University of Pisa, Italy. The University of Pisa (Università di Pisa) is one of Italy’s historic public universities and an attractive destination for international students looking for affordable European education. The university offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, single-cycle Master’s and PhD programs across a wide range of disciplines, including engineering, computer science, economics, medicine, natural sciences, humanities and social sciences.
For international students, the University of Pisa provides several routes to reduce the cost of studying in Italy. These include the DSU Toscana Scholarship, tuition-fee reductions, Invest Your Talent in Italy, MAECI scholarships and other university or externally funded opportunities. The university lists a maximum standard all-inclusive tuition contribution of €2,900, although eligible students can receive reductions or exemptions.
One of the most important opportunities is the DSU Toscana Scholarship, which can provide tuition exemption, accommodation or a rent subsidy, free meals and a monetary allowance to eligible students from any country. Apply For More Fully Funded Scholarships Here.
University of Pisa at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| University | University of Pisa |
| Location | Pisa, Tuscany, Italy |
| Country | Italy |
| Study Levels | Bachelor’s, Master’s, Single-Cycle Master’s, PhD |
| International Students | Eligible for various admission and scholarship opportunities |
| Main Scholarship | DSU Toscana Scholarship |
| Other Funding | MAECI, Invest Your Talent in Italy, tuition reductions and other awards |
| Maximum standard tuition contribution 2026–27 | €2,900 |
| DSU deadline | 7 September |
| Invest Your Talent deadline | 11 May |
| Official Website | University of Pisa |
The DSU deadline above applied to the 2026–2027 academic year. Future calls can have different dates.
Why Study at the University of Pisa?
1. Affordable Public Education
The University of Pisa is a public university. Its maximum all-inclusive tuition contribution for regular students is €2,900, while eligible students can receive reductions based on financial circumstances.
2. Scholarships for International Students
International students can apply for the DSU Toscana Scholarship, which is open to students from any country who meet the applicable requirements.
3. Wide Range of Programs
Students can choose from programs in areas such as:
- Engineering
- Computer science
- Artificial intelligence
- Data science
- Economics
- Business
- Medicine
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Biotechnology
- Humanities
- Social sciences
- Natural sciences
The availability of English-taught programs varies by academic level and individual degree program.
4. Financial Support Can Be Extensive
The DSU scholarship can include tuition exemption, accommodation or a rent subsidy, free meals and a cash allowance for additional expenses.
5. Opportunities for International Students
The University of Pisa has dedicated procedures for international applicants, including specific instructions for non-EU students who require a study visa.
University of Pisa Scholarships
1. DSU Toscana Scholarship
The DSU Toscana Scholarship is one of the most important funding options for students planning to study at the University of Pisa.
The scholarship is administered by the regional right-to-study authority rather than directly by the University of Pisa. Students can apply if they intend to enroll in, or are already enrolled in, an eligible University of Pisa program.
What Does the DSU Scholarship Cover?
Depending on eligibility and student status, the benefits can include:
- Exemption from university tuition fees
- Free accommodation in university residences
- Rent subsidy for eligible students living away from home
- Free meals at DSU canteens
- Monetary allowance for additional expenses
The amount of financial support varies according to economic circumstances and whether a student is classified as on-site, commuter or off-site.
Eligible Study Levels
The DSU scholarship can support:
- Bachelor’s degrees
- Single-cycle Bachelor’s/Master’s degrees
- Master’s degrees
- Eligible specialization programs
- PhD programs, except for students already receiving a PhD scholarship
Deadline
The DSU application deadline was:
7 September Italian time.
Students applying for a future intake should wait for the new official call because the deadline can change every year.
2. Invest Your Talent in Italy Scholarship
The Invest Your Talent in Italy program is promoted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation together with ICE and Uni-Italia.
The University of Pisa listed selected Master’s programs under this initiative, including:
- Aerospace Engineering
- Artificial Intelligence and Data Engineering
The scholarship offered a €10,800 financial contribution, paid in quarterly installments, together with exemption from university tuition fees except for the regional tax and stamp duty. An internship with an Italian company and an Italian language course were also included.
Deadline
The deadline was:
11 May Italian time.
Applicants should check the latest call to see whether their nationality and intended program are included.
