The Europe Supplement
Beyond Borders: Italy’s Leap
Through policy reforms, institutional innovation, and expansive international collaboration, Italy is actively influencing how cross-border education evolves in Europe
By Gauri Kohli
“A mix of policy incentives, programmatic reforms and cross-border collaborations are slowly redefining its international presence through the higher education system."
“As Italy navigates regional disparities and demographic shifts, the internationalisation of its higher education system has evolved into both a strategic imperative and a promising opportunity.”
Italy is no longer simply seeking to grow its share of the global student market. Instead, it is cautiously laying the groundwork for something more ambitious: repositioning itself as an academic and research hub in Southern Europe and the Mediterranean. A mix of policy incentives, programmatic reforms and cross-border collaborations are slowly redefining its international presence through the higher education system.
Further steps such as influencing academic trends and mobility in Europe through initiatives like expanding English-taught programmes, offering joint degrees and participating in EU-led university alliances are helping Italy strengthen its role in higher education, positioning itself as a key player in shaping the region’s academic landscape.
While the historically esteemed universities of Northern Italy, such as the University of Bologna, Politecnico di Milano and Politecnico di Torino, continue to attract a large number of international enrolments, a significant shift is underway. Central and Southern Italy are also experiencing substantial proportional growth, with institutions like the University of Florence, University of Calabria and the University of Naples Federico II gaining considerable traction on the international stage.
Recent data from the Ministry of University and Research Statistical Office for the academic year 2021–22 highlights this trend, revealing that Italy hosted nearly 110,000 international students.
From Legacy to Leadership
What’s emerging is not just a numbers game. Italy’s broader internationalisation strategy appears to be shifting away from simply attracting students to positioning the country, and its universities, as contributors to global knowledge production and regional cooperation. According to Professor Francesco Profumo, President of Uni-Italia and former Minister of Education, Italy’s internationalisation goals are multifaceted.
“The country has progressively shifted from a focus purely on capacity-building to a more strategic role of regional leadership by enhancing the quality of its academic offerings, investing in research excellence, and fostering international collaborations,” he tells QS Insights Magazine
“Initiatives such as the expansion of English-taught programmes, the creation of university alliances, and participation in EU flagship projects have positioned Italy as a key reference point for higher education in Europe and the Mediterranean area.”
Founded in 2010 jointly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Ministry of University and Research, and the Ministry of Education and Merit, among other organisations, the Uni-Italia works towards strengthening institutional linkages across borders, besides promoting Italy as a destination among international students.
The English Advantage
A 2023 report by Uni-Italia, titled ‘The International Students in Italy: Main Features and Economic Impact,’ sheds light on the critical catalysts for this growth. Government-backed programmes such as Invest Your Talent in Italy, the Marco Polo and Turandot programmes, alongside a growing portfolio of English-taught Master’s degrees, have played a pivotal role in attracting students from countries like China, Iran and India.
This strategic focus on international recruitment is echoed by Maria Rinaldi, Head of the Liaison Office with the European Union at the University of Turin, who points to the autonomous efforts of Italian higher education institutions in “improving their branding positioning, in enhancing the quality of the academic courses offered in English, in promoting the cooperation partnerships’ capability with non-EU country partners, in fostering the international collaborations and in developing flexible and innovative curricula”.
A Surge In Rankings and Reputation
Furthermore, Italy’s academic reputation has significantly improved. Over 40 of its universities are now featured in the QS World University Rankings 2024, a significant leap from just 15 in 2010. As Professor Profumo states, Italy boasts a “strong academic tradition, high-quality research output, and a unique cultural and historical heritage that enriches the learning experience”.
The 2023 Uni-Italia study also mentions the key determinants influencing international students’ decisions to pursue their education in Italy. These include the authentic cultural immersion offered by smaller towns, the comparatively affordable cost of living, the seamless integration of internships within academic programmes, and a genuinely welcoming academic atmosphere.
Italy’s active involvement in the Erasmus+ programme strengthens its global reputation, with more than 100,000 students exchanging between Italy and other countries in 2022. This active engagement in international mobility programmes is a key element of Italy’s strategy, as highlighted by Professor Profumo.
Bridging the gap
Against a backdrop of demographic shifts, international students are assuming an increasingly vital role in sustaining university populations and ensuring financial stability. In addition to their demographic and economic impact, these students bring diverse global viewpoints and contribute to cross-cultural exchanges in the academic setting.
Over recent years, Italian HEIs, especially those in southern Italy, have struggled with a drop in domestic enrolment, signalling a pressing threat to the vitality, financial stability and sustainability of these centres of learning, as per the Uni-Italia report. The demographic decline, primarily attributed to a decreasing birth rate and emigration trends, casts a shadow over Italian universities.
