Studying in Italy

Studying in Italy – comprehensive preparation for admission to Italian universities

Dreams of studying in sunny Italy, at Bocconi, Politecnico di Milano or Sapienza, can collide with the harsh reality of the admissions process. Studying in Italy is not just a matter of good grades on your transcript, but above all the ability to pass specialised entrance exams such as IMAT, TOLC or ARCHED, and to prepare the complete documentation required by the consulate and the Universitaly platform. Many Polish students are rejected not because they lack knowledge, but because they are unfamiliar with the specifics of the Italian admissions system.

At MonPat Education we guide students through the entire application process – from analysing the candidate’s profile, through preparation for entrance tests based on the Italian secondary school curriculum, to the final submission of documents. The first consultation is free of charge and is designed to realistically assess the student’s chances and plan a course of action for the coming months or years.

Who is the Italy study preparation programme for?

The programme is aimed at students in years 1–3 of secondary school who are planning to study abroad and see Italy as a deliberate choice – not an alternative. We work with both Polish matura students and those following the IB and A-Levels programmes who wish to apply for medicine (IMAT), architecture (ARCHED), veterinary science, engineering, economics at Bocconi, or arts programmes. It is also an offer for parents who want the assurance that their child is being guided by someone who knows the Italian admissions system from the inside.

We also welcome students who want to turn strong grades into a real competitive advantage. Admission to Italian public universities rewards a way of thinking, depth of understanding, and the ability to solve problems under time pressure – something that Polish schools rarely practise.

Why is preparation for admission to universities in Italy so important?

The Italian admissions system is selective and highly specific. For medicine in English there is the IMAT exam, for architecture – ARCHED, and for economics, law or psychology – the TOLC-E, TOLC-F or TOLC-I test. Each of these exams has its own structure, its own question logic, and its own pitfalls. Without targeted preparation, even a very strong student may score too few points to secure a place within the enrolment limit.

On top of that come language requirements – Italian-language programmes require a CILS or CELI certificate, while English-language programmes most commonly require IELTS or TOEFL. The application procedure also includes submitting your school-leaving certificate at the Italian consulate, registering on the Universitaly platform, and waiting for acceptance letters, which are published in August. Each of these stages is a separate administrative challenge that is easy to overlook, potentially undoing an entire year of preparation.

Looking at the bigger picture – better preparation means a better university, and a better university means a stronger network and greater career opportunities. A degree from Bocconi, Politecnico di Milano, or an Italian medical school opens doors not only in Italy but across Europe. It is an investment that pays dividends throughout decades of a career.

How we work – the MonPat Education methodology

Every student receives an individualised action plan (roadmap) that clearly shows what needs to be done in the coming weeks and months. Our mentors are graduates of Cambridge, Oxford and other leading universities who have themselves been through the international application process and know it inside out. We conduct sessions in a style close to the academic – we do not teach “to the test”, but build a way of thinking that works both in the entrance exam and later during studies.

After each session, the student and parent receive brief feedback indicating what is already working well and what is worth improving. Between sessions we remain in contact – we answer questions, review assignments, and clarify doubts. We report progress on a regular basis, so there is always a clear picture of where the candidate stands in their preparation. Why do parents and students choose us? Because instead of chaotic “cramming” we offer a coherent, measurable process led by people who have either sat these exams themselves or have prepared hundreds of students for them.

In the programme we use:

• Entrance exam simulations (IMAT, TOLC, ARCHED) in conditions close to the real thing, with a detailed analysis of every mistake.
• Work on problem-solving tasks in logical reasoning, mathematics, physics, biology and chemistry, tailored to the requirements of the Italian secondary school curriculum.
• Language preparation – Italian courses from level A0, as well as an IELTS Academic course and a TOEFL course for English-language applications.
• Administrative support – legalisation of school-leaving certificates, assistance with consulate contact, registration on Universitaly.
• Potential assessment, including assessment for Bocconi University and assessment for medicine in Italy.

Scope of support in the Studying in Italy programme

Our preparation covers all the elements needed for a successful application to universities in Italy. We work holistically – we do not leave the student alone with the formalities, nor do we limit ourselves solely to subject teaching. It is one coherent process.

• Student profile analysis – assessment of strengths, knowledge gaps, and realistic chances across different programmes.
• Choice of university and programme – assistance in selecting a study programme that matches the candidate’s aptitudes and career goals.
• Application strategy – an action plan mapped out 1–3 years ahead of the application deadline.
• Preparation for entrance exams – specialist courses for Italian exams, including an IMAT course for medicine applicants.
• Language preparation – Italian (CILS, CELI) and English (IELTS, TOEFL) at the level required by universities.
• Assistance with document compilation – legalisation of the school-leaving certificate, application via Universitaly, contact with the consulate.
• Academic mentoring – building the study habits required by the Italian university system, where assessment is largely based on oral examinations.
• Assistance with accommodation in the city of study.

Italy is one piece of a larger puzzle

The decision to study in Italy rarely happens in a vacuum. It often arises when choosing a secondary school profile, an international baccalaureate programme, or in parallel with considerations about universities in other countries. That is why at MonPat Education we treat applying to study in Italy as one element of the student’s comprehensive educational path.

If the student is still at the stage of choosing a curriculum, it is worth knowing that the IB International Baccalaureate and A-Levels are particularly well recognised by Italian universities and often make the admissions process easier. Students who are also considering other countries can take advantage of our support with applications to study in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Ireland or Denmark. For those aiming highest, our flagship programme is also available – support with Ivy League Plus applications and individualised Oxbridge preparation.

Regardless of which direction the student ultimately chooses, we begin with one thing: a conversation about what they truly need. The first consultation is free of charge and comes with no obligation whatsoever.

If you would first like to see what our sessions look like in practice, you are welcome to join a trial lesson with the mentor leading the preparation for studying abroad in Italy.