University of Messina at a glance
- City
- Messina
- Type
- Public university
- Website
- international.unime.it
Key takeaways
- Since 2025/26, UniME's yearly fees for non-EU students are €156 (Group A), €256 (Group B), €356 (Group C) or €506 (Group D).
- Group A (particularly poor countries) includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Ethiopia, Sudan and Yemen.
- For 2027/28, the early-bird call for visa applicants runs 1–20 December 2026; €40 covers up to 2 applications.
- UniME lists 7 bachelor's, 11 master's/single-cycle and 9 PhD programs in English, including Medicine and Surgery.
- English B2 is required: IELTS 5.5, TOEFL iBT 72, Cambridge B2 First or PTE Academic 59.
On this page
The University of Messina (UniME) in Sicily is a very low-cost public university for non-EU students: since 2025/26 its yearly fee ranges from €156 to €506 depending on your country group, and its 2027/28 early-bird call opens on 1 December 2026.
UniME also offers English-taught programs from business to engineering and Medicine. Below are the fees, programs, requirements, official 2027/28 dates and the steps to get admitted and get your visa.
Why Messina is great value
- Very low tuition for every non-EU country group, with a maximum of €506 a year.
- Official 2027/28 calendar with several calls, so you can plan early.
- English-taught Medicine and Surgery through the IMAT.
- Housing help: Casa UniME refunds rent of up to €2,000 a year based on income, and the regional ERSU call covers scholarships, free housing and meals.
University of Messina tuition fees for non-EU students
| Group | Who | Yearly fee |
|---|---|---|
| A | Particularly poor countries (Ministerial Decree 440/2024) | €156 (regional tax only) |
| B | Lower-middle-income countries | €256 (€100 + regional tax) |
| C | Upper-middle-income countries | €356 (€200 + regional tax) |
| D | Other countries | €506 (€350 + regional tax) |
Group A includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Ethiopia, Senegal, Sudan, Syria, Yemen and other countries on the ministerial list. UniME's page does not list Groups B to D by country, so check which group your country falls into with the international office. Fees can be paid in one instalment or three.
English-taught programs at UniME
- Bachelor's (7): Business Management, Civil Engineering, Data Analysis, Heritage Innovation Engineering, Marine Biology and Blue Biotechnologies, Political Sciences and International Relations, Transnational and European Legal Studies.
- Single-cycle: Medicine and Surgery in English (IMAT).
- Master's: Data Science, Engineering in Computer Science, Global Security Studies, Cognitive Science and Theory of Communication, Business Consulting and Management (International Management), Quantitative Methods for Economics and Finance, Geophysical Sciences for Seismic Risk, Mechanical Engineering, Physics: Material Physics and Devices.
- PhD (9): for example Bioengineering Applied to Medical Sciences, Economics, Management and Statistics, Physics, Engineering, Cognitive Sciences.
Admission requirements (2027/28)
- Bachelor's and single-cycle: a high-school diploma after 12 years of schooling, plus your country's university entrance exam certificate if it is required there. With fewer years, you can take the UniME Foundation Course.
- Master's: a bachelor's degree (or provisional certificate) and transcript; each program has its own curricular requirements.
- English B2: IELTS 5.5, TOEFL iBT 72, Cambridge B2 First or PTE Academic 59 (certificates valid 2 years). Native speakers, holders of English-taught degrees from listed countries and IB holders in English are exempt. IMAT candidates for Medicine need no English certificate.
- Passport: valid for at least 18 months.
- Translations: official Italian or English translations of your documents.
Official 2027/28 application calls
| Call | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| 1st call: early bird | 1 Dec 2026 | 20 Dec 2026 |
| 2nd call | 2 Feb 2027 | 19 Mar 2027 |
| 3rd call | 8 Apr 2027 | 8 May 2027 |
| 5th call: IMAT (Medicine in English) | 1 Jul 2027 | 22 Jul 2027 |
Calls can close early
UniME says the 2nd and 3rd calls may close before the deadline depending on the number of applications, and visa applicants should not wait for later calls. The early-bird call is meant for applicants who already hold their final documents, language certificate and Declaration of Value or CIMEA statement.
