University of Salerno Scholarships 2026/27: Funded Master's Study for Non-EU Students in Italy
- Country
- Italy
- Level
- Masters
If you're a non-EU student looking for an affordable, well-supported route to a master's degree in Italy, the University of Salerno (UNISA) scholarship is worth a close look. Founded in 1968 and tracing its roots to the historic Schola Medica Salernitana, UNISA offers a set of scholarships each year specifically for international students coming from outside the European Union, with the aim of removing the main living-cost barriers to studying in Italy.
Here is a clear, honest guide to what the scholarship provides, who qualifies, and how to apply. It helps to understand exactly what the package covers, so you can plan your budget accurately.
At a glance
- University: University of Salerno (UNISA), Italy
- Level: Master's degree (two-year, second-cycle Laurea Magistrale)
- Number of awards: Around 48 per year (varies by cycle)
- Value: About 8,000 euros per year (cash plus room and board)
- Who it's for: Non-EU students residing abroad with a foreign degree
- Deadline: Annual, a recent one was 8 May
What the scholarship actually covers
Here is the honest picture. Each UNISA scholarship has a total annual value of around 8,000 euros, made up of two parts: a direct cash installment of about 1,800 euros (paid after you enrol and pay the required fees), and room and board (accommodation and meals) at university facilities valued at around 6,200 euros for 12 months. It is tax-exempt under Italian law.
This is substantial support for your living costs. One thing to plan around: tuition at this public Italian university is low (often only a few hundred euros a year, and reduced further for students from countries with low human development) and is generally paid by the student separately. So the scholarship mainly removes your accommodation, meal, and living-cost burden, while tuition itself is modest and affordable.
Why study at UNISA
Italy offers high-quality, affordable European education, and UNISA has a growing international profile with several master's programmes taught in English. Studying in Italy also gives you access to Europe and a rich cultural experience, and the combination of low tuition plus this living-cost scholarship makes it one of the more accessible options for non-EU students.
Who can apply
- You are a non-EU international student residing abroad
- You hold a bachelor's degree obtained abroad that is valid for master's access in Italy
- You have B2-level English or Italian, depending on your programme's language of instruction
- You are not holding the Italian government MAECI scholarship (the two cannot be combined)
- You meet the academic merit criteria (selection is competitive)
How to apply
- Choose a master's programme at UNISA and confirm its language and entry requirements.
- Prepare your documents, including your CV, degree certificate and transcript, course syllabi, a B2 language certificate, two recommendation letters, and the required MAECI incompatibility declaration.
- Apply through the official Universitaly portal (the Italian Ministry system) and follow UNISA's incoming mobility instructions.
- Submit before the deadline. Selection is based on your academic record (up to 60 points), optional extras such as work experience or GRE/GMAT scores (up to 10 points), and an online interview (up to 40 points).
- Check the rankings when published, then enrol and arrange your visa (your responsibility) if selected.
Deadlines
The programme runs annually. A recent application deadline was 8 May (23:59), with rankings published in late June, for study starting in October. Because dates change each year, always confirm the current deadline and call details on the official UNISA and Universitaly pages before applying.
Apply and confirm the details
Read the current call, eligibility, and application steps on the official University of Salerno international pages (applications are submitted via Universitaly): University of Salerno international, official pages.
Keep exploring: see all our scholarships, get ready with our free IELTS and English prep, or read how we verify every listing.
Disclaimer: FoundScholar is an independent information platform and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the University of Salerno. Details change each year, so always confirm on the official source before applying.
Frequently asked questions
What does the University of Salerno scholarship cover?
Each scholarship has a total annual value of around 8,000 euros. This is made up of a cash installment of about 1,800 euros (paid after you enrol and pay fees) plus room and board (accommodation and meals) at university facilities valued at around 6,200 euros for 12 months. It is strong living-cost support; tuition at this public university is low and is generally paid separately by the student.
Is it renewable, and how long does it last?
It supports a two-year master's degree. The second year is confirmed only if you earn at least 27 university credits (CFU) by the stated September deadline, at which point you receive a further cash installment of about 1,800 euros. The scholarship is tax-exempt under Italian law.
Who is eligible?
Non-EU international students residing abroad who hold a bachelor's degree obtained abroad that qualifies them for a master's in Italy. You also need B2-level proficiency in English or Italian (depending on your programme's language). You cannot hold this scholarship together with the Italian government MAECI scholarship.
What is the deadline and how do I apply?
The programme runs annually, and a recent deadline was 8 May, with rankings published in late June. You apply through the official Italian Ministry portal (Universitaly) and the University of Salerno's incoming mobility pages. Confirm the current deadline on the official sources.