Study MBBS in Italy 2025-26

MBBS in Italy on the mind? Well, you have chosen the perfect destination to study MBBS abroad. The country is famous across the globe for delicious food, tourism, rich heritage, culture, and quality education. Medical universities in Italy are among the oldest in the world. With high-rankings and approval from top medical bodies including WHO, FAMER, UNESCO, and NMC, MBBS from Italy is an attraction for thousands of foreign students. MBBS in Italy is a (5+1) 6-years program taught in 100% English language. Other than international recognition, Italian medical universities are also famous for their affordable tuition fee. Medical students can pursue their MBBS in Italy at a highly affordable annual tuition fee of INR 4-5 Lacs. For Indian students who have always dreamt of becoming successful medical professionals, this Schengen country has a lot to offer in terms of education quality, student safety, and worldclass healthcare setups. You get an opportunity to choose from over 40 top-ranking medical universities to study MBBS in Italy. Read on to know everything about pursuing MBBS in this beautiful country:

MBBS in Italy - Important Links

1. Eligibility Criteria
2. Top Universities
3. Documents Required
4. Recognition
5. Medium of Teaching
6. Faq

MBBS in Italy for Indian students

In India, medical aspirants have to deal with a lot of challenges when it comes to getting an admission to a reputed university. There are several reasons contributing to the same including:

1. Less number of seats in government and private colleges,
2. Very high tuition fee,
3. Paper leaks (NEET 2024),
4. Poor healthcare infrastructure,
5. Lack of internship opportunities,
6. High student-teacher ratio due to lack of qualified teaching staff

To understand better, let us take a look at some important facts and figures (as in year 2024):

1. Medical colleges in India: 706
2. Total number of seats in Indian medical colleges: 106,333
3. Total number of aspirants appeared for NEET in 2024: 2333297
4. Course fee for MBBS: 60 to 80 Lacs for the 6-years program.

The above stated facts can demotivate many Indian students and parents. This is the why every year, MBBS in Italy is an attractive and affordable option for thousands of Indian students.

Features of MBBS in Italy

Now that you have planned to pursue MBBS from Italy, here are some of the key features of the program you must know about:

1. Duration: The duration for MBBS is 6 years where 5 years are for classroom learning and 1 year for internship in a university-affiliated hospital.
2. Medium of Teaching: All Italian universities have adopted English as the medium of teaching the MBBS course. This makes Italy a top choice for foreign students looking to study MBBS abroad.
3. Hostel: Italian universities offer the best-in-class hostel facilities at a very nominal cost. There are well-equipped hostels with all the basic amenities including cupboards, study tables, water coolers, Acs, and recreational facilities. Also, there are separate hostel buildings for boys and girls.
4. Intake: Admission intake for MBBS in Italy begins in the month of August. Students are required to submit the application forms and other documents by the 1^st week of August. The session starts in the first week of October.
5. Fee: MBBS from Italy is quite affordable for Indian students. The total course fee is not more than INR 12-15 Lacs.
6. Accredited universities: Italian medical universities offer an accredited and globally recognized MBBS program. The degree is accredited by top bodies like the National Medical Council, World Health Organisation, FAIMER, ECFMG, WFME, Ministry of Health, Italy, and UNESCO.
7. Scholarships: Many Italian universities provide upto 100% scholarships to foreign students based on their merit and financial background. In Italy, students can study MBBS at ZERO tuition fee.
8. Cost of living: Italy is quite affordable in terms of living cost. The estimated monthly cost for a student in student is around INR 50,000-60,000 (including accommodation). The costs can be further reduced by sharing the accommodation and thereby utilities.

Eligibility for MBBS in Italy

To be eligible to apply for MBBS in Italy, students must meet a certain criteria. Given below is the standard eligibility criteria students must follow while applying for the course:

1. Age: The applicant must be at least 17 years old and should not be above 25 years of age.
2. Education:
• 60% + marks in 12^th standard (from a recognised board) with physics, chemistry, and biology as core subjects.
• NEET is mandatory.

Top Italian Universities for MBBS

Italian universities offer globally recognised MBBS program with a great learning environment for the students. Some of the most popular universities to study MBBS in Italy are:

University of Bologna

Founded in the year 1088, The University of Bologna is the oldest university of the western world. Till date, it has been a choice of more than 2,000 Indian students. The university ranks number 1 in the country and number 155 in the world.

Year Established	1088
Recognition	NMC, WHO, AMEE, EMSA, FAIMER
Course Duration	5+1 Year
Eligibility Criteria	10+2 with Above 70% of marks, NEET
Language of Study	English
Last Date to Apply	1st Aug, 2025

Vita-Salute San Raffaele University

The Vita-Salute San Raffaele University was established in the year 1996. It ranks number 2 in the country. Having an association with the San Raffaele Research Hospital, the Vita-Salute San Raffaele University offers a great blend of adept theoretical and practical learning.