For Medicine, you apply on both the UniME portal and Universitaly by the same deadline. Read our how to apply guide for Italy for the full Universitaly process.
Scholarships and housing support
- ERSU Messina scholarship (2026/27 call): based on personal or family income; the yearly call also covers free accommodation, meals, mobility and merit awards. International students can be ranked as conditionally accepted if documents such as the visa are missing, and upload them after arrival.
- Casa UniME: a rent refund of up to €2,000 a year, based on income, for out-of-town students with a registered rental contract of at least 10 months in Messina.
- National options: see our scholarships in Italy guide.
Living in Messina
Messina is a port city in north-east Sicily, facing mainland Italy across the Strait of Messina. Whatever your living costs, the visa requires proof of at least €10,179.85 per year (2026/27 and 2027/28) in traceable funds, plus real accommodation and health cover. Our cost of studying in Italy guide explains how to budget.
Benefits
- Tuition between €156 and €506 a year for all non-EU groups
- Official 2027/28 calls with an early-bird round
- English-taught Medicine through IMAT
- Rent refund scheme and ERSU housing and meals
Difficulties
- Smaller job market than northern cities
- Calls may close early once applications fill up
- Early bird requires all documents ready by December
- Group lists B to D are not published by country on the fee page
Timeline for a 2027/28 start
- October–November 2026: choose programs, book your English test, start translations and CIMEA or Declaration of Value requests.
- 1–20 December 2026: apply in the early-bird call (up to 2 programs for €40).
- After admission: complete the Universitaly pre-enrolment and wait for validation.
- Spring–summer 2027: gather funds proof, housing and insurance, then book your visa appointment early.
- By 31 October 2027: the national deadline to lodge the visa application for 2027/28.
How to apply to the University of Messina
- 1
Prepare documents early
Get your diploma, transcript, translations, B2 English certificate and, ideally, a Declaration of Value or CIMEA statement before December.
- 2
Apply on the UniME portal
Register on unime.gomovein.com and apply in the 1–20 December 2026 early-bird call. The €40 fee covers up to 2 applications.
- 3
Receive your admission
If admitted, follow UniME's instructions for the Universitaly pre-enrolment.
- 4
Pre-enrol on Universitaly
File one pre-enrolment for your program and wait for UniME to validate it.
- 5
Apply for the study visa
Apply at the Italian mission where you legally reside, before the national 31 October 2027 deadline. See our Italy student visa guide.
- 6
Arrive, enrol and apply for ERSU
Request the residence permit within 8 working days of arrival and upload any missing ERSU documents.
Applying from Afghanistan
Afghanistan is in UniME's Group A (€156 a year). The Italian Embassy for Afghanistan, relocated to Doha, does not issue visas, so apply in the country where you legally reside. Afghan documents need legalisation, not an apostille; see our documents guide.
Compare all Italian options on the Italy country hub or track deadlines for free on FindUniPath.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the University of Messina tuition fee for international students?
From 2025/26, non-EU students pay €156 (Group A, particularly poor countries), €256 (Group B), €356 (Group C) or €506 (Group D) per year.
When does the University of Messina application open for 2027/28?
The early-bird call for visa applicants runs from 1 to 20 December 2026. Later calls run 2 February–19 March 2027 and 8 April–8 May 2027, and the IMAT call for Medicine runs 1–22 July 2027.
What IELTS score does the University of Messina require?
UniME requires B2 English, for example IELTS 5.5, TOEFL iBT 72, Cambridge B2 First or PTE Academic 59. Certificates are valid for 2 years.
Can I study medicine in English at Messina?
Yes. UniME offers single-cycle Medicine and Surgery in English through the IMAT, with a dedicated call in July; you apply on both the UniME portal and Universitaly.
What is the University of Messina application fee?
The application fee is €40, non-refundable, and it covers up to 2 applications.
Official sources
Checked on 16 October 2026. Rules, fees and dates change — always confirm on the official page before you apply.
- 1.University of Messina — Fees and fundings
- 2.University of Messina — Scholarships
- 3.University of Messina — Application and admission
- 4.University of Messina — English-taught programmes
- 5.University of Messina — 42nd PhD call
- 6.MUR / Universitaly — Circular on international students 2026/27
- 7.Embassy of Italy in Kabul (Doha) — Visas