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

Italy 2026/27 intake: international admission opens late 2025; DSU Toscana grant calls typically open mid-2026 — confirm on unifi.it and dsu.toscana.it

University of Florence International Incentive Scholarship

The University of Florence (Università degli Studi di Firenze) is a large, historic Italian public university with a broad offering across engineering, architecture, the sciences, economics, health and the humanities. To attract talented international students it runs merit-based incentive awards — commonly around EUR 7,000 (LKR 2.4m+) for selected new international enrolments — and combines these with income-based tuition exemptions and the regional DSU Toscana right-to-study grants, which can add further cash support and subsidised accommodation and meals for lower-income students. For Sri Lankan applicants, Florence pairs an affordable Tuscan cost of living with strong programmes and a growing set of English-taught degrees. Exact incentive values, eligible programmes and deadlines are set annually, and the DSU Toscana grant has its own application, so confirm current terms on the University of Florence and DSU Toscana websites.

University of Florence

University-funded

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Value

~EUR 7,000 + Fee Exemptions

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Level

Bachelor's & Master's

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Basis

Merit + Need (DSU Toscana)

fact_check Eligibility Criteria

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International Applicant

Open to international students with a non-Italian qualification enrolling at the University of Florence. Sri Lankan applicants applying from Sri Lanka are eligible; check each call for exact conditions.

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Academic Merit

Merit incentives are ranked on academic record — for Master's, a first-class or upper-second Bachelor's from a recognised Sri Lankan university strengthens the case; for Bachelor's, strong A/L or equivalent results.

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Need-based DSU Toscana Grant

The regional DSU Toscana grant is income- and merit-based and requires documented proof of family income and assets (via ISEE/ISEE-parificato). It can add cash, fee exemption, subsidised housing and meals.

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Language Proficiency

English-taught programmes require IELTS ~6.5; Italian-taught programmes require Italian (usually B2). Sri Lankan applicants from English-medium degrees may qualify for English-taught tracks via an MOI route — confirm with admissions.

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Apply for admission to a Florence programme

Submit your admission/pre-enrolment application via the University of Florence platform (and Universitaly for the visa pre-enrolment), with transcripts, degree certificate and language evidence.

Claim merit incentives

Eligible new international students are assessed for merit incentive awards at or after enrolment, per the current call.

Apply for the DSU Toscana grant (if eligible)

Submit the separate DSU Toscana right-to-study application with income/asset documentation before its deadline to be considered for need-based support.

Accept and apply for the Italian visa

Complete pre-enrolment on Universitaly and apply for the Italian student visa via the consular service covering Sri Lanka (Delhi consular district), using your admission, any award confirmation and financial evidence.

Why University of Florence?

Florence is one of Italy's largest and most respected public universities, offering broad, affordable programmes in the heart of Tuscany. Combined with regional DSU Toscana support, it is a realistic funded destination for Sri Lankan students across the sciences, engineering, economics and the humanities.