🏆 Cities with the Highest Chances of Winning a Scholarship (Italy)

Anıl GOKTAS
Dec 24, 2025
4 min read

Every student planning to study in Italy has the same question in mind: "In which city do I have a higher chance of getting a scholarship?"

The answer to this question is crucial because the scholarship system in Italy is not centralized; it is regional. A student with the same income profile might win a scholarship and dormitory in Turin , allowing them to enjoy a comfortable education, while in Milan , intense competition might leave them without a place.

Your chances of winning a scholarship depend not only on your family's financial situation, but also on the level of competition in the city you are applying to, the allocated budget, and bureaucratic tolerance .

This guide analyzes application statistics, acceptance rates, dormitory capacity, and the cost of living to rank the most advantageous scholarship cities in Italy for the 2025-2026 academic year .

🥇 1. Turin: The Undisputed Leader and Safest Haven

Scholarship System: EDISU Piemonte

Turin represents the "Golden Ratio" in Italy for Turkish students. Despite being home to giant institutions like the Politecnico di Torino and the University of Turin, its scholarship system works like clockwork.

Why is it number 1?
- The system is well-established: EDISU Piemonte has the most efficiently functioning bureaucracy among all institutions.
- High Acceptance Rate: Non-EU students who meet the income criteria have a very high chance of receiving a scholarship.
- Dormitory Capacity: The number of dormitories in the city is more proportionate to the student population compared to Milan.
- Cost of Living: The cash grant you receive allows you to live a much better life in Turin (as rents are 40% cheaper than in Milan).
Who is it ideal for?
- It is the most logical option for undergraduate and graduate students with limited budgets who do not want to take risks.

🥈 2. Trieste: Lowest Competition, Strategic Choice

Scholarship System: ARDiS

If your goal is to "avoid competition," you should look at Trieste, in the upper right corner of the map of Italy.

Advantages:
- Fewer Applications: Unlike large cities, there aren't thousands of applications here. This makes it easier to get a share of the "scholarship pie".
- Low Cost: Trieste is a compact city where the cost of living is low. The scholarship amount is much more valuable in terms of purchasing power here.
- Non-EU Friendly: It is one of the most accessible systems for non-EU students.
Who is it ideal for?
- Those who say, "The university name or the city's popularity doesn't matter; I just want to secure my scholarship and study without spending any money out of my own pocket."

🥉 3. Padova: Strong but "No Forgiveness for Mistakes"

Scholarship System: ESU Padova

The academic prestige of the University of Padua is undeniable, but the ESU Padua scholarship system is renowned for its discipline.

Advantages:
- The scholarship amount and cafeteria facilities are very good.
- Academically, it offers the chance to study at one of the world's best universities.
Disadvantages (Risks):
- Zero Tolerance: ESU Padova is one of the strictest institutions in Italy when it comes to document control. A single penny error or a missing stamp on an income document is automatically grounds for rejection.
Who is it ideal for?
- We are looking for detail-oriented candidates with high academic aspirations who can prepare their documents professionally.

4️⃣ Venice: Essential and Critical Support

Scholarship System: ESU Venezia

Venice is expensive. Therefore, the scholarship here is not a "reward," but a means of survival.

Situation Analysis:
- Rents in Venice are very high. The accommodation support (dormitory or rent assistance) provided by the scholarship is a game changer here.
- For students at Ca' Foscari or IUAV, studying without an ESU Venezia scholarship presents a significant financial burden.
Risk: Accommodation is available in limited quantities and demand is high.

5️⃣ Milan: High Reward, Very High Risk

Scholarship System: DSU Milano

Lombardy (Milan) is the wealthiest region in Italy and boasts the highest scholarship budget. However, the other side of the coin is quite harsh.

Advantages:
- Scholarship amounts are satisfactory.
- It includes giant universities such as Politecnico di Milano, Bocconi (partially), and Statale.
Disadvantages (Risks):
- Incredible Competition: Tens of thousands of international students apply to the same pool.
- Accommodation Issues: Even if you receive a scholarship in Milan, the chances of getting a dorm room (especially in the first year) are low. Even with a scholarship, you may need to pay extra out of pocket to stay in a private room.
Who is it suitable for?
- Students with very low-income backgrounds (which can be proven with documentation) and who are willing to compete.

🎓 A Special Note: EDUCATT (Cattolica)

If you're considering a private university like Cattolica instead of a state university, the system changes completely. EDUCATT focuses on reducing high tuition fees and providing food and accommodation support, rather than simply giving you cash. It makes private school costs manageable.

📊 Italy Scholarships Comparison Summary (2025)

City	Probability of Winning	Rivalry	Cost of Living	Non-EU Compliance
Turin	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Middle	Middle	Very Suitable
Trieste	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	Low	Low	Very Suitable
Padua	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	Medium-High	Middle	Suitable
Venetian	⭐⭐⭐☆☆	Middle	High	Suitable
Milan	⭐⭐⭐☆☆	Very High	Very High	Risky

❌ The Most Common Misconception: "Big City = Easy Scholarship"

Many parents and students think, "Milan is too big, there are more scholarship opportunities there." This is completely wrong.

Yes, Milan has a large budget, but the number of applicants is increasing faster than the budget. In reality, your chances of winning a scholarship and (more importantly) finding accommodation are mathematically higher in more stable cities like Turin or Trieste.