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

Italy 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 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.

University of Siena

University-funded

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Value

Fee Exemption + Merit Grant

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Level

Master's (Second-cycle)

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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 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.

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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.

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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. It can add cash support, fee exemption, subsidised housing and meals for lower-income students.

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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.