Year Established	1996
Recognition	NMC, WHO, AMEE, EMSA, FAIMER
Course Duration	5+1 Year
Eligibility Criteria	10+2 with Above 70% of marks, NEET
Language of Study	English
Last Date to Apply	1st Aug, 2025

University of Milano-Bicocca

Established in the year 1998, The University of Milano-Bicocca is among the best 100 under 50 years old universities in the world. Currently, more than 40,000 students are studying in a range of disciplines including Medicine, Law, Computer Sciences, Physics, and more.

Year Established	1998
Recognition	NMC, WHO, AMEE, EMSA, FAIMER
Course Duration	5+1 Year
Eligibility Criteria	10+2 with Above 70% of marks, NEET
Language of Study	English
Last Date to Apply	1st Aug, 2025

Humanitas University

Founded in the year 2014, The Humanitas University also referred to as Unimed has soon gained huge popularity among international students. The campus seamlessly integrates with the Humanitas Research Hospital to offer MBBS students a unique learning experience within the university.

Year Established	2014
Recognition	NMC, WHO, AMEE, EMSA, FAIMER
Course Duration	5+1 Year
Eligibility Criteria	10+2 with Above 70% of marks, NEET
Language of Study	English
Last Date to Apply	1st Aug, 2025

University of Milan

Founded in the year 1924, The University of Milan is a century old institution. It is also one of the largest universities in Europe. Today, it offers more than 140 UG and PG programs. Over the last few years, the research and teaching activities of The University of Milan have received many international recognitions.

Year Established	1924
Recognition	NMC, WHO, AMEE, EMSA, FAIMER
Course Duration	5+1 Year
Eligibility Criteria	10+2 with Above 70% of marks, NEET
Language of Study	English
Last Date to Apply	1st Aug, 2025

NEET Requirements for MBBS in Italy

To apply of MBBS in Italy and practice in India after the course, students must appear for the NEET exam.

Documents Required for MBBS in Italy

Before you apply for the course, make sure you get your documents ready to avoid any last-minute hassles and issues. Here is a quick checklist to help you prepare your file in advance:

Educational Documents for MBBS in Italy:

The main educational documents to apply for MBBS include:

1. 10th marksheet
2. 12th marksheet
3. NEET scorecard
4. IMAT (International Medical Admission Test)

Visa Documents for MBBS in Italy:

Students are advised to plan their visa processing on time. Here is a list of documents required to get a student visa for Italy:

• 10th marksheet
• 12th marksheet
• Recommendation letter
• NEET scorecard
• Birth certificate
• CV/Resume
• Passport with at least 3 years validity
• Bank statements
• 4-8 passport size photographs
• Invitation letter from the university
• Medical reports
• HIV negative report
• Fee receipt

Recognition of MBBS in Italy

MBBS from Italy holds a global reputation. The program is widely accepted by hospitals and medical research centres across the world. MBBS colleges in Italy are accredited by:

1. National Medical Council
2. World Health Organisation
3. FAIMER
4. ECFMG
5. WFME
6. Ministry of Health Italy
7. UNESCO

Syllabus for MBBS in Italy

Here are some of the key subjects taught as the part of MBBS program in Italy. These can differ to some extent depending on the university you choose for the course:

Admission Intake for MBBS in Italy

The intake for MBBS in Italy begins in the months of August and September in most Italian medical universities. We advise students and parents to keep a check on the websites of different universities for regular updates. Also, the classes for MBBS in Italy start in the 1^st of week of October so the students must arrange their documents, visa, travel, and accommodation accordingly to land in Italy in the last week of September.

Career opportunities after MBBS in Italy

MBBS in Italy will prove to be a great career choice for students looking to build a promising career in the field of medicine. Once you complete your 6-years MBBS course in Italy, you can explore the following opportunities:

• Start your own private clinic.
• Work at a private clinic.
• Join a reputed institute as a part of their research team.
• Obtain a license to practice in Italy.
• Move to other EU countries for further studies.
• Practice in India after clearing the Foreign Medical Graduates Examination.
• Practice in US after cleaning the USMLE.

Medium of Teaching MBBS in Italy

The course is approved by the NMC and is fully taught in the English language. This allows Indians and other foreign students to learn and study with ease. However, it is advised to learn the basics of the Italian language to be able to work with local hospitals and treat local patients during the internship.  

MBBS in India v/s MBBS in Italy

Pursuing MBBS abroad is a totally different experience when compared to studying MBBS in India. If you are planning to study MBBS in Italy, here are some key differences between the same program offered by the two countries:

Low MBBS Fee in Italy

Italy is a top destination for Indian students looking to study MBBS at an affordable tuition fee. Italian universities are highly affordable with an average annual tuition fee of 4-5 Lacs. Here are main inclusions to keep in mind:

1. Tuition Fees
2. Hostel Fees
3. Mess Charges

Note: The above breakup is given on the current USD rate (INR 83.9) in August, 2024. The amount may increase/decrease at the time of fee payment.

