University of Siena International Merit Scholarship
The University of Siena (Università degli Studi di Siena) is a historic Tuscan public university, founded in 1240, known for economics, finance, the life sciences, law and the humanities, with a growing set of English-taught Master's degrees. It supports international students through merit-based tuition exemptions and scholarships for high-ranked new enrolments, combined with the regional DSU Toscana right-to-study grants that can add cash support and subsidised housing and meals for lower-income students. For Sri Lankan applicants, Siena offers a small, welcoming university town, low living costs, and competitive programmes — a first-class or upper-second Bachelor's from a recognised Sri Lankan university is the competitive base for the merit awards. Exact exemption levels, eligible programmes and deadlines are set each year and DSU Toscana has its own application, so confirm the current terms on the University of Siena and DSU Toscana websites.
2026/27 intake: international Master's admission opens late 2025; DSU Toscana grant calls typically open mid-2026 — confirm on unisi.it and dsu.toscana.it
University of Siena
University-funded
emoji_events Award Overview
Value
Fee Exemption + Merit Grant
Level
Master's (Second-cycle)
Basis
Merit + Need (DSU Toscana)
info How this award actually works
Who awards it
University of Siena — not Lanka Scholar. We are not the awarding body and cannot grant, reserve or guarantee this award.
How you are considered
Through your admission application. Awards like this are usually assessed automatically from the application you already submit — there is typically no separate scholarship form to fill in.
What it covers
Fee Exemption + Merit Grant (plus DSU Toscana). This is a reduction in tuition, not a full ride. You still fund the remainder, plus living costs and the balance your visa requires you to show.
Where we come in
We make the admission application strong enough to be competitive — course choice, documents, references and deadlines. The funder makes the decision.
fact_check Eligibility Criteria
International Applicant
Open to international students with a non-Italian qualification admitted to an eligible University of Siena Master's. Sri Lankan applicants applying from Sri Lanka are eligible; check the annual call for exact conditions.
Strong Bachelor's Degree
A relevant Bachelor's, ideally first-class or upper-second from a recognised Sri Lankan university, with good grades in the discipline of the chosen Master's. Merit exemptions are ranked on academic record.
Need-based DSU Toscana Grant
The regional DSU Toscana grant is income- and merit-based and requires documented proof of family income and assets. It can add cash support, fee exemption, subsidised housing and meals for lower-income students.
English Proficiency
English-taught Master's require IELTS ~6.5 / TOEFL equivalent. Sri Lankan applicants from English-medium degrees may qualify via an MOI/exemption route — confirm with Siena admissions.
account_tree Application Process
Apply for admission to a Siena Master's
Submit your admission/pre-enrolment application for an eligible English-taught Master's via the University of Siena platform (and Universitaly for the visa pre-enrolment), with transcripts, degree certificate and English evidence.
Be assessed for merit fee exemptions
Admitted international students are ranked for merit-based tuition exemptions and scholarships 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 Siena?
One of Europe's oldest universities, Siena offers strong programmes in economics, finance and the sciences within a compact, student-friendly medieval city in the heart of Tuscany. Low living costs plus merit and regional support make it a realistic funded option for Sri Lankan students.
1240
Founded
Tuscany
Low-cost University Town
English
Master's Tracks Available
Looking for a scholarship because of the cost?
Then start here instead. Scholarships are competitive, usually partial, and decided by someone else — they are the least reliable way to make studying abroad affordable. Your destination and course choice move the number far more, and both are entirely within your control.
Work out your real number
Tuition, living costs, visa funds and flights for your destination — so you know the gap you are actually trying to close.
Open the cost calculator arrow_forwardSort courses by lowest fee
The full catalogue, cheapest tuition first. Changing course or country saves far more than most awards are worth.
Browse lowest-fee courses arrow_forwardWhat IT actually costs
Tuition, living costs and the total first-year figure for IT, in LKR as well as local currency.
See the cost breakdown arrow_forwardCheck your proof of funds
Every student visa requires you to show funds. Find out what you need before you commit to an application.
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