ACE Money Transfer
ACE Money Transfer
11 Sep 2024
Italy offers Bangladeshi students a remarkable range of scholarship opportunities across every degree level. Whether you are targeting a Bachelor's, Master's degree, PhD, or a short research fellowship, this guide covers all the information you need - from eligibility criteria and application deadlines to living costs and financial management abroad.
Yes, Bangladeshi students have access to prestigious scholarship options to study in Italy for the 2025–2026 academic year and beyond. The Italian government, regional authorities, and individual universities all run programmes that welcome international students from Bangladesh. Key providers include the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAECI) scholarships, EDISU Piemonte regional grants, and university scholarships from institutions like the University of Bologna, Bocconi University, and Scuola Normale Superiore.
These awards can cover tuition fees, free accommodation, health insurance, and a monthly stipend - making them effectively fully funded scholarships in many cases. Partially funded scholarships are also widely available, offering tuition waivers or fee reductions that significantly lower the financial burden. The main degree levels supported include Bachelor's, Master's, PhD, and research fellowships for foreign students.
Many Bangladeshi students in Italy also support families back home through online remittances. For fast, low-cost international transfers, ACE Money Transfer stands out as the best money transfer app in Bangladesh, offering competitive rates and reliable service.
Italy combines world class education with affordability that few other European countries can match. Here is why thousands of international students choose Italy each year:
Quality of education: Italy is home to some of the best universities in the world. The University of Bologna (founded in 1088), Politecnico di Milano, Sapienza University of Rome, and Bocconi University all rank highly in global league tables across engineering, economics, humanities, and arts.
Affordable tuition fees: Public universities in Italy charge relatively low tuition compared to the UK or USA. At the University of Bologna, the fixed fee component is just €157.04, with a variable portion based on family income. Scholarships can reduce or eliminate these costs entirely.
Lifestyle and culture: Italy's rich cultural heritage - spanning centuries of art, architecture, cuisine, and history - makes it an extraordinary place to live. Student-friendly cities like Milan, Rome, Turin, Florence, and Bologna offer vibrant campus life and affordable social scenes.
Work and career prospects: Non-EU international students can work part-time (up to 20 hours per week) during their studies. Italian degrees are recognized across European countries, opening doors for careers throughout the continent.
Scholarships in Italy come from four main sources: the Italian government, regional authorities, individual universities, and private foundations. Understanding the difference between them helps you target the right opportunities.
Fully funded scholarships cover all educational fees and living costs, sometimes including travel and health insurance. The MAECI programme for foreign students and Scuola Normale Superiore PhD scholarships are prime examples.
Partially funded scholarships cover only a portion of educational fees - typically through tuition waivers, fee reductions, or small stipends. Regional need-based scholarships cover free or reduced tuition fees in Italy, and many Bocconi and EDISU Piemonte awards fall into this category.
Merit-based scholarships reward students with strong academic backgrounds, selecting on grades, test scores, and research potential. University-specific merit scholarships are offered by major Italian universities. In contrast, need-based scholarships assist students facing financial hardships, using family income documentation to determine eligibility.
Field and level targeting: Some programmes focus on specific degree levels (Bachelor's, Master's, PhD) while others target particular fields such as engineering, economics, fine arts, or biomedical research. Erasmus+ programs also offer fully funded master's programs for international students across multiple disciplines.
Renewability: Always check whether a scholarship is renewable each academic year and what GPA or credit load is required to maintain the funding. Most schemes require you to pass a minimum number of credits annually.
The Italian government, through the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), provides scholarships annually for international students, including those from Bangladesh. These are part of Italy's foreign affairs strategy to build cultural and academic ties with partner countries.
MAECI Scholarships for Foreign Students: These cover Master's degrees, PhDs, advanced courses in arts, and Italian language programmes. MAECI scholarships provide a monthly allowance of €1,200 for international students, plus tuition exemption at public universities and health insurance coverage. Calls typically open in spring for the following academic year. Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs scholarships require online applications through the Study in Italy portal.
Invest Your Talent in Italy (IYT): This program includes scholarships and internships for non-EU students admitted to Master's or postgraduate programmes. The 2026–2027 call offers €10,800 per year plus tuition support - a unique opportunity combining academic study with professional experience.
Regional scholarships supported by the Italian Ministry of University and Research and regional authorities (such as EDISU Piemonte and LazioDiSCo in Lazio) are open to both EU and non-EU students based on merit and financial need.
Calls, deadlines, and benefit amounts change each year. Always check the current MAECI and regional websites for the latest details before you submit applications.
