs in Italy?
English-taught PhD programmes are common enough to be realistic, especially at research universities and in international schools. In many cases, the programme is fully in English, or English is the main language for teaching, supervision, seminars, and research work.
You will often find English-taught PhDs in these areas:
- engineering and technology
- computer science and data science
- physics, chemistry, and mathematics
- life sciences and biomedical fields
- economics, finance, and management
- some social science and policy programmes
In humanities and law, English-taught PhDs exist too, but there may be fewer of them. Some programmes are open to international applicants, but part of the daily academic life may still use Italian.
What does a PhD in Italy usually cost?
PhD fees in Italy are often lower than for many master's programmes, and at some universities the tuition for doctoral study is very small. In many cases, funded PhD positions also include a scholarship or stipend from the university or project.
But there is no single national price. Typical situations are:
- some PhD programmes have no tuition or only a small administrative fee
- some ask for annual enrolment or regional taxes
- some charge more for unfunded candidates or for special tracks
- some funded positions cover fees and also give a monthly scholarship
If you are not funded, the cost can still be much lower than in many countries, but it depends on the university and the department. Always check the official PhD call, because that document usually lists fees, scholarship status, and any extra costs.
Also check whether the university offers fee reductions, exemptions, or tax adjustments for students with low income, disability, or other special status. These rules are usually explained on the university's student fees page.
EU and non-EU students: what is different?
The main difference is not always the tuition itself. It is often the admission process, document rules, and visa steps.
For EU and EEA students, entry and residence rules are usually simpler. You normally apply directly through the university and then follow the normal registration process after admission.
For non-EU students, you may need extra steps such as:
- a student visa, if you will study in Italy
- a residence permit after arrival
- document legalisation or apostille, depending on the country
- proof of financial means for the visa process
The visa and residence rules are not decided by the university. Check the official website of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, your local Italian consulate, and the national immigration or prefecture pages for current rules.
Do not assume that a scholarship changes the visa process automatically. The consulate will look at your documents, your admission letter, and the current immigration rules.
Language requirements and academic profile
Even when a PhD is taught in English, universities often want proof of English ability. Common proofs include IELTS, TOEFL, or a previous degree taught in English. Some universities also accept a letter from your former university, but this is not guaranteed.
Typical things admissions teams may ask for:
- a master's degree or equivalent qualification
- transcripts and diploma supplements
- a research proposal or statement of interest
- CV and publications, if any
- letters of recommendation
- proof of English level
Some programmes also ask for an interview. In competitive fields, the research fit matters a lot. Your topic should match the lab, supervisor, or doctoral school.
Do not worry if your Italian is basic. Many English-taught PhD students live in Italy with little Italian at first. Still, some everyday life, admin, and local services may be in Italian, so basic language skills can help.
How to find the right programme
The best source is the university's official PhD page. Look for the annual call, because that document usually contains the real rules for that year.
Use this checklist when you search:
- Is the programme fully in English or partly in English?
- Is there a funded position available?
- What is the exact research topic or lab area?
- Who can apply: EU, non-EU, or both?
- What documents are required?
- What is the deadline, and is it the same every year? Usually not.
Good places to search include:
- university doctoral school pages
- department pages and lab pages
- national and university job portals for PhD calls
- the programme page for international doctoral candidates
When you find a match, read the full call carefully before you contact anyone. This saves time and helps you ask better questions.
How to approach universities
For PhD study, the first contact is often with the professor, research group, or doctoral office. Keep your message short and specific.
A good first email usually includes:
- your full name and current degree
- the exact PhD call or research area you are interested in
- your main research background
- why your topic fits their group
- a short CV and transcript if requested
Do not send a very long message. One short paragraph about your background and one short paragraph about the match is enough for the first contact.
If the programme is competitive, contact the university early. Some supervisors reply quickly, while others only answer after the official call opens.
Common questions
Can I do a PhD in Italy with only English?
Yes, in many programmes you can work mainly in English. But daily life, local administration, and some seminars may still involve Italian. Check the programme page and ask the doctoral office if you need to know how much Italian is used.
Do all PhD students in Italy get funding?
No. Many positions are funded, but not all. Some calls list scholarship-funded places, while others do not. Always read the official call to see whether the place includes a stipend, fee exemption, or both.
How do I know if I meet the English requirement?
Check the programme's admissions page. It will say which test scores, previous degrees, or certificates are accepted. If the page is unclear, ask the admissions office before you apply.
How Eduuro helps
Create a free profile with your field, education, English level and documents, and admissions offices that search for exactly that can find you and write first.
This can help you get noticed by universities that are already looking for candidates like you.
Rules, fees and deadlines change. Check the university's own admissions page and the official immigration site of the country before you act on anything here.