Exam Prep for Studying in Italy
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Dreaming of studying in Italy? You’re in excellent company. From engineering in Milan to medicine in Pavia, Italy offers thousands of world-class programmes at some of Europe’s most respected universities — many of them surprisingly affordable. But here’s what most students don’t find out until it’s too late: securing your place, and your student visa, depends on passing a very specific set of exams. The earlier you understand what’s required, the better your chances.
Not sure which exams you need for Italy? This page has you covered — from language tests to field-specific entrance exams, all the 2026/2027 requirements in one place.
Step 1: Language Proficiency — Required for Everyone
Before anything else, you need to prove you can study in your chosen language. This is a mandatory part of the Italian student visa process.
For English-taught programmes, most top-tier Italian universities require IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 or TOEFL iBT 80–90 (source: Universitaly, 2025). IELTS and TOEFL are strongly recommended for the Universitaly pre-enrolment portal and visa application. Some universities may also accept PTE Academic — check with your target institution directly.
For Italian-taught programmes, a minimum B2 level under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is required for all degree courses delivered in Italian (source: Council of Europe — CEFR). The officially recognised certifications are CILS (Certificazione di Italiano come Lingua Straniera) (source: Università per Stranieri di Siena) and CELI (Certificato di Conoscenza della Lingua Italiana) (source: Università per Stranieri di Perugia). Achieving C1 or C2 may exempt you from a university’s internal language test.
Step 2: Entrance Exams — Depends on Your Subject
Italy requires subject-specific entrance exams for most undergraduate and several postgraduate programmes. Here is exactly what applies to you based on your chosen field.
Medicine (English-taught) → IMAT
If Medicine is your goal, the IMAT (International Medical Admissions Test) is the most important exam you will sit. Organised annually by Italy’s Ministry of Universities and Research (MUR), it is the mandatory national entrance exam for all English-taught Medicine and Surgery, Dentistry, and Veterinary Medicine programmes at Italian public universities (source: MUR — IMAT Official Decree).
- Format: 60 multiple-choice questions, 100 minutes (source: MUR via Universitaly)
- Scoring: +1.5 for correct answers, −0.4 for incorrect answers
- Eligibility: 12 years of schooling, a high school diploma, and a €130 registration fee (source: Universitaly)
- Admission is based solely on your IMAT score — no interviews, no personal statements
- 2026 exam: Expected mid-September 2026; registration opens via Universitaly in late August
Non-EU students must complete Universitaly pre-enrolment before registering for the IMAT. As a non-EU candidate, you can only apply to one university — making your choice of institution the single most consequential decision in your entire application.
Engineering, Economics, Science & Pharmacy (English-taught) → CEnT-S (New for 2026)
From November 2025, CISIA officially replaced the English TOLC-I, TOLC-E, and TOLC-F with a single unified exam: the CEnT-S (CISIA English Test – Sciences) (source: CISIA — The New CEnT-S is Here). If you are applying to English-taught bachelor’s programmes in Engineering, Economics, Pharmacy, or other scientific fields, this is now the exam you need.
- Format: 55 multiple-choice questions across 5 sections — Mathematics, Reasoning on Texts and Data, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics — with a total duration of 110 minutes (source: CISIA — CEnT-S Official Page)
- Scoring: +1 for correct answers, -0.25 for incorrect answers, 0 for unanswered questions.
- Registration Fee: €55 fixed international testing rate.
- Testing periods: Four macro-periods per year (Nov–Jan, Feb–Mar, Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct); you can sit the exam once per period (source: CISIA)
- Non-EU applicants must sit the CEnT-S in Period 1 or Period 2 to have results in time for visa processing — Periods 3 and 4 are generally too late (source: Ca’ Foscari University — CEnT-S Guide)
Note: Politecnico di Torino uses its own TIL-I test for engineering programmes. Always check your specific university’s admission notice before registering.
Engineering, Economics, Science & Pharmacy (Italian-taught) → TOLC
For Italian-taught programmes in the same fields, the Italian-language TOLC tests remain fully in place and are unchanged. The most common versions are (source: CISIA — TOLC Rules 2026):
- TOLC-I — Engineering and technical fields
- TOLC-E — Economics and business
- TOLC-F — Pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences
- TOLC-S — Scientific fields (Biology, Natural Sciences)
TOLC tests are available almost every month via the CISIA platform, either online at home (TOLC@HOME) or in person at a university (TOLC@UNI). The registration fee is €30 per test (source: CISIA — What is the TOLC?).
Architecture → University Entrance Exam
Architecture and certain design degree programmes require a mandatory entrance examination organised by each individual university, after which a merit ranking with a reserved international student quota is published (source: MUR Circular 2026/2027). Requirements and formats vary by institution — check directly with your target university.