EDISU Piemonte is the regional scholarship body for students enrolled at universities in the Piedmont region, including the University of Turin and Politecnico di Torino. EDISU Piemonte offers full funding for all education levels, making it one of the most comprehensive support systems in Italy.
Who can apply: Italian, EU, and non-EU students - including Bangladeshi students - enrolled in Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD programs in Piedmont are eligible. You can apply for EDISU Piemonte scholarships online through their dedicated portal.
Funding details: The package can include a financial grant (up to approximately €5,232 per year for out-of-town students), free or subsidized accommodation in student residences, and meals in university canteens. For low-income students, this often makes study effectively fully funded.
Eligibility criteria: Merit requirements include passing a minimum number of credits per year (e.g., 20 CFU for first-year students). Income thresholds require ISEE Parificato or equivalent documentation - the current cap is approximately €26,306.25 for full benefits. Scholarship applications often require proof of financial need via ISEE documents.
Deadlines: The application deadline is typically early September (around 04 September 2026 for the current call), though deadlines vary slightly each academic year. Deadlines for scholarships generally fall between December and May for fall intakes at other institutions.
Example scenario: A Bangladeshi Master's student in engineering at Politecnico di Torino could receive the EDISU grant, subsidized housing, and canteen meals - then supplement with part-time work to cover personal expenses, achieving full financial support.
Many Italian universities run their own international scholarship schemes, often combining tuition waivers with living grants. Here are the most notable:
University of Bologna: Offers study grants and tuition fee waivers for first and second cycle degrees. The GRE "International Talents" programme provided 56 grants of €4,500 each plus full tuition waivers for international Master's students. University of Bologna applications are submitted online through the university portal, and competition is merit based.
Bocconi University: Bocconi University offers fully funded scholarships for high achievers in economics, finance, management, and related fields, with some awards including additional housing support. Bocconi University scholarships require online applications through the Bocconi international students portal.
Scuola Normale Superiore: This elite institution provides fully funded scholarships for international students pursuing PhDs in physics, mathematics, humanities, and social sciences. Awards cover tuition, housing, and a stipend. Scuola Normale Superiore applications are available on their website.
Other prestigious universities: Politecnico di Milano, Politecnico di Torino, and Sapienza University of Rome also offer institutional merit scholarships and fee waivers for students from developing countries. Italy offers Bangladeshi students numerous scholarships across these institutions - check each university's international office for current calls.
Each scholarship has its own eligibility criteria, but most follow a similar pattern for Bangladeshi students applying to an Italian university.
Academic requirements: Most programmes expect first division or equivalent in HSC and Bachelor's level. Strong CGPA is essential for Master's and PhD applications. Merit-based scholarships are available for students with strong academic records, and some programmes require specific subject backgrounds in engineering, economics, or biomedical sciences.
Language proficiency: Proficiency in English or Italian is typically required for scholarship applications. English-taught programmes usually need IELTS or TOEFL scores; Italian-taught programmes often require B2 level Italian certification via CILS or CELI.
Age limits and degree level: Some merit based scholarship schemes set maximum age ranges (e.g., under 30 for Master's). Applicants must hold the previous degree level before the course start date to be eligible.
Financial need documentation: Need-based schemes like EDISU require income certificates, family income statements, or tax documents from Bangladesh. These must be translated and legalized for recognition by Italian authorities.
Other conditions: Applicants typically cannot hold another fully funded scholarship simultaneously, must be an international student resident abroad at the time of application, and must maintain satisfactory academic progress to renew the award each academic year.
Start preparing at least 9–12 months before the intended intake to meet all deadlines. As a general rule, apply 6–8 months before the academic intake for scholarships to allow time for processing.
Research programs: Use the Universitaly online portal (the official Italian Ministry platform) and individual university websites to find courses and scholarship opportunities suitable for Bangladeshi students. Filter by degree level, field, and language of instruction.
Prepare documents: Gather your valid passport, academic transcripts, degree certificates, CV, statement of purpose, recommendation letters, language test results, and income proof. Documents required for scholarship applications can include academic transcripts and a CV. Some must be translated into Italian or English and legalized or apostilled.
Submit university admission application: Most scholarships require an unconditional or conditional offer from an Italian university before the scholarship can be confirmed. Apply through the university's online application system during the main intakes - the fall intake is the most common entry point.
Apply for scholarships: MAECI and regional scholarships use their own online portals, while universities usually have a dedicated scholarship section within the student account. Submit your online application with all supporting documents before the deadline.
Interviews and evaluation: Competitive fully funded schemes may invite shortlisted candidates for interviews or ask for research proposals, especially at PhD level. Be prepared to discuss your research projects and academic goals.
