I'm a prospective student hailing from Czechia/Denmark. After studying Civil Engineering for a year in the UK, I withdrew from my studies. I realized I had no passion for the subject and really didn't like the UK either. I'm now on a "gap year" during which I'm working. Intend to reapply to universities next year, this time studying something along the lines of Political Science or International Relations, where I've found my passion really lies. I've been looking at universities all over Europe where I could study in English, and I've found four universities/courses in Italy that interest me:
University of Milan (Political Science)
University of Bologna (Diplomatic and International Sciences)
LUISS (Politics, Philosophy and Economics)
Bocconi University (International Politics and Government)
I also have a number of questions:
What is the different between going to a public/private university in Italy?
Tuition for LUISS and Bocconi seem very high (€3800 and €5500) especially when you compare it to other countries like Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium. Do you feel these tuition fees are justified?
How well would I live off a monthly budget of ~€1100-1200 in Milan/Rome/Bologna
While I do consider my self a quick language learner, I'd be worried of feeling a bit isolated since I don't speak any Italian. Do you think I'd face issues?
It seems like Italian universities require entrance exams, are these difficult? Do all universities require you to travel to them to take the exams?
Is housing an issue in Italy? Would I have troubles finding a place to live?
(Dumb question) Is Italy a nice place for a student to live? I'm assuming Bologna is the more studenty city while Milan and Rome are more cosmopolitan.
I'm aware that the universities I mentioned are quite prestigious, would you say it's rare students get in? Are students favored more based on their high school grades or on their entrance exams?
When should I get my shit together if I want to apply/how much time to I have left until I'd need to send an application? I hope I'm not too late.
Any advice for me? I'll probably have a chance to visit at least Milan, but I'd still appreciate any and all comments, tips, and shared experiences you might have.
Tuition for LUISS and Bocconi seem very high (€3800 and €5500) especially when you compare it to other countries like Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium. Do you feel these tuition fees are justified?
It's peanuts really, compared to the cost of other European private universities. Oh, and don't get me started on the £9,000 yearly fee for UK universities.
I guess I don't really know much about private universities in Europe. They're nonexistent in Denmark and the ones in Czechia are known as diploma mills.
I studied in Wales so my tuition was £4.5k...and even that seemed high.
I dunno, LUISS and Boconi seem like their high price tag might be justified, I just don't see what makes them special compared to public unis.
What is the different between going to a public/private university in Italy?
Private university take better care of you as a student, are better for networking. Of course they are expensive and not so exclusive anymore.
Tuition for LUISS and Bocconi seem very high (€3800 and €5500) especially when you compare it to other countries like Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium. Do you feel these tuition fees are justified?
Personal opinion: yes if they offer english courses and you plan on working abroad. Otherwise, return on this investment is not guaranteed in the italian job market.
How well would I live off a monthly budget of ~€1100-1200 in Milan/Rome/Bologna
One of them (Bologna) is not like the others. But I think you'd be super ok.
While I do consider my self a quick language learner, I'd be worried of feeling a bit isolated since I don't speak any Italian. Do you think I'd face issues?
Not really, especially if you live in an apartment with other students, or in a student home. I think it canbe more of a hurdle with university burocracy.
It seems like Italian universities require entrance exams, are these difficult? Do all universities require you to travel to them to take the exams?
Some exams can be quite selective (private universities, medical school, etc). I think humanities don't require entrance exams, but even there some courses do.
Is housing an issue in Italy? Would I have troubles finding a place to live?
Not in cities with big universities such as Rome, Milan, Bologna, Padua, Turin, etc...
(Dumb question) Is Italy a nice place for a student to live? I'm assuming Bologna is the more studenty city while Milan and Rome are more cosmopolitan.
Highly depends on you and your habits. But I tend to agree that smaller cities such as Bologna, Padua, Parma, Verona, etc... are better for students.
I'm aware that the universities I mentioned are quite prestigious, would you say it's rare students get in? Are students favored more based on their high school grades or on their entrance exams?
Depends on the school. Usually high school grades count for a percentage for the final list. But if you nail the entrance exam you should be ok.
When should I get my shit together if I want to apply/how much time to I have left until I'd need to send an application? I hope I'm not too late.
I really don't know but I think most entrance exams were this week or the next at best. It may be that you are able to enroll for the second semester, but you should probably call the university's student office.
Any advice for me? I'll probably have a chance to visit at least Milan, but I'd still appreciate any and all comments, tips, and shared experiences you might have.
What I say to everyone with a high school degree: take a year off. Study by yourself what you think you might like, have 1-2 job experiences, use the money to travel and visit places you might like. After this, if there's something you might want to further study, do that. Otherwise, look for a decent job, learn a craft that allows you to have a good quality of life. Above all, try not to plunge headfirst into a career. 18-19 is very early to decide what to do with the rest of your life.
My year off is essentially what I'm doing now - aka working and hopefully having some cash left over to travel. I'm looking to start next year aka 2019.
What you talked about with plunging myself headfirst was basically me going into civil engineering. All my friends did STEM so I thought it would be the "cool" thing to do. I ended up passing 10/12 modules at uni but many of the ones I passed was only barely...
How well would I live off a monthly budget of ~€1100-1200 in Milan/Rome/Bologna
Including rent? Badly/badly/okayish. All three are expensive cities, but Bologna is less hysterically so.
(Dumb question) Is Italy a nice place for a student to live? I'm assuming Bologna is the more studenty city while Milan and Rome are more cosmopolitan.
Bologna is awesome. If I'd had to stay within the nation's borders for whatever reason that's where I'd have gone to live.
Northern Italy is an extremely nice place to live - until you have to worry about jobs and such, then maybe not so much. So yes, great as an externally-financed student.
Southern Italy is nice too, except nothing ever works (source: half of my family is from Sicily).
I personally despise Milan and would never recommend anyone go live there, but it's a matter of personal tastes.
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u/TrumanB-12 Sep 07 '18
Hello guys,
I'm a prospective student hailing from Czechia/Denmark. After studying Civil Engineering for a year in the UK, I withdrew from my studies. I realized I had no passion for the subject and really didn't like the UK either. I'm now on a "gap year" during which I'm working. Intend to reapply to universities next year, this time studying something along the lines of Political Science or International Relations, where I've found my passion really lies. I've been looking at universities all over Europe where I could study in English, and I've found four universities/courses in Italy that interest me:
I also have a number of questions:
Thanks!