Market Report Italy – The Italian Study Abroad Market
This market report on Italy reviews key socio-economic, educational, and student mobility trends shaping outbound recruitment. The Italian Constitution guarantees freedom of education, access to public schooling, and university autonomy, supported by scholarships and grants. In practice, however, structural constraints continue to influence participation and outcomes.
Although educational attainment has improved since the early 2000s, Italy still lags behind EU peers, particularly in higher education completion and participation. Public investment in education, especially at tertiary level, remains below the EU average, limiting institutional resources and internationalization. At the same time, the transition from education to employment is weak, with high graduate underemployment and limited domestic career opportunities.
As a result, outbound student mobility and graduate emigration remain strong and are expected to intensify through 2026 and beyond. Italian students increasingly view international education as a pathway to higher-quality provision, English-taught programs, and clearer links to employment. For recruiters, Italy remains a large and stable outbound market, characterized by strong demand for value-for-money options, scholarships, and career-focused degrees, particularly in business, STEM, and health-related fields.
Quick facts
Secondary education
Higher education
Upcoming Education Fairs in Italy
Italian Education System
Secondary education
The Italian educational system provides elementary school for 6- to 11-year-olds; lower secondary or middle school for 11- to 14-year-olds; upper secondary school or vocational training for 15- to 18- or 19-year-olds; and university, university institutes, or Fine Arts academies for those 19 and older.
Admission to Higher Education
In order to meet entry requirements for a bachelor’s degree at an Italian university, students must successfully have completed upper secondary studies and have a valid school leaving certificate. Bachelor’s level programs in Italy are only offered in Italian so one is expected to have sufficient command of the Italian language.
Higher Education system
There are 90 universities in Italy. There are also a number of specialized postgraduate centers, polytechnics and other academies that form part of the higher education sector.
Under the Bologna Process, Italy has implemented the nuovo ordinamento system, replacing the former vecchio ordinamento. Higher education in Italy now consists of a three-year bachelor’s degree called the laurea triennale, which can be followed by the two-year master’s degree (laurea magistrale, previously the laurea specialistica).
University degree programs
Bachelor’s degree (Laurea triennale): general scientific education.
Duration: 3 years. 180 ECTS
Master’s degree (Laurea magistrale): specialized scientific education.
Duration: 2 years. 120 ECTS
Doctoral degree (PhD) – ‘Dottorato di ricerca’
Duration: 3 year or more.
Latest Italian Higher Education study abroad stats
At this point a total number of 85,030 Italian students are studying abroad for a degree in higher education (source: UNESCO). The most popular study abroad destinations among students from Italy are:
IB schools in Italy
- International School – Brescia – www.isbrescia.com
- International School – Bergamo – www.isbergamo.com
- International School – Bologna – www.isbologna.com
- International School – Como – www.iscomo.com
- International School – Modena – www.internationalschoolofmodena.it
- International School – Milan – www.internationalschoolofmilan.it
- International School – Rome – www.marymountrome.com
- International School – Siena – www.internationalschoolofsiena.it
- International School – Monza – www.internationalschoolofmonza.it