Home to some of Europe’s greatest medical universities, Italy is a popular destination for international students pursuing medical studies. This Mediterranean country currently has 19 institutions that offer English-language programs in medicine and surgery, most of which are top medical universities in Italy.
Medicine studies are offered at both public and private universities in Italy. Both types of universities offer high-quality education and differ solely in terms of expense and international exposure. While public institutions allow you to study at an affordable price, private universities assist you to gain global experience.
All medical universities in Italy are world-renowned for their modern and comprehensive curriculum, which employs cutting-edge technologies to make studying more engaging. Italian medical degrees are recognized in EU and non-EU countries, thereby broadening the career scope after medical studies in Italy. The degree is awarded upon completion of a 6-year course called Laurea in Medicine and Surgery. It holds recognition from the World Health Organization (WHO) as well as popular national bodies such as the National Medical Council of India (NMC), and the General Medical Council of the UK (GMC). They are also listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS), and the World Federation of Medical Education (WFME).
In general, Italian medical universities provide quality education at an affordable cost compared to other European countries. This is one of the main reasons to study medicine in Italy. Let us learn in detail about the top medical universities in Italy.
Overview: Top Medical Universities in Italy
| Program offered | Laurea in Medicine and Surgery/MD |
|---|---|
| Degree type | Single-cycle masters program in Medicine and Surgery |
| Duration | 6 years |
| Recognition | WHO, NMC, GMC, WDOMS, WFME |
| Eligibility criteria | A secondary school diploma or an equivalent educational qualification (12 years of education) with adequate knowledge of biology, chemistry, and physics.
A minimum aggregate of 50% marks qualifies for eligibility. |
| Documents required | Passport, acceptance letter, statement of purpose, passport-sized photographs, and official academic transcripts |
| Average tuition fee (public universities) | 3,000 to 4,000 EUR |
| Average tuition fee (private universities) | 16,000 to 21,000 EUR |
| Langauge of instruction | English |
| Entrance exams | IMAT (public universities)
University-specific entrance tests (private universities) |
| English proficiency | Up to CEFR B2/C1 level or IELTS 6.0 or equivalent |
Global Rankings for Top Medical Universities in Italy
Italian universities consistently chart high on global rankings. This list features some of the top medical universities in Italy and comprises both public and private ones.
The rankings included are provided by the US News and QS World Rankings in the category of ‘medicine’.
| US News Ranking 2023 (Top Clinical Medicine Universities in Italy) | QS World Ranking 2023 (Medicine) | University |
| 55 | 80 | University of Milan |
| 81 | 84 | University of Bologna |
| 100 | 125 | University of Padua |
| 105 | 112 | Sapienza University Rome |
| 131 | Top 300 | Vita-Salute San Raffaele University |
| 161 | Top 200 | Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore |
| 137 | Top 250 | University of Milano-Bicocca |
| 151 | Top 250 | University of Turin |
| 219 | Top 300 | University of Naples Federico II |
| 221 | – | University of Humanitas |
| 251 | Top 300 | University of Pavia |
| 329 | Top 300 | University of Rome Tor Vergata |
| 351 | Top 450 | University of Bari Aldo Moro |
| 520 | Top 650 | The University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli |
| – | – | UniCamillus University |
Best Universities to Study Medicine in Italy in English
In Italy, medicine program is offered as a single-cycle master’s degree in Medicine and Surgery. The program lasts for a duration of 6 years. Although public universities charge fees based on the ISEE indicator of personal financial standing, multiple funding options by means of awards and scholarships for Italian medical programs are also available from the government and universities.
Let us take a look at the top medical universities in Italy that offer programs in English for international students.
University of Milan
The University of Milan is a research-intensive public university founded in 1924. The institution has around 65,000 students enrolled and 2,140 tenured professors teaching. Most international rankings place it among the best Italian universities. It is the only Italian university among the 21 prestigious institutions that belong to the League of European Research Universities (LERU).
