Applications to the University of Salerno Scholarship for Non-EU Students are currently being received. The University of Salerno is offering 48 scholarships to non-EU international students who live outside Italy. These are for master’s degree programs starting in the 2026/2027 academic year. If you already hold a degree from an Italian university, move along; this one isn’t for you. You apply through the Universitaly portal, not by emailing some admin assistant or personnel.

Submit everything there before the deadline: your CV, transcripts, language certificates (B2 in English or Italian, depending on the program), two letters of recommendation, and a syllabus of relevant courses. Plus a statement saying you’re not also holding the MAECI scholarship. Because that would be double-dipping, and it is not allowed. The selection process has three parts: academic record evaluation (up to 60 points), optional extras like GRE scores or work experience (up to 10 points), and an online interview (40 points). The interview happens in the language of your chosen program. If you pass, rankings come out by June 25, 2026. Then you enroll, get your visa (your responsibility, not theirs), and show up.

Founded in 1968 as a state university, the University of Salerno (UNISA) traces its origins to the legendary Schola Medica Salernitana, recognized as the most important medical school in medieval Europe and considered by many historians to be the continent’s first university. Today, UNISA is a major hub for higher education, with over 40,000 enrolled students, 83 degree programs, and a sprawling, eco-friendly campus in the Irno Valley, which self-produces 35% of its electricity. The university is also notable for its rich heritage, pioneering the admission of female students in the Middle Ages, and its notable alumni include Olympic gold medalist Pietro Mennea. The University of Salerno is also a key participant in the European Erasmus+ program.

Program Details

• Host Institution: University of Salerno (UNISA), Italy.
• Eligible Program: Master’s degree programs (two years). Inter-university degrees with mandatory attendance abroad are excluded.
• Number of awards: 48.
• Duration: Up to two years (renewal conditional on credits).
• Target Group: Non-EU international students residing abroad with a foreign degree.

University of Salerno Scholarship for Non-EU Students Benefits

Selected applicants receive a total annual value of €8,000, broken down like this:

1. A first cash installment of €1,800 after enrollment and tuition fee payment;
2. Room and board at university facilities for 12 months (starting October 1, 2026), valued at €6,200, though meals stop when the canteen closes, so plan accordingly;
3. For the second year, if you earn at least 27 credits by September 15, 2027, you get another €1,800 cash installment.

The scholarship is tax-exempt under Italian law. No hidden fees, but you do have to pay the regional tax yourself.

University of Salerno Scholarship for Non-EU Students Eligibility

To apply for this university scholarship program, you must:

• Be a non-EU citizen residing outside Italy;
• Hold a degree obtained abroad (not in Italy) that’s valid for master’s admission in Italy;
• Submit your application on the Universitaly portal by the deadline;
• Provide proof of B2 proficiency in English or Italian (depending on your program’s language);
• Include two letters of recommendation (preferably from your thesis advisor and another professor), a CV, transcripts with translations, and a syllabus of relevant courses;
• Declare that you are not also receiving the MAECI scholarship. Incompatibility is non-negotiable.

Priority goes to applicants from regions tied to UNIMED, KA171 projects, or other international cooperation agreements. Translation: if your country has existing ties with Salerno, you get a slight edge.

How to Apply for the University of Salerno Scholarship

To apply for this Europe scholarship program, please follow these steps and read carefully, because incomplete applications will not be considered:

1. Go to the Universitaly portal and submit your pre-application by the deadline. That’s the only way in.
2. Upload all required documents: degree certificate, transcript, syllabus, CV, language certificate, two recommendation letters, and the incompatibility statement (Attachment 1 from the call).
3. Optional extras: GRE/GMAT scores, additional academic credentials, or relevant work experience. These can add up to 10 points to your score.
4. If shortlisted, attend an online interview (in the language of your chosen program). The Academic Boards will score you out of 100.

The provisional ranking appears on the university’s internationalization page. Final version by June 25, 2026. If you get the scholarship, you must enroll; obtain a D-type study visa (by December 31, 2026, at the latest, meaning no visa, no scholarship); and arrange your own housing if you arrive before October 1.

The application deadline is May 8, 2026, at 23:59 (Italian time). For more details on the University of Salerno Scholarship for Non-EU Students, please visit the official internationalization page.