Impact of NMC Gazette on MBBS in Italy

The NMC Gazette has laid out 4 rules for MBBS abroad. Foreign universities must meet the given criteria and rules to get accredited by the National Medical Council. These key rules are:

1. The course duration must be minimum 54 months,
2. The entire program must be taught in the English language,
3. Students must undergo an internship program at a university affiliated hospital,
4. Students must obtain a licence to practice in the country of their study.

As in 2024, Italian medical universities comply with all the above stated NMC gazette rules.

Disadvantages of MBBS in Italy

While studying in Italy can be highly advantageous for Indian students, there are a few disadvantages of choosing a foreign country to study the course. These include:

1. Language barrier: Indian students choose Italy to study MBBS as the course is taught in the English language. However, that still does not make the lives of Indian students easier as locals speak in the Italian language. There is a day-to-day struggle of effectively communicating with the locals. Thus, many Indian students face tough challenges due to the language barrier.

2. Home sickness: MBBS in Italy demands a stay of 6 long years in the European country. MBBS students are teens who struggle a lot in settling down in a new country. Home sickness can result from unavailability of Indian food, staying away from parents, siblings, and friends, or facing a completely new environment. Unfortunately, a few Indian students who move to study MBBS abroad, often backout and come back to India.

3. Difficult course:  MBBS in Italy is a tough course meeting all the national and international curriculum standards. Unlike in India, students do not have access to facilities like affordable tuitions and coaching. Students have to adhere to a set routine to be able to keep up with the course.

4. Food: Indian students find it very difficult to develop a taste for local food in a foreign country. While Italian delicacies like pastas and pizzas are top favourites for Indian teens, students do miss authentic Indian meals while staying in Italy.

5. Accommodation issues: Most Italian universities provide hostel facilities however, for students unable to get a room at a university hostel, finding an affordable private accommodation near the university campus can be a tough task. Students are required to bear the rental expenses along with day-to-day travel costs which can be expensive for them.

6. Higher cost of living: While the cost of MBBS in Italy is more affordable than India. However, the living cost is fairly high in comparison to Indian cities. To manage a good lifestyle, a student needs to spend at least INR 50,000 to 60,000 per month. This is quite a lot for Indian middle-class families.

7. Agent frauds: The biggest disadvantage associated with studying MBBS abroad is that innocent students and parents are always at a risk of getting scammed by fraud agents. Students looking to pursue MBBS from Italy must do thorough research about the admission procedure, visa, travel, and so on. It is never advisable to handover upfront money to any agents or consultants.

Scholarships for Indian students in Italy

Foreign students are eligible to apply for scholarships in Italy. Given below are different scholarships students can apply after getting an admission to a medical university in Italy:

1. Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome Scholarship,
2. University of Bologna Study Grants,
3. EDISU Piemonte, and
4. Fully-funded Italian Government Scholarships.

These scholarships may cover a percentage of tuition fee to even a 100% fee waiver for students based on their merits and financial background.

Admission Procedure

With our expert education consultants by your side, getting an admission to one of the top Italian universities will be a stress-free process.  Here is what all we will do for you to make the process swift and easy. Given below are the steps involved in the admission process of MBBS in Italy and get to know how we will be a part of each step:  

• Our education consultants have already researched about the top medical universities in Italy. We will help you shortlist the most suitable  option depending upon your eligibility and budget.
• We will begin by researching different universities offering MBBS in Italy. This would include their placements, curriculum, rankings, infrastructure, etc.
• We will screen the university website to know about the important deadlines so that you apply on time.
•  The next step in the process is to arrange and upload important documents including marksheets, NEET scorecard, GMAT scorecard, etc. We have the checklist ready for you.
• We will update you about your selection within 2 weeks of application.  
• Upon receiving the confirmation from the university, you will have to pay your 1^st year’s tuition fee. The payment mode will be as per the university’s guidelines. No one from Eklavya Overseas will ask you to transfer the amount in a personal account.
• Once the fee is paid; you will receive an invitation letter from the university.
• We will then submit the invitation letter, fee payment receipt and other personal documents for visa processing.
• You will receive your student visa in 3-6 weeks. Once you get it, it is time to make your travel arrangements.
• Our team will then arrange for your flight tickets and accommodation.
• We will do all that is need to ensure that you reach Italy in the 1^st week of October.

Eklavya Overseas, your dependable medical education partner.

Cost of Living in Italy

Italy is a fairly affordable country to live in. Many Indians prefer to study MBBS in Italy as the country offers a great lifestyle without putting a mountain-like burden on MBBS students and parents. An individual can manage the budget of living in Italy at a monthly cost of INR 50,000 to 60,000. The cost is at par with cities Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, or Bangalore. Students can further reduce this cost by sharing their accommodation and utility expenses.