Business & Management Master’s → GMAT / GRE / Bocconi Test
For competitive Master’s programmes in Business, Economics, and Management, a standardised aptitude test is typically required. At Bocconi University, all MSc applicants must submit results from the GMAT, GRE, or the online Bocconi Test (source: Bocconi University — Admissions):
- GMAT minimum for most Bocconi MSc programmes: 500 (Classic) or 485 (GMAT Focus Edition); competitive applicants typically score 650+ (source: Bocconi — GMAT & GRE)
- GRE is fully accepted as an alternative to GMAT
- The online Bocconi Test is an aptitude test available as a third option for all MSc programme applicants (source: Bocconi — Application & Admissions)
Always check individual programme pages, as requirements vary across institutions.
Step 3: Pre-Enrolment via Universitaly — Don't Skip This
All non-EU students requiring a visa must complete pre-enrolment through Italy’s official Universitaly portal before applying for a student visa or registering for the IMAT (source: Universitaly). This portal is the mandatory channel for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral programme applications.
- 2026/2027 pre-enrolment deadline: 15 July 2026 (source: University of Turin — International Admissions)
- You can apply to up to three universities in order of preference
- From 2026/2027, universities validate applications proportionate to available places — early, complete applications are more important than ever (source: WAI Association Italy — MUR Updates 2026/2027)
- Students must demonstrate annual financial resources of at least €10,179.85 per year from legal, traceable sources to obtain and renew their student visa (source: Consulate General of Italy in Paris — Study Visa Checklist; corroborated by Consulate General of Italy in Buenos Aires — Updated Visa and Enrolment Guidelines 2026/2027–2027/2028).
Quick Exam Reference Map
| Exam | Who Needs It | Field |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS / TOEFL | All English-medium applicants | Language proof for admissions & visa |
| CILS / CELI | All Italian-medium applicants | Italian language proof (B2 minimum) |
| IMAT | Medicine aspirants | English-taught Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary |
| CEnT-S (New 2026) | Undergrad STEM applicants | English-taught Engineering, Economics, Science, Pharmacy |
| TOLC (I / E / F / S) | Undergrad applicants | Italian-taught STEM, Economics, Pharmacy |
| GMAT / GRE / Bocconi Test | Master's applicants | Business, Economics, Management |
Your Prep Timeline
| Timeframe | What to Do |
|---|---|
| 6–8 months out | Identify your programme, confirm required exams, book language test dates |
| 4–6 months out | Sit your language test (IELTS / TOEFL / CILS / CELI); begin entrance exam preparation |
| 3–4 months out | Sit CEnT-S in Period 1 or 2 (non-EU students); begin Universitaly pre-enrolment |
| 2–3 months out | Register for IMAT via Universitaly (if applicable); finalise university documents |
| 1–2 months out | Register for IMAT via Universitaly (if applicable); finalise university documents Prepare student visa interview talking points and financial documents |
The Eleevate Advantage for Your Italy Prep
At Eleevate Overseas, we equip Indian students with deeply personalized exam prep strategies tailored specifically for the Italian education system. From high-scoring IELTS coaching to specialized guidance for navigating the IMAT and the complex TOLC logic sections, we ensure you don’t just clear the benchmarks, but excel. Our experts will also manage your strict Universitaly pre-enrollment deadlines and prepare you with intensive mock embassy interviews to maximize your chances of unlocking top universities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is IELTS mandatory for studying in Italy?
For most English-taught programmes at Italian public universities, IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 or TOEFL iBT 80–90 is required (source: Universitaly). Both are also the safest options for smooth visa processing.
2. What replaced the English TOLC in Italy?
From November 2025, the English TOLC-I, TOLC-E, and TOLC-F were officially replaced by the CEnT-S — a single unified test for all English-taught undergraduate programmes in Engineering, Economics, Pharmacy, and other scientific fields (source: CISIA). The Italian-language TOLC tests remain unchanged for Italian-taught programmes.
3. How do non-EU students register for the IMAT 2026?
You must first complete pre-enrolment on the Universitaly portal by 15 July 2026, then register for the IMAT when registration opens in late August. Non-EU students can only apply to one university, so choose carefully (source: MUR via Universitaly).
4. Can I study in Italy without knowing Italian?
Yes. Italy offers a large and growing number of English-taught programmes, particularly at Master's level (source: Universitaly). For these, you only need to meet the English proficiency requirement. That said, basic conversational Italian makes daily life significantly easier.
5. Does a strong exam score help with scholarships?
Yes. Strong academic profiles and high test scores can significantly strengthen your application for merit-based fee waivers and DSU (Diritto allo Studio Universitario) regional scholarships in Italy. Check the Regional Study Authority (DSU) in your region for eligibility and deadlines
