Biotechnology in Italy

Study Biotechnology Engineering in Italy for Indian Students: Course Duration, Tuition Fee, Scholarships, Eligibility 

Biotechnology brings biology, science and technology together. If you enjoy biology but also want to understand how science can be used to develop medicines, improve food production, protect the environment or build better laboratory processes, this field can be a good option to explore. When students ask us about Study Biotechnology in Italy, we first explain one important point. Italian universities do not always use the exact programme title “Biotechnology Engineering”. You may find related programmes under names such as Biotechnology, Medical Biotechnologies, Molecular and Industrial Biotechnology, Biotechnologies for Food Science, or engineering programmes that combine biochemical and biotechnology subjects. For an Indian student, this matters when you start shortlisting universities. Do not search only for one programme name. Look at the subjects, laboratory work, language, admission rules and career direction before you apply. Italy can be a practical destination for students who want strong university education, research exposure and access to a wider European study environment. Read on and know everything about the admission process to study in Italy before you start the process.

Biotechnology at a Glance

Why Study Biotechnology Engineering in Italy?

There are several reasons Indian students consider to study in Italy for biotechnology and related programmes. Some of the important ones are:

• Explore different areas of biotechnology. It is not only about medical research. Depending on the programme, you can move towards pharmaceuticals, food technology, environmental applications, industrial processes and other areas.
• Good options for Bachelor’s programmes. The University of Bologna offers a 3-year bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology. The 2026-27 programme is taught in Italian and has restricted access. Students are selected through the TOLC-I. The university also has opportunities for exchange programmes and internships abroad.
• Good options for Master’s programmes. At the University of Padua, for example, Medical Biotechnologies is a 2-year programme taught in English. There is laboratory work as well, with a focus on methods and instruments used in areas such as prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
• Choose different specialisations. Padua also offers Biotechnologies for Food Science, with an English-taught study track and laboratory activity. So a student who is more interested in food safety, quality control or food production does not have to follow the medical side of biotechnology.
• Research opportunities. After a master’s, students who want to stay in academics or laboratory-based work can look at further research opportunities in Italy. 

Note: When you plan to study in Italy, first decide what you actually want to study and then check the relevant engineering universities in Italy. 

Not sure which Biotechnology programme suits your profile? Connect with us for guidance.

Eligibility Criteria for Indian Students to Study Biotechnology in Italy

Before we shortlist engineering universities in Italy, we first check your academic background. Eligibility can vary by university and programme. Check the details below: 

For a Bachelor’s Degree

• Academic qualification: You should have completed your 10th and 12th from a recognised Indian board, with around 70% marks as a basic academic benchmark.
• Subjects studied: The university may check your school subjects, marks and academic records before confirming your eligibility for the selected programme.
• Admission test: Some universities may require an entrance or admission test. Depending on the programme, this can include TOLC-I or another university-specific entrance test.
• English language: For English-taught programmes, universities may ask for proof of English proficiency. Common tests include IELTS, TOEFL and Duolingo.

For a Master’s Degree

• Bachelor’s degree: You should have a relevant bachelor’s degree from a recognised institution, with around 75% marks as a basic academic benchmark.
• Academic background: Your bachelor’s subjects, credits and academic records can be checked to make sure your previous studies match the selected biotechnology programme.
• Admission test or assessment: Some master’s programmes may have an entrance assessment or academic evaluation. The exact requirement depends on the university.
• English language: For English-taught programmes, you may need IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo results. 

Deadline and Intake to Study Biotechnology in Italy

Most bachelor’s and master’s programmes begin around September or October. The application deadlines are fixed by the individual university and programme. Some programmes can close applications months before the academic year begins, especially for international students to give them the needed time for pre-enrolment and a visa.

Documents Required to Study Biotechnology in Italy

The final checklist depends on the university and programme, but Indian students looking to study in Italy should be prepared to arrange documents such as:

• Passport copy
• Academic records for school education
• Class 10 and Class 12 certificates for bachelor’s applicants
• Bachelor’s degree certificate for master’s applicants
• Semester-wise transcripts for master’s applicants
• Proof of English or Italian language proficiency, where required
• Curriculum vitae, where required
• Motivation letter or statement of purpose, where required
• Letters of recommendation, where required
• Course or subject details if the university asks for them
• Internship or work documents if they are relevant to the programme
• Documents needed for qualification verification, legalisation or visa processing, according to the university and the Italian authorities

For a student who is still in Class 12, we also advise keeping the predicted or provisional academic document ready when the university permits it. Padua, for example, states that students who have not yet obtained their final qualification may be allowed to submit an enrolment or provisional certificate during the application stage.

Do not upload every document you have simply because you have it. Upload what the university actually asks for, in the required format and by the stated deadline.

Language of Instruction to Study Biotechnology in Italy

You can find biotechnology-related programmes in English and Italian. This is one of the first things we ask students to check when shortlisting a university. A programme can be academically suitable but still be the wrong choice if you cannot meet its language requirement.

For English-taught programmes, B2 is a common level, but the exact requirement must be checked on the programme page. 

So, if you want to study in Italy in English, do not assume that every biotechnology bachelor’s programme will be available in English. English-taught options are more common in some specialised master’s programmes.

Course Duration of the Biotechnology Course

A bachelor’s degree in biotechnology in Italy is often 3 years. A master’s degree is commonly 2 years. The exact structure depends on the university. A bachelor’s programme can give you a broad foundation in biology and biotechnology, while a master’s programme allows you to move into a more focused area such as medical, industrial, food or molecular biotechnology.