3. MAECI Scholarship
The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) offers scholarships to eligible international students.
The University of Pisa lists MAECI among the funding opportunities available to international students. However, MAECI is a national Italian government scholarship rather than a scholarship exclusively offered by the University of Pisa.
Eligibility, eligible countries, study programs, benefits and deadlines are determined by the annual MAECI call.
Students should therefore check the official Italian Government scholarship announcement for the relevant academic year.
4. University of Pisa Merit Scholarships
The University of Pisa has also offered merit-based scholarships for outstanding international students.
For example, the university’s published merit scholarship scheme offered awards to selected international students admitted to eligible English-taught Master’s programs and the Bachelor’s program in Management for Business and Economics. The published award structure included a first-year grant of €6,500 and tuition exemption, with additional support possible in subsequent years subject to academic requirements.
Because this particular call is from an earlier academic year, students should not assume that the same amount or number of scholarships applies to later intakes.
Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility depends on the degree program and scholarship. Generally, international students need to meet the following requirements.
Academic Qualification
For Bachelor’s admission, applicants generally need a secondary school qualification that provides access to higher education in their home country.
For Master’s admission, applicants need an appropriate Bachelor’s or equivalent qualification.
For PhD admission, applicants normally need a relevant Master’s-level qualification and must satisfy the specific PhD call requirements.
The University of Pisa states that international applicants need to have completed at least 12 years of schooling overall for admission to its degree programs.
Language Requirements
Language requirements depend on the program.
English-taught programs can require proof of English proficiency, while Italian-taught programs may require Italian-language proficiency.
Applicants should always check the individual degree program’s admission requirements.
Scholarship Eligibility
For DSU, students can be from any country, provided they satisfy the relevant academic and financial requirements.
For other scholarships, nationality restrictions may apply.
Required Documents
International students should prepare documents well before the application deadline.
Common documents include:
- Valid passport
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Secondary school diploma for Bachelor’s admission
- Bachelor’s degree certificate for Master’s admission
- Academic transcripts
- CV/resumé
- Language certificate
- Motivation letter, when required
- Recommendation letters, where required
- Research proposal for relevant PhD applications
- Scholarship application receipt
- Financial documents for DSU or other need-based scholarships
- Declaration of Value (DOV) or CIMEA Statement of Comparability, where applicable
- Residence permit or visa documentation for relevant applicants
For non-EU applicants, the University of Pisa lists the Declaration of Value or CIMEA Statement of Comparability among documents that may be required for recognition of foreign qualifications.
Financial Documents for DSU Applicants
Financial documentation is particularly important for international students applying for regional scholarships.
Depending on the applicant’s circumstances, the DSU authority may request documents showing:
- Family composition
- Annual family income
- Property ownership
- Bank accounts and financial assets
- Other economic information
Documents from outside Italy may need to be translated and legalized or authenticated according to the applicable requirements.
Students should begin this process early because obtaining official documents can take several weeks.
Tuition Fees at the University of Pisa
The University of Pisa states that the maximum all-inclusive tuition contribution for regular students is €2,900.
The university also provides financial-based tuition reductions.
For students with income or assets abroad, the university applies a flat-rate contribution based on the student’s country of origin. International students can also apply for a tuition reduction using an ISEEU Parificato, subject to the applicable rules.
For first-year non-EU students requiring a study visa, the university states that the application tuition reduction could be submitted by 31 December 2026 without a late application fee.
Application Process
- Step 1: Choose Your Degree Program
- Visit the official University of Pisa website and search for a suitable Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD program.
- Check:
- Teaching language
- Academic requirements
- Admission test requirements
- Application deadline
- Tuition fees
- Required documents
- Step 2: Check International Admission Requirements
- If you are from outside the EU, carefully review the specific instructions for your nationality and degree program.
- Non-EU students who require a visa must follow the university’s pre-enrolment procedure.
- Step 3: Submit Your University Application
- Apply through the application platform specified by your chosen program.
- Some programs have their own deadlines, so there is no single admission deadline for all University of Pisa courses.
- Step 4: Apply for Scholarships
- Apply separately for scholarships when required.
- For example, the DSU Scholarship has its own application process through the Sportello Studente portal.
