The Reichstag building in Berlin with the German flag flying above the glass dome at dusk.

Italy 2026/27 intake: admissions and merit study-grant calls typically open winter–spring 2026; provincial right-to-study call usually mid-2026

Free University of Bozen-Bolzano (unibz) Study Grant

The Free University of Bozen-Bolzano (unibz) is a distinctive public university in South Tyrol, northern Italy, where teaching is trilingual (Italian, German, and English) and much of the curriculum in economics, computer science, engineering, design, and agricultural/food sciences is delivered wholly or partly in English. It offers merit-based study grants that reduce or waive tuition for strong international students, and — because it sits in the autonomous province of Bolzano — students can also access the province's well-funded right-to-study grants, which are means-tested and can add accommodation and living support. For Sri Lankan applicants, unibz combines a genuinely English-accessible route, an alpine location with a high quality of life and strong graduate employment, and stackable merit-plus-need funding. Be realistic: the merit grants are limited and competitive, and the provincial need grant requires legalised family-income evidence assessed on local criteria. The multilingual environment is an asset but you should confirm the language mix of your specific programme.

Free University of Bozen-Bolzano

University-funded

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Merit

Study Grants / Tuition Reduction

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Need-Based

South Tyrol Provincial Right-to-Study Grants

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Teaching

Trilingual (IT/DE/EN)

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International Applicant

Open to international applicants to unibz degree programmes. Sri Lankan citizens are eligible.

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Merit Study Grant

Merit grants are awarded on academic record and admission ranking — strong Sri Lankan results compete best. Numbers are limited each year.

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Provincial Need Grant

The South Tyrol right-to-study grant is means-tested on family income/assets and can add accommodation and meal support, but requires legalised income documentation assessed on provincial criteria — prepare paperwork early.

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Language Requirements

unibz is trilingual; English-taught tracks require IELTS ~6.0–6.5 or an English-medium degree (a Sri Lankan MOI letter can evidence this). Some programmes also expect Italian and/or German — check your specific course's language plan and any required language exam.

account_tree Application Process

Apply for admission to unibz

Submit your application through unibz's admissions system for your programme, including transcripts, certificates, and required language certificates for the programme's teaching languages.

Be assessed for the merit study grant

Merit study grants are assigned on the admission ranking / academic record; check whether your programme requires a separate form and apply by its deadline.

Apply for the provincial need grant (optional)

For the South Tyrol right-to-study grant, submit the provincial application separately with legalised family income/asset evidence by its deadline.

Pre-enrol via Universitaly and get the study visa

Complete Universitaly pre-enrolment and apply for the Italian type-D study visa at the mission serving Sri Lanka, then the residence permit on arrival.

Why unibz?

unibz is small, modern, and consistently rated highly for teaching quality and graduate employment, set in the Dolomites with an alpine quality of life. Its trilingual model and strong provincial funding make it unusual among Italian universities and appealing to internationally-minded students.