If you’re an international student dreaming of becoming a doctor in Europe, Italy offers one of the most affordable and high-quality paths to a medical degree—and you don’t even need to speak Italian. Many top public universities in Italy offer Medicine and Surgery programs entirely in English.
But there’s a catch: You’ll need to pass the IMAT exam. This blog introduces the universities offering English-taught medical programs, when and how the IMAT exam happens, and what you should know as you plan for the 2025 intake.
Where Can You Study Medicine and Surgery in English in Italy?
Here is a list of public universities in Italy that offer six-year Medicine and Surgery programs in English. These degrees are fully recognized across Europe and many other countries.
Public Universities Offering Medicine in English
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University of Pavia
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Sapienza University of Rome
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University of Milan
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University of Bologna
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University of Padova
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University of Turin
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University of Milan-Bicocca
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University of Naples Federico II
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University of Rome Tor Vergata
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University of Bari
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University of Messina
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University of Siena
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University of Parma
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University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”
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University of Cagliari
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University of Catania
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Marche Polytechnic University
Each university has its own number of seats for EU and Non-EU students, but admission to all of them is based on a common entrance test: the IMAT.
What is IMAT and Why Do You Need It?
To apply to any of the universities above for Medicine and Surgery in English, you must take the International Medical Admissions Test (IMAT). The IMAT is a standardized, multiple-choice exam that tests your skills in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math, Logical Reasoning, and General Knowledge. To understand the exam structure, scoring, and subject-wise syllabus, refer to our dedicated IMAT Syllabus & Pattern Blog.
IMAT Timeline for 2024 (Applicable for 2025 Intake)
While the official dates for 2025 are not yet confirmed, here is the latest IMAT timeline from 2024 to help you plan ahead:
| Event | 2024 Date |
|---|---|
| Registration Opens | September 2, 2024 |
| Registration Closes | September 13, 2024 (3:00 PM Italian time) |
| IMAT Exam Date | September 17, 2024 |
| Scores Published (Label Codes) | September 26, 2024 |
| Detailed Scores & Answer Sheets | October 3, 2024 |
| Official Rankings (with names) | October 10, 2024 |
Note: This timeline is based on the 2024 schedule. Dates for the 2025 intake are expected to follow a similar pattern, but they are yet to be officially confirmed.
IMAT Exam Centres Around the World
You don’t have to travel to Italy to take the exam. The IMAT is conducted in test centers across the globe.
Popular cities include: New Delhi, Paris, London, Madrid, Dubai, New York, Beijing, Munich, and others.
For the complete list of locations and how to choose your center, read our IMAT Test Centers Blog.
Why Choose Italy for Medical Studies?
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No requirement to learn Italian during the pre-clinical years
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Low tuition fees compared to many other European countries
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Internationally recognized degrees
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Access to world-renowned public universities
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Strong clinical training and research opportunities
This page will be updated once the official 2025 intake details are released.
