Italy guide 路 verified 2026-07-04
Language Tests for Italy: IELTS, TOEFL and Alternatives
Language & tests
Two language tracks: English-taught programs need proof of English; Italian-taught programs need proof of Italian (and most Bachelors are still Italian-medium outside a handful of English-taught tracks in Milan, Bologna, Turin, Rome and a few others).
University admission IELTS cutoff (the binding number)
ConditionalTypically IELTS 6.0 overall for Bachelor's, 6.5 overall for Masters (min ~5.5 to 6.0 in each band); some competitive programs require 7.0
This is the university's own admission bar, not a national law, it is program-set and varies by institution and department. As worked examples: Politecnico di Milano asks IELTS 6.0 overall for English-taught Bachelor's and 6.5 overall for English-taught Masters; Sapienza asks IELTS 6.0 overall for undergraduate and 6.5 for postgraduate programs (some departments set higher per-component floors, especially Writing). Always confirm the exact overall AND per-module figures on the specific program's own page, do not assume the same number applies across universities or departments.
English-taught programs, general certificate requirement
ConditionalIELTS Academic or an equivalent English certificate (level set per program)
No single national minimum, each university/program sets its own required band (commonly IELTS 6.0 to 6.5 overall, with a per-module minimum typically ~5.5 to 6.0). Confirm both the overall and per-module figures on the specific program page.
Italian-taught programs
ConditionalCILS, CELI, PLIDA, or university placement test (commonly B2)
Most Italian-taught Bachelors expect at least B2 Italian; some universities run their own in-house Italian placement test at enrolment instead of asking for an external certificate.
IMAT
ConditionalMandatory single test for English-taught Medicine/Dentistry/Veterinary Medicine
Not required for other degree programs.
GRE/GMAT
OptionalNot usually required; asked by some competitive Masters/MBA programs
- Book English/Italian language tests early relative to the university's own deadline, these are program-set, not government-set, so timelines vary widely.
- Even for English-taught programs, basic Italian (A2/B1) meaningfully eases daily life, bureaucracy appointments, and part-time work options.
- For IMAT, plan the exam date against the Universitaly pre-enrolment and visa timeline, registration commonly opens in late August for a mid-September test.
Where this fits
This is one step of the full Italy journey: admission, tests, application, visa, money, arrival and stay-back, every figure cited to an official source.
More on Italy
Bramica is independent and takes no commission from any university, recruiter or agency. This page is information, not immigration advice. Rules, fees and thresholds change; confirm the current requirement on the official source before acting on it.