“In fact, the number of Italian students enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Italian universities, excluding those telematic, for the academic year 2012-2013 was around 1.62 million, while in academic year 2021-2022 the number was 1.55 million,” says the report.
Significantly, international graduates who obtain their degrees in Italy demonstrate higher employment rates compared to their peers educated abroad, indicating a strong potential for seamless integration into the Italian workforce. This potential for “brain gain and talent attraction” is recognised by Rinaldi as a significant contribution of higher education to Italy’s soft power and economic diplomacy.
Engineering, economics and business remain the most sought-after academic disciplines among international students, with nearly 93.8 percent enrolling in bachelor’s or Master’s programmes. Significantly, over 57 percent are pursuing Master’s degrees, a level where English-language offerings are becoming increasingly prevalent.
Forging Global Alliances
As Italy navigates regional disparities and demographic shifts, the internationalisation of its higher education system has evolved into both a strategic imperative and a promising opportunity. The ongoing expansion of scholarship opportunities, the cultivation of international partnerships – which, according to Professor Profumo, have been “highly successful, leading to a dynamic exchange of students and academic staff, as well as joint research initiatives”.
The proliferation of English-language programmes are crucial components of this strategy. Coupled with deepening collaborations between universities and industry, these efforts strategically position Italy as a competitive and culturally distinctive destination within the broader European education ecosystem.
The impact of recent policy shifts and initiatives cannot be overstated. Professor Profumo emphasises the significant impact of the ‘Next Generation EU’ plan through Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), which has channelled substantial investments towards digitalisation, innovation within higher education, and the strengthening of research infrastructures. Experts concur, noting that the NRRP is contributing to the transition towards an increasingly digital and flexible world of education.
Furthermore, the EU-level ‘European Universities’ initiative is transforming the landscape of cross-border higher education cooperation, a fact highlighted by both Professor Profumo and Rinaldi.
Rinaldi notes the crucial role of this initiative in “strengthening the appeal of the European universities to attract the international students, thanks to the deeper institutional cooperation”.
She further elaborates on the policies and reforms propelling Italy’s regional leadership. She highlights the impact of NRRP which, following the COVID-19 pandemic, focuses on creating a more sustainable, resilient, and digitally advanced society. “These infrastructural investments have significantly impacted higher education through innovation, digitalisation, research infrastructure development, and internationalisation,” Rinaldi adds, also highlighting the significance of the Mattei Plan for Africa, launched by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, which aims to build a new form of partnership with African countries, focusing on education and training, among other key areas.
This plan is crucial for strengthening transnational projects in research, innovation, and education between Italian and African HEIs.
Regarding strengthening global partnerships and attracting international students, Rinaldi points to the autonomous strategies of Italian HEIs, which include improving branding, enhancing English-taught courses, promoting cooperation with non-EU partners, fostering international collaborations, and developing flexible curricula like micro-credentials.
Global Partnerships Amid Challenges
Italy’s focus on internationalisation extends beyond student recruitment to include forming robust global partnerships. As Professor Profumo points out, programmes like Erasmus+, double and joint degrees, and strategic academic partnerships have significantly enhanced the attractiveness and interconnectedness of Italian universities within major global education hubs.
Collaboration is also on the rise on the research front, with more co-authored publications involving Italian and foreign scholars and increased participation in international interdisciplinary research projects.
However, challenges remain in sustaining this international engagement. Professor Profumo mentions “bureaucratic complexities, visa and residence permit issues, and the need for more competitive salaries and career opportunities for international faculty”.
Rinaldi also emphasises the need for continuous innovation to maintain Italy’s attractiveness in the face of growing global competition for talent.
Italy’s growing prominence as a higher education centre plays a key role in boosting its broader economic and geopolitical influence. As Professor Profumo articulates, these hubs play a “strategic role in the country’s and Europe’s soft power by fostering cultural exchange, innovation, and the global diffusion of European values”. Rinaldi further adds that higher education contributes through the internationalisation of universities, the export of education services, research collaborations, cultural diplomacy, and the attraction of global talent.
However, despite the success of international student recruitment, Italy’s universities are grappling with the long-term effects of demographic shifts. The country’s aging population and decreasing birth rates present ongoing challenges, particularly for regional universities in the south, where the decline in domestic enrolments continues to affect overall academic strength.
As Italy enhances its educational offerings and international partnerships, it faces stiff competition from other European countries like Germany, France and the Netherlands, which have also significantly expanded their English-taught programmes and international student outreach efforts. The need for continuous innovation is critical to maintain Italy’s competitive edge in an increasingly globalised academic market.