- Do not assume that university admission automatically means you have applied for DSU.
- Step 5: Complete Universitaly Pre-Enrolment
- Non-EU students who need a visa must generally submit pre-enrolment through the Italian Universitaly portal.
- The University of Pisa listed 30 September as the deadline for Universitaly pre-enrolment, although limited-enrolment programs could have earlier deadlines.
- Step 6: Apply for Your Student Visa
- After the university validates the relevant pre-enrolment information, eligible students can proceed with the study visa process through the Italian diplomatic or consular authorities responsible for their country of residence.
- Step 7: Complete Enrollment
- After arriving in Italy, complete the university’s enrollment requirements and submit any outstanding documents.
Important Deadlines
Deadlines differ according to the program and scholarship.
Some important University of Pisa dates were:
| Opportunity | 2026–2027 Deadline |
|---|---|
| DSU Toscana Scholarship | 7 September |
| Invest Your Talent in Italy | 11 May |
| Universitaly pre-enrolment for non-EU visa applicants | 30 September |
| Tuition reduction for first-year non-EU visa students | 31 December |
Note: Degree-program application deadlines can be different. Always check the individual course page.
Advantages of Studying at the University of Pisa
- Affordable Tuition
- The university provides income-based and other tuition reduction mechanisms.
- Strong Scholarship Opportunities
- The DSU scholarship can combine tuition exemption, accommodation, meals and a financial allowance.
- Programs for International Students
- The university offers dedicated admission procedures for students with foreign qualifications.
- Historic Academic Environment
- Pisa is one of Italy’s best-known university cities, with a long academic tradition.
- English-Taught Programs
- International students can find a selection of programs taught in English, especially at Master’s level.
- Support for Non-EU Students
- The university provides dedicated information on admission, qualification recognition, Universitaly pre-enrolment and visa-related procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the University of Pisa free for international students?
- Not automatically. The University of Pisa charges tuition, but students may qualify for reductions or exemptions. The DSU scholarship can provide tuition exemption for eligible recipients.
- Can Pakistani students apply to the University of Pisa?
- Yes. International students can apply to eligible University of Pisa programs. Pakistani applicants must meet the academic, language, documentation and visa requirements applicable to non-EU students.
- Does the University of Pisa offer fully funded scholarships?
- The DSU Toscana Scholarship can provide a comprehensive package including tuition exemption, accommodation or rent support, meals and a monetary allowance for eligible students. However, the exact benefits depend on the scholarship rules and student’s circumstances.
- What is the DSU Scholarship deadline?
- The University of Pisa listed 7 September Italian time as the DSU application deadline.
- What is the tuition fee at the University of Pisa?
- The maximum all-inclusive tuition contribution for regular students is €2,900, although reductions and exemptions are available.
- Is IELTS required?
- It depends on the degree program. English-taught programs can require proof of English proficiency, while Italian-taught programs have their own language requirements.
- Can I apply for DSU before receiving admission?
- The precise procedure depends on the annual DSU call and university enrollment process. Students should follow the current DSU instructions and ensure they complete enrollment within the required deadlines.
- Can I apply for more than one scholarship?
- Students may be able to pursue different funding opportunities, but individual scholarships can have restrictions regarding simultaneous awards. Carefully read the terms of each scholarship before accepting funding.
- Do non-EU students need a visa?
- Students from outside the EU who require a visa must generally complete the appropriate Universitaly pre-enrolment and obtain a national study visa before traveling to Italy. The University of Pisa listed 30 September as the general Universitaly pre-enrolment deadline for non-EU students requiring a visa.
Final Thoughts
The University of Pisa is a strong option for international students seeking an Italian public university with relatively accessible tuition and several financial-support routes.
The DSU Toscana Scholarship is particularly important because eligible students can receive tuition exemption, accommodation or rent assistance, free meals and a financial allowance.
Students should not wait until the university admission deadline to begin preparing for scholarships. Financial documents, qualification recognition, translations and visa procedures can take considerable time.
For the next intake, applicants should check the University of Pisa’s official admission pages and the latest DSU Toscana call because deadlines and scholarship benefits can change every year.
Official Website
University of Pisa – Official Website