Fee Structure for Biotechnology Programme in Italy 2026/27

Before choosing an engineering university in Italy, you should understand how tuition is calculated. Public universities in Italy can have relatively moderate tuition compared with many other international study destinations, but the exact amount is not one fixed number for every student. 

The figures published by universities can change from one academic year to another. So, before you make your final budget, check the current fee page for the exact programme.

Popular Engineering Universities in Italy for Biotechnology-Related Study

When students search for engineering universities in Italy for biotechnology, we suggest looking beyond the exact word “engineering”.

A few universities worth researching include:

The exact availability changes by academic year. Always check the current university programme page before applying.

Scholarships Available to Study Biotechnology in Italy 2026/27 

Scholarships can make a major difference to your overall budget, but students need to understand that there is no single scholarship that automatically covers everything.

There are different forms of support, including university scholarships, regional scholarships and Italian government scholarships.

The MAECI scholarship programme is one government option for eligible international students. The 2026-27 call includes selected study categories and has its own citizenship, programme and deadline rules. The application for a MAECI scholarship is separate from university admission.

Regional and university-based support can also include tuition reductions, fee exemptions, accommodation assistance, meals or other benefits, depending on the region and university.

This is why students searching for scholarships for Indian students should not stop after checking one scholarship website. We normally make a separate scholarship checklist while preparing the university applications.

Can You Study in Italy for Free?

Students often search for study in Italy for free, but it is better to understand what “free” can mean. A scholarship or fee exemption may reduce or remove tuition in some cases, but you still need to consider accommodation, food, travel, insurance, visa expenses and other living costs.

So, instead of planning around the idea of completely free education, calculate your full annual budget and then see how much scholarship support you may receive.

Want to know how you can study Biotechnology Engineering in Italy at a low fee? Talk to our expert counsellors.

Admission Process to Study Biotechnology in Italy 2026/27

The admission process to study in Italy is largely the same for both Bachelor’s or Master’s in Engineering. Talk our experts and know how we can simplify the same for you from start to end:

1. We start by understanding your academic background, the subjects you studied and the biotechnology area you want to explore.
2. We shortlist universities and programmes after checking eligibility, language, tuition, location, intake and career direction.
3. We check the university’s official programme page and admission call carefully. This is where we confirm whether the programme is open access, limited access, has an entrance test, or has additional academic requirements.
4. We prepare the application and the required documents. Bachelor’s applicants will use school qualifications, while master’s applicants will need their bachelor’s degree and detailed transcripts.
5. We complete any required language test, entrance test or assessment process according to the selected university.
6. We submit the university application within the stated deadline. Some universities use their own online portal for international applications.
7. For students who need an Italian study visa, the next stage includes pre-enrolment through Universitaly. The official Universitaly portal states that the pre-enrolment application is required for the process connected with obtaining the university’s eligibility documentation needed for the visa.
8. We then prepare the visa file and arrange the documents required by the relevant Italian authorities.
9. After the visa process, we prepare the practical side of the move, including accommodation, travel planning and arrival documents.

This is why the admission process can look simple from the outside but still needs careful planning. A missed programme deadline or missing document can affect the whole timeline.

Want to know how you can study Biotechnology Engineering in Italy at a low fee? Talk to our expert counsellors.

Career Opportunities After Biotechnology in Italy

Biotechnology can lead to different career paths, and your final options will depend on the subjects you studied, your laboratory skills, internships and whether you continue to a master’s or research degree.

You can explore areas such as:

• Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies
• Medical and clinical research
• Molecular and cellular laboratory work
• Diagnostics and laboratory services
• Food biotechnology and food quality
• Environmental biotechnology
• Industrial biotechnology
• Quality control and quality assurance
• Research and development
• Bioinformatics and data-supported biological research
• Regulatory and scientific support roles
• Academic research and further study

Planning to study Biotechnology Engineering in Italy? Talk to Us and start your admission journey today.

Things to Remember Before You Apply

• There is no single admission rule for every biotechnology programme in Italy.
• Do not assume that TOLC is compulsory for every bachelor’s programme.
• Check whether the programme is taught in English or Italian before you start the application.
• Check the exact academic background required for a master’s degree.
• Do not use an old fee table for your current application year.
• Check the admission call, not only the university’s general webpage.
• Keep enough time for university application, Universitaly pre-enrolment and visa processing.
• Scholarship applications can have separate deadlines from university admission.
• A scholarship can reduce your tuition or living costs, but you still need a complete financial plan.
• Look at the subjects and laboratory work, not only the university name.
• Keep copies of every academic and identity document in the format requested by the university.

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About the Author

Swati Ahuja

Senior Counsellor and Writer

At Anigdha, we understand that choosing to study abroad is rarely difficult because students cannot find information. The real challenge is knowing which information is reliable, relevant and applicable to your situation. Our study abroad guides are written around the questions students and parents regularly ask during counselling — from choosing the right country, university and course to understanding admission requirements, eligibility criteria, tuition fees, scholarships, student visas and application processes. Our Writing & Editing Team researches official university and government sources, admission requirements and current study abroad processes before publishing. Important content is reviewed and updated when university policies, visa rules, application procedures or other requirements change. We do not believe there is one study abroad pathway that works for every student. Our goal is to explain your options clearly, highlight the factors that can affect your decision and help you make an informed choice based on your academic background, career goals, budget and preferred study destination.

Last Updated: October 19, 2026