Tuition rates for domestic medical students at the University of Milan vary depending on their country of origin. The amount is determined by the student’s citizenship, household income, and citizenship status. However, international students at the University of Milan cannot avail of this scheme and their second installment payment varies depending on their country of origin. The first installment is the same for all students, regardless of their nationality or financial status.
| Program | Duration | Annual tuition fees for international students |
| General Medicine | 6 years | First installment of 140-156 EUR
Second installment of 200-384 EUR for Table A countries (India) Second installment of 2,000-3,840 EUR for Table C countries (UAE) |
University of Bologna
The University of Bologna is a public university established in 1088, making it the oldest university in the Western world. It has campuses in five locations (Bologna, Cesena, Forlì, Ravenna, and Rimini). A student population of over 85,000 makes it one of Italy’s largest universities. According to the Times Higher Education rankings for 2023, it is the top Italian university.
The tuition model depends on the student’s nationality. Most students hail from non-OECD countries as categorized by the university, and thus are entitled to pay reduced tuition fees.
| Program | Duration | Annual Tuition Fee |
| General Medicine (Bologna campus) | 6 years | 1,000 EUR for single-cycle degree programs (non-OECD countries like India and UAE) |
Sapienza University of Rome
The Sapienza University of Rome is the oldest university in Rome founded in 1303. The university has around 115,000 students, including 5,500 international students making it the largest university in Europe. The university takes pride in six Nobel Prize winners among its faculty and alumni.
Foreign students at Sapienza have to adhere to a standard fee model. For Medicine and Dentistry, the annual program fee is 2,924 EUR.
| Program | Duration | Annual Tuition Fee |
| MD in Medicine and Surgery | 6 years | 2,924 EUR |
Note: Admission to medical courses at public medical universities in Italy is attainable only through a highly competitive national exam known as the IMAT.
UniCamillus- International Medical University in Rome
The Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences (UniCamillus) is an internationally recognized private university that offers various medical and health science programs to students from all around the world. The university is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools. Its degrees are recognized in the entire EU and other countries such as the US, UK, Canada, India, etc.
The IMAT is not required for gaining admission to UniCamillus. Students, however, need to clear a university-conducted entrance exam. If you are interested in UniCamillus and want to enhance your chances of admission to the university, get in touch with Gyanberry. We provide various services, such as entrance exam preparation, visa assistance, application guidance, etc. We are also the authorized admission representatives of many medical universities in Italy, including UniCamillus, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, and Humanitas University.
| Program | Duration | Annual Tuition Fee |
| Degree in Medicine and Surgery (M.D) | 6 years | 21,000 EUR |
Vita-Salute San Raffaele University
The Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (UniSR) is a private university established in 1996. It is one of the best universities to study medicine in Italy. More than 2,000 students currently study at the university, out of which around 90 are international students. The university is ranked at 36th position across the globe for student-faculty ratio by QS world university rankings.
| Program | Duration | Total Tuition Fee |
| International Medical Doctor Program | 6 years | 20,000 (base tuition fee) + 140 (annual enrolment tax) |
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore is the largest private university in Europe and the largest Catholic University in the world. It has campuses in Milan, Brescia, Cremona, Piacenza, and Rome. It offers 43 programs taught in English which include undergraduate, postgraduate, and short courses exclusively for international students.
| Program | Duration | Annual Tuition fee |
| Medicine and Surgery (Rome campus) | 6 years | 16,200 EUR |
Humanitas University
The Humanitas University is a private university located in Rozzano, Milan. There are more than 20,000 students at the university, and 19% of them are international students. Humanitas University is part of one of Europe’s largest hospital groups, and its network of hospitals guarantees world-class clinical rotations to aspiring medical students.
| Program | Duration | Annual Tuition Fee |
| Medicine and Surgery | 6 years | 20,000 EUR |
Note: Admission to medical programs at UniCamillus, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, and Humanitas University can be obtained without taking the IMAT Exam.
Conclusion
Students in Italy can pursue a medical degree at a public or private university. Because public institutions are government-funded, they are less expensive than private universities. Nonetheless, private institutions provide students with international exposure as well as career counseling services, which public universities rarely do. However, all the Italian institutions for higher medical learning are well renowned for their excellent academic programs, research facilities, and faculty members. Graduates can start practicing medicine in Italy after clearing the state exam and registering with the Ordine Dei Medici. Since the Italian medical degree is valid throughout the world, students can also move to other countries for career prospects.