Italian Government MAECI Scholarships

Italy is famous for its history, culture, and education, making it a great place for international students, including those from Pakistan, to study. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) offers scholarships to help students pursue higher education. These scholarships encourage cooperation between countries and promote the Italian language and culture.

The MAECI Scholarships are fully financed grants awarded annually by the Italian government to overseas students and Italian citizens living abroad (IRE) who seek to study a variety of academic programmes in Italy. These scholarships demonstrate Italy's dedication to cultural exchange and scholarly collaboration. For Pakistani students, this provides a fantastic opportunity to pursue quality education in a variety of subjects at reputable Italian colleges and institutions.

Programs Offered

The MAECI Scholarships cover a bunch of academic programs at Italian public universities and recognized schools. Here’s what you can study:

• Master’s Degree (Laurea Magistrale): Two-year programs in different fields.
• PhD Programs (Dottorato di Ricerca): Doctoral studies to earn a PhD.
• AFAM (Alta Formazione Artistica, Musicale e Coreutica): Higher education courses in Fine Arts, Music, and Dance at conservatories and academies.
• Italian Language and Culture Courses: Advanced classes for those wanting to improve their Italian and learn about Italian culture.
• Research Projects with Academic Supervision: For researchers working on specific projects with support from an Italian academic.

Benefits

The MAECI Scholarship is a widely sought-after opportunity since it provides comprehensive financial support, making studying in Italy substantially more attainable. Key benefits include:

• Tuition Fee Exemption: Grantees are normally excused from paying university tuition and enrollment fees. However, a regional tax (about €140) and a duty stamp (approximately €16) may still be applicable, and enrollment expenses for Italian language and culture courses are often not reimbursed.
• Monthly Stipend: A generous monthly allowance, typically around €900, is offered to cover living expenses such as housing, meals, and transportation. This is normally paid into your Italian bank account in quarterly installments.
• Health and Medical Insurance: Recipients are covered by MAECI-contracted health and medical/accident insurance for the period of the award, providing peace of mind in terms of health.
• Support for Visa and Residence: While not a direct financial advantage, the scholarship makes the visa application process and acquiring residence permits easier, reducing administrative difficulties for overseas students.
• Cultural Immersion: In addition to financial support, the scholarship provides an intensive cultural experience that allows students to engage with Italy's rich heritage, art, and culture.

Eligibility Criteria

• Nationality: Pakistani citizen, not residing in Italy.
• Academic Qualifications: Relevant Bachelor's for Master's; relevant Master's for PhD; specific requirements for AFAM, Language & Culture, and Research Projects.
• Age Limits: Generally, under 28 for Master's/AFAM/Language & Culture; under 30 for PhD; under 40 for Research Projects. Under 23 for specific Bachelor's.
• Language Proficiency: B2 CEFR for English or Italian-taught programs (IELTS/TOEFL for English; CILS/CELI for Italian). A2 may suffice for Italian language courses.
• Admission/Pre-enrollment: Often required for PhD/Research. Recommended for Master's/AFAM, though may not be strictly required before scholarship application.
• Academic Merit: Strong academic record preferred.

How to Apply

The MAECI Scholarship application for Pakistani citizens is an online process via the "Study in Italy" portal. Here's a brief guide:

• Program Selection: Identify your desired Italian university and academic program beforehand.
• Portal Registration: Create an account on the official "Study in Italy" website (https://studyinitaly.esteri.it/).
• Application Form: Log in and accurately complete the online application form with all personal, academic, and program details.
• Document Upload: Prepare and upload all required documents. These typically include:
  • Passport/ID
  • Attested Academic Certificates & Transcripts (Bachelor's, Master's, etc., with translations if needed)
  • Language Proficiency Certificate (IELTS/TOEFL for English; CILS/CELI for Italian)
  • CV
  • Motivation Letter
  • Letters of Recommendation
  • Admission/Invitation Letter (especially for PhD/Research; recommended for others)
  • Research Proposal (for PhD/Research)
  • Physical Examination Form (if applicable)
  • Passport-sized Photographs
• Review and Submit: Thoroughly review your application before submitting it online.
• Deadlines: Adhere strictly to the application deadline, which is typically in May or June each year. Submit early to avoid issues.

FAQs

1. Do I need IELTS for MAECI Scholarships? 

If you're applying for programs in English, you'll usually need IELTS or TOEFL. For those in Italian, a B2 level Italian proficiency certificate (like CILS or CELI) is often required. Some universities might accept proof of English proficiency if your Bachelor's was taught entirely in English, but check your program's specific requirements.

2. Can I apply for a Bachelor's degree with the MAECI Scholarship?

Most MAECI scholarships are mainly for Master's, PhD, AFAM, and research programs. Scholarships for Bachelor's degrees are often limited to specific students, like those from Italian high schools abroad or certain countries in Africa. Always look at the official application details for more on undergrad eligibility.

3. Do I need an admission letter from an Italian university before applying for the scholarship?

For PhD and Research projects, you usually need an admission or invitation letter from an Italian supervisor or institution before applying. For Master's and AFAM, it’s recommended to apply for admission around the same time. Some sources say you might not need the admission letter for the initial application, but you'll need to get into a recognized Italian university after you're selected.

4. What documents need to be attested in Pakistan?

You'll generally need to get your academic documents (like transcripts and degrees) attested by the relevant authorities in Pakistan. This includes IBCC for matric/intermediate, HEC for university degrees, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). If your documents aren’t in English or Italian, it's a good idea to have them translated by a recognized service.

5. Is there an application fee for the MAECI Scholarship?

No, you typically don't need to pay an application fee for the MAECI Scholarship.

6. How long does the scholarship last? 

The duration of the scholarship can change based on the program, but it's usually for 6 or 9 months in an academic year and can be renewed if you're making good progress.

7. When can I apply for MAECI Scholarships?

The application period usually starts in April or May and ends in May or June each year. For example, the deadline for the 2025-2026 academic year was around mid-May 2025. Make sure to check the Study in Italy portal and the Italian Embassy in Islamabad for the exact dates.

8. What do I need to show for scholarship renewal?

To renew your scholarship, you'll generally need to show that you’re making satisfactory academic progress, which might mean earning a set number of ECTS credits (like 15+ CFU) or getting a positive review from your academic supervisor.