Studying in Italy from Tunisia: the complete path
The five steps, from choosing a programme to arriving in Italy, with the official dates for 2026/2027.
Why Italy
Italian public universities set their fees according to family income, and many programmes, especially master's degrees, are taught entirely in English. Our catalogue brings together more than sixty universities and their official 2026/2027 programmes.
The path follows an official procedure shared by the Italian ministries of University and of Foreign Affairs. It has five steps, best prepared in order.
1. Choose a programme and check your eligibility
A bachelor's degree (Laurea, 3 years) requires a secondary-school diploma obtained after at least twelve years of schooling: the Tunisian baccalauréat qualifies. A master's degree (Laurea Magistrale, 2 years) requires a bachelor's degree, and the university checks that your studies match the programme.
Each university assesses foreign qualifications itself and sets its own application dates. Check the language of instruction too: a B2 level is usually required, in Italian for an Italian-taught programme and in English for an English-taught one.
2. Apply to the university
Applications are made on each university's own portal, with your diploma, transcripts and passport and, depending on the programme, a language certificate, a motivation letter or a CV. The university reviews the file and answers with a pre-acceptance or a refusal.
3. Pre-enrolment on Universitaly
Every student who needs a visa then completes a pre-enrolment application on Universitaly, the free official portal of the Italian Ministry of University. Only one programme can be entered, and the university must validate the application: without that validation, no visa application is possible.
From 2026/2027, each university can validate only a limited number of pre-enrolments: the places it reserves for international students, plus 20%. Starting early pays off.
4. The study visa
In Tunisia, applications are lodged by appointment with Almaviva Visa Services, on behalf of the Italian Embassy in Tunis. For 2026/2027 the deadline is 30 November 2026, and the embassy states that processing can take up to 90 days.
Among other things, you must prove funds of at least €10,179.85 (€783.06 a month for 13 months), accommodation and health insurance. The details are in our study visa guide.
5. Arrival and final enrolment
Within eight working days of arriving, you must apply for a residence permit for study, using the kit available at post offices. In parallel, the university completes your enrolment once the fees are paid: a student who is not enrolled by 31 January has their visa revoked.
When to start
Ideally nine to twelve months before the September or October intake: time to prepare translations and statements, take a language certificate and apply before the places are gone.