The University of Milan is accepting applications for its DSU regional scholarship for the 2026/2027 academic year. The deadline is September 30, 2026.
Before applying, one thing is worth being clear about: this is a partially funded scholarship. It provides financial support through living allowances, free catering services, and mobility supplements. It does not cover full tuition fees in the way a government-funded full scholarship would.
That said, for international students already admitted to the University of Milan, it’s a genuine financial support mechanism — and some of the additional benefits, particularly for female STEM students and students participating in exchange programs, are worth knowing about in detail.
DSU Regional Scholarship Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| University | University of Milan, Italy |
| Scholarship | DSU Regional Scholarship 2026-27 |
| Funding Type | Partially funded |
| Eligible Programs | Bachelor’s, Master’s, Single-cycle, PhD, Postgraduate |
| Open To | Italian and international students |
| IELTS Required | Not mandatory — English proficiency evidence accepted |
| Mobility Supplement | €600/month (up to 10 months) |
| Travel Reimbursement | Up to €100 (Europe) / €500 (non-Europe) |
| STEM Female Supplement | 20% increase on scholarship amount |
| Application Deadline | 30 September 2026 |
What the University of Milan Actually Is
Italy’s largest university by enrollment, the University of Milan is a publicly funded institution with faculties spanning medicine, law, science, humanities, pharmacy, agriculture, veterinary medicine, political science, and sport sciences.
Its size means breadth — students across virtually every academic discipline can find a relevant program. The city of Milan adds professional context that smaller Italian university towns don’t offer, particularly for students interested in fashion, finance, design, and business careers after graduation.
The DSU scholarship is administered through the regional student services body (DSU) rather than the university directly. Understanding that distinction helps set realistic expectations about what the award covers and how it’s assessed.
Also See: British Council Without IELTS Scholarships 2027 (Fully Funded)
What the Scholarship Actually Covers
The DSU scholarship provides:
- Financial living allowance (amount varies by income, family situation, and enrollment year)
- Free catering services on campus for eligible students
- Mobility supplement of €600 per month for up to 10 months, for students participating in international mobility programs
- Travel reimbursement of up to €100 for European countries and up to €500 for non-European countries
- 20% increase in scholarship amount for female students enrolled in eligible STEM degree programs
- Increased amounts for students with eligible disabilities
The mobility supplement deserves specific attention. Students who participate in Erasmus or other international exchange programs during their degree can receive €600 per month on top of their base scholarship for up to ten months. For students planning to combine a Milan degree with a semester abroad, that’s a meaningful additional benefit.
The STEM supplement for female students is also underreported in most coverage of this scholarship. A 20% increase on the base scholarship amount is significant enough to factor into a funding calculation.
Who Can Apply
Both Italian and international students are eligible across the following program types:
- Bachelor’s degree (3-year first-level programs)
- Single-cycle Master’s degree (5 or 6 years)
- Master’s degree (2-year second-level programs)
- Postgraduate schools (excluding medical students with specialist training contracts)
- Doctoral research programs
PhD students take note: doctoral applicants are only eligible if they are not currently receiving another scholarship or research fellowship. If you’re already funded through a research contract, this scholarship is not available to you simultaneously.
Additional conditions to check:
- Students must not be enrolled in a part-time program
- Applicants cannot be re-enrolling in a program level they have previously completed
- Students receiving another scholarship or equivalent financial aid for the same academic year are generally not eligible
- Newly admitted first-year undergraduate and single-cycle Master’s students must complete a degree-specific aptitude test as part of the process
The IELTS Question
IELTS is not required for the DSU scholarship application itself.
However, university admission to English-taught programs at the University of Milan may require proof of English language proficiency through alternative means — typically a Medium of Instruction letter from your previous university, a recognized language test, or evidence that your prior degree was taught in English.
The scholarship and the university admission are two separate processes. Meeting one set of language requirements doesn’t automatically satisfy the other. Check both the DSU scholarship conditions and your specific program’s admission requirements before assuming language documentation isn’t needed.
Eligible Faculties and Schools
The scholarship is available across all of the university’s academic divisions:
- Faculty of Medicine
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
- Faculty of Science and Technology
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Humanities
- Faculty of Political, Economic and Social Sciences
- Faculty of Pharmacy
- Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences
- School of Exercise and Sport Sciences
- School of Language Mediation and Intercultural Communication
How to Apply for DSU Scholarship 2026/27
The application is submitted online through the University of Milan’s official service desk portal.
Steps:
- Confirm you meet the eligibility criteria for your program type
- Access the online service desk from the official DSU Milano website
- Complete the application form with accurate, current information
- Indicate your interest in the DSU Scholarship within the form
- Upload all required supporting documents
- Submit before the September 30, 2026 deadline
Once submitted, verify that all fields are correctly completed. The DSU scholarship process is separate from your university admission application — both need to be handled independently.