Accept offer, enrol, and apply for visa: After receiving a scholarship, confirm acceptance and complete enrollment. Bangladeshi students need a Type D Student Visa, obtained at the Italian Embassy or Consulate in Dhaka. The visa application form requires proof of enrollment in an Italian university, proof of sufficient financial means for living expenses, and health insurance is mandatory for obtaining a student visa. Visa processing can take several weeks, so apply early.
Understanding total costs helps you judge whether a scholarship truly provides full funding for your needs.
| Expense Category | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition (public university) | €150–€4,000/year (before scholarships) |
| Living expenses | €700–€1,000 monthly |
| Health insurance (SSN) | ~€700/year |
| Books and materials | €200–€500/year |
| Administrative fees | €50–€200/year |
Tuition fees: Public universities charge affordable tuition fees ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand EUR per academic year. Scholarships can reduce this to zero. Private institutions charge higher amounts.
Living expenses: Living expenses in Italy range from €700 to €1,000 monthly. Major cities like Rome and Milan are more expensive for rent and daily costs. Smaller towns in Italy tend to have lower living costs - cities like Pisa, Perugia, or smaller centres in Piedmont offer savings of 20–30% on accommodation.
Part-time work: International students can work up to 20 hours per week. Combined with partial funding or regional scholarships, part-time income can make studying abroad in Italy genuinely affordable across the entire duration of a degree programme.
Many Bangladeshi students in Italy either receive money from family to cover initial costs or send savings back home once scholarships and part-time jobs provide financial support. Secure and low-cost remittance options are essential aspects of managing finances abroad.
Receiving and sending funds: At the start of studies, family members in Bangladesh often transfer funds to cover visa fees, travel, and initial living expenses. Later, students with scholarships and work income frequently send remittances home.
ACE Money Transfer: ACE Money Transfer is the best money transfer app in Bangladesh for students and families. It offers competitive exchange rates, low transfer fees, and extensive payout options across Bangladesh.
Speed: Transfers from Italy to Bangladesh through ACE can often be completed within seconds to a few minutes - essential for urgent education and living expenses.
App features: The ACE mobile app lets you track transactions in real time, manage multiple beneficiaries in Bangladesh, and store receipts for scholarship or visa documentation.
Safe financial habits: Keep tuition and rent funds separate from spending money, avoid carrying excessive cash, and always use regulated digital remittance services like ACE instead of informal channels.
Strong preparation can significantly increase your chance of winning a fully funded or merit based scholarship to pursue higher education in Italy.
Build academic excellence in Bangladesh: Aim for the highest possible HSC and Bachelor's grades. Engage in research projects, final-year dissertations, or extracurricular academic activities that demonstrate initiative.
Write a compelling statement of purpose: Focus on your academic goals, reasons to choose Italy, fit with the specific program, and how the scholarship will impact your career and contribute to Bangladesh's development. Avoid generic statements.
Secure strong recommendation letters: Select referees who know your academic work well and can comment on your merit, motivation, and potential for foreign education at an advanced level.
Prepare language scores early: Take IELTS, TOEFL, or recognized Italian language exams well before deadlines. Aim for scores above the minimum eligibility criteria to stand out among applicants.
Respect deadlines and instructions: Apply early in the application process, follow every scholarship guideline thoroughly, and double-check that all required documents are correctly uploaded before submission.
Can Bangladeshi students get fully funded scholarships in Italy? Yes. Through the Italian government's MAECI programme, EDISU Piemonte regional grants, and leading university schemes at Bologna, Bocconi, and Scuola Normale Superiore, Bangladeshi students can secure scholarships offered that cover tuition, accommodation, and stipends.
When should I start applying, and what are typical deadlines? Start researching by March–April for the next academic year. Deadlines for scholarships generally fall between December and May for fall intakes, while regional bodies like EDISU open in summer with September deadlines. Prepare documents early to avoid last-minute problems.
Can international students work part-time during studies? Yes. Non-EU students can work up to 20 hours per week with the appropriate permit. Combined with financial aid from scholarships, part-time work helps support students and cover personal expenses throughout the academic year.
How can I send money to Bangladesh from Italy? ACE Money Transfer is the top choice for fast, secure transfers via mobile app and web. It offers low fees, strong exchange rates, and near-instant delivery - making it ideal for students managing finances between Italy and Bangladesh.
What if I don't win a scholarship this year? Look for partial funding options such as tuition discounts or regional fee reductions at other countries' programmes. Strengthen your profile with better grades, additional research, and a stronger statement of purpose, then reapply the following year. Many students secure scholarships on their second attempt.
