University of Bergamo Italy €16,000 Scholarship for Top International Students Open
A relatively small number of awards, a clear merit-based selection process, and access to English-taught master’s degrees in Italy are combining to make the University of Bergamo’s Top International Student Grants one of the more noteworthy funding opportunities now open for the 2026–2027 admission cycle. The university has announced six grants worth €16,000 each for international students enrolling in selected English-language master’s programmes.
The Top International Student Grants are merit-based awards offered by the University of Bergamo in Italy for international applicants entering eligible master’s degree programmes in 2026–2027. The grants are open to students whose qualifying degrees were earned outside the Italian education system and provide funding of €8,000 per year for two academic years.
A Funding Package Designed Around Academic Progress
Unlike many European scholarships that bundle tuition waivers and living support together, the University of Bergamo award provides direct grant funding totaling €16,000 over two years. Students receive four installments of €4,000, released as they meet academic progression requirements throughout their studies.
Applicants should note an important financial detail: the grant does not exempt recipients from university tuition fees or other enrollment-related charges. Italian taxes and deductions also apply to the grant amount. In addition, students must pay the required regional tax and administrative fees associated with enrollment before receiving the first installment.
Funding continuation depends on earning academic credits at specific milestones, including 15 credits by April 2027, 40 credits by September 2027, and 60 credits by April 2028.
Eleven English-Taught Master’s Programmes Included
The grants are tied to a select group of English-language master’s programmes offered by the University of Bergamo. Eligible fields include business, engineering, economics, psychology, tourism, humanities, and technology-focused disciplines. Available programmes include:
- Accounting, Governance and Sustainability
- Clinical Psychology for Individuals, Families and Organizations
- Economics and Data Analysis
- International Management and Marketing
- Intercultural Studies in Languages and Literatures
- Management Engineering
- Mechatronics and Smart Technology Engineering
- Medical Engineering
- Planning and Management of Tourism Systems
- Economics & Finance
- Philosophical Knowledge: Foundations, Methods, Applications
The diversity of disciplines means the competition is not concentrated in a single field, potentially creating opportunities for applicants from a broad academic background.
GRE Scores Will Decide the Competition
One feature that immediately distinguishes this funding scheme from many European scholarship competitions is its reliance on GRE performance. Selection is based primarily on GRE Revised General Test scores, with tests required to have been taken after 31 March 2023. The university does not impose a minimum GRE score threshold, but candidates are ranked competitively against one another. In cases where scores are tied, preference is given to the younger applicant.
Because only six grants are available worldwide, the award is likely to be highly competitive despite the absence of a minimum score requirement. Strong GRE results could therefore become the decisive factor separating successful applicants from otherwise equally qualified candidates.
Who Qualifies and What Documents Are Needed?
The opportunity is open to both EU and non-EU citizens, provided their qualifying academic credentials were earned outside Italy. Applicants must satisfy admission requirements for their chosen master’s programme and must not be enrolled in first-cycle, second-cycle, or single-cycle degree programmes at the University of Bergamo. Another key restriction is age: candidates must be under 30 years old on the application deadline date.
Applications require:
- A valid passport or identity document
- Official GRE score report
- Degree certificate and academic transcripts
- Completed and signed application form
Documents must be submitted in English or Italian, or accompanied by a translation into one of those languages.
Application Process and Its Submission Deadline
Applications must be submitted through the university’s designated online application portal. After the review process, shortlisted candidates will be ranked according to their GRE performance. Successful applicants must subsequently secure admission to their chosen master’s programme, complete enrollment formalities, obtain the necessary visa where applicable, and arrive in Bergamo before the university’s specified deadline to activate funding payments.
The application deadline for the University of Bergamo Top International Student Grants 2026–2027 is 10 July 2026 at 10:00 AM (CET).
Why This Opportunity Stands Out?
For students planning a master’s degree in Italy, this programme sits in an interesting space between traditional tuition-waiver scholarships and fully funded national awards. The number of grants is limited, but the transparent GRE-based selection system means applicants can assess their competitiveness early and make informed decisions about where to invest their application effort.
For high-performing graduates seeking English-taught master’s programmes in Italy, the University of Bergamo’s Top International Student Grants represent a rare merit-driven funding route that rewards academic potential with direct